You still are.
I gave her a sideways glance.The funny thing is, I had a longer tongue.
She burst into laughter: loud, bright, and echoing off the walls in my mind. I let myself smile… just a little. She nudged my shoulder with hers.What’s weighing you down, frog prince?
I sighed and looked out towards the lush mountains, which leveled out until they met the sea in the far distance. “Foreign kings trying to buy my people’s loyalty like it’s fruit at a market. They offer wealth, weapons, women…” I shook my head. “All to ‘help’ us, bribe us while cutting our roots.”
Oh you mean Tavo.
I sighed and nodded. The fact that he offeredpeopleas a form of trade made me sick to my stomach. He spoke of paper brides and indentured servants, even slaves. I could never do that… not to my people. Not to anyone.
You’re not just their king, you know,she said softly, her gaze tracking the wind-blown ti leaves.You’re the protector of this island and every life within it.
I looked at her then. Really looked at her. Her hair smelled like hibiscus and sea salt, and she had a smear of dirt on her cheek, like she’d been exploring again. Pili, that ridiculous songbird, circled above us and then landed on her shoulder. He watched me with tilted eyes.
And you,I said dryly,are the mermaid who talks to birds and stole my heart.
She grinned.You stole mine first, frog boy.
We sat in silence for a while, then I whispered to myself, “My kuleana feels heavier every day.”
Aulani reached over without ceremony and took my hand, calloused from planting and pen alike.Then let me carry some of it. Just for a while. I’ve got strong arms.She squeezed my hand.Mermaid arms.
I blinked down at our hands and interlaced our fingers, watching as the shimmer of sunlight danced across our skin.
That’s not how mermaids work. I thought they were all dainty and put together.
You’ve clearly never met one like me.
This time, I laughed.
CHAPTER TWELVE
AULANI
The welcome banquet was quite the scene. Ezra spared no expenses in making sure his brother was welcome home while asserting his position as king. Ezra sat at the head of the table, with me sitting on his right side, and Tavo lounging on his left side.
In this position, I felt that I was in a rather uncomfortable spot because Tavo kept staring at me. He was trying to figure me out, trying to understand why Ezra had a mute girl next to him, especially a girl who did not look like anyone else here. Among my other unique features, my red-tinted hair stood out like a red anemone in a bed of pale shells. I wore blue, while everyone here wore earthy tones of browns, muted creams and ivories, and lots of green.
Cressida sat at the farthest end of the table. Earlier that day, they questioned her, but she pleaded innocent to everything… or so Ezra told me. I didn’t trust her, and I wondered if they had asked her about that golden ball…
The banquet table glittered with candlelight and crystal, gold leafing curling along the rims of koa wood goblets and plates like vines. Music trickled through the high-vaulted ceilings, and laughter echoed from every corner–except where Ezra sat.
Everyone was happy to havebothbrothers back, but neither brother seemed too pleased to see each other. The tension between them was taut and uncomfortable.
Across from me, Tavo sipped from his goblet and let his eyes rake slowly over me. My eyebrows furrowed. “Ezra,” he said, smiling as smooth as oil on water. “You’ve brought quite the enchantress to the table. What was your name again, love?”
Love?I lifted my chin as my fingers tightened on my fork.
Ezra’s jaw flexed. “She doesn’t speak,” he said.
Tavo clicked his tongue. “What a shame. So beautiful, yet… so quiet.” He grinned. “The best treasures often are.” He leaned forward, and my insides tightened. “What was her name again?”
Ezra’s grip tightened around his goblet. “Her name is Aulani.”
“Aulani.” Tavo said my name, as if he were tasting it in his mouth. “Interesting. She doesn’t look like she’s from here.” I hated he was talking about meright in front of me.Ezra, too, seemed completely bothered by this.
Want my fist to smash his nose?
