Aulani eyed my counselor with suspicion, and when he nodded to her, she tipped her head, as if studying him.
“You mean to say there aremorefrogs?” I asked.
Ho‘ohuli looked frantic. “Yes, sir. But people are saying parts of the forest are dying, while others are healing… and it seems the forest closest to the palace is healing. It’s thriving even! But other parts of the island…” He shook his head. “If we don’t do something, our island will die.”
I met Aulani’s eyes and she nodded.We have to help, Ezra.But it seemed like the coral walls in her mind had doubled overnight, and I couldn’t even sense any underlying currents of her feelings.
“People are talking,” Ho‘ohuli added, and turned to the mermaid princess. “They’re wantingyou,Miss Aulani, to come to their villages and towns. You’re a miracle to them.”
“No,” I said suddenly and sharply. “I’m taking Aulani to the sea today.” A promise was a promise.
But the birds…She hesitated, even as she said it, and her gaze looked past me, to the distant sea, miles away.
“We’re going to the sea,” I said again, and Ho‘ohuli let out a breath.
“Yes, your majesty.”
Ezra.Aulani squeezed my hand.What about your people?
I’ve already asked enough of you–
The birds? The island? The trees? Not only has Cressida’s magic negatively affected it, but how will you help them get their life back? Their desire? They need something more.
I hesitated. They needed Aulani. But I couldn’t do that.
I can do it,she said.For you.
I shook my head.
This is my decision.Her intense gaze poured through me, and I knew nothing I said would change her mind. It touched me more deeply than she’d ever know.
“Alright, but I’m taking you to the sea,” I reassured her. “Tonight.”
“You can’t go with her,” Ho‘ohuli said. “You’re needed here, your majesty.” He looked sympathetic. “Kalei can go with her to the villages and forests. We’ll have them both back by the banquet tonight.”
Ah yes. Another banquet. What was this one for?
The anniversary of my father’s death.It was to honor him. I took a silent breath. If only father were here. He’d know what to do… about everything: Tavo. The birds. Aulani, even.
Call me if you need anything,I said, and she nodded.
I will.
Just then some guards came running down the hallway. “Your majesty,” they said, out of breath. “Princess Cressida is missing. She was here last night but is nowhere to be found this morning. Her servants and guards won’t answer questions.”
I pursed my lips.One more thing to add to the list.
“Send out a search for her. I want her–and that golden ball–back in this palace by the end of the day.”
“Yes, your majesty.” The guards hurried out.
We’ll keep an eye out for her,Aulani assured me, then left with Ho‘ohuli. I stood there, alone, the garden quiet except for the faint rustle of leaves in the night wind. Usually, she’d turn back and give me that small wave, something to anchor me.
But this time, nothing.
The weight of the palace, the throne, my father’s absence… it pressed down harder than any armor. Every decision, everyexpectation, every life depended on me… and I was supposed to lead. Should I even try? My thoughts spiraled. I wasn’t ready. Maybe I’d never been ready.
Should I give the throne to Tavo? Let him take control of the island I’d grown to love? Our trees, our songbirds, our traditions… all at risk under his hands, under the foreigners’ hands if he followed their ways.
