Chapter 12
Confession of a princess:
Being so near where the realm drops off is intimidating. It isn’t so close that I can feel it…but I know it’s there.
The edge. The death.
Swim just a little farther and you would touch it.
It is nerve-wracking. I do not like it.
Merfolk are brave, indeed.
Icrossed my arms and rubbed at my biceps. My attention was on the void, past where we were moored with a heavy anchor. “Father, why is Cosimian Trench the capital city of the Merfolk Kingdom?Whywould they build it here of all places?”
The horizon over the ocean was truly avoid.
There was nothing there but deep shadows.
King Traevon stood next to me in the bow, while the sun beat down on our faces, and stared with me—except he appeared thoughtful, while I wanted to hide. “The original merfolk chose this location. Cosimian Trench has essentially always been here. It has grown over time with its people. It’s the largest city and affords many merfolk the opportunity to live together.”
I grunted and turned away from the view. “The original merfolk must have been insane to build here. I would never live so close to the edge as a first choice.”
Father looked down upon my face. “It is a conundrum. Although, you may be right. He could have been insane, and merfolk people have simply adapted themselves to this lifestyle.”
“Or, mayhap, he was just an asshole.” I snorted.
“That could be true, too.”
I lifted my right hand and shaded my eyes from the glare of the sun. “I believe I see purple and orange sails larboard side.”
“And King Elon is coming up fast on our starboard side.” King Traevon stretched his arms above his head and arched his back, groaning deeply. “I shall need to have new cushions bought. Those were alarmingly terrible on my back.”
I snickered. “I feel great, my king. You may wish to purchase more like the ones I had.”
Father grumbled under his breath.
“What was that?” I cupped my ear. “I couldn’t hear you.”
“I saidthat you are just like your mother. She steals the best pillow every night.”
I bit my fangs down onto my lower lip and tried not to laugh at his terribly annoyed expression. “Purchase new ones. Your problems will be solved.”
“I have.” He waved his hands about between us, smacking his hands together. “But she checks each one every night and pilfers her favorite.”
I arched a red brow. “Uh…hide one of your choosing. You take forever to fall asleep. She won’t notice when you creep out of bed to grab it.”
King Traevon blinked. “That is a bloody marvelous idea.”
I sighed in exasperation and turned to watch as my soul mate’s boat came to a gliding stop next to us. “I’m happy to help you, my king, anytime the obvious has escaped your thoughts.”
Father snorted. “I believe I deserved that.”
“Indeed you did.” Then I waved at the Shifter King and shouted eagerly, “Does your boat have chairs, King Athon? Ours does! Do you want to come and see them? And cushions and blankets! And wasn’t the voyage amazing? It’s because we are atopwaterright now! It’s spectacular! There is also a yellow fish that keeps circling that I think is very suspicious, but my king says its harmless.”
King Traevon flopped back down on his chosen chair and shook his head at me in amusement.
My soul mate fairly stared at me like I’d lost my mind. He shouted back furiously, “Have you been smoking again, Princess Trixie?”
