It was difficult. But I tried.
In the end, my lungs decided for me.
My mouth opened wide. I sucked in a huge breath.
Then my eyes snapped open. I blinked.
I took another breath.
And my body instantly relaxed.I could breathe.
“Why are you all holding on to the elven heir?” Queen Alora asked, swimming up fast behind the Caster Queen. Holy Fae…her voice soundednormal. “What is the issue?”
I opened my mouth and said, “It was my fault.”
Andshit.
I sounded like a blubbering mess under the water.
Queen Alora laughed—and it didn’t hurt my ears. “I did not doubt that for a second, Princess Trixie.”
The three rulers released me, seeing that I was fine.
And King Traevon appeared behind my soul mate, his expression frantic.
“I was afraid to breathe,” I admitted.
Queen Alora stared for a long moment, her eyes assessing, before she looked at my father. “Your heir was afraid to breathe underwater, King Traevon. You should have thought of that.”
His eyes snapped on mine, an apology in his gaze.
I smiled, letting him know it was all right.
“Let us try this again. Everyone follow me.” Queen Alora turned in the water with ease and started swimming down once more.
This time, there wasn’t an issue.
We swam as a group. With the Merfolk Queen leading.
Just as it became too dark for me to see, yellow fish began to light the way. Theylitthe ocean in sporadic swarms of yellow like sconces. I stared in wonder as I swam, staying close to my king and my soul mate.
I supposed my father was right.
That yellow fish earlier wasn’t wicked. Only curious.
This was all mesmerizing…until I spied a predator.
I screamed and pointed at the creature. “Shark!”
Rapidly, Queen Alora was ablur. Sling-shotting to the shark. A meretracein the water as she attacked.
With my heartbeat slowing, I mumbled in awe, “Fuck.”
The shark quickly left after that skirmish, which I did not blame it for one bit. I would have tucked tail, too. The Merfolk Queen was certainly the apex predator.
Down, down, downwe swam. And I wascold.
My muscles started to cramp and my body shivered horribly, but I kept swimming with the rulers, not about to be left behind.
