Cosimian Trench appeared like a mirage. The crevasse in the bottom of the ocean floor was long and deep. It teemed with activity and became brighter as we swam closer.
A dome of glass encased the middle, thin and just as long as the trench. Merfolk could be seen inside walking on streets and eating outside shops. In the very middle of the trench, a castle rose high, its peaks almost touching the top of the dome.
My teeth chattered, but I managed, “Oh, my Fae.”
Queen Alora laughed softly and glanced over her shoulder at me, her hair wild and floating about her head. “I am pleased you approve, Princess Trixie.”
I slowed down when we reached the very bottom of the ocean trench, our movements hampered by merfolk zigzagging around us. They were obviously in a hurry since I could barely see them.
We stopped at one of the wide open, round entry points to the domed city. No water was flowing inside it. It was merelytherefor access, caster-spelled. Just as the inside was caster-spelled for oxygen. There didn’t appear to be any merfolk nearby either, as if it were an alleyway, with black, stone buildings on each side.
Queen Alora flipped her body around, placed her bare feet on the sandy ground, and took a step inside the city.
I waited and watched, making sure I could do this right.
So when it was my turn it was flawless.
I grinned at my father and wrung my hair out. “That wasn’t so bad.”
It was a shame my teeth still chattered like crazy.
King Traevon laughed and pulled me against him, then started rubbing at my back briskly. “Eventually, you will get used to the cold swim.” His skin was just as frozen as mine, but he handled it far better—like the other rulers, as usual. “And it is warm in here, my daughter. You will warm up quickly.”
“Thank the Fae,” I groaned and trembled against my father. I yanked my hands up between us and rubbed them together. “Because, honestly, that was dreadful.”
King Elon chuckled darkly. “Now imagine how it is for a gorgon, Princess Trixie.” His long, shamrock green braids twitched.
“Oh, that is a depressing thought.” I shook my head and grumbled, “How are you still moving, King Elon?”
“With practice,” he hissed. “Much practice.”
Queen Alora already had her hair up in her normal ponytail high on her head, her hair dripping down her back. And she said—screeched, “We need to change into our disguises.” She pointed to the stone building on the right, a wooden door set within the black stones. “There are bathrooms just inside.”
I flinched and looked behind her, down the alleyway.
But no one was there, mercifully.
“The entrance is being guarded right now, Princess Trixie.” She rolled her eyes and opened the door, walking inside the building.
King Traevon released me as we filed indoors.
The women in one bathroom. The men in the other.
I pulled the hood of my knitted sweater over my wet bun, glanced at the two queens, and growled, “Yourcrowns. Take them off. How many times must I say that on these quests?”
With her brown-mist eyes swirling, Queen Mikko chuckled. “Mayhap, every time. It is a habit for us, as it will be one day for you.”
My red brows slammed together. “Let us not talk about my king’s demise.”
“Too true.” She dipped her head. “I do apologize.”
“That is all right.” I waved my hand at her and strolled back out to the alleyway with them. With one glance at the kings. I muttered curses. “This is simply untenable.”
Then I pointed sharply at their heads.
As they all divested themselves of their crowns, we walked down the alleyway, where there were, indeed, two merfolk guards in their yellow attire.
“I’ve had the librarians bring all the literature pertaining to the original merfolk to my castle. A room has been prepared for us. It should be to your comforts,” Queen Alora explained. “I do warn you, as I said before, the breadth of information is vast. There will be much reading to be done, but first I’ll show you to your rooms so you may unpack and freshen up. I’ve planned for lunch to be served with our studies in an hour.”
