There were those who held us responsible for the curse. My grandmother thought I didn’t know, but I heard the whispers. Sometimes, I wondered if anyone had been bold or stupid enough to confront my grandmother about it. How would Callianassa the Cold have dealt with such a threat to her reputation? Quickly and cuttingly, no doubt. She had earned her nickname, after all.
“I know, I know,” I said, gently touching the gold charm bracelet on my wrist. It had belonged to my mother, and I hadn’t removed it since I was old enough to wear it.
“Then I do not need to remind you that it would be unwise to provoke Her Majesty this evening?”
“You do not.” I sighed.
“Do you believe you are capable?”
My gut squirmed. “Yes.”
“Liar.”
Damn his truth detection power.
Chapter 3
The ballroom was electric with anticipation—I could feel it as surely as I could feel everyone’s eyes on me.
I sat beside my grandmother on the dais positioned above a pool of rocks, toying with my charm bracelet and studying the opal clock on the wall. It was less than an hour until midnight, until my birthday, until I would have to demonstrate my elevated powers to the hundreds of Mer gathered here tonight.
Most notably absent from the festivities was my mind. It was too busy running between worst-case scenarios.
My powers not manifesting.
My powers manifesting but being unable to control them.
My powers manifesting but getting dismissed as weak or unimpressive.
They all resulted in my very public humiliation and my grandmother’s rage. It didn’t help that time seemed to be moving at double the speed, heightening my anxiety as midnight grew nearer.
“Stop fidgeting,” my grandmother reprimanded. Still furious about the gown, she glared at me from her throne, which was fashioned from the white shell of a giant mollusk.
Remembering myself, I let my hands fall into the lap of my gorgeous, single-shouldered, sapphire gown. The figure-hugging silhouette was a far cry from the puffy mess my grandmotherhad selected for me, with its exposed section on the left side of the waist and a slit that nearly reached my thigh.
On my head rested a golden tiara ornamented with diamonds. My long hair, embellished with tiny crystals, cascaded in loose waves down my back.
I was a wreck on the inside, but at least I looked sensational. Straightening against my throne, I cast my gaze coolly around the room.
Statues made of water, depicting ocean waves and marine life, decorated the ballroom. Crystal sconces cast warm shadows off the aquamarine walls and blue agate floor. Magical bubbles floated through the air, rising to meet the ceiling, which was enchanted to look like the calm ocean on a sunny day.
Servants dressed in loose robes of teal weaved through the crowds, serving delicacies and beverages. With an oily sensation in my stomach, I watched revelers feast on crab cakes, dance, laugh and await the evening’s entertainment: me.
Ordinarily, I would be amongst them, dancing with handsome mermen and sneaking bottles of bubbling wine, but tonight I was expected to remain seated until my demonstration was over. A shame—I could have done with the distraction. And the wine.
Tearing my eyes away from the towering cake displayed on a pedestal beside the dais, I steered my attention towards my friends huddled together in a group.
Friends was probably too generous a term. Court was a lonely place where sincerity was scarce and everyone vied to win the queen’s favor. My grandmother taught me from an early age to trust no one, never let my guard down, and never show signs of weakness. “If they scent weakness they’ll tear you apart like a shark would a seal pup,” she’d say.
The moment they felt my eyes on them, theyall stopped whispering. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that they werehoping to see me humiliated tonight. What better entertainment for the cursed than the downfall of an heir?
I returned their fake smiles with a self-assured smirk. I’d be damned before I let them catch a scent of my inner turmoil.
My grandmother startled me out of my thoughts. “You know, you’re exactly like your mother was at these soirées. Restless, always so eager to dance.”
My heart swelled at the comparison. On the rare occasion she spoke of my mother, it was almost always to comment on our similarities.
“Sounds like she was a lot of fun,” I said, eying the crystal goblet in her hand.The things I would do for wine right now…
