“I couldn’t give a rategon’s ass if it’s not the done thing. Do you want to be my friend?”
“Yes,” she squeaks.
“Excellent. Do you know where I live?”
“I do.”
“Then drop by later. We can talk about all things ocean, and you can fill me in on the dos and don’ts.”
“You have Frank.”
“Frank protects the sword and the narrative. Not me. I need folks who put me first, not my shiny sharp sword.”
Maisy wobbles like she’s trying to stand taller. “Then I accept your offer of friendship.”
I grin at her. “Excellent.”
“Looky here,” a familiar female voice says. “The maiden has met her destiny.”
Maisy squeaks in distress and contracts, a cloud of ink squirting from underneath her.
I turn, finding the sea witch from the cave. “You freaked out my friend. Apologize.”
The sea witch sneers at Maisy. “I don’t speak to lower lifeforms, let alone apologize.” I fold my arms, but Maisy makes a hasty retreat to the other side of the room.
“What do you want?” I snap.
“I told you I would be seeing you.”
“So you made a vague statement about my future and, low and behold, twisted it to declare you are some sort of psychic. Congratulations. Would you like a medal?”
One of her tentacles is shorter than the others. Seems to be my thing for sea creatures.Watch out—Daphne Stone is here to take your tips, but not the whole thing, just enough to count.
“Have you figured out what you are yet?” she sing-songs, ignoring my insult.
“Apparently, I am the Lady of the Lake.”
She smiles, but it’s not pleasant. It’s malicious and full of wickedness. “Pity. I thought you were so much more.”
“I am enough. A maiden at my core, a sister in blood, and a girl who is falling for her knights. This fairy tale I have found myself in is an accident at best, and a catastrophe at worst. Once people realize the chaos I cause, they’ll shove me out of the water and back onto land.”
She shakes her head. “Oh, what a tangled web you’ve weaved, Daphne Stone.”
“I am no spider. I have not woven any web.”
Frank suddenly appears next to me. “Sea witch, leave the Lady alone. You’re aware of the rules. You cannot touch or make deals with her.”
So a perk of my predicament is I’m protected? That’s good news. The sea witch winks at me. “I’ll see you soon, Daphne.” She slinks off into the crowd, who part to give her a wide berth before she exits the room.
“She gives me the creeps,” I decide.
“That’s not unreasonable,” Frank mutters. “If you are finished, we should return to the house. I’ll ensure you get settled in for the night.”
After a few more farewells, we meet Linda just outside of the palace walls. I climb on her back with a little more finesse this time, and we set off. I take in the wonders of the ocean as it appears to get darker with each passing tempo.
“Are there lights? Or am I going to be in the dark? Because I have to tell you, I struggle in the light of the diurnal, never mind when I’m blind.”
“There are spelled items in your home to provide illumination,” Frank answers.
