The doors to the throne room swung open and the queen herself rested on her throne, speaking to a guard at her side. Upon our entrance she straightened, her glowing eyes surged with curiosity. A sly smile curled her full lips. She wore a sheer, light-blue dress, tight at the bodice and flowing gracefully behind her tail in a translucent train. Her tail fins swayed languidly in the same motion as her gown. Her shoulders, arms, and cheeks shimmered with tiny iridescent scales. The queen’s blue throne twisted upward into a threatening piece of spiked coral. It mimicked the queen, radiating both beauty and violence.
She gestured with her hand, translucent webbing catching in the light. “Welcome to Nereid, the oceanic realm of sea nymphs, or as you like to call us, mermaids. Your determination to meet me in my own lands is impressive.” She eyed us all, inclining her head toward Dom, and a curious smirk toward me. “It has been a long time since another realm has ventured to our own. I assume you will be here a day or two, no? Let us get you settled in your rooms.”
Though we had just arrived, I wasn’t keen on getting comfortable, but we were clearly at the queen’s mercy, and out of respect for the royal before us, we had no choice but to leave her presence and retreat to our assigned rooms.
I struggled to view auras with my magic spread so thin and sea water washing away my summoned tears. Dom believed this realm would aid the Liberation, yet he had never met them before. I worried his faith had been ill-placed. He likely wouldn’t approve of my spying, but surely I could glean some information to increase our chances of assuring a Nereidian alliance.
Shame continued to batter me, an ever-present haunting in my mind. It stacked its heavy weight on the collection of repellent secrets from my past. If I was caught spying, I wasn’t sure if Dom would understand, or if he would return me to Nolan. I was willing to take the gamble in my desire to prove my worth.
A mermaid with silvery skin approached, her hands began to glow as magic rippled out.
The queen addressed us, “This is Aydrielle, a lady of my court. She will allow you to move and breathe during your time here without concern for your safety.” Aydrielle’s magic caressed my face. I gasped with a sharp intake of breath as my nose tingled and my lungs filled with what felt like fresh air. A glance at Bowen showed gills had formed behind his ears.
“You may drop your own magic, Water Wielder. You and your companions are safe.” I relaxed my hold on the bubble surrounding our group, and immediately my muscles unwound. The dual attention of maintaining enough air to keep us all alive had taken a toll.
“I can show you to your rooms.” Aydrielle’s voice was melodic, her lithe body moving seamlessly out the throne room doors. We stirred up small bubbles as we moved to catch up with our escort. We coasted through several hallways with flowing tapestries. Weapons adorned the walls as well as collections of glowworms that suffused the palace with a surprising amount of light.
We entered a private area with tables and sofas arranged in a semicircle. Several doors surrounded the living area and Aydrielle led us to the first door, which was to be my room.
A bed and simple furnishings created a simple yet cozy setup. “When we sleep, our breathing stills, and the lack of air creates enough weight to make us sink. There are also kelp cuffs on the bed, should it be used forotheractivities aside from sleep.” She arched her brow in Dom’s direction, and I tensed at the gesture. Dom refrained from responding, pretending not to notice her attention.
“Feel free to relax. There are clothes in the closets for you to wear for this evening’s dinner. I will send for someone to escort you from here when dinner is readied. Please, make yourselves at home.” Her hips swayed as she exited. Finn, Dom, and Bowen trailed behind her.
I hoped that we would be in and out of here. Perhaps we would have an audience with the queen this evening. Maybe after dinner.
It wasn’t like we had brought bags of clothes—there was little to unpack. I explored the monstrous piece of furniture akin to an armoire. Carvings of ancient sea dragons, sharks, and squidadorned it. The door clicked open revealing a large assortment of dresses. They were varying sizes, all of them sheer. I stared at each swath of fabric, my mouth slightly agape.
I assumed the queen expected me to wear one of these. The only piece of clothing I wore beneath my tunic and leathers was a silk chemise, and that wouldn’t work beneath any of these gowns. I did still have the swimming suit from Gemma. The light color wouldn’t be too contrasting with the sheer dress fabric. My sigh emitted a barrage of bubbles that tickled up my face.
My attention returned to the kelp cuffs at my bed. The idea of exactly how to spy on our hosts came to me when I learned of their purpose. I lay on the bed and secured my arms through the loops of the elongated leaves. Closing my eyes, I called to the water around me, reaching for it. I stilled my breath, fully concentrating on my affinity, envisioning my silhouette. A gentle disconnect from my body caused a ghost of a smile to form on my lips.
When I opened my eyes again, it was not to gaze at the ceiling in my room. My vision merged with the water around me. I glanced at my body on the bed, then stared at a mirror on the wall, the outline of my body shimmered and blended with the water. I had created a projection of myself through the power, and base material, of my affinity. I could spy anywhere.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
THE SPY
Ididn’t know how much time I had before the dinner summons. My water-projected self might be recognizable if one stopped to assess the glimmering outline of my body’s shape, but the constant undulation of the water blurred even that. The exhilaration of having accomplished this feat of magic left me buoyant.
I cracked my door open and leaked out of the room. Though I surged confidently down the hallways, I was not arrogant enough to storm down the center and risk detection. I stayed pressed against walls and tapestries, stilling when Nereidians passed by.
Servants, guards, and members of the queen’s court flitted about. The throne room beckoned and I peered inside. The queen remained on her throne providing direction and idly speaking with those around her. I swam beyond it, intent in my search.
Recalling the other passages and guards from our initial journey through the palace, I turned down a hall with promise. It led to storage and kitchens and other service rooms. I backtracked, meandering along the corridors.
I spotted a warrior and tracked him. He followed a winding path that eventually opened into a large atrium. I bit my cheek to stifle my surprise. Thousands of muscled, armored warriors filled the area. A sigh of relief escaped me. Perhaps an accord between our realms would truly solidify our chances for success.
I stayed only briefly to observe what I could in regards to numbers, their division of organization, and general hierarchy. The atrium was several hundred feet wide and twice as tall. Levels were separated in ways I couldn’t understand, but there were five that I could count, stretching toward the ceiling, where warriors sparred, weapons were tested, and forms were practiced. It was impressive and encouraging to witness.
I finally retreated, rushing back toward my room, acutely aware of the passing time. My movements involuntarily slowed the closer I came to the entrance of the throne room. Curiosity overcame me at the majesty of Queen Thaleia. I entered her space wary and watchful, lingering in the corner, observing. Everything about this realm captivated me—the colors, the movement, the beauty.
A creature of nightmares swam by, leashed and controlled by a handler. Its body ribboned through the water and its mouth featured long, protruding teeth—two on top and two on bottom. Several more followed behind the first. They innately horrified me. The queen clapped upon seeing them.
“The eels have arrived! It’s been too long since we shared our fun with foreign dignitaries. I do love a good surprise. Make sure they are well-fed.” The handlers maneuvered the beasts into cages. I noticed several other caged eels surrounded by a cloud of blood from the fish they consumed.
They exuded a violence that left me entranced. One of the eels completed its meal and was directed to sink its teeth into an empty container. The teeth oozed out a dark-purple liquid that collected at the bottom.
“They are magnificent, don’t you think?”
