I froze. How had she seen me? So engrossed with the hideousness of the eels and what they were doing with them, I failed to notice the queen’s approach. Hells, this was bad.
Slowly, I turned to her, a sheepish smile on my face.
“These are vampire eels. They provide endless entertainment, as you will experience later this evening. Do you have a question for me? I much prefer direct confrontation over this sneaking around bit; though I commend you on your cleverness. I don’t recall the last water-wielder having such power, or at least using it so brazenly.”
Queen Thaleia did not face me directly. In fact, she did not openly acknowledge her conversation with me at all. If she had, surely guards would have surrounded us. I swallowed down my phantom throat.
“I had hoped to learn more about your kingdom. I did not mean any disrespect. The general is unaware of my actions,” I mumbled.
“I am pleased to share about the Nereid Realm; we are a people who have fought valiantly for what is ours. Now is not the time to discuss this, though. Feel free to join the General and I when we meet tomorrow. For now, it would be best for you to return to your rooms.”
I curtsied and began my retreat.
“A warning to you, Water Wielder.” I paused at her address. “I can taste secrets. And yours are bitter on my tongue.”
Good to know my history preceded me. I raced back to my room where my body remained on the bed, lying in repose as though asleep.
My awareness merged back with my body, and I gasped as air filled my lungs. The small gills below my ears fluttered with the intake of water. I removed the kelp cuffs and left them floatinglistlessly above my bed. I couldn’t dwell on my embarrassment at the queen herself catching me.
Hells.
I entered the main living area where I’d breezed by Finn on my way in, hoping for a distraction.
Finn reclined on a velvet couch; Bowen sat on the other end reading a book from the coffee table. Finn threw out his flirty grin and patted the space next to him. “Take a seat, Rebby.”
I rolled my eyes as I nestled into a spot on the sofa, still catching my breath and grateful for the invitation. Bowen sat on my other side, seemingly annoyed at my intrusion. “I told you that you’d find a dagger in your back if you called me that,” I addressed Finn.
“I like to press my luck. How was that whirlpool portal for you? I thought my balls were going to explode.”
I chuckled, recalling the experience. “It was a very uncomfortable feeling. I feared we would all be separated right until it stopped.”
“I knew it! You would have missed me terribly.”
“No one would miss you that much, Finn.” Dom interrupted, his eyes dark in the ambient light. I avoided his gaze, feigning interest in Bowen’s book. He perked up at my attentions and began explaining what he was reading. I hardly listened.
Shadows pulsed around me, and I peered up at Dom. A muscle in his jaw ticked as he stared down the space between Bowen and me. I frowned at him. Why the hells would he care if I was interested in Bowen’s book?
Those shadows were as moody as its master. I reminded myself of the bargain I initiated. Once it was fulfilled, we could leave this realm and I could connect Evander with Dom. Then, I was leaving. The sting of my nails in my palm grounded me. This couldn’t be over with sooner. I really needed to spend less timearound Dom so I could keep my emotions in check. I flexed my fingers to ease the tension.
Dom noticed the movement as he pulled his shadows back toward himself. His voice flowed firm, if slightly detached. “I will make sure we get an audience with Queen Thaleia tomorrow. Tonight, let’s just glean whatever we can about her and her kingdom and try to rest.”
I wondered if I should tell him about my spying attempt, and the vampire eels, but caution kept me silent. Dom shifted to stare pointedly at Finn. “And eat whatever food they serve us, even if you have to pretend to like it. Don’t insult them.” His tone mirrored a mother chiding her son.
Finn appeared affronted at the remark. “How was I supposed to know that awful stew was Lord Fallon’s dead wife’s favorite meal?” He leaned toward me conspiratorially, pulling me closer than necessary. “I swear it looked like pig brain floating.”
Dom clenched his jaw as the room appeared to darken. I smothered a smile, putting some space between us. “I’m sure we can all stomach whatever is served. We might even be gone by tomorrow. One night of foreign cuisine won’t hurt us.”
A knock interrupted us. A servant appeared to let us know they would lead us to the dining room when we were presentable. I peered down at my scaled leathers and softly sighed, not excited about changing into one of the provided gowns.
A young mermaid with mint-colored hair followed me to my room. “Will you need help dressing?” she asked.
“I suppose I might.” She floated to the closet and emerged with a lavender dress, tiny shells sewn into the hem to help weigh it down. The material was soft and thin, and almost entirely see-through. I held it up, swallowing my future embarrassment.
The servant pretended not to notice. The girl opened a jar, and tiny flecks of glowing lights swam out, burrowing into the material. She softly smiled. “These are microjellies. They won’t sting you, but their tentacles, which you can hardly see, cast a silver glow. Living glitter. They are used in our finest gowns.” She held it up, the dress now sparkling with the twinkling lights of a thousand jellies, nodding in approval.
I removed my leathers and searched for Gemma’s swim suit. The little scraps of cloth barely covered my most intimate parts. The gracious mermaid averted her eyes until I beckoned for her, and then she pulled the dress over my head, affixing it securely to my body. The sheer fabric shimmered with a sweetheart neckline and fitted bodice. The gossamer grazed my hips before flowing delicately to my ankles. Even staying still, it glistened.
“If you intend to wear this stringed underthing, I would recommend only the bottom. The top detracts from the beauty of the dress. Our culture believes that the forms we inhabit are to be celebrated. I could rearrange the microjellies to cover more of your chest if that helps.” I gulped, nodding.
