“You did,” Vearla argued as Lukas tensed beside me. “You made your choice when you chose that awful man, Ikelos, over your family.”
“But I didn’t know that he’d—”
Lukas held his palm up, cutting them both off. “It seems you have a lot to talk about,” he sighed. “But perhaps you could have this discussion once you’ve returned to the Merfolk Palace? We had intended for this to be a fond farewell.”
I passed him a smile. This couldn’t have been easy for him. Still, pride swelled in my chest as he dropped my hand to pat Erissa on the back.
“Goodbye, Mother,” he said plainly. “I hope you find the happiness here that you lost with my father.”
All she could give him was a uncertain nod before the Merfolk Queen pressed a quick kiss to her lips and helped her below the surface.
“Come, Lyssa,” Adriana called out to her. “Mother said she still has my essence locked away at the palace, so you can have my tail now that I have yours.” She grinned, and Lyssandra returned her smile.
“I did always think green suited me more,” she laughed.
Before the pair dipped below the waves, Lyssandra cast one more look over her shoulder towards us. “Arenn has been dealt with,” she said coolly. “Your bond has been broken so he won’t come for you again. But even if the fool tries, he’ll have both my wrath and your husband’s to deal with.”
“Thank you,” I said, and I meant it.
With a final smile, she slipped beneath the waves.
Once a few moments had passed, Lukas returned to my side, pulling us both down to the warm sand. Letting my head rest on his shoulder, I leaned against him.
“So what now?” I asked. Evening sun danced off the gentle waves as water lapped around our feet.
“What now, indeed.” He huffed out a laugh. “There’s still the issue of my aunt’s ‘husbands’ to deal with. No matter how merfolk I may be, I’ll never agree with keeping humans as captive pets – it’s just not right. So I told Vearla she needs to order that all charmed humans be uncharmed and returned to Ryntook, or at least given the choice to stay or go.”
“You think she’ll agree to that?” I narrowed my eyes.
Lukas smirked. “I told her she has to if she ever wants to meet her grand-nieces and nephews.”
My heart fluttered. Unable to hide my smile, I teased,“And how soon will we be having those, do you think?”
“As soon as my lovely wife is ready.” He drew closer. “Though, if it were up to me, I’d start trying right now.” I giggled as he nipped my ear.
“But where will we raise these children?” I asked before he could push me to the sand. “With Arenn no longer a threat, I can return to Corlixir, to my friends!” A smile touched my cheeks. But then it faded.
I may have grown up with other Corlixins in our forest village, but that village had long since gone. And all the buildings had been moved to a kingdom I’d hardly visited… Could I really call that place my home?
“Where we go would be up to you.” His voice melted the sadness in my heart. “We can stay in Drothmore until we have a palace built for you in Corlixir. Then, if you’d like, we can split our time between the two kingdoms.” He brushed the hair from my face. “It might be a challenge at first, but we’d get through it together. Neither of us would have to give up our thrones.”
My stomach twisted.Speaking of thrones…“There’s something I have to tell you.”
“What is it?”
My voice shook. “I spoke with Ivy and the village mother before we left to come here.”
“And?” Lukas pressed.
“I brought up the concept of some kind of democracy.”
“Naria.”
“I just think it would be best for my people to make their own choices,” I explained. “There’s no need for me to stand apart from them. I’ve already assembled a small team who’ll beresponsible for holding multiple elections, and I made it clear that I want those who are elected to fairly represent the people within my kingdom. I just think this is best for us.”
A breath whooshed out from my chest, heavy and raw. “I grew upwithmy people. Not in a palace, or anything special like that. And that’s how I want it to stay.”
Lukas blinked at me, and for a moment, I feared he might demand we return to Corlixir so I could fix this awful mistake I’d made. But then his hands slipped around my jaw, and he pressed his lips against mine.
