“Forges, I hate the sea,” he grumbled. But finally, after a few heavy breaths, he loosened the tension in his arms just enough for me to guide his palm to the shark’s fin.
The mermaid palace could’ve waltzed straight from the pages of a fairytale. Lying deep into the ocean, sitting atop of a grand sandy dais, were several dozen coral-decorated spires, each one piercing up through the sea. Those closer to the surface, glittered gold in the sun rays from the surface. While the lower towers, sent up jets of glowing bubbles to float around the palace’s domed turrets. Bubbles weaved in and out of circular windows, each one popping before they reached the waves, sending bursts of golden light over the entire spectacular palace.
Even Lukas appeared impressed. His quaking limbs had steadied ever since Adriana had disappeared to return‘Sweetie’ to the palace stables. Now all that remained was an odd expression on his face as he studied the mermaid palace.
“What is it?” I asked quietly.
Shaking his head, the expression faded. “Let’s just meet this ‘Sea Queen’ and get back to Ryntook.”
“Excellent plan, Cousin,” Adriana trilled, swimming up from the coral path that led to the stables. “Although the Queen may wish for you to stay a while.” Squeezing between us, she took both our arms. “It’s her birthday today and you’re just in time for her big party!”
“Great,” Lukas deadpanned, before we were tugged towards the wide-open doors of the merfolk palace.
Inside, the golden hallways were just as spectacular as the exterior. Blush pink shells had been formed into floor tiles while bright, tropical colours had been painted around the columns that held up the high ceilings.
“Mother will be so pleased to see you,” Adriana babbled by our side. Oddly, there were no other mermaids swimming – or walking – through the halls. Adriana had told us more on the journey here about how noble merfolk can take on a human form under the sea.
There were no fish-tailed servants either, flitting between rooms. The only sound of life was the pounding steel drum music echoing from the heart of the palace.
“Does my hair look alright?” She flicked her head in my direction. “What about my shells?” The merfolk princess slapped her hands over her chest, flustered.
“Does your mother normally care how you look?” I questioned.
“No.” Then Adriana winced. “Yes. Well… I think I justwant to look my best for her birthday.” There was something almost like fear in her voice, but she pushed it away after running her hands down her tail. “I should change,” she murmured.
My eyes widened as her long blue tail split in two. A shimmering, almost translucent skirt flowed down her lower body just in time for two legs to appear.
“Much better.” She grinned, twirling her skirt around. “Now come. Let me take you to Mother!”
She hurried us through the rest of the palace, stopping only when we reached a wide set of shell doors. By now, the loud music was almost deafening.
“This is it,” she trilled, though for some reason the words seemed more for herself.
I shot Lukas a concerned look. But before he could respond, Adriana used both hands to shove the doors open.
Golden light spilled out from the hall. Hundreds of merfolk spun around a shimmering dance floor, some with long swishing tails and others with human legs decorated with skirts or flowing trousers. Long hair haloed like clouds around their faces. And with the way the light sparkled on their skin, I couldn’t help but gasp at the sight of it all.
Though my lips soon slammed shut when I noticed what must’ve been the Merfolk Queen lounging near the back of the hall.
A heavy, black tail slumped over the armrest of her impressive coral throne. Her upper body, while mostly human-looking, leaned back against the tall backrest while her intense yellow eyes roamed over the ballroom. Like two full moons, they scanned the whirling crowds. Until they halted on myself,Lukas, and then—
“Princess Adriana!” Her booming voice sent all three of us stumbling into the ballroom. Wincing, I opened my eyes to notice that the music had stopped along with the hundreds of merfolk guest. Everyone was now frozen on the dance floor. Staring straight at us.
“How dare you return to my palace,” the Queen bellowed, her voice pulsing with anger. “Guards!” She pointed a blue-tinged finger towards us.
My stomach sank to the floor.
“Seize her.”
CHAPTER 15
Within seconds, the once-dazzling ballroom had become a screaming frenzy. Golden-armoured guards burst out from the crowds. Shrieks rattled up winding columns, bouncing off the glossy walls. The panicked merfolk on the dance floor leapt back, all desperate to be as far away as possible from the sputtering mermaid beside us.
“Mother!” Adriana stammered just as a guard with an armoured tail grabbed her arm.
I shot Lukas a worried glance. At some point during the chaos, he’d moved to my side and held me back by my own arms while Adriana’s were pinned behind her back by theunrelenting guards.
“Mother please!” she yelped again. “I don’t mean any harm! I just wanted to see you for your birthday!” A guard twisting her arm made her squeal in pain.
