I felt his arm curled around my waist before he forced out, “Absolutely not—”
“Of course you may,” the Queen cut him off, smiling. “Now please,” she motioned for Lukas to stand, “it’d be good for you to spend some time with your cousins.”
“I’m not leaving Naria,” he stated firmly enough to make my chest feel warm.
“You can and you will.” Any warmth was smothered by the Vearla’s cool tone. “Now follow my daughter and dance.” Her words did not match the smile on her face. “Your pet will be safe here. I don’t favour the females anyway. Too squishy for my liking.”
I wasn’t sure whether to be offended or relieved, while behind me, Lukas pressed me closer to his chest.
After a few tense moments, I turned around to whisper, “It’s alright.” My fingers grazed his arm. “I’ll be fine here, just let them have their fun then we can get out of here sooner.”
His gaze sank to meet mine, and my lips parted. For the first time since we’d joined the Queen, I was truly seeing him properly. Pain coated his features while sadness buried itself in the line between his brow. If I’d found this conversation uncomfortable, how must this have felt to him? This woman was his Aunt. Hisfamily.
“We won’t bite you,” the orange-haired princess called up to us, tearing his gaze away. “Well Adriana might if she gets her shark out again. She—”
“Olesha,” the Queen snapped, slamming the girl’s lips shut.
Lukas growled as he pushed us both up to stand. He caught my elbow before he left, muttering under his breath, “I won’t let you out of my sight.”
“I know you won’t.” I passed him a gentle smile. I’d already decided that the moment we made it back to my bedchamber, I was going to make a pot of calmleaf tea. Ancients know we’d both need it.
Queen Vearla was silent for what felt like weeks. While she watched the celebrating crowds and tucked into turtle-delivered canopies, I let my gaze follow Lukas around the dance floor. A charmed girl would probably do that, right?Stare longingly while he took turns dancing with each of his cousins? Occasionally he’d meet my gaze to pass me apologetic looks, but he needn’t have bothered. It was him I felt more sorry for. I doubted that even in his worst duels, he had ever been kicked or had his feet trodden on more times than by the clumsy mermaid princesses, dancing on their human legs.
When it happened for the seventh time I couldn’t help but giggle. Although any laughter caught in my throat the moment I noticed two yellow eyes piercing into me.
My stomach dropped. Shuffling awkwardly, I tried my best to look dazed. Charmed. Completely oblivious to the two eyes staring hard enough to break holes into my skin.Does she know?
“I know you’re not charmed, human.”
I swallowed thickly.Well…
“I was waiting to see if you’d break,” she mused. “I knew from the moment I saw you with him. And here’s a tip for next time,” she leaned closer, adding coyly, “charmed humans don’t fidget with their clothes so much. I’m surprised that the funny little gown you wear is still in one piece.”
My mouth felt dry. “I…” Then I paused to steady my breath. “Lukas will never forgive you if you charm me like one of your sailors.”
“Relax, human. I don’t like females. Too squishy. Remember?” She leaned back in her throne, her long tail flopping lazily. “Besides, I’m glad he didn’t charm you. Means you’re all the more useful to me.” She tossed me a sinister grin. “And, Oceans, will you be useful.”
Anger curled in my throat.In your dreams, Sea Monster.Fists clenching, I subtly glanced around for Lukas. If I ran,maybe we could both make it out of here before chaos broke loose again? Or maybe I could create some kind of distraction? Thoughts buzzed around my mind, spiralling into plans and ideas. Maybe—
“I need your help to make him like me.”
My racing thoughts slammed against a wall. “What?” I breathed.
Vearla sighed, running her fingers along her scales. “My nephew… I fear his life has been,” she chewed her words, “difficult so far. And now he’s finally visited, I want him to know that he’s welcome here, that he’ll always be welcome. We are his family. I want him to like us, and you too, of course.” Her concern turned to a smile. “My future niece-in-law.”
Confusion twisted inside me. “How?” I was still wearing my ring. Had never taken it off. In my eyes, it was bound to my finger just as tightly as Arenn’s crystal bound to my wrist. But still, I could’ve been anyone’s fiancée. How did she know?
“I saw pretty much everything,” she explained casually. “In fact I have foundbothyour lives immensely interesting since you first arrived in that damned king’s palace. Although I’m afraid I couldn’t watch every scene of yours.” She winked, cackling dryly. “Had to throw a sheet over the pearl a few times, especially when you kept trotting off to the faeries. I would’ve sent Lukas his own pearl had he not been ocean-bent on destroying every one of my letters,” she scoffed while my mouth just hung open.
“How is that possible?” I stammered.
“I know,” she huffed. “I wrote them all on my finest paper too. Do you know how difficult it is to write on paperunder the sea?”
“Not that.” I shook my head. Although I’d definitely be asking Lukas about those letters later. “How have you been watching us?”
Vearla blinked a few times. “It was the pearl, dear. You can request it to show you anyone you like as long as you know the name and face of the person. How else would we keep up with the human world?”
My chest tightened. “It’s magic?” It must’ve been. No science could explain a way to see into another person’s life – especially not if they lived as far away as we did.
