14
Hollyn paced the room she’d been given to sleep in, anxiety about tomorrow’s gift-giving ceremony filling her mind. She had no idea how to make her idea for a gift a reality. She was stuck in Hanupali City, and even if she could get out, Poseidon could be in any of the world’s oceans currently. How would she ever find him? It was impossible, but she didn’t have any other ideas. She was going to lose Kai, and just the thought of that was enough to make her desperate enough to do something crazy—like leave the city and…and…and what? She didn’t have the first inkling of where to go and what to do.
She groaned and covered her face in her hands. This was not what she needed to be doing right now. She was losing her mind over Kai when her real focus needed to be on the crown. She just couldn’t seem to let go of the idea that even if she had to be on the run for the rest of her life, she’d rather run with Kai.
It was time to do something. She swiped the compass Kai had given her off the table and headed toward the door. But just as she reached for the knob, a soft knock sounded on the other side.
Was it Kai? Had he come to give her an idea for a winning gift?
She flung the door open, but Kai wasn’t standing on the other side. Instead, she met the shy smile of Oleen.
“Hi. I hope you don’t mind me showing up to your room, but I wanted to have a little girl talk if you’re up for it.”
Hollyn felt an urgency to figure out the gift situation, but in the moment, something told her this was just as important.
“Come in. There’s a seating area over here.”
They crossed the room and sank down on two plush chairs. For a full minute, they sat in silence, making occasional eye contact.
“So, have you thought about tomorrow at all?” Oleen’s question seemed appropriate considering the circumstances, but Hollyn wasn’t quite ready to admit she was struggling with the task.
“It’s all I can think about, really. I don’t want to mess it up.”
Oleen smiled. “You really like him don’t you?”
“I do really like Kai. He’s one of the best men I know. Do you think I have a shot tomorrow?”
She seemed to think it over for a few seconds before she said, “There will be some amazing gifts tomorrow, and to be honest, most of the city is rooting against you because you’re a siren. They say you’ve mesmerized him.”
“But he was the first man I’d ever met who didn’t get hypnotized by my voice. He has helped me through a lot of bad situations, and I…I just really, really like him.”
Her face softened, and Oleen said, “I think you’re the right person for him. That’s why I’m here to help you.”
“Maybe you can help me with something.” If anyone had information about the world below the ocean surface, Oleen likely would. But a sudden thought occurred to Hollyn,something she would be wise to keep in mind. Why would she help Hollyn become her own replacement?
“Sure. I’m happy to help.”
Hollyn took a deep breath and a chance that Oleen had good intentions as she blurted out, “What do you know about Kai’s father?”
Oleen gritted her teeth and made a noise of disgust. “He’s not the most trustworthy guy to be around, but according to my mother, he did have feelings for Uma, and she claims she loved him. But the minute my grandfather forbade the relationship, Poseidon moved on and never looked back. He has never returned since, but I can tell my mother still thinks about him at times. She’s a talented artist, and to be honest, her drawings are always of him.”
Hollyn nodded. “I think it would mean a lot to Kai to meet him. Do you have any idea where he might actually be?”
“His palace isn’t too far from here, but there’s no guarantee he would be there. He tends to travel a lot.”
“When you say it’s not too far, could a person swim there and back before tomorrow morning?”
Her eyes widened, and she said, “Oh, no! You can’t leave the city! It’s too dangerous out there. Between you and me, one of the major issues facing the city are the roaming gangs of underwater people who will attack anyone who leaves. Makoa has been trying to find a way to protect people, but he hasn’t figured it out yet. It’s one of the reasons, my mother lost faith in his ability to rule.”
“Do you miss it?”
“Being Queen? Not really. I mean, I want to make a difference for my people. That’s the only thing I miss, but honestly, no one really ever listened to my ideas. Like, I told Makoa that we should build impenetrable tubes that would protect traders and travelers as they go from city to city and thatwe should set up protective weigh stations along the paths. We could unite with other cities and split the guard duties amongst them all. But he never wanted to try any of my ideas.”
Hollyn stared in awe of the other woman’s mind for problem-solving. She had really come up with some solutions that might not be perfect but were better than trying nothing. “I’m impressed. I think those are great ideas that should be tried.”
Oleen beamed with the praise, but she shook her head as she said, “The gangs are why you shouldn’t attempt to leave the city for any reason.”
“But if I were to, is there an easier way out than going through the gate? I don’t want anyone to know I’m gone if I can help it.”
