16
Hollyn knew she couldn’t just walk through the palace with the infamous god of the sea, so she asked him to wait in the tunnel through which they’d snuck back into the city. Now, she was on her way to find Kai so that she could give him a heads up. She wanted the introduction to be less of a surprise for him. He’d had to adjust to quite a bit of surprises over the last week. She wanted to set up the best first meeting between father and son.
But as she searched the palace, she couldn’t seem to find a single person anywhere. Kai was nowhere to be found, but neither was anyone else. Where was everyone?
She heard an uproarious noise and knew almost immediately what was going on. The ceremony had already begun, and she wasn’t there.
She looked down at her soaking wet clothes, but she knew she didn’t have time to change. With urgency, she began to make her way toward the throne room despite her shaky navigation skills. Instead, she pulled out the compass and thought of Kai. He was what she most wanted, and she needed to get to him right now.
As she burst into the throne room, she paused for just a moment as she spotted a disgruntled looking Makoa sitting on the throne. The minute he realized she was there, though, he stood from the chair and began dusting his hand over the seat.
“Just keeping it warm like I’ve been doing the past fifteen years, I suppose.”
She didn’t have time to waste on a man who was basically a powder keg, set to go off at any minute, but he was now between her and the door. She’d have to defuse the situation and quickly.
“I am sure you were a wonderful king, and I’m sure you will be an invaluable member of Kai’s council. That will be such a high honor.”
Just as the crowd clapped and cheered, Makoa gave a frustrated yell in her direction. “Why? Why did you have to show up and ruin my life?”
He started straight for her, and Hollyn began to back up a few steps. Murder was in his eyes, and she feared he was about to take out all of his anger on her.
She thought about Kai and how much she just wanted to get to him. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, and she did the only thing she knew to do. She opened her mouth and sang.
Coral had told her that she could control her ability, and in that moment, she needed to believe that she could. She directed her song toward Makoa, and at first, he didn’t seem to be affected as he continued to march toward her. But then, his steps faltered, his face filled with confusion, and he stopped altogether. His gaze locked onto hers and a smile formed on his face.
“Hey! How you doin’?”
Like instant happy pills, her ability had evaporated the intense rage he’d been feeling, and he stared at her with a goofy grin on his face. She knew what she needed to do in that moment. She couldn’t pass up such an opportunity.
“You don’t want me. Oleen is your everything—your sun and moon! Anything she says, you will do. Do you understand?”
He gave a dazed nod in her direction.
She shook her head at him and tore past him to the door to the hallway that led to the arena. She entered the arena behind the seating area and made her way through one of the short tunnels until she stood among the crowd. She jostled her way forward just as Leilani took the stage in front of Kai.
One look at Kai, and she could tell something was wrong. He looked pissed and bored, and she wanted so badly to be by his side.
Yet, as Leilani began to sing, a beautiful, lilting melody, he sat forward and a look of bliss took over. The realization nearly knocked Hollyn to her knees. Leilani might not be a siren, but she was definitely a distant cousin to them. Her song could mesmerize, and it was currently working on Kai.
Hollyn began to work her way through the tightly packed crowd, trying to get to Kai. She called his name, but the projected voice of Leilani drowned out her shouts. She had barely made it thirty feet when Leilani hit a crescendo and finished with a flourish. The entire crowd erupted with applause, and Hollyn felt so helpless. How could she ever compete with that?
Before she exited, Leilani addressed Kai as she said, “I think we would rule together well, King Kai. I’m sure I can make you happy.”
That bitch!She was using his mesmerized state to convince him to choose her. Frustration and desperation fought inside Hollyn as she fought to move past the people in the crowd. She had to get to Kai.
But push and shove as she might, she barely made any headway.
Her heart dropped as Uma announced, “Unfortunately, our final contestant didn’t show today, so this was the final gift, and now King Kai must make his decision.”
Hollyn shouted, “I’m here! Here I am! No! I’m here!”
But the sound of the crowd drowned her out. She had to do something quick or she’d lose Kai forever.
With a quick glance around, she saw a flat area at the top of a nearby tunnel on which she could stand. She made her way up along a stairway next to the seats. She climbed up on it, took one long look at Kai and began to sing.
At first, it was still drowned out by the noise of the crowd, but eventually, those around her began to fall silent, and she sang louder. In no time at all, the entire section had quieted enough that Oleen turned her head toward the silence. Hollyn knew when she spotted her because she stood from her seat and pointed, talking rapidly to everyone around her. Uma saw her next, and making her heart soar in her chest, Kai turned his head away from Leilani meeting her gaze with a look of relief.
A pair of guards made their way through the crowd and pulled Hollyn down. She stopped singing as they walked her toward Kai. That was all that mattered right now. Yet, as she reached him, she looked down at her clothes and realized she probably looked a mess. But all she cared about right now was that he was here, and they were together once more.
