Page 68 of Stolen Magic of the Deep

The amount of books in here is astounding, but most are for that of a king, like Orion stated, to help him run this kingdom.

As I continue to explore the space in Orion’s absence, I locate a book that piques my interest in the far back corner, leading towards one of the passageways. Grasping it tightly against my chest, I make my way to the chaise, nestling my tail underneath, the end curving around the coral leg as I lean back.

I run my hand across the front cover, removing some excess algae that has grown, and read the title: Kingdom Race Index. For a split second, a thought rises in mind. How can I read these tomes and books? Shouldn't they be in another language. Opening to the first page, it lists each known race in the kingdom. I skim past several, looking for a specific name.

From the beginning, Orion has utilized a nickname for me. and while it bothers me very much, I can’t deny the slight curiosity itching in the back of my mind about the full meaning behind the name.

Some races listed catch my eye, but only because I have physically seen them around the castle during events or in passing. I don’t linger as I search through the pages. Everything is listed alphabetically, and I find the race I’ve been looking for: Snapdragon. In the index, though, it is documented as Snapdragonis.

How interesting . . .

The name makes me pause. Snapdragon—Orion’s nickname for me. I’ve told him more than once to stop calling me that. Complained about it. Rolled my eyes every time he ignored me. I never considered it as anything more than a way to annoy me, to get under my skin. What if it wasn’t?

The information is all listed on one page. The average length is no more than two feet. They possess defensive shock abilities when threatened and inhabit the kingdom—though it doesn’t specify where. A short list of traits follows, all vague enough to be unhelpful.

Nothing that explains the true reason for the nickname. Useless. For him to give it to me because I have the same personality as them doesn’t seem to add up.

I don’t get much further when Orion places himself on the end corner of the chaise I rest upon. I didn’t realize how comfortable I had made myself until he reappeared.

“Find anything interesting?” he asks, smirking the moment he notices the title.

“Is it wrong of me to want to know why that nickname was picked?” I sit up, closing the book and laying it on the study desk, placing as much distance between myself and him as possible.

He doesn’t entertain my question. Instead, from behind his back, he reveals a book. If that is even the right verbiage to use for it. It’s only a few pages that have been bonded together with seaweed.

I take the pages from his hand and read what is written.

“This is all the recorded knowledge we have on Sea Mates,” he blurts, his voice thickening, “I have searched this room up and down, to no avail. These few pages are all we have. I wish I could give you the information you seek.”

He falls silent, the words lingering between us, cut short by the breath he never quite takes. His chin lowers to his chest, gaze dropping down to his tail, the tension in his shoulders tightening as if the truth has finally caught up with him.

“I can at least inform you,” he continues at last, quieter now, “that a bond cannot be broken. It can be denied, but eventually the bond takes over—consuming both parties involved. You either accept it or it destroys you.” Another pause. “But our situation is different,” he says. “We reign in two different worlds. I of the sea. You of the land. That could mean the rules do not apply to us the same way.”

His words settle. My first instinct is to deny him—because denial feels safer, and because I’ve never liked the idea of being tied to something I didn’t choose.

But I don’t want to die.

The thought hits me like a cold wave. Denial might feel good at the moment, but the bond isn’t a rumor. It’s real. And if it consumes us the way he says it could . . . I can’t afford to pretend it doesn’t exist.

Still, I can’t act like I don’t think about him. Not just because he’s attractive—because he’s smart, steady, and somehow always seems to be where I need him most. But we are from two separate worlds. I have to return home at some point. I can’t keep missing school and leaving my company to Leo forever, even if I trust him completely.

“You were brought here for a reason, Sarah. I know the situation is not perfect. I know you having my father’s magic also connects you to his past in some way, but the sea senses something in you, and I do too.” He looks directly at me. His eyes an equal swirl between midnight blue and teal. His magic takes shape in his eyes. “I cannot deny what I feel for you any longer. I know you are still on edge about this,” he gestures his hands back and forth, signaling his meaning about us and the bond, “but I know how you feel about me. The occasional emotions of longing and desire that you have tried to hide several times. Not to mention, without using my hydro-senses, being able to see the way you look at my body when you think I'm not looking.”

He reaches for my hand, grasping it in between both of his. I pull away just as quickly.

“This is no bond, Orion,” I hiss. “You believe this to be real because I'm harnessing your father’s magic.”

I rise from the chaise and slowly back away from Orion. He rises too, arms lifting as if to stop me, insisting I stay.

“Sarah, wait, please do not leave. I need you to—” he says, but the remainder of his words don’t register in my mind. Only panic does.

I turn around and disappear out the archives door, heading straight for my chambers. I just want this day to end.

twenty-eight

Sarah

My expectations for Current Two were already high. What I hadn’t stopped to think about was how this village would actually look.