Page 67 of Of Song and Darkness

“Don’t do this, Rhea,” he gritted through clenched teeth as he tried to fight my song.

I eased closer to him. “You gave me no choice.” I intensified my song, strumming every note in perfect melody, weaving it through my father’s mind. His eyes glazed over, and his body relaxed as I bewitched him with my song. Tears stung my eyes even as I tried to fight them back. I reached for the trident clutched tightly in my father’s fist. My hand touched the cool metal, and I snatched it back as power surged against my skin. I hoped I wasn’t making a mistake. I quickly grasped the trident, pulling it from my father’s hand before I lost all my nerve.

The trident was much heavier than I expected. Father carried it around like it weighed no more than a sand dollar, but I could barely keep the thing from dragging the sandy ocean bottom. I held it close to my body as I eased toward the door, never stopping my song or taking my eyes off of my father or Orm.

“Rhea! What have you done?!” Mother’s voice shook me to my core, sending blasts of ice water into my bloodstream. I gripped the trident tighter as I turned to see her in the doorway.

“Mother, please,” I begged, choking on a sob. “Don’t try to stop me. I have to do this.” The thought of bewitching my mother with my song on top of what I had already done was too much for me to bear. If she forced me to, I would, but it would crack my already injured soul in two. “Please trust me.”

Her face softened when she took in my pain and sorrow. She reached up, brushing her hand against my face. “I will always trust you. You are my daughter.”

Her warmth soaked through my cheek, and I smiled at her. “Thank you.”

She dropped her hand, looking back at my father. “I always knew your song was special. I just never realized how powerful it was.” She glanced down at the trident in my hands. “I hope you know what you are doing.”

“I don’t,” I answered honestly, “but I have to stop the sea witch and save the one I love.”

My mother smiled at me, her eyes—the same color as mine—reflecting a hint of mischief. “Then what are you waiting for?”

I leaned in, brushing my lips across her cheek. A moan escaped my father, telling me he was coming out of his trance.

I turned back to my mother with a sense of urgency. “Don’t let him follow me. I—”

“Rhea…” my mother interrupted, her brows scrunched together in concern.

“Give me a week,” I pleaded. “If I’m not back by then, he can send his whole brigade to hunt me down.”

My mother’s eyes flitted between me and my father. She was the only one who could keep him from doing anything he was determined to do. “I’ll do everything I can, but you must hurry. I won’t be able to hold him back for long.”

"Oh, don't worry," Meleea chimed in, brushing past our mother with an innocent yet determined grin. "If necessary, I'll find a way to anchor him to the throne."

A comforting warmth filled my chest at the love and trust they displayed. While I understood the impossibility of tying my father to his throne chair, their willingness to attempt it was a testament to their loyalty and support.

Igripped my pounding head. It felt like a tavern full of barmaids were dancing to the sea shanty across my skull. I breathed deeply, hoping the fresh salty air would alleviate some of the pain, but at this point, I was sure nothing would stop the aching in my chest. I had yet to decipher if it was from Dark Water edging closer to my heart or the fact that Rhea had disappeared with that sea dog beneath the rippling waves.

I forced myself to stand, waiting a few seconds to get my balance before walking up to the helm. Sink me. My legs were like that of a land dweller who had never been on the sea.

“Where is she?” I asked Cael as I stopped beside him.

Cael turned to me, his eyes full of concern. “Still lurking below. She hasn’t left in days.”

I glanced over the railing to find the sea witch circling below like a shark. She smiled up at me, showing off rows of razor-sharp teeth. The thought of blasting her out of the water with one of my cannons was all-consuming, but that hadn’t worked so great the last time I tried it.

“Cap’n.” Cael gripped the sleeve of my shirt, pulling my attention to the stern of the ship.

Relief flooded through me when Rhea broke through the surface. Her crimson hair flowed around her like a halo in the water as she swam in our direction. The trident she held in her hands caused a different sensation to rise in me. The sea witch was already powerful, and Rhea was getting ready to hand her an object that would make her invincible.

“I was starting to think you double-crossed me,” the sea witch said as Rhea stopped before her. “Where’s my little minion?” The sea witch glanced behind Rhea.

“I’m not in charge of your pets,” Rhea hissed.

The sea witch held out her hand. “It doesn’t matter. Hand me the trident.”

Rhea pulled the trident closer to her chest. “Not until you remove the Dark Water from Kai.”

The sea witch rolled her eyes, irritation evident in her expression. “Fine.”

“And I want my legs back so I can be with him,” Rhea added.

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