Page 249 of The Sins of Silas

“She went to the King and Queen and begged them to spare her people—the Mages. The leaders almost laughed in disbelief. Mages had always been known to be the most powerful. But here was this Mage woman…a woman of importance, right in their clutches.

“They bound her in chains and planned to use her as leverage. She felt like an utter fool for believing the Sea Nymphs could be changed.

“The undersea Prince, Zale, was ordered to get information out of Ketsia by any means necessary. He found Ketsia fascinating and brave, but the two were true enemies. She begged—no, ordered him—to hold his magic, to hold in his charms.

“He agreed but made sure she understood that if she didn’t obey, he’d take away her air. But Ketsia was clever. She knew she was more valuable as leverage. Knew he wouldn’t harm her.

“The Sea Nymphs and the Mages of both Balifor and Wrendier discussed a deal over forty-three days. During this time, the Prince had been pressured further to torture information out of her. He'd had a Warlock cast a spell on her, shifting her into a dove to be his spy during that time. His parents—his people—most were not kind. But Zale grew fond of Ketsia over time. And when his father swam down to the cell she was kept in, when he watched him repeatedly starve her of air, over and over and over again, despite how he begged and groveled for him to stop, he slit his father’s throat.”

“My Gods…”

The story made me think of my own love…the man who'd done the same—betrayed his kingdom so I may live.

“Ketsia was shocked, to say the least. Zale released her from her chains and swam her to the shore. He told her to run, run far away, and never come back.

“But she couldn’t. Wouldn’t. She knew the Prince would be put to death for his crimes.‘Come with me,’she said.‘Let us change this world for the better. Together.’

“He hesitated, but knowing there was no home for him, he pushed himself onto the beach, experiencing sunlight for the very first time.

“Ketsia teleported the two of them to her home. She knew from his intel that her brother and fiancé were on the seas.

“This is where their ethics were…questionable. Ketsia and Zale came up with a plan. Sea Nymphs were too feared, and Zale was too far from the ocean. He would need to soak in a tub for a certain number of hours just to keep himself from drying out, from dying. But they decided to play the part that he was human. He would stand beside her on the throne and use his charms to convince everyone that she was Supreme. Not her fiancé, Raden.” He smiled. “The very first woman to hold that title.”

“Long story short, because it is a very long, in-depth story, the war was not between three pirates, but between her and those of Nereida, her brother and fiancé being another conflict.”

“So…she won?”

Valter smiled, and then we were interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Kismet is sort of like that. Though my mother is Supreme, Kismet and she share equalpower.”

“Kismet is a Sea Nymph?” There were so many questions I needed to ask, including where Valter's father was.

“Enough of story time,” Kismet drawled as she entered. “It’s time to get ready for the ball!”

Valter rolled his eyes but smiled, standing and making to leave the room.

“Valter.”

He turned to me.

“Thank you for the story…it helped more than you know.”

He gave a courteous bow. “My pleasure,” he purred. “We can discuss more history when the ball is over.”

I nodded, and then he was gone. Kismet clapped her hands after he left.

“Chop, chop! I have orders to give you the royal treatment.” She wiggled her eyebrows, and a team of ladies scurried in the room carrying cases of cosmetics, baskets of gems and seashells, and what I could see of my gown.

Chapter Seventy

SILAS

The ballroom was nothing short of amazing, just like the rest of this city. Sparkling chandeliers made of blue crystals hung from the high ceilings, matching the shimmering throne at the front of the room. An enormous table was filled with the most decadent desserts, and on the other side of the room, a large drink fountain trickled with a spiked punch.

Era's head was still bugging her. She looked beautiful, though, with her orange and gold gown.

She was with Elowen, who wore a bright pink ruffled gown that matched the shade of her hair. Edmund was beside her, and that same shade was woven into the design of his grey suit.

---