Page 43 of Sunken Empire

It's obvious my mates cannot wait to test the boundaries of their new freedom. However, when Merrick suggests waiting to leave the Keep until we have a plan, they agree with him without question. We can't rush in headfirst into the unknown. The Keep’s defensive magic is enough to keep all creatures, monsters, and uninvited guests on the opposite side. He'd mentioned that and I couldn't help my shudder as I thought about the massive shark.

Luring me into the conversation, Merrick focuses on Aukai and me, wondering how I'd made it out into the water in the first place and how we made it back in. We explain to him the same thing we told the Zs, and his eyes narrow in thoughtful curiosity. Silence falls in the room as he looks lost in thought.

"What is your magic, Aukai?" he asks suddenly.

Zale's head whips to Merrick. "You think she borrowed his magic from that far away?"

Merrick shrugs, "At this point, I'm beginning to think that anything is possible."

Both of their attention shifts to Aukai who sinks back into his chair as though he doesn't want to reply. In a normal situation I'd defend him and tell them to back off if he was uncomfortable, but we're still fighting the unknown here. We need all the answers we can get.

I see the bobble to his throat as he swallows and admits, "I can form portals."

Merrick's eyes widen. "Alone?"

With a quick bob of Aukai's head, he says, "Yes. I haven't had access to my magic in ages, though, so I don't see how she'd be able to."

"This is a unique situation, young prince," he murmurs. "Nothing is as it should be."

He's back to his thoughts and doesn't notice how the four other mer in the room stiffen at his royal address of Aukai. It makes me wonder if he is in fact considered a prince. Sharing a mother with my mates should earn him a royal spot in my opinion, but I'm not the one in charge of things like that. I tuck that question away for later when I know multiple people won't be offended by my words. Instead, I focus on Zale's intense gaze, ignoring the quieter conversation between Zanthus, Caelan, and Easton in the corner.

"Do you remember anything else about leaving or coming back through the barrier?" Zale asks me. Before I can affirm there's nothing I haven't told them, he adds, "Anything at all, damselfish. An intuition or feeling like maybe how you sense your own magic?"

I start to shake my head but stop. I hadn't felt anything out of the ordinary before falling asleep in the bath, but the same can't be said for bringing us back. There was a sense of urgency to save our lives and to get back to my mates without becoming shark food. Zale chuckles softly when I relay as much to him, even Aukai's stony features threaten to crumble. Then it returns just as quickly at Zale's next question.

"Do you think you could make a portal to take us to our kingdom?" he asks.

All conversation comes to a stand-still around us. Zanthus sidles closer from his corner discussion, waiting for an answer.

My lips open to say what, I don't know. When no sound comes out I'm left gaping like a fish. Luckily, Aukai steps in to cover for my surprise.

"She likely won't be able to do it," he tells them casually. "I can't say for sure, but despite my own experience and training, I wasn't able to build one that led to a place I'd never been before. It would be twice as risky for her since she has no control over her magic. It could lead to dark places that very few venture out of."

"Have you been to our kingdom?" a now supremely serious Zephyr asks him.

Shame and defeat wash over him like a blanket being thrown on the top of his head. "I was born to be the bane of your father's existence. The one thing Bruinen had hoped to anger and entice him into war quicker than any other. A reminder of how incapable he was at protecting the most precious thing in his life. It's the main reason he handed our mother off to one of the others. He wanted no personal link to me as though that could possibly save him from your father's wrath one day."

"Nothing will save him from such fate," Zale grinds out through his teeth, both brothers agreeing with a quick nod. "Our father, our king will watch from his grave as Bruinen reaps what he's sown."

Worry begins to eat a hole in my gut. Revenge and justice are what led to the curse in the first place. If there were ever a question as to what further purpose I could serve my mate's kingdom other than returning them home and bearing future heirs, this is it. I won't let them make the same mistake as their father. No one deserves this fate once let alone twice in one lifetime.

"So, have you been to the kingdom?" I ask Aukai, attempting to get us back on track.

"I haven't," he admits. "We never made it that far into his plans."

"Even still," Merrick suggests, "our young princess here has proven to be stronger than we could hope. Were the bond to be sealed between her and ---"

"No," Zanthus interjects. "Rubi chooses for herself when, or if that bond is sealed. Not because we need to use it or her."

I snort, and all eyes turn to me. "I'm one hundred percent sure that this argument is unnecessary. I've already sensed the same thread of life between Aukai and I that connects me to the three of you. Right before the barrier's magic blew us all apart."

"That would explain the broken curse as well as your clan markings returning," Merrick comments.

But I don't give him my attention because at my careless announcement, a deep expression of something settled over Aukai. Whether it be shame or disappointment, I can't be sure, so I find my lips parting, "I'm sorry you weren't given a choice in the matter. We don't even know each other."

In a slow precise movement, he slips from his chair onto his knees now covered with light cotton pants. From his place at my side, it's easy enough for him to take my hand between his own as he professes, "All my life I knew I'd been bred for darkness from hate. Never once has anyone thrown themselves in front of me the way you did that creature. You were willing to die if you couldn't save us both. That is a life debt I hope you're never in the situation I'll have to return, but I will do so without question. Do I know your favorite dish or any hobbies you may have? No, but I have hopes to be welcomed into your clan to find out. One does well to remember not to question fate, and I won't be forgetting anytime soon."

In the silence that follows his confession, Aukai's eyes drop to the floor. Slipping my hand from within his grasp, I raise it to his cheek and repeat almost the same thing I was told. "Don't do that. You're a prince and shouldn't avert your gaze for anyone. If I had to go back and do it all again, even as terrifyingly awful as that monster was, I'd do it. Besides, you saved me first, remember?"

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