Page 66 of A Kingdom Restored

Merletta let out a long breath. “So they’re hiding in Tilssted.”

Sage nodded, clearly having reached the same conclusion. “It’s probably the best they can find within the triple kingdoms.”

“And they won’t leave now,” Merletta said with confidence. “Not with everyone in danger, and no one else to warn them.”

Sage’s lips were pressed into a thin line, and she stopped walking for a minute. “No, of course not,” she said, an edge to her voice. “They’re much too brave and clever to swim away like frightened minnows.”

Merletta paused as well, looking at her friend in concern. “Are you all right, Sage?”

“If we all survive this, I’m going to kill him myself!” Sage burst out.

Merletta stared at her blankly. “Who?”

“Emil!” Sage cried. She was trembling now, although apparently more from anger than cold. “Take Sage,” she repeated bitterly. “Andre and I will manage.” She glowered. “No doubt getting himself killed in the process.”

“He was just trying to protect you,” Merletta sighed. “I know you think he doesn’t recognize how strong you are, but—”

“No,” Sage cut her off, suddenly deflating. “He recognizes exactly how strong I am, which is why it stings. He’s right—I am the least capable one in our group, and the most in need of—”

“I don’t mean to get in the middle of something I know nothing about.” It was Heath’s turn to interrupt. “But I doubt that’s what he thinks.”

Sage stared at him, her cheeks heating as if just remembering their audience. “What do you mean?” she asked cautiously.

“Emil is the one with the long fair hair and the green tail, right?” Heath asked. “I watched him from the time you left the water, like Merletta asked. He had some kind of argument with an older mermaid. From what she said, I’m guessing she was your mother.”

Sage had gone still, her eyes riveted on him.

“She was beside herself over you being carried off by a dragon. Emil tried to tell her that the dragon wasn’t going to kill you like she seemed to think, and that you’d clearly gone willingly. She didn’t seem reassured. She was full of accusations about what he and the others had gotten you mixed up in and how it had gotten you killed.”

“What did he say?” Merletta pressed. Sage seemed to be struggling to master herself enough to speak.

“I don’t remember word for word,” Heath admitted. He shot Merletta a warm smile. “I don’t claim to have your superior memory.” He returned his gaze to Sage. “But the gist of it was that given she raised you, she should know better than anyone that you’re too smart to be taken in by some hoax, too strong to let yourself be so easily killed, and have too much integrity to side with liars and murderers.” He frowned slightly. “I didn’t really understand the next part, but he said something about how you’ve clearly outdone your mother in that area. He was dragged away by guards at that point, and I didn’t see what happened to the older mermaid.”

“Sage’s mother is a record holder,” Merletta explained quietly. “He was calling her out on being part of something sinister.” She looked at her friend. “Something Sage was smart enough to see through, and brave enough to fight against.”

“It had nothing to do with being smart or brave,” Sage said faintly. “It was just because I happened to become friends with you. Otherwise I would never have seen through the lies.”

“Maybe,” said Merletta. “Although we can never know that. And you didn’thappento become friends with me, you know. You were the only one to befriend me in my first year, which shows that you have a kind heart. Something I have no doubt Emil values as much as he does your intelligence and courage.”

“I need a minute,” Sage said, lowering herself onto a nearby boulder. “This is all a bit much for my…legs.”

“Of course,” Merletta said quickly, giving Heath a look. “Take as long as you need. We’ll…scout ahead.”

She tugged on Heath’s arm, pulling him alongside her until the dip of the land hid Sage from their sight.

“We don’t really need to scout,” he informed her. “It’s just open fields between here and the city, and I’m not anticipating any danger.”

“I know,” Merletta laughed. “She just clearly needed a minute.” She sobered. “There’s history there you don’t know about.”

“Fair enough,” said Heath readily. He stepped closer. “I’m definitely not complaining about a moment alone with you.”

Merletta met his eyes, holding his gaze steadily as he raised a hand and brushed hair from her face. His own face looked drawn, as if he hadn’t slept much in the weeks since they’d been together. He’d always been clean-shaven before, but now he had a definite shadow. Merletta touched the dark bristles tentatively, noting how they changed the whole look of his face.

She found she liked it.

With her fingers lingering so close to his lips, it was impossible not to think of the last time they’d met, when he’d held her on Vazula, and they’d kissed as though the world was ending—which was true, at least of Merletta’s world. And now, against expectations, they were together again.

“I’ve missed you,” Heath whispered, the same memory reflected in his eyes.

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