Page 14 of Depths
My throat grew dry as I tried to recall whether or not Sahar had covered that bit of information with me during our planning sessions. Probably. But I clearly hadn’t absorbed it. My gaze darted over to Felipe for half a second before I yanked it forcibly away. I didn’t allow myself to check his reaction to this statement. He clearly relished his post. He didn’t have an interest in a girl like me. He probably had no idea that I had a slight crush on him. A tiny, insignificant crush. I was good at hiding my feelings when I liked someone. Declan hadn’t known I’d liked him, and I’d been merely a child then. Men only knew things when you hit them over the head with it. Mother … Gela … was right about that.
I focused back on the siren who clearly was interested in me, interested enough to give up his career path.
Keelan snagged my hand and kissed it. “I’m going to end my time with you with a horrid joke, Your Majesty. Why did the mermaid blush? …Because she saw the ocean’sbottom.”
I girlishly giggled as he retreated back into the crowd. Relief. I felt like sagging in relief that everything with Keelan had ended so well after everything with Radford had capsized.
Once Keelan disappeared into the crowd, my eyes met Felipe’s. He gave a curt nod, as if acknowledging that Keelan would be a good fit. He most definitely did not look at me with longing.
Sigh.
Well … even a queen couldn’t have everything.
4
Why kill with a sword when a word will do? Learn your enemies’ secrets and then topple them with whispers.
—Sultan Raj of Cheryn
* * *
All around,voices rose in yet another song I didn’t know. People had gotten far into their cups and progressively louder. I thought we were on at least our third round of refreshments. I’d seen stewards bringing in new barrels of alcohol, and the songs had gotten rowdier. In this latest song, the orchestra sang every few lines and the entire room boomed with the two recurring lines. I’d never been more caught up in music before.
Off he went, for Nowhere bound
Watch the tides, you veeda vey
He swam ’til his tail cried foul
The air will suck your life away
The waves tugged him back and forth
Watch the tides, you veeda vey
He’d no strength to change his course
The air will suck your life away
Gold sand and bright old sun
Struck his eye and burnt his hand, oh!
Watch the tides, you veeda vey
The shore was rough, hard as stone
Poor old Cade couldn’t get home
The air will suck your life away
Watch the tides, you veeda vey
Watch the tides, you veeda vey
I smiled and bobbed my head from side to side as yet another suitor approached.
“You like ‘Fool Cade,’ do you?” the tall squi-shifter asked. I tried not to eye the tentacles on the underside of his arms as if they were disgusting growths.
