Page 58 of Depths
“He’s not simple! He just can’t swim!”
Posey shook her head, her purple petals flowing around her face. “Well, at least ensure you also cheer for the smart ones.” She marched off without another word, all the way to the swordfish, who had begun to sag against the dummy, resigned to the fact that her nose was stuck. The flower sprite put her hand on the swordfish’s head, and immediately the creature made a little innocent sound like a bleating lamb. Ha. That fish was as far removed from a cuddly lamb as it could get. But the fish stilled as Posey tried to work it out of its predicament.
Felipe reached me a second later; Mateo swam clumsily behind him. “I need to escort you back to your room, Your Majesty. You need to get some sleep before the competition.”
I nodded, suddenly exhausted. Yes, I had to fake enthusiasm tomorrow for thirty-two men, making each one feel special. I’d need my sleep in order to sustain my smile. I yawned widely. Too bad Lored hadn’t yet gotten back to me about trading for coffee. I could have used it.
* * *
The water waswarm and clear the next morning, and the mayor’s palace was full of ripples as people swam about excitedly. Mer women swam through the corridors with elaborate creations of coral woven into their hair. All the talk was that this was the event of the decade. Men wore not only shell necklaces, but shell armbands too. The bright-colored skirts and pants of the tall sirens were so overwhelming with outlandish patterns that I felt like I was swimming inside a gaudy, tasteless rainbow.
The smiles I saw on every face were expectant and gleeful, like children in Evaness got on their birthdays. Gita had fled as soon as she’d dressed me so that she could get a good seat. Even my guards were smiling, well Ugo was anyway. Felipe was just as handsomely straight-faced and halfway sullen as ever.
Mayor Deacon greeted me with a hug, he was so excited. He only remembered himself when Felipe cleared his throat. The mayor pulled back, a blush coming over his striped features. Today, he’d worn a vest along with his pants, both of them in stark black and white stripes, perhaps to keep himself from blending in with the surroundings.
“You look absolutely ravishing, Your Majesty.” He bowed by way of apology.
I grinned and took his hand. “Thank you. Would you care to escort me to the tent?”
Deacon grinned and tucked my hand into the crook of his elbow. “I’d be honored. But don’t you want to eat first?”
“Oh, I’m too caught up in the excitement to eat,” I replied as he swam me through the hall. I had to use my free hand to gather up my skirt, which today was made of narrow ribbons of red silk that flew in every direction when I swam. My top was the most daring I’d worn yet. Two red ribbons descended from my shoulders and tucked into the middle of my waistband, just hiding my nipples from view. My hair was styled up into a magnificent golden point, like the bud of a rose, with a white pearl crown nestled at the crest.
And I was nervous, though not nearly as nervous as last night; my fears about Mateo had eased a bit. My anxiety about all the men getting hurt had decreased even more this morning when Posey and Lizza had popped into my room. I hadn’t been so relieved to see Lizza since she had saved my life. “Finally, you’ve returned from gathering potion ingredients?” I’d asked by way of greeting.
“Yes, and you’ll be happy to know I found a few items that might work for you,” she’d responded subtly, not mentioning my heart in front of the guards or Posey.
I’d nodded thanks. But knowing that the undead witch was here and would be available if any of my contestants were hurt eased my mind. Lizza had more magic in her rotting pinkie finger than all the other mages in my retinue put together. If anyone got hurt today, she’d be able to help, I didn’t doubt it for a second.
Deacon led me down out into the stands of the arena, and I was overwhelmed. Thousands of sea people were there, and the rainbow rock denoting the rows was almost lost in the swirl of color from hundreds of heads. The warble and chirp of conversation reached my ears. Deacon and I paused at the entrance, and I spotted a local quartet. As soon as they spotted us, they began the national anthem. Like any good mayor, Deacon paused, waiting for the crowd to grow quiet and attention to turn toward us. Only then did he swim forward with me on his arm.
We cut a line right through the center of the sand, heading toward the dais where I’d watch the competitors. I smiled and used the royal wave I’d learned growing up. Deacon’s smile and wave were broad. I received some nods, and polite applause filled the stadium, but there were also quite a few glares, which made my stomach churn. I hated that random strangers still didn’t like me. Hated it. My grip grew a bit tighter on Deacon’s arm, and his eyes followed mine.
“Don’t worry about them,” he said, patting my hand gently. “You can never please everyone. Trust me. The day before you arrived, I found a likeness of myself painted on the seat of someone’s privy. I’ll let your imagination decide where they’d painted my mouth.”
Despite myself, I grinned. “What did you do about it?” I asked.
“Painted myself a hat, of course,” he replied.
I dissolved into laughter, shaking so much that I clutched his arm for support. Tears came to my eyes. “Mayor Deacon, I do believe you are now officially one of my favorite people.”
His grin was wide. “Glad to hear it.” He leaned forward conspiratorially. “I’m certain that means you’ll keep what I say next just between us.”
“Of course.”
“While those fools in the stands don’t pose much threat, I would suggest keeping your head about you.”
I leaned in, heart pounding. “Have you heard anything?”
He bit his lip and shook his head as we swam up to the tent I’d spotted the day prior. “No. But isn’t it a bit odd that you were attacked on the way here? And that one of your competitors choked on a boot last night?”
I blinked, nonplussed. “I’m not seeing how those two events are related.”
Deacon gestured toward the throne, which was a bright green elk horn coral covered in tufted cushions. I sat down, and he took the seat at my left side. “I’ve come to realize, over the several years I’ve been in this position, that sometimes, when things seem like coincidences, they actually are not.”
His words sank me.
Was he right? How could they be connected? I supposed magic could have been a key. Was Humberto a target now because he’d stopped that hedge witch and her group? Did he need extra protection?
