Page 19 of Surfaces
I stood, excitement rushing through my veins. “That’s perfect!”
Sahar reached out a hand to calm me. “No. It’s not. The two brothers ended up in a feud over who should marry Queen Karisa because the brother who’d competed fell in love with her.”
I blew a raspberry. “As if I would be so lucky.”
Still, she protested. “Keelan might not seem like it, but he has a lot of pride. He’d never allow someone—”
I waved my hand impatiently. “Forget he’d never. I’ll convince him to do it. But who can compete?”
Sahar threw up her hands as she leaned back against the seat cushions with an exasperated chuckle. I wasn’t certain who was frustrating her more—her son, or me and the fact that I assumed I could overcome his pride. “Well, there’s another roadblock. Most of our extended family lives in Sky Stones. That’s a four-day swim at least. And the joust resumes in just a few hours.” She shook her head.
“You don’t have any relatives, any friends here …” I coached.
“I have an eighty-year-old uncle,” she returned with hollow sarcasm. “I’m quite certain my son would rather have the lance lashed to his useless arm than allow Waldemar to compete on his behalf.”
I sighed, the surge of hope disappearing like a sinking ship. I sat back on the couch next to Sahar and stewed in silence. I desperately wanted Keelan to stay in the tournament. But I had even fewer friends and allies than Sahar. I had no family down here.
Who could I possibly get to compete in a dangerous competition on Keelan’s behalf?
At that very moment, Felipe opened the door, bowing his head slightly as he glanced in and realized I was still in my robe. “Your Majesty,” his voice was deep and resonant. “It’s nearly time to go.”
I immediately turned back and stared at Sahar, my brows shooting up, my expression sayingyes.
Her expression screamed,no!
But I ignored her. I turned to my guard and gave a sugary smile, trying to pretend I wasn’t close to trembling in thrilled terror as I asked, “Felipe, could you step in here a moment?”
6
To my shocked delight,Felipe had simply nodded when I made my request and said, “Wait here while I find a replacement to guard you.”
The nerves I’d built up as I’d hesitantly asked him had all but fizzled by the time he returned with another guard to shadow me around the mayor’s palace so that he could go prepare.
“Your Majesty, Paavo will assist you while I’m gone.” He gestured toward a massive mer who was at least twice my height, with a black tail and hair. Paavo also had a scar as big as my fist along his torso.
I nodded in greeting to Paavo, who was stoic and silent, as I swam quickly to Felipe’s side. Uncertainty ate at me along with a tiny nick of guilt. “I just want to ensure you’re actually okay with this,” I said in a low voice. “You don’thave to—”
“It’s just a joust.”
“Yes, but you could get hurt,” I whispered.
Felipe gave me a nonplussed look, the look of a man who’s just been insulted. “Please. This is child’s play.”
I held up my hands in retreat. “Alright.”
He gave me a steady look full of swagger that set off a flock of birds nesting in my stomach. They all took flight at once, their feathered wings brushing my insides as they rose. I swallowed hard and gave him a soft, “Good luck, then.”
He snorted before he disappeared down the hall with a swish of his navy-blue tail, and I stared longingly after him.
Behind me, Sahar said drily, “I see history repeating itself.”
A hot blush rose on my cheeks as I turned to face her.Dammit.“Oh, hush. He’s just doing me a favor.” I tried to take careful breaths to stay calm, but I couldn’t control the pink creeping up my neck.
“Mmhmm.” Her look said she clearly didn’t believe me. “Well, you still have to convince my son of this favor.”
I inhaled, bracing myself for what I was sure would be an argument. “Can you have Keelan meet me in the courtyard?”
Sahar gave me a smile. “I’d love to watch this—”
