Page 67 of Surfaces
Gorgono swam over to the pair and he was questioning the two mer, berating them.
“You didn’t sarding check!”
“The city is crawling with guards, everyone on high alert for stuff outside the usual. I saw a group of men! What was I supposed to do? Take them on myself?”
I tuned them out and tried to breathe deeply. The song of the sea surged in my ears, her voice loud and resonant, making my hands tremble and making it difficult for me to comprehend anything outside of her need. She wanted me to use her. My magic wanted me to sing with her, to roll the water across my fingertips and send it rollicking to the shore, sweeping up everything in its path.We can’t.I spoke to her. But then I decided it might be better to sing.
In a slow melody that was jarring and poorly arranged, I mentally sang,It was just a mistake, just an accident. Save your power for some other hour. Some true need.
Though my words fumbled along and my tune was awful, the song inside of me responded with a purr, pleased that I’d attempted to speak her language.
I took deep, slow breaths, humming in my head until my magic also calmed down to a gentle thrum.
I was able to tune back into the conversation just as Gorgono turned to the rest of us, eyes dark, and said, “False alarm.”
I closed my eyes and nodded, glad, yet also strangely disappointed. I was scared but also excited to face the rebels because I needed to redeem myself now that I’d claimed my power.
“You’re lucky it was false.” Gorgono’s words made my lids pop open, and I glared at the mayor, who’d returned to my side and was glaring at me as if this false alarm was entirely my fault.
“As are you.”
“Yes…well, I didn’t need this sort of luck a few weeks ago before you took that crown.”
“No. A few weeks ago, your monarch would have slain you if you’d dared speak to her the way you’re speaking to me.” I let ice cool my gaze as I stared at this man, no longer holding back the fury he made me feel. He pushed too hard—was too disrespectful. And for all I knew, his hatred for me could make him fall in with the rebels. He could already be working with them. But unlike the poor sods who’d attacked my carriage, Gorgono had much to lose if he did. I decided he needed a reminder of that fact.
“I prefer not to operate as Mayi did. I don’t feel violence is always warranted. But just because I don’t prefer her techniques…don’t make the mistake of thinking I won’t use them.”
I held out my hand, and let the musical voice inside, which had been so eager to do something, have its way. I pushed the notes lower, deeper, darker…until a trident made of black ice formed in my right hand.
Gorgono stared at me, his emerald eyes sharp as my threat registered. He didn’t speak, just whirled and swam back the way we’d come, leaving his startled citizens with no explanation.
Despite the fact that he left the fight today, I had a feeling that my confrontations with the defiant mayor had only just begun.
Once the mayor was a pinprick in the distance, flanked by a few city guards, I let my trident melt.
Then I swam up to the floating mob of men, who were still tense and ready for action. I had to both explain…and find a way to redirect all their pent up energy…hopefully into a positive direction.
“Because today was declared a holiday, there was a miscommunication. No one attacked.” I made the announcement as I eyed the men, some of whom looked relieved while others seemed disappointed.
“I want to personally thank each of you for your bravery and your willingness to defend your home from harm. This is how it should be. My guards will take down your names…because heroes deserve a celebratory meal, after all. I’ll arrange for a few of the local taverns to host you all tonight. Please keep your brawls outside of these fine establishments though. I’d like to pay for your meal, not broken furniture.”
Chuckles rippled through the crowd as applause started and stopped in fits. But it seemed to satisfy them enough to disperse and make their way back to the city.
Ugo winked in my direction. “Well. That was epically entertaining. A bit more so than waiting for this tournament to finish.”
I sighed. “Perhaps for you. Gorgono’s an issue though. I wish he’d just stop testing me.”
“He won’t. He thinks you’re too young, and too…attached to the sky breathers,” Paavo contributed.
“Supportive. Great job,” Ugo clapped him on the shoulder. “Want to add ‘the rebels will keep attacking’ too?”
Before they could descend into squabbling, I started back to Gorgono’s golden rooftop. But I knew in my heart of hearts that Paavo was right. I’d constantly have to prove myself to people like Gorgono and until I defeated the rebels—I’d constantly have to defend against them as well.
One of Queen Gela’s sayings rung through my ears. “A queen who rests easy, rests easy forever.”
As I swam, I made myself a promise. I was going to start practicing with my magic every day until I felt confident in my control—despite the price. It was the only way to keep Gorgono and the rebels at bay.
I’d have to figure out the price bit as I went.
