Page 10 of Waves
I began to protest but Sahar interjected. “She’s right. Given this situation, the best you can offer them is a promise that those responsible will be found and punished.”
They wanted me to act ruthless when I hadn’t even lost my heart yet? When the one thing I prized above all others dangled on the precipice of an abyss?
I shoved up from the table, putting both hands on it and leaning forward toward my adviser. Waiting until her golden eyes locked onto mine in full concentration, I said, “Mayi always mistook cruelty for strength. I refuse to do the same. Without compassion, justice becomes vengeance. Without mourning, tragedy becomes a wound that doesn’t heal. Okeanos is better than that. Now, give me my damned speech.”
Without argument, Sahar shoved the other piece of parchment across the table.
Lizza clucked her tongue, or tried to, at least. With the missing patch of skin on her cheek she really just created a few odd bubbles that burst from her face.
I wrote and rewrote as the sun grew hotter, as men came up to the table and signed away their right to compete. Many men. More than I’d expected. Each signature was a slap in the face, but I merely nodded at them and continued working, trying to ignore their shuffling steps or nervous tail flickers. Trying not to notice how quickly they swam off.
Finally, I decided that I had a version of the speech that I approved of heralds shouting in my name.
When I lifted my aching neck, it was to find Felipe and Mateo in front of me. Sahar and Lizza had wandered off to tend to other matters and, of course, this overprotective pair were hovering nearby.
The gray streaks in my former guard’s blue hair shone in the sunbeams, while his navy eyes were shadowed. Staring at him for a long moment, his strength seeped into my bones, as if he physically pushed it toward me. I gave him a soft smile, and while he was a somber merman, not prone to smiling, he gave me a nod that I knew meant the same.
My gaze moved over to Mateo who was clumsily fluttering his fin and making his silver curls bounce upon his head. Better at pretending to be a merman with each passing day, he’d still never be mistaken for graceful. Not here. Not like he was on land.
Still, I found it hard to believe, and also breathtakingly amazing, that he’d followed me into the sea and done whatever it took for us to be together. That kind of devotion filled me with soft warmth, like someone was kneading together all the days of spring—sweet gentle breezes mixing with budding flowers and hope. He was the man who made tears form in my eyes for no reason at all, other than the glory of his existence.
I blinked hard in order to avoid turning into a sappy shite just from his presence, training my attention on the list Mateo gripped in his hand. He was scanning over the withdrawals.“How many are left?” I asked, already able to tell from his expression that the number wouldn’t be good.
“Eight.”
My throat grew a bit tight, but it was actually better than I’d expected. “Could have been worse. I could have been down to you two.”
Both of them scoffed and swam closer.
“Impossible.”
“Please, my old cousin here would be scared to fight me. He’s thrilled he can face off against other people at the next event instead,” Mateo teased as his tail accidentally whacked the table.
One side of Felipe’s mouth ticked up–at the reference to their cover story for Mateo or the fake-mer’s clumsiness, I wasn’t sure. Either way, he turned toward the other mer and said solemnly, “The strength battle is already over. As is the battle of wits. I highly doubt your willpower can outlast mine. Young minds don’t know the meaning of patience.”
“I’ll destroy you in the battle of the heart,” Mateo challenged.
“I’m not sure heart challenges are meant to be destructive,” Felipe shot back.
Mateo narrowed his eyes and wagged a finger at the older man, acknowledging his point. Felipe gave a tiny, rare grin.
My eyes flickered between the two of them, chest warming at how well they got along. At least a few things in this world were going right.
“You done working?” Mateo asked, shifting his attention back to me as he set the list down and swam closer. He put a hand on my shoulder and gently rubbed his thumb across it. “We wanted to feed you.”
His thoughtfulness made me smile and my stomach gave a little twist, reminding me how hungry I was. “Well?—”
“Sorry, boys, but I’ve claimed her today.” Lizza’s voice commanded from behind me.
Turning, I saw the undead mage and Posey standing side by side. The part flower-sprite with purple petals for hair had the decency to at least look sheepish, but Lizza had no shame at all. Her rotting hands were on her hips and her expression was serious. One might even say dead set.
“Her Majesty owes me some magic practice.”
Dammit.
Unable to withhold my sigh, I nodded. “She’s right.” Much as I might hate or dread it, there would be another attack. My lack of preparation for the last one was glaringly obvious.
Felipe’s protectiveness immediately reared its head. “She needs a moment to eat and rest. She’s been working all morning.”
