Page 103 of Waves
"Her potions are the things of nightmares," I agreed.
"I think her sense of taste was the first thing that died," Avia concluded with an unladylike snort that made me laugh.
"Excellent theory. Probably true."
"I did have a question. Connor and Ryan were telling me that Raj was seen down here... " Bloss trailed off, concern coloring her tone, and somehow I knew that this topic was the exact reason she'd wanted to go for our stroll. She'd eased into it smartly, much better at playing politics now than she ever had been before. It seemed her husbands were a good influence on her, a fact I didn't appreciate right now as I was the target of her investigation.
"Raj has been here, yes. But don't worry, he's gone now. And he won't be back," I murmured, patting her arm in reassurance.
"I thought that after I fought him. But he somehow showed up down here..." Worry knit her brows together and her anxiety was palpable.
"I promise. Between my magic and this ring, Raj is taken care of," I held up my hand so she could see the band.
Her hazel eyes widened and she gaped at me for a solid minute before she said, "Well then. Alright."
I waited a moment for her elder sister badgering to begin, but she simply turned and walked on, leaving me behind. "That's really it? All you're going to ask?"
She shrugged. "You've got things well in hand. You found that ring I dropped ages ago, and I know just how well that thing works. So, if you say everything is good, I believe you."
It was almost harder for me to accept her acceptance of my coming of age than it was for me to accept Raj in the first place. It jumbled my brain, shook up the puzzle pieces that I thought had already fitted together and made me start again.
But...that was life, wasn't it?
Ever changing.
Nothing etched in stone.
Not even my know-it-all sister's lectures lasted forever, it seemed.
Reflecting on that, we went around another bend in the path in silence, content in one another's company, in this undefined equity. I considered teasing her about it, but for the moment I was too appreciative to poke fun.
And then, though I'd all but forgotten the original reason I'd wanted to show my sister the sculpture garden, Ugo and Paavo came into sight and reminded me. The orange-haired mer gave me a solemn nod and a salute to let me know that all preparations were in order.
"Bloss, I have something to show you," I stated, moving forward and taking my sister's hand to guide her. Then I took a sharp right, and we doubled back along the path, weaving this way and that until we came to the only sculpture in the entire garden that was finished. The first sculpture I'd ever commissioned.
There, set out in pale blue stone, were Bloss and her kings, weapons raised, fierce expressions on their faces.
My sister's jaw dropped as she studied it and I turned to her.
"Okeanos has many heroes. But without you, all the future heroes of this kingdom would not exist. You freed the people of the sea from a great tyrant. And we'll forever tell the story of Queen Bloss to our children. To our children's children." My hand went over my heart in a pledge. "We're forever in your debt, Bloss of Evaness, for your march beneath the sea."
"Sard your formality, you dummy," my sister choked out as she yanked me into a hug.
And then she sobbed all over me.
Six Months Later
AVIA
"Keep your eyes closed," Mateo coached as he helped me out of the carriage, and I clung to his arm. His swimming had vastly improved over time, and we kept a steady pace as he led me through the water to somewhere unknown. The temperature of the water gave me the only clue as to our surroundings. It was warmer than Palati, so we were in more shallow water.
"I almost wish you'd blindfolded me," I murmured as the light flickered behind my eyelids and temptation threatened.
"Don't worry, that's just Mr. Whelk swimming overhead," my husband comforted me.
"So, Keelan is in on this surprise?" I questioned as we seemed to angle down toward the sea bed.
"We all are," Felipe's smooth tone reverberated from somewhere to my left, along with the clank of the lamp he’s hung from his belt—the good luck charm that also made it easy to identify him whenever he approached. I found myself turning toward him automatically, my hand going to my stomach, which was only slightly bulging now that I was three months along.
