Page 116 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

Aloud burst of laughter from the men above deck pulled Prince Elijah from his spell. It agitated him to no end. He would not be able to connect with his father with such deafening noise.

Lifting his hand, a black smoke drifted out through his fingertips and slithered slowly around the cabin. The dark magic crept under the door and down the hall, which led to the deck. Laughter broke off into screams. It brought a satisfying smile to his face before the silence loomed over him.

Ah,he thought, there we go.

Elijah was not stupid enough to kill the crew—he needed the sailors. However, they would be frozen until he had the information he needed. Also, his magic would be a warning to them. It took a lot of convincing for some of his father’s men to turn on their kingdom. They were not easily persuaded to go against their king, so he had used his magic, possessing their minds into utter control.

A slight sway of the ship caused the prince’s heart to jump. He had not sailed the seas since he was a young lad. Moreover, the ocean was laden with death and misery, all at the hands of the evil man he called Father. The voyage to seek out the siren, who loathed the Zemiran king as much as he did, was bittersweet. They should be allies, yet she would become his enemy in a few days’ time.

If the siren had the ruby, that made her who he thought she was—the daughter of the Sea Queen, Maydean.

Elijah settled back on his pillow, closing his eyes, and clutched the Voleric pendant—it pulsated against his chest. The polished texture felt cool against his palm. He shut his eyes, feeling the rapid movement beneath his eyelids. His body suddenly felt weightless above the sheets, harnessing a tremendous amount of power to slip into his father’s mind.

The prince’s growing anger was intoxicating. His father’s spiteful, murderous behavior had made him a hard-hearted man. Finding the siren would help the young prince bring it all to an end.

“Hmmm!” Elijah hummed as he watched the king’s guard hustle to Mason’s chambers.

“What are you up to, Father?” he said aloud, a dark, heavy pressure pulled at his forehead. He did not want to be snooping around his father’s head longer than he needed. Going through the pain of venturing into Matthias’s consciousness was draining.

Prince Elijah watched as the king stepped up to Mason. Matthias no longer ignored Elijah being inside his head.

Boy, have you come to watch?His father asked in his vile, warped mind.

The arrogant man felt no remorse for his actions. As much as Elijah hated to see Mason be tortured, it was inevitable.

The corners of his mouth turned up. Mason was simply a pawn to keep you busy while I escaped on your ship, the prince said to his father’s mind. Do whatever you wish to him, you dimwitted buffoon. I am days ahead of you.

The prince winced, feeling his father struggle against his power.

Go ahead, try all you want,he said, keeping his own thoughts hidden from the king.

As he watched through the eyes of the Zemiran King, Mason knelt on the floor with his arms bound behind his back. Two of Matthias’s guards held him tight before the corrupt man. A few beads of sweat ran down Mason’s forehead while his shoulders heaved.

The king lifted his fist, wrapped in brass knuckles, and came down hard against Mason’s cheek. His skin burned to where the king had struck his jaw—the skin cracked open. Tasting metal in his mouth, Mason spat on the floor, blood drenching King Matthias’s boot.

The wounded man attempted to stand and flee, but the two guards held him firmly by the arms, pulling him back down to his knees.

Elijah’s face twisted in rage. He would not pretend he did not have a role in Mason being caught and abused. However, his plan to keep his father at bay for as long as necessary was working. Every man had their pain threshold, and he knew Mason would soon cave.

Matthias’s lips curled into a sardonic grin. “I’ve been quite patient when it comes to you, Mason,” he said, “I gave you the honor of Lord and head of my royal guard when you were barely eighteen. And now you betray me.”

For the greater good,Elijah said to his father’s mind. Leave him alone.

A dull ache pulsated at Elijah’s temples, feeling as if at any moment the connection between their minds would break. Sweat pricked the back of his neck, soaking the sheet. Elijah had to fight the draining weakness in his body; it was his only chance.

Oh, my son, the king said Elijah in his mind, not until he tells me where you have fled to.

“A siren!” Mason spat out. His eyes gleamed with defeat and dolefulness.

You little traitor!Elijah screamed to himself, not caring if his father heard.

The prince felt his father’s lips pull to the side in a gratifying grin as the traitor broke into tears, hanging his head low to the ground.

King Matthias stood straight. A rush of fury coursed through his body, so livid Elijah clutched the Voleric pendant and thought on releasing himself from his father’s mind.

The king pretended to have complete control, but as his son dug deeper into his consciousness, he scrambled his thoughts. The prince held on to their connection, even if it meant crushing the king’s mind until he no longer recognized himself.

“The Elven woman and her child caught that day at the market weren’t released by the siren,” Mason continued.

---