Page 112 of Cruel Tides

“Mmmh.” The barest smile pulled at his mouth. “There’s something I’ve been curious about.” He wet his lips. “Did you remember to bring the swimsuit?”

“I brought it,” I said, feeling my body heat. The one he’d bought me was still sitting on the very top of my suitcase. Was this the real reason he’d insisted on rest before tonight?

“Good.” Barren nodded before easing the flap back down.

“C-can’t wait,” I called before it closed completely, hoping to see another hint of a smile. I wasn’t disappointed. When Barren straightened up, his hand curled in a brief wave at me through the glass. Goodness, I was thankful I’d kept that bikini.

When I turned back to Sprout, his eyes were half-closed. “You weren’t paying attention to that, were you?” I mumbled, and he yawned.

“Paying attention to what?”

I rewarded him with another pat. “Exactly. You might not want to come around tonight,” I whispered, and his tail whipped. “Just a polite heads up.”

“As long as I get a nap now.”

“Deal,” I said, cozying up under the covers. The peaceful way his eyes closed made me feel sleepy, too. Maybe a nap wasn’t a bad idea. Because if Barren was right and his queen did wish me harm, I would need my energy for what was to come.

My heart fluttered.

Plus, some energy in reserve for what was to come after.

28

Claira

Iwasn’t sure what I’d expected, but this wasn’t it. Barren had brought us to meet with his queen, but the building looming before us could only be described as an underwater palace. Only we were very much on land.

Orbs of light danced over the great dome and its towering pillars, creating a glowing, golden aura against the dark night sky. Every inch, from top to bottom, was gold. Even the twin statues guarding the palace’s entrance were cast in the gleaming metal.

“Is that…?” My voice trailed, the statues’ dark, soulless eyes causing me to shiver. The two figures brandished glittering tridents, their fish tails sweeping in opposing directions. Hair that should have belonged on the cover of a romance novel flowed over their shoulders, merging into the golden waves that covered the front of the palace behind them.

“Poseidon,” Barren rumbled, standing well away from our group. “Subtlety is not my kingdom’s strong suit.”

Leander ran a hand through his hair. “Well, I like it.”

“Of course you would,” I mumbled. Leander blended in so well with the architecture it was possible he could pass as a living extension of the building. Had he transformed into his merman form, his glistening tail might have outshone even the statues.

“Trident’s Treasure,” Kai read aloud, his eyes fixed on the golden arch beneath the great dome’s crest. The bold lettering loomed above the entrance, dwarfing the sea of bodies below it.

Laverne shuffled to the front of the group, her nose lifting like she was taking in all the lights.“There’s treasure inside?”

“Mmh,” Barren grunted. Zero elaboration.

Did his kingdom truly spend half of the year in this palace? Before I could ask, Barren headed for the entrance. I took a final glance at the shimmering streaks of light dancing across the night sky before following behind him.

It had been a long walk to the palace, but I’d managed to keep myself calm and relaxed through it. Now that we were here, my hands fidgeted, clutching to the strap of my satchel I’d prepared in case Barren’s queen sent us straight to the ocean.

The atmosphere pulsed with energy, driving me to press in closer to Barren, but he was determined to stay well ahead of us. Was he expecting us to sprint to keep up?

“Is there anything special I should know about? Like something you should or shouldn’t do when meeting with a queen?” I asked aloud to no one in particular.

“Remember, you don’t have to do anything Queen Javalynn asks you to do,” Kai said, keeping up with my increasingly frantic pace. “She knows you’re a free mermaid. If she tries anything, don’t be afraid to remind her, okay?” With a wide grin, he clenched a fist and pounded it in his other palm.

“Thanks, Kai. I’ll try not to forget.” Gosh, I loved how well he put me at ease. His face lit with intrigue when I gave his fist a bump.

The thought of meeting Barren’s queen made me nervous, but it wasn’t the queen herself that scared me—it was the hold she had over Barren.

Barren had nearly gone against her orders, delaying taking me back to his kingdom when she’d ordered him to steal me away. She was bound to be upset by his disobedience, right? And if she was anything like King Eamon, she was more than upset. King Eamon didn’t get upset. He got enraged, and Poseidon help anyone who crossed him.

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