Page 115 of Cruel Tides

Despite clenching his teeth, he nodded. My heart raced when he didn’t pull away.

The two mermen appeared confused, but I maintained my composure even as rage built inside me. Why would a kingdom treat their prince like this? Rocci had mentioned a ‘scandal with Barren’s impairment,’ and if that was the reason… I wasn’t sure what I would do.

My heart shattered, thinking of the injustices Barren had endured at the hands of his own kingdom. It seemed the Indian Ocean was no better than the Atlantic.

“This way, please.” With a twist, the mermen took off, leading the way through the casino.

Fury burned all the way up my throat, but I followed, clutching tight to Barren’s arm.

“My sister is not going to like you,” Barren said finally, his deep voice breaking through my thoughts. My stomach knotted until I noticed the hint of humor playing over his otherwise tense expression.

“Wait—the queen, she’s… yoursister?”

He nodded. “Mmh.”

How had I not realized? It made sense, of course, but I couldn’t recall him ever referring to her as anything other than ‘his queen.’

I pursed my lips. Even though she was Barren’s sister, was it terrible that I didn’t care if she disliked me? Especially if it was because of something as ridiculous as not heeding their superstitions.

As we passed through the sea of gaming tables, my eyes lingered on the crowd. Here, deeper into the casino, alcohol seemed to flow as freely as the chips that were being thrown onto the tables. Workers I suspected to be merfolk slid through the throng, making sure the patrons were well distracted, whether by drink or their flitty outfits of gossamer and gold.

We descended a path leading to a secluded seating area recessed in the back of the dome, and with each new step, the lights dimmed and the noises muted. It was a much-needed respite from the overstimulation of the casino floor above.

A woman sat on a black leather couch, the centerpiece of the extravagant lounge.Wow. The dark hair cascading past her shoulders looked as if it had been strategically placed there for a painting. Except there was no canvas, no painter. Only her and us.

“Ah. You’re here.” She held a glass filled with a pale liquid, staring disinterestedly at its rim. “Better late than never, I suppose.”

An elegant sweep of gold crowned her head, and when her focus lifted from her glass, it struck me how much her dark eyes resembled Barren’s.

It was my first time seeing a queen, and she did not disappoint.

“My darlings.” The queen stretched out like a graceful pantheress, extending a gloved arm that both mermen took. I shifted uncomfortably, leaning into Barren as they doused her long black glove with dueling lines of passionate kisses.

She didn’t bother glancing our way before saying, “Sit.”

There were four of us here, yet somehow, I knew the command was meant for me. Only, just as I wouldn’t pull up a seat beside King Eamon, instinct told me I had no business sitting next to this woman.

Her gaze lifted from her devotees, catching on where I clung to Barren’s arm, and her dark eyes seemed to hollow. “Come,” she said sharply.

With one look, I knew Barren’s prediction had been right—the queen already didn’t like me. My nerves rising, I tried to take Barren with me, but he stood fixed on the stairs.

“Just you,” the woman said, her voice growing tight with impatience. “You are currently looking at our VIP area. Entry is restricted to those whom I have authorized as my guests.”

I was about to ask why a prince wasn’t considered a VIP when Barren’s arm pulled free from my grip. “Barren…?” I questioned as he started backing up the steps.

He shook his head, though his intense eyes seemed to hold his promise from earlier. ‘I won’t let anything happen to you.’

With a forced gulp, I nodded up at him. I felt it deep in my chest—a promise that I trusted completely.

When I stepped into the lounge, Barren’s sister gave me a twisted smile. She gestured to the seat beside her. “Sit with me.”

Reluctantly, I took a seat, though I kept my eyes on where Barren stood on the steps above. Even if this queen wished me harm, as long as he was nearby, everything would be okay.

She shooed the two men away with a flick of her gloved hand. “Leave us.”

“Yes, my queen,” they answered in unison. They bowed low, and I reminded myself that it was okay that I hadn’t greeted her with a bow. I was a free mermaid, and after all, even Barren hadn’t?—

“My queen.” Barren bowed just as low as the other two mermen had, his arm flat against his side as he did it. My mouth fell open as all three of them left us, retreating up the steps. When Barren finally settled, he was standing all the way next to the gaming tables. Close enough to wave over but well out of earshot.

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