Without sparing a glance back at us, Ceto and Alon catapulted off the balcony, hand in hand. Ceto hollering as he dived off the cliff into the sea.
“We’re supposed to do that?” Luciana screeched.
Nico slung an arm around her. “Scared, Lucy?”
“N-No,” she stammered as she brushed out of his hold.
I smothered a laugh with my hand. I knew Luce was terrified of heights, but she was never one to broadcast her fears.
“See you down there.” Nico winked at her over his shoulder before jumping into the sea, holding his knees to his chest as his howl ripped through the wind.
Luka took my hand in his. “What do you say, Sweetheart, you ready for an adventure?”
“Always.” I kissed him briefly, unable to hide my smile with the thrill racing through my veins.
Hand in hand we ran toward the ledge.
33
LUKA
A wild grin spread across Lennox’s face as we fell toward the sea. Adrenaline rushed through my system as we fell, pulling my magic to the surface, my limbs tingling.
The water crashed around us as we broke the surface, my hand ripping from Lennox’s at the impact.
I closed my eyes and mouth on instinct, but the bulb of air surrounding my head kept the water from touching the skin on my face. I breathed in a small breath, testing the bubble. I trusted my magic, but still, I was surprised as my lungs filled with air.
I searched for Lennox under the sea, finding her swimming toward me. Once she caught my gaze, she gestured below, where Nico and the Aquatic Kings convened on a large rock cliff.
“You remember we can talk,” I told her as I swam behind her.
“I do now.” She shook her head, her hair fanning around her in the bubble. “So strange.”
We joined the males on the cliff, watching as the rest of our group broke through the surface. Once we were all onthe cliff, the Aquatic kings directed us to follow closely as they led us deeper into the sea.
The pressure on my chest tightened with every foot deeper we swam. The further we descended, the darker it became. I couldn’t make out any fish or sea creatures, my eyes only seeing Lennox, who swam directly in front of me. Her long legs kicking out behind her.
We continued to swim until we reached a stone wall, the darkness split as Ceto pressed through a curtain of seaweed.
I couldn’t stop my mouth from falling open at the sight of the underwater court.
Somehow, a fully functioning city existed beneath the surface of the sea. A glistening glass building sat in the center, atop a large cliff. Homes were formed on the side of the cliff, the entrances covered with seaweed in various shades of green. Aquatic flowers bloomed in bright pinks, oranges, and yellows throughout the city, their colors reflecting across the surface of the glass palace.
Sea creatures of all kinds swam around, unbothered by our arrival as they bustled around the city. Some carrying baskets, others with younglings trailing behind them or bundled in their arms.
“Whoa,” Nico breathed from beside me.
“Yeah, whoa,” Kara echoed.
“Welcome to Thalassa,” Alon announced.
Ceto and Alon led us through the city, bringing us to the large golden doors of Thalassa main dwelling. We swam through the doors, the guards greeting us before leading us to meet the female who commanded the Aquatic Court army.
The staff led us into another chamber, this one resembling a form of underwater oasis.
Two large structures that resembled thrones sat in the center, fashioned out of shells of different sizes and shapes. The floor was made of rocks, the terrain uneven as if we were in the sea itself. Behind the shell chairs was a large circular window, giving a perfect view of the underwater city beyond.
Aquatic flowers wove throughout the space, brightening the dark walls of the cavern.
