My head tipped softly against Gavin’s shoulder, and his arm slid around my waist, securing me to his side. His quiet murmur brushed my ear, keeping me from drifting off completely.
“You don’t want to hear the rest of the man’s story?”
“Just give me the highlights,” I mumbled.
A strand of hair tickled my face, and I wrinkled my nose in protest. Gavin chuckled, brushing the strands away before tucking them behind my ear. His rough fingertips trailed down my neck, and I shivered as he spoke.
“The mystical shard was stolen from the sea and taken above,” he began, his voice low. “But it wasn’t far enough. It climbed high into the sky to the realm of Aetheryal, where it was hidden in a treacherous castle filled with traps, beyond a twisting labyrinth of stone and thorns.”
“That doesn’t sound too bad,” I murmured sleepily. “Easy for us.”
“Hmm… maybe,” he mused. “But the man says the shard is guarded by an ugly, savage giant who tears puny humans limb from limb.”
“That’s not ideal.”
Gavin laughed softly, the warmth of his tone curling through my chest. His arm tightened around me. “No. I happen to like all of my limbs.”
“And how does one get to Aetheryal?” I asked.
“Hold on, I’ll find out.” He paused, lifting his head slightly. The murmur of voices flowed over the campfire. “He says you have to dance in the rain under the light of a full moon, then kiss the most handsome man you know. Don’t worry, I won’t go far.”
My lips trembled with a lazy smile. “You’re lying. How can it be raining if you can see the light of a full moon?”
I felt the rumble of amusement in his chest. “That’s the part you’re questioning?”
“Tell me the truth.”
He was quiet for a beat, then said, “Magic seeds, of course. They’ll grow the vine to climb into the sky.”
I yawned, my lashes fluttering shut. “That makes more sense.”
The vision blurred at the edges, fading with the warmth of the fire, and the solid weight of Gavin’s arm holding me close. I jolted back to reality with a gasp, the pearl slipping from my fingers into the sand.
Coldness rushed in. My cell had gone dark except for the last few twinkling anemones. I trembled, shaking away the lingering desire to crawl back into that memory where I feltwarm and safe.
An illusion.
Even if Gavin had cared for me a little, and I was willing to concede it hadn’t all been a lie, he hadn’t cared enough. And when faced with a choice, he’d chosen the witch’s offer.
“I know where to find the shard,” I said, clearing the tightness from my throat. Using my tail, I propelled myself toward the bars.
“You do?” Sirena asked.
“Yes!” I let out a surprised laugh that sounded strange to my ears. “I need to see the queen.”
Sirena whooped and grabbed her bowl, raking it across the coral bars with a slow drag. “Guards! Marin demands an audience with the queen. She has information that can save the realm!”
I joined her shouts, dumping my seaweed into the sand, and slammed the bowl as hard as I could against the coral.
No one came. Our voices grew hoarse, and I slumped against the bars.
“Tomorrow,” Sirena croaked. “We’ll try again tomorrow. Every day until this prison rings with our demands. I might not have my lure, but they’ll grow tired of hearing my screams.”
“And likely prod us with shockwave sticks,” I said with a weak groan.
“We’re getting out of here, Marin. You’ll see. And when this is all over, and you’re back on land for good, I’ll swim onto shore and you’ll meet me there with a pot of honey.”
I dropped my head into my hand, shoulders shaking with the effort it took not to laugh.
