It’s already Wednesday.
Malec
Queen Marcella swims off her throne and out of the dome—right toward us. The guard next to me bows deeply before she even arrives, not even flinching until given permission.
I’ve never bowed to anyone.
But I’ve also never been on an official royal diplomatic mission before, so I shoot a quick glance at my aunt to my right. She tilts her head slightly, trying to read my expression.
“Myko, ask my aunt if I’m supposed to bow on these occasions.”
I don’t know why, but even in my own mind, I whisper it—like asking might somehow be a crime. I’m not planning to bow, but I’d at least like to know if I'd be sentenced to death if I don’t.
Bay’s loud and sudden snort nearly makes me lose it. Myko's passed the message right.
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. My gills tremble with the effort; it’s barely holding in.
“What’s so funny?” A deep, commanding voice snaps us both back to reality.
I lift my head to meet her above us.
Queen Marcella.
Surprisingly, a soft smile stretches across her pale face. She’s as white as the ice shielding this city. Her golden hair is so long it trails past her white-with-orange-stains shimmering tail, wrapping around her like a cape in the water current. She glows gold—even brighter than the guard to my left.
And there it is.
The mark of Sur-El.
Right under her chin, glowing blue in reaction to my presence.
“The Coral of Life bows to no one.”Myko’s smug snort rumbles in my mind.
From the corner of my eye, I catch the flicker of his violet glow from Bay’s chest.
“Damn right I don’t,”I shoot back at him with a matching edge in my tone.
“We’re just excited to be here,” Bay says as she glides forward in a practiced, almost too-graceful motion when I don’t immediately answer. She’s pulling the diplomatic card she learned from my mom.
Trying to sound formal. Only trying.
The words are civil.
Her tone?
She’s seconds away from breaking out laughing again.
“Remind me why I need you two with me at all times?”I grumble to Myko, forcing a polite smile onto my face in front of the Queen as I nod like I’m in agreement with Bay’s approach.
“To make you miserable,”he answers with a snort—and then goes completely silent.
Message well received: focus on saving Bay from unnecessary embarrassment.
The Queen smiles at Bay, but her attention quickly shifts to me—surprising all of us as she suddenly bows, deeply.
My marks glow even brighter, pulsing with a strange intensity. But I don’t feel hunger or consumed in any of the usual way. This... this feels different.
Warm.
