"Did you hear the war drums?" Bolt asks, his long body swaying. "They echoed in the distance shortly after you left."
My smile falters. Kael's does too, the light in his eyes dimming.
"No," I say, the word heavy in my mouth. "Not where we were."
I look at Kael for a long moment, and in the silent space between us, a whole conversation passes. He understands without a word.
"Vaelis," he starts, his new voice a low, serious rumble, "I know you want no part of the Reef. But this war is founded on unjust beliefs between our kind. We can put an end to this. Together. Or we can leave this place forever—"
"We're coming back later for my cure, right?" Mira asks weakly, laying down as Pip continues to prune her scales.
"Your cure may not even exist, hopeful mer," Bolt interjects bluntly. "Your curse is your own doing."
I agree with the sentiment, but I will not go back on my word.
"Yes, Mira, we will. But right now… I think it's time to give the Elders one last piece of my mind before we leave. Let's put a stop to this senseless war."
"Good grief, Red Prince, are you optimistic," Bolt grumbles.
"Mira?" Kael asks.
She sits in thought for a moment, now petting Pip as he curls up into her lap.
A slow, predatory smile creeps up onto her face. "That seems worth the wait."
Kael turns back to me, reaches out his scarred hand, and gently takes mine. "Ready," he says, the single word a foundation of solid rock.
I squeeze his fingers, the rough texture a familiar anchor. "Ready," I repeat.
We are loud. We are alive. And we are terrifyingly dangerous, because now, my gentle shark-mer finally has a voice.
And he has a hell of a lot to say.
Chapter 18
The Choir of the Forgotten
Kael
Risingtomyfullheight, I move to the copper cage. My heavy knuckles tap against the iron bars.
"Bolt," I command. "Lights. Full power."
"You do not give the orders in my house just because you have a working voice box, shark," Bolt snaps back. His words lack heat. He sounds shaken. Impressed.
"Lights," I repeat. "We're plotting."
Bolt sighs, a long crackling sound, and flares. Blinding blue light floods the shell, illuminating the tactical map carved into the wooden floor.
The Vaels slaughter my kind under false pretense.
We hunt during the Tide, but the Basalt-Kin have never pushed into Reef territory. During Vaelis's recovery, I plotted an end to the war I failed to stop the first time.
Having his blessing anchors me.
Having someone who shares my mind means everything.
"I want to help," Mira says, shielding her sensitive eyes from the glare.
