We all gave an audible inhale, and then dove beneath the surface. The current snatched us, dragging us under and forcing air out of my lungs and through my lips. Bubbles danced around our heads as each one of us fought to hold our breath. Still, we were swept farther and farther beneath the surface. All light disappeared. My senses jumped into overdrive. The beat of my heart frantically crashing in my ears. The roar of raging water as we were thrust farther into the crevice. Leena’s hand in mine. I held on to her with everything I had, too afraid to consider what would happen if I let go.
My lungs started to burn, and I fought against the desire to try to escape the current. Doing so would result in our deaths. We were far beneath the mountain now, and the only way to survive was to wait this out. Seconds felt like hours, until finally a faint, pale-blue glow bloomed to life before us. Lichen covered the walls of the massive, underwater cavern, and their luminescent bodies showered our surroundings in light. The sandy ocean floor became visible beneath our feet, covered in thousands upon thousands of shells, all varying colors and sizes. A shoal of silver fish swam by, causing a ripple in the water across the surface above our heads.
Surface.The current died, and I kicked upward with all my might. My muscles screamed from lack of oxygen, the burn of exertion chasing away the cold of the water. Finally, we emerged, each one of us gasping mouthfuls of air.
“Never. Again,” Calem sputtered.
Ozias coughed and then rolled to his back, allowing himself to float atop the surface. “Well, at least one more time to get out of here.”
Leena pushed hair out of her eyes and shivered. “Let’s hope we can charm a Revmandra instead. Trust me, riding one is much more preferable than that.”
“First,” I said, nodding toward the small island within the cavern, “let’s do the ritual so I can ask for a pearl.”
They turned, following my gaze. An altar made entirely of dusty-purple, rose-shaped coral stood tall over the limestone statue of a kneeling woman. Her hair, dotted with shells and glittering opals, fell in a frozen wave down her side. And she was smiling. A bemused, soft grin, as if she were privy to a joke we’d never hear. But perhaps the most stunning part of the entire display was the endless amount of pearls. Pale-pink and lustrous, they clung to the altar and statue like bubbles.
Leena swam to the shore and hoisted herself out of the water. Dripping wet, she stood before the statue, backlit by the glowing lichen, and ran a delicate finger over one of the pearls in Yuna’s hair. “These will work for the taming.”
“Good. One less thing to worry about.” I joined her side and wrung out the edge of my tunic, dousing our feet. Calem and Ozias followed after us. Once safely on the island, they sat on large pieces of driftwood and removed their shoes to dump water across the sand.
“I’ll get our bag from Tok,” Leena said, moving away from the altar as she splayed out her hand. Her soaked, white blouse was nearly see-through, and I tracked the progression of rosewood vines as they climbed up her arm. Flowers bloomed and framed her temple, and finally, the beast realm door opened. She stepped into the flood of light and disappeared temporarily from our world. A minute or two later she returned with a canvas duffel in her hands.
She set it on the ground before her and closed the beast realm door, allowing her emblem to recede. “You guys go on ahead and get out of those wet clothes. I’ll wait until after we tame the Revmandra. I have to get back in the ocean to do it, and I only have the one spare set.” Her teeth chattered, and she rubbed her hands along her arms.
“At least start a fire to keep warm in the meantime,” I said. Ozias, Calem, and I stripped out of our clothes and slipped into new ones. Given we were still using borrowed attire left behind by travelers, the trousers and linen shirt were a bit snug. I tugged at the collar before shoving my feet back into my boots.
As soon as he’d dressed, Ozias broke apart some driftwood and stacked the pieces like a cabin. Satisfied, he snagged two stones and struck them together until a spark caught. Hungry flames devoured the wood and cast an immediate warmth around us. Sighing, Leena crumpled before the fire and held her palms out to the heat.
Calem plopped down beside her and ran a hand through his wet locks. Looking at the altar from across the flames, he gave me a nod. “You ready?”
“No turning back now.” Moving away from the warmth and security of the fire, I walked toward the altar. Each step forward was one step closer to a future I’d never wanted, but one I’d started to accept. I let out a weighted breath. Listened to the snarl of the fire and the steady, if not heightened, heartbeats of my family at my back. The occasional drip of water sliding off stalactites and splashing into the ocean below. It was almost peaceful here. Safe.
And the safety and security I felt deep in my bones was something I wanted my family, everyone in my kingdom, to feel. Varek couldn’t continue his reign. Not when he wielded borrowed power like a tyrant. Employing Harlow to steal for his own personal gain was an abuse of power, but that action only scratched the surface of his misdeeds. Not to mention allying with Darrien and Yazmin. He was a paranoid king obsessed with preserving his power, likely because he was never meant to occupy the throne. He locked away people without trials. Imposed high taxes so he could continue to fortify his castle on their bits. And if therewerecaptured Charmers imprisoned in his city…
He wasn’t a king of the people. He only fueled the divide the First King had created centuries ago when he’d sacrificed his children, splitting our world in three.
But I…I wanted what was best for everyone in Lendria—Charmers, undead assassins, and Wilheimians. And that, apparently, was Leena…and me.
“The fifth bows,” I mused aloud, words barely a whisper. And yet that was enough. A sudden influx of magic swirled from the depths of the altar and shot outward in a visible, fine mist of bright-blue particles. The glow of the lichen throbbed like a heartbeat, and a faint aura formed around the statue. It grew outward with every pulse until Yuna appeared, an astral projection of the stone woman before me. Noble and all-knowing, she stared without moving, bemused smile still on her lips.
“Aleksander Nocsis Feyreigner.”She tilted her head slightly, temporarily casting her gaze to Leena, Ozias, and Calem.“And family. Welcome.”They remained quiet, but I caught glimpses of their nods in my periphery. Not silent, then. A message for all witnesses to hear.
Returning my focus to the mage, I dipped my chin to my chest. “Yuna. I’m here so that I may ascend to king.”
“You have a fight ahead of you. It will not be easy.”Her smile faded, and sadness touched her eyes. She clasped her hands before her.“But it will be worth it. This kingdom needs you…and your pair bond.”Raising her hand, she beckoned to Leena.
Craning my neck, I watched as she strode forward, chin angled high. She was so confidant, soregal. When she reached my side, she offered a reverent bow before intertwining her fingers with mine. I hadn’t even prepared her for this. Hadn’t thought to. The mages never called upon those outside of the royal family. Yes, she was my pair bond, but by blood she had no claim to the throne. Yet this couldn’t have felt more right. Peeking at me out of the corner of her eye, she smiled and gave my hand a tight squeeze.
“Leena Edenfrell,”Yuna said.
“You know my name?”
“Yes. I am a conduit for the gods. Celeste sends her blessing.”Slowly, Yuna extended her hand and cupped Leena’s face. Eyes wide, she stared back at the mage, and she sucked in a sharp breath. Yuna’s expression softened.“The world is ready for you.”She tipped her head my direction as she let her hand fall away.“Both of you.”
“We will protect Lendria. Together.” Placing a kiss on Leena’s temple, I pulled her closer.
Yuna smiled.“Stop the fires and unite your people. Come together to undo the past and restore balance to your land.”
Immediately, my mind went to Zane and his sister, Mavis. They had been sacrificed during the First War against Charmers. Zane and his troops rose from the dead to become the first assassins of Cruor. And Mavis… Her blood bestowed to the castle guards transformed them into Sentinels and granted the people of Wilheim prolonged life. But the First King’s actions had cursed Lendrians. Instead of one unified country, factions rose out of bloodshed. And even though he’d caused the rift, even won his war, the First King was paranoid they’d one day return for his crown. And so he’d banished the assassins and Charmers, keeping only the Sentinels for protection, and solidified the divide.
