Page 56 of Welcome to Seaman’s Cove: Part Two

Before she can put together where the princess went, Farra and Nero are on her. Each grabs an arm and pulls out and back viciously, forcing the queen to release Amalie without harming her. Our sister swims quickly to me, and I gather her in my arms. Our mother thrashes, but the hold of both alphas proves to be too much for her. Their combined power dominates the space, forcing compliance even harsher than the queen’s.

Alaisdair approaches, remaining a head above our mother in a display of hierarchy. “Queen Namora. What have you done?”

Mother growls her displeasure, but says nothing more.

Alaisdair shakes his head and rises further, turning to address the crowd. “It is clear our queen is no longer fit to serve the kingdom of Tythas. Her behavior today is proof. As head of the elders, it is my duty to ensure the leadership of this kingdom has the best interests of its people at heart. A mother who shows no concern for her innocent child cannot be a queen who cares for her people.” He sighs heavily, looking at my mother before continuing. “I hereby denounce Namora as the Queen of Tythas and banish her to the deep sea. As the heir, the monarchy now falls to King Nerocaitan.”

Nero looks shocked, but composes himself quickly. Our plan was never to overthrow our mother, but simply to expose her and have her actions held accountable to the elders. We wanted to stop this wedding and prove that she couldn’t make me marry another because I was already mated to a pack I love. But her actions with Amalie proved her too unstable for the throne. Alaisdair is right to give the title to my brother. He’ll make a much better ruler.

I bow first, and the rest of the assembly quickly follows.

Nero signals the guards, who take over restraining our mother. He reaches for Farra, who eagerly takes his arm as they swim to occupy the space next to Alaisdair. He looks at me, then Amalie, and finally the gathered citizens.

“I, Nerocatain of Tythas, accept the mantle to lead. I promise to guide our people with empathy and strength.” He looks to Farrasea before continuing, “Hopefully with Farrasea of Sirena ruling by my side as your queen.”

The princess blushes, leaning into his arm.

“Things have been revealed this day that will change the course of history for our people, but I do not believe these revelations should be feared.” Nero looks at my mates, and motions them forward without a word, since they wouldn’t understand him anyway.

Madi sends a questioning pulse through our bond, as if asking whether this is safe or not. I give her a nod and a smile. She comes quickly to my side.

“This is my brother,” I say softly in her tongue. “The elders have just named him the new king.”

“It is my hope that Caspian’s mating with his scent match,” more gasps of surprise come from the crowd who didn’t know that piece of information yet, “will provide invaluable information to us all, and perhaps show us a new way forward, a way out of the birth rate crisis.”

Some cheer, but others look warily at my pack. Whispers and quiet arguments ensue. Nero and Farra will have their work cut out for them in the coming months, but I trust that they are equipped to lead well, with much more grace and compassion than our mother. As she’s led away, it’s almost like there’s a collective sigh of relief. Shoulders drop. Smiles spread. I hadn’t realized until this moment how tense the city had become. It seems I wasn’t the only one who felt oppressed under my mother’s rule.

Madi sits on top of the machine she used to get here and takes my hand in hers.

“Now, we have guests to our fair city,” Nero says. “Allow me to be the first to extend friendship to your people. You are welcome in Tythas anytime.” He bows toward my mate in a show of great respect.

I translate for him, and Madi smiles. Amalie leaves my side to happily throw her arms around my omega. This is the reception Madi always deserved as a mated princess of Tythas.

38

We’re surrounded by merfolk, poking and prodding and asking questions we don’t understand. I get that they're curious, but if one more merman touches my omega’s feet, I’ll rip their arms off. Maybe a few fins for good measure, too.

“We need to get out of here,” I say into the microphone in my helmet.

Madi looks like she’s about ready to pass out. She’s still holding onto her scooter, but her eyes are heavy and face pale, even though there’s a pink flush to her cheeks. I knew this was going to be too much for her, but my mate is stubborn.

Caspian seems to notice the same thing, because he shoos away the closest group of merfolk, all of them finely dressed in a way that suggests they’re important. Caspian says something to his brother in his own language before turning to us. “Let’s go.”

He lifts Madi off her scooter and into his arms. She doesn’t protest, just curls into him, shoulders shaking. Is she crying? It’s not like I can tell since we’re underwater, but I wouldn’t be surprised after all the stress she’s been under. It makes my chest ache with the need to comfort her. I force myself to stay back, knowing Caspian can move faster in the water. We need to get her back to the ship.

Caspian juts his chin at the scooter Madi was using. “Do you need this?” His voice sounds muffled under the water, but the words are easy enough to make out.

Sebastian glances at it, but it’s barely a second before he’s shaking his head.

“Leave it,” he says through the comms, even though Caspian can’t hear.

Caspian says something else to his brother, who nods, and then he’s swimming with Madi in his arms. I speed up to pull in front of him so I can lead the way to the ship.

“She’s burning up.” Caspian gives me a worried look.

Another heat spike. They’ve been coming more often, which can only mean one thing. She’s been days without her suppressants, so it makes sense, but the timing isn’t great. None of Madi’s heat spikes have happened at convenient times, but at least this time we’ll have a bed. We can lay her out somewhere comfortable and shower her with all the attention she deserves. I’ll finally be able to act on everything I’ve dreamed about doing to her.

Shit, these suits really weren’t designed with an erection in mind. My hard cock strains against the heavy fabric in a way that’s uncomfortable, but not painful enough to get me to soften. Not when Madi’s scent suddenly perfumes the water a hundred times stronger than before. I shouldn’t even be able to smell it through this high-tech gear, but it’s seeping through somehow.