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“No. You smell fear. I am frightened of your might,” I said quickly. “We are on a mission.” I’d have to choose my words carefully if there was something to what she claimed about smelling lies.

“Tell me more,” she said, motioning for us to be released.

The iron grips on my arms relaxed, and those that had been crowding around me backed up enough to give me hope.

I stayed still, floating slightly above the shells. Beside me, I sensed Torvo copying my motions. When I finally chanced a glance, I had to clamp down my reaction. One wing was out and twisted at an odd angle, hanging from his shoulder blade. His silver feathers were ruined. The water had turned them to skeletal barbs of gray. His pallor had a sickly sheen, and I didn’t think it was solely the phosphorescent light down here.

He tensed beneath my stare, and I turned back to the queen.

“We are tasked with defeating an evil king, My Lady. We must reach the Synbari isles and commune with the gods.”

“What do I care for the frivolities of humans?” she challenged. But I could see in the way she leaned toward me that I’d caught her interest.

“You should care,” I said. She’d said they’d prayed to Darvol for us, which meant they were in need. Could it be slaves were in short supply these days? “Surely you’ve noticed the recent decrease in human travelers.”

The slightest flare of her nostrils told me I’d hit a nerve. Bolstered, I continued.

“It is because of the king. If we can restore order, then the ships traveling these seas will again be plentiful.”

“Are you asking me to release two of the most beautiful specimens I’ve seen in years?” her tone was playful, flirtatious. As much as I hated it, I could work with that.

I smiled. “Perhaps this is a test from Darvol. If you choose correctly, you are guaranteed so much more than just us, Your Excellency.”

A flush of green colored her cheeks as she leaned back against her throne.

“You cannot be considering this, Your Highness,” one of the mermaids who’d restrained me hissed. “We are too close to dying out.”

I couldn’t cover my surprise as more murmurs rose in my mind. The situation was indeed dire, then.

“Think before you speak, Sera,” the queen commanded.

The mermaid in question cowered away. The queen turned her gaze back to me, straightening on the throne. “Our lifespans are a third of humans’. I’m afraid my subject is correct. We need you for the continuation of our species.”

Torvo scowled beside me, and the queen’s tone became harsh. “Not all men who find themselves in your position are so disappointed, winged one. You would be dead if not for us.”

Choosing my next words carefully was imperative. But I had to act quickly. “Your majesty.” I forced my voice to sound even but commanding. “You can track our ship, yes?”

Her forehead wrinkled as she considered this. “Yes.”

“Then watch us. If we divert from our promised path, recapture us. But you will see we indeed travel to the isles of the gods.”

The queen raised her arms and leaned her head back. “Darvol give me a sign.”

I wasn’t a god, but I could manifest a sign if that was what she needed. Calling on my water wielding, I shifted the currents between myself and the throne, stirring up a small cyclone. Her eyes locked on the tiny storm, and her face practically glowed with triumph.

“Take them back to their ship,” she commanded.

“But—” Sera protested.

“Do as I command lest the anger of the gods be upon you.” The queen rushed forward, dissipating my whirlpool as she sped toward the other woman. Sera swam quickly backwards and bowed her head in supplication.

“My sword?” I asked, eyeing the weapon now settled near the throne of crystal.

“Take it with my blessing,” the queen said.

I didn’t have to be told twice.

With an escort of a dozen mermaids, Torvo and I broke the surface minutes later. Using my magic once again, I lifted us on the crest of a wave over the railing of our ship.