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The realization dawns on me as I linger in his embrace. I pull away reluctantly, then lean back in for a quick, hungry kiss. “There’s one more thing we have to do.”
“Then what are we waiting for, Seamother?” he says in my ear, though he’s slow to let go of me. “We need to swim fast if we’re going to make it to the southern beaches by sundown.”
I turn to the tribes and find them watching us. My people are still on their knees but sitting upright. Waiting for orders. My jaw works. What do I say to them?
I’m not sure how to be the Seamother. Still, I know what needs to happen next, and maybe that is enough.
“Anyone who is willing, come with me to the southern beaches.” I launch into the words without ceremony. “We have a war to end.”
Chapter 20
Evya
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No one stays behind.
Keliveth and I dive from the cliffs and plunge into the sea. He shifts as effortlessly as I do, and elation surges through me as our tails move in sync and carry us through the water at exhilarating speed. The people of the tribes follow us like a great wave. The sea wraps us in a gleeful embrace and carries us on swift currents. Within moments, the now placid maelstrom is alive with movement and voices.
Take us to the scorched beaches.I barely have to think the words before the sea responds. The waters carry us southward down the strait between the cliffs and out into the open sea. The currents sweep us along gently, for all their speed. Each movement of the water radiates joy.
We swim two thousand strong, from warriors as old as the ocean itself to children who are pulled along in the arms of their parents. They flock around me and Keliveth, chattering and laughing with faces alight with joy. I’ve never seen my people look so alive. Every trace of my mother’s hold on them is gone.
The currents carry us through the expanse of the northern bay, following the curve of the underwater ridge. As the sun sinks along its afternoon path, we skirt the edges of the maraseya islands. The distant branches wave peacefully in welcome. My mind strays to thoughts of which secluded tree I might shelter in with Keliveth tonight.
Only when the sun shines orange on the western horizon and we pass the southern barrier isles does apprehension grip me. The mainland beach stretches out in a wide swatch of scorched sand. The charred remains of the Atathari village that once thrived here are silhouetted against the sky. The waters are now solemn. Though the sea is no longer consumed by rage, the memory of the elven attacks and the destruction of the village still echoes all around us.
I glance around at my people, watching their expressions sober as we journey on. I give an order for the warriors swim to the front of the group while the younger and weaker members of the tribes linger behind. There is no sense in putting the more vulnerable ones in the direct line of battle, if it comes to that.
Keliveth touches my shoulder and pulls me close. I see my concerns mirrored in his eyes.
“I’m not sure how this is going to go,” he says quietly.
I wrap my arms around him, and we flow together along with the current. I gently trail my fingers over one of the slender fins that now runs along his forearms, and I smile, marveling. “So many impossible things have happened already today. We can hope for one more.”
My optimistic words fail to reach my racing pulse as I steal a glance above the surface of the water. Elven foot soldiers line the beach in scores. Their ranks flash with silver armor and weapons. Behind them, forty armed soldiers in red and black robes wait on the backs of ferocious dragons. In the middle of the host stands the king, dressed in gleaming armor and flanked by his lords. I clench my jaw at the sight, recalling every word the nobles said in my presence at Kara Davonashi.
