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Then he practically drags me out of my bedroom. Talodus places his hand against the small of my back, helping me along. Ecaeris leads the way as Connak walks at my back. I’m surrounded, caged in and still wanting to disappear into the floor.
“It’s like you think I’ll bolt,” I joke, but I’m seriously contemplating an escape. “There’s nowhere to run up here.”
“There is no place in this world you could go where I wouldn’t be able to find you, Ada,” Connak murmurs, his breath tickling my neck before he adds, “I chose to be behind you because I like the view.”
I roll my eyes, though his whispered words echo in my ear, making me shiver.
He would hunt me to the end of the world and back, but I doubt he would be alone.
We make it to the bottom of the stairs before I stop, my feet immovable once more. I can hear the Mongrels’ chatter as they wait for their queen to step out. She stands at the door, regal in her buttercup yellow gown as she quietly finishes her conversation with her husbands, Rinya, and Marren.
I turn to the guys. “I need to tell you something.”
“You’re nervous. We know,” Ecaeris points out, and I really want a pocket full of rocks to throw at him. “But it won’t be as rough as you’ve let yourself imagine.”
“It’s not about this,” I explain, then rub my hand across my mouth.
“What’s wrong?” Imryll inquires, brow furrowing low over his eyes as he studies me.
“Nothing is wrong,” I declare, feeling the truth settle further in my mind. “I mean, everything is kind of weird, but not wrong.”
Connak tilts his head slightly. “What are you talking about?”
“Ada, sweet girl,” Isolde calls. “Are you ready?”
“One moment,” I request, before stepping closer to the guys. “I found out some news the other day...and I’m ready to tell you.”
“We can talk of Shades and war after this,” Ecaeris claims. “We have a full day in front of us.”
“Sure,” I agree, nodding my head too quickly. “We can do that after we talk about me being the goddess of water.”
Connak clears his throat. “Repeat that.”
“I’m the goddess of water, not just the next queen,” I reply, and spin on my heel to make my escape—uhm, to meet Isolde.
She grins brightly as the guys stammer over my confession. They have questions; I get it. But they won’t ask them in the presence of others. It’s probably a shitty way to tell them this secret. I can’t think of another way to say it, though.
Now, they’ll have some time to process before interrogating me.
“Just stay beside me,” Isolde instructs, patting my arm. “Don’t worry yourself with the crowd.”
I force a laugh. “Right. Don’t freak out. Got it.”
We push through the double doors, and I’m taken aback before we even make it outside. I don’t think I’ve ever seen both of the massive wooden structures open at once. I didn’t realize how truly magnificent they were until now, until the etchings of fearsome waves move in unison.
Isolde leads us to stand upon a dais made of water. I still find it unbelievable, but I don’t let my face betray my thoughts. Everything in me says I won’t sink, so I focus on Isolde to keep myself from looking at my feet to examine the platform.
She raises her left hand, silencing the crowd before she utters a single word. The power in that one move is incredible, though it doesn’t affect me the same way it does the rest of the Mongrels.
“Thank you for joining us to hear this announcement today. I would like to give you some information in hopes that you can assist us, but also so that what has recently transpired doesn’t happen again.”
Isolde gives everyone a moment to comprehend her statement before she continues to address them.
“You may or may not have noticed, Poko Blackwater is no longer with us. Over the past months, we’ve been watching him and found him to be feeding Mongrel information to the group of Shades who were attacking us. He was in a position of great trust as a guard, but he betrayed our trust. And he wasn’t working alone.”
Murmurs from the crowd amplify in the courtyard; the voices ebbing and flowing as everyone glances around.
“Currently, we’re looking for his accomplice. If you have any information about Poko, you may speak to myself or one of the Mongrels standing with me. But please, do not be suspicious of your neighbor, for I highly doubt his accomplice is here today. However, if that Mongrel is here, I urge you to come forward. Punishment will be far greater if we find you on our own.”
