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Squiggles squeezed my head, and I absently patted him. Kaga picked up an abandoned spear from the ground and swam closer to me, his eyes carefully watchful. “Come on,” I said.
He followed me Into the throne room. I shut my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to prepare myself. I pushed the door open and tears pricked my eyes.
Neither of my parents were there, but their thrones were destroyed. Both golden thrones were melted, remnants of the pearls that had been embedded in them on the ground.
I rushed to the throne, trying to find any sign of my parents. All I found was my mother’s scepter. The pearl barely glowed, and I picked it up, holding it gently.
Not wanting to leave it here, I decided to take with me. Kaga and I scanned the rest of the castle for any signs our families. Not a single merperson was anywhere.
“I wish I knew what happened here,” I said.
Kaga agreed, staring around the castle. His eyes lit up. Wait, I think there’s a way.
“Huh?”
My mentor was just in the middle of teaching me this new spell. His eyebrows drew together as he concentrated, weaving his hand in the ocean. At first, only blobs appeared. Slowly, they formed merpeople. They were acting like normal, standing in line, waiting to speak to my mother. My mother sat on the throne, and Kaga’s parents were talking with my father near her.
He continued to use his magic, and we watched in horror. The evil sea witch, her unmistakably symmetrical face, sauntered into the castle, her hands out to her side. It was her that created the claw marks.
“How did she get out?” I said as my hands flew to my mouth. Dread knotted and twisted in my stomach.
He didn’t answer, but kept his spell active. His brows furrowed in concentration, while his jaw was tense. All of his muscles were taut, as if he was holding on for dear life.
The sea witch went up to the throne, obviously having a heated discussion with my parents. My mother stood up, gesturing at her with the scepter. The witch knocked it out of her hand. She threw her head back in a silent laugh and I shivered, entirely creeped out.
A tornado formed in front of the witch. It whipped around the room, sucking any merperson right into it, including Kaga’s parents. We watched another heated argument between my parents and the evil sea witch before she snapped her finger, melting the thrones. My breath caught in my throat and I blinked tears away.
A squid popped out of now where, wrapping its tentacles around my parents. They struggled to free themselves, but the squid held tightly. It pushed them into the tornado. The witch tossed back her head and left the throne room.
Kaga dropped his arm. His body trembled with exhaustion and his eyes, heavy with fatigue, locked onto mine. Before he could say another word, his eyes rolled up, and he passed out.
Frantically, I swam toward him, grateful the water slowed his descent to the floor. With tears still in my eyes, I coiled an arm around his waist and dragged him to my room. Determined, I whispered, “Come on, you. Let’s get you into a bed.”
Chapter 31
Iwoke to the soft sound of Kaga stirring beside me, his breathing quick and shallow. He looked around, his eyes wide with confusion, and I reached out to touch his arm gently.
“Kaga, it’s alright,” I said, my voice soothing. “You passed out from using so much magic earlier.”
He blinked, trying to gather his bearings. Magi…I. Right. It’s been a long day.
I nodded, running my fingers through his hair in a comforting gesture. “Yes, it has. But we’re safe now, and everything will be fine,” I said, the lie dropping easily from my mouth.
I know it won’t be. You don’t have to pretend with me, Allura.
My breath hitched. “All of them. They’re gone. We don’t know what she’s doing to them.”
We’ll find them, love. We’ll get both our families back.
Kaga’s hand reached up to touch his forehead, and I watched him closely to make sure he wasn’t getting sick. His skin was warm, but not excessively so.
“You’re not getting sick, are you?” I asked, concern lacing my voice.
He chuckled weakly, giving me a half-smile. No, I’m just exhausted. Using that much magic in one day takes a toll on me.
Relieved, I leaned closer and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. “Rest for a little while longer. We can take a small break.”
Before I could pull away, Kaga surprised me by grabbing my wrist and pulling me closer. Our lips met in a soft, tender kiss, and my heart skipped a beat. Even in the midst of everything, his touch sent a rush of warmth through me.
