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When we finally pulled apart, I smiled at him, my worries momentarily forgotten. “Better?”
He nodded, a hint of color returning to his cheeks. Much better.
His expression turned serious as he asked, What are we going to do about our parents? And the sea witch?
“We’ll start by visiting Cordelia,” I replied, determination in my voice. “She might have some answers about how the sea witch was able to break free from her imprisonment. Plus, we might need her help to put the witch back in her cave.”
Kaga nodded. Then let’s not waste any more time.
Squiggles, who had been observing us quietly, made a noise of agreement. “Me too!” he said in his tiny voice.
“Don’t worry, Squiggles,” I said, smiling at him. “Of course you’re coming with us.”
I found a sling and tucked my mother’s staff into it. I couldn’t resist taking it with me—it might prove to be a valuable weapon against the sea witch.
The sea stretched endlessly before us as we swam toward the looming volcano in the distance. Kaga and I moved in tandem, our strokes powerful and synchronized. The water was calm, even with the storm raging above the surface. Despite the beauty of our surroundings, a sense of urgency gnawed at my heart.
“We’re almost there,” Kaga called out, his voice barely audible in the water.
I nodded, my mind racing with thoughts of what we might find in Cordelia’s cave. If anyone could shed light on the sea witch’s return, it would be her.
As we approached the volcanic cave, the water grew warmer, and the glow of molten lava illuminated the entrance. Power emanated from the depths, and a blend of fear and excitement raced through my veins.
Kaga held my hand tightly, his touch reassuring. Ready?
I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves, and nodded. “Ready.” I paused. “Oh, one second.”
Driven by instinct, I ripped the pearl out of my mother’s staff, leaving the rod at the entrance. I kept the pearl in my hand, glad it was about the same size as the moonflower’s pearl.
Together, we descended into the cave’s depths, the glow of the lava guiding our way.
“Cordelia?” I called out, my voice echoing in the cavern.
A soft, melodious voice answered from the shadows, “Welcome, young ones.”
Cordelia emerged from the darkness, her form elegant and regal. Her hair cascaded like liquid gold, and her eyes held the wisdom of centuries.
“We need your help,” I said, my voice steady despite the nervous flutter in my stomach. “Your sister was able to break free, and we have to put her back.”
Cordelia studied us for a moment, her gaze piercing. “Her return was no accident. It was the result of dark magic, a spell so powerful that it shook the very foundations of our underwater realm, causing turmoil above the surface.”
My heart sank, and I exchanged a worried glance with Kaga. “Is there a way to stop her?” I asked.
Cordelia nodded gravely. “There is a way, but it will not be easy. To defeat the sea witch, you must give me the pearl of the moonflower.”
“But you said we needed it for an ingredient to get Kaga’s voice back,” I said. “How can we use it for both?”
She shrugged. “I don’t make the rules.”
My shoulders drooped. Kaga put his hand in mine and nodded. “Fine. Here’s the pearl.”
I handed her the pearl, hoping the replacement would be enough.
Squiggles frantically tapped me on the shoulder, and I turned to see what was wrong. My heart lurched as I saw a figure emerging from the shadows.
The evil sea witch floated before us, her dark eyes gleaming with malice. “How touching,” she said, her voice full of contempt. “Young love seeking to thwart my plans. But you’re too late.”
Chapter 32
