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"And what exactly does the king need from me?" I asked, crossing my arms. "Isn't High Prince Ishaèli home with His Majesty? Whatever the needs of the king are, surely his chosen heir, who sits on a stolen throne, is competent enough to handle it."
I began turning away when Airveiller Tombabi cleared his throat. He slammed his wings together, the sound like thunder ringing throughout the tavern. The boom reverberated through my body, throwing my limbs into momentary shock. I gasped as angels around me snarled and squealed, retreating from the Airveillers. I looked at Tombabi. His ethèr was swirling around him like a whirlwind.
"You will come by will," he spread his legs, wings rising behind him. "Or you will come by force." The bass of his low voice could almost be lethal. "Either way, princeling, you are coming."
I tilted my head, growing utterly still. A tense quiet made the air in the chamber brittle, ready to snap at any moment. I didn't take kindly to being told what to do. I didn't care who was calling me.
"Is that a threat, Tombabi?"
Tombabi's two-toned, light eyes flashed.
"If it needs to be, princeling." He jutted a chin to the doorway. "Are you coming? Or must we drag you?"
I pressed my lips into a flat line.
"Advise the king we make our way for him in the next wèk."
"No!" Tombabi bellowed.
Engèli snarled behind me, but did no more.
"You sail north of here now."
Then the Airveillers pressed into a tight line leading to the front door. I counted seven beats before I began floating without a backward glance.
"Ashweaver mates, move out!" I called.
Then I flew out of the Darkwing Kiss, headed for my ship, to set sail for the one place I didn't expect to see for another thousand cycles.
Home.
Chapter 7
Shackled to Sea Graves
RAESHELLE
"My Pearl, will you join me in my study? I have a special task for you."
Patting my cheeks dry, I nodded at the king, leaning away from him as I worked to gather myself. The Seaveillers watched us closely, ocean-hued eyes missing nothing. They pressed in, coming closer when the king rose from the shellchair, turning away from the bridge.
I remained where I was a beat longer, following the endless flow of life below with longing. Sea angels swam in small groups. I could tell some were with family while others were with friends. Few swam alone headed for different edifices.
I didn't know what businesses or local groups existed in the Avarien city. I'd asked the king on multiple occasions to let me frolic. Each time, he'd said no. It was too dangerous. If anything happened to me, the Rite couldn't be fulfilled, and all of Avari would be doomed.
I breathed in deep, inhaling the chilly, salty water into the thin gills on my neck and shoulders. My multi-colored, membranous wings gently flapped in the water. As water filled my lungs, I felt the rising pressure in my chest settle. If Queen Audriana could fulfill her duties to her crown, then I certainly would upkeep the responsibilities of mine.
I looked up, staring past the side of the monumental Pearl Palace, and looked at the open waters above. From my studies, I learned the Azizi kingdom was at the highest peak below the Mistwind Seas. Every other kingdom, or cluster of life, existed parallel to us, or below. The waters were dim, illuminated only by the pearls sitting inside the mouths of open clams.
"Princess Raeshelle, are you ready?"
I looked up and found payè floating several paces in front of his retinue of fearsome Seaveillers. The guards watched me with shrouded expressions. My spine tingled, but I met their gazes. Rising to a float, my feet stroked the water beneath the clinging eelsilk of my gown.
"Yes, payè, I am."
"Come."
We turned back, swimming up the sides of the Pearl Palace until we crested the open waterway that bled to the courtyard. King Bakari led the way, pivoting to the west end of the palace.
