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Leaping off the ledge of the Ashweaver, I dove into the waters of the Mistwind Sea. Kianga and Terfitti jumped in after me. My sea-sight kicked in. Life below the surface unveiled itself. I breathed in the water, letting it flood my lungs and remind me of home.
"Race you." I grinned at them both.
"As if you could actually beat me," Kianga taunted. Without another word, she was shooting down through the water, rushing for the turtu reefs below.
"Cheater!" I called, racing after her.
I laughed as I swam past Kianga, neared Terfitti until I overtook her, and swam past her completely. I held my hands in front of me, as if I was flying through the water, pushing hard for the reefs. Yakobba's signet ring beamed marvelously in the water. I couldn't suppress my giddiness. It was stunning and had been his mamè's. Now it was on my finger. I blushed at the message it sent. At what that message meant.
As I swam for the turtu reefs, I realized this was the first time I actually felt free. Free to swim. To experience. To live.
I spun around myself, enjoying the sea like I'd spent a lifetime wanting to do. I reached the turtu reefs first, shrieking my victory. Seven long heartbeats passed before Kianga reached me. A few more after that and Terfitti finally arrived. I was too full in my spirit to gloat. The moment Terfitti reached us, I spun around.
"Come on! Let's see if we can find a turtu."
"We should probably leave them alone, princess," Terfitti said, warily.
I ignored her. Terfitti had always been nervous around the turtu. I never learned the reason, and I didn't care. I loved turtu and I planned to find one this dawn.
Schools of fish were here, as well as several dolfini pods. I swam below oversized mushrooms that looked almost like angelic estates, their roots embedded into sea boulders. Kianga pulled up to my right, Terfitti to the left, as we swam through the beauty of the sea. My wings propelled me forward as I quietly took it all in.
"Our home is beautiful," Kianga whispered.
Terfitti and I nodded, lost in the sea's glory. So many fish passed us by in colors of reds and oranges, yellows and blues, greens and purples. I yelped as a massive karraba swam out of his hiding spot, rushing away. Moments later, a bigger fish crashed into where he had just been, chomping on nothing but sea and weeds. I laughed, trailing the karraba still in flight, scurrying to another hiding spot.
As we swam, the sea seemed to step aside, making way for us. I kept going until we reached the dolfini pods. They looked at me with ancient wisdom in their dark eyes, their ivory blubber shining under iridescent jewels that lined their spines. They looked similar to the dolfini that swam close to the castle back home.
I lifted a hand, waving, then I sang a lullaby, slow and melodic. The dolfini spun around themselves and sung back. We carried on that way, singing back and forth, until I felt a tug at my elbows.
"Time to go," Kianga said.
I looked at the dolfini.
"Goodbye, my friends. It was good seeing you. I won't soon forget you."
They chirped in song, speaking in unison.
"Goodbye, Dayè of the King, Pearl of the Sea. Worry not. We will see you again."
My eyes welled with tears. If only they knew I was a few dawns away from eternal death. I forced a smile. My hearts ached as we turned from them, swimming without stopping until we were back at the Surface, slipping on our etheriscs, and scaling the ship to climb on. Back on deck, Tobe and Zukon floated over.
"Stand still," Zukon said quietly. He and Tobe spread their wings, flapping them in rapid succession, fanning Terfitti, Kianga, and myself until we were bone dry. I could only imagine what my hair looked like.
I shook myself, not bothering to put on sandals. I looked up at Yakobba. He was above deck, leaning on the railing. His eyes glowed, as if he'd been watching me the entire time.
I walked to him, even taking the stairs. I made it a priority to keep exercising my walking abilities. While Terfitti, Tobe, and Zukon still struggled to stay on their feet, Kianga and I were comfortable on ours.
"Enjoyed your swim?"
Yakobba smiled in a way that made my hearts dance. One could almost forget he wasn't headed straight for the Pearl Palace to steal the Atlanthyst Stone. I almost laughed. As if he'd ever get his hands on it.
"I always do." I looked at the sea. "Thank you for letting me and my Seaveillers swim freely. It means the world to us. I know the princess will appreciate it and thank you immensely for treating us so well."
"Will she?" He said, eyes glittering. "I will accept all thanks in the form of my weight in Azizien gold."
I snorted, busting out laughing.
"I remember King Rhòdhaire saying you didn't have a choice in bringing us with you. If anything, you should offer thanks in gold to spare your head from the king's trident."
