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He just wanted to impress his payè.
I needed to stay alive.
I looked at Kianga and blinked. She nodded, her eyes grim. She understood, but it didn't mean either of us had to like the choice.
I closed the door so it would draw no more attention, then turned back down the hall, rushing through narrow corridors with Kianga in tow, flying fast for the king’s wing. He should still be in the ballroom having a grand time. When I'd left, Prince Ishaèli was dancing with one of my Ayellas-in-waiting. He was graceful, and quite a fine dancer, even for an angel his size, but he was still a cocky-headed oyster who flaunted his power as if we should cower before it.
I'd been forced to dance with him.
I wanted to cut off my feet.
I had caught the mounting rage of King Rhòdhaire, and the nervousness of Queen Rekani, as their eyes scanned the ballroom hunting for a Yakobba I knew would never show up.
I flew down the halls distractedly. Kianga was speaking, but I heard nothing beyond the loud thump, thump, thump of my six racing hearts. I lifted a prayer to the Alpha, begging him to keep payè in the ballroom a little while longer.
I flew into the king's wing without a thought. I didn't look around, and really there was no need to. There were no maydins, guards, or nosey guests. The halls and chambers had been deserted for the feast celebrations. Flying into the deepest part of his wing, swimming to the chamber where the king slept, I didn't hear Kianga until it was too late.
"Raeshelle!" Kianga screamed.
I stopped dead, my wings coming to a halt. In the slight pause, large, webbed hands clamped around my wrists and ankles. Chains of fishbone, metal, and reefwire were corded around them, and another around my neck, squeezing me tight. I spasmed, screaming out. When I screamed, the chain around my neck pressed into the column, breaking the skin. As blood trickled out, I stopped, already feeling tears pool down my cheeks.
"Raeshelle, my pearling. It shouldn't have to come to this. But you've always been so stubborn."
I snapped open my eyes to find King Bakari, with a band of his strongest Seaveillers, floating before me. Their wings flapped in the chamber as they watched me like I was a deep-sea bottom feeder.
"Looking for this, pearling?"
King Au'Pearl opened his palm. There, at the center, perched the Atlanthyst Stone in all of its power, glory, and beauty. My hearts twisted. I opened my mouth, a flurry of pleas tumbling out.
"Payè, please. Please. It doesn't have to be me. It should be the stone. I'm your dayè. Does that matter for nothing?"
He looked at me for a long while, so long I didn't think he would speak. His eyes danced from me, then to the stone, and back. A small, cruel smile curled his lips. Evil darkened his eyes. Greed puffed out his chest.
"No, Raeshelle. You do not matter, because you're not enough. You have never been, and you will never be. Just like your mamè. How fitting for you to die in the same fashion. I'll relish your screams. The stone is mine and mine alone. It will not be given. You will be." He looked to the Seaveillers. "Take them to the hangar."
Then something hard clubbed me in the head and everything turned into a barren, endless sea.
Chapter 25
Exposed Treachery
YAKOBBA
Flying into the treasury, I stayed focused. King Au'Pearl's riches were impressive, but King Izakaya had much of the same in Avari. I opted to float, using my wings to help me navigate through the high mounds of treasures. It looked like a hoard for dargaen. It was said the scaly beasts would lecture you about trying to steal from them before turning around to flame you. Then they'd eat your wings. I shivered, staying away so I wouldn't touch anything by accident.
I looked through pile after pile, scanning over chests, cases, open boxes neatly arrayed between silver, gold, crystals, gems, precious stones native to the sea, and other coveted items. There were swords and cutlasses. Daggers, shields, and tridents. Spears, staffs, scaly chains, and even fishbone knuckles. There was much to be desired, but I wanted the stone.
"If I were a king planning to hide the Atlanthyst Stone, where would I put it?"
I looked to the far back of the cavern and began making my way there. I was impressed to see even more back here. Crowns, gowns, rings, necklaces, hooks, chains, goblets, and many treasures of the finest quality.
"What's this?"
I began swimming to an illuminated space. It was a small room only two or three angels could fit in comfortably. I drew close, mesmerized.
Premonition kicked in. Last time I didn't take heed, a troop of Sea Watchers were waiting for me. I began looking around and found I was alone. Smiling, I pressed in. This had to be where the king kept the stone.
I pulled out the Atlanthyst Stone dupe and neared the small arched opening. Pulling up to the light, I popped my head inside. There was an ornate chair, made of stone and seaweed, perched at an empty glass table. Beside the table was a stand. It was made entirely of gold and had a crystal case sitting on top of it. ethèr swirled around the case. I grinned, almost salivating. I'd finally found it.
