Page 32 of Welcome to Seaman’s Cove: Part Two

Unhooking my harness in case I need to escape from the sub, I rub the tender area on my chest where the belt dug in. On my right, Phoenix is staring past me in horror. When I glance to the left to see what has him so frightened, Hunter is passed out against the glass bubble of his sub, blood trickling from what must be a head wound. Before I can process that, a brighter glow coming from in front of my craft steals my attention.

Holy. Fucking. Shit. It’s an honest to gods merman. And I’m guessing it’s not the infamous Caspian that Phoenix and Hunter have been telling me about.

The being floating in front of me is dressed in what looks to be chest armor, and he’s holding a spear. His white hair is braided back, giving him a severe look that goes along with the glare he’s leveling at me. Two more merfolk in similar garb flank him, a male and a female. They’re just as imposing, albeit with different coloring. A noise comes from the speaker that’s connected to a microphone outside the sub, so I turn it up. Strange clicking and rolling sounds like I’ve never heard fill the small cockpit. I think they’re trying to speak with us.

Not that I understand them. But honestly, I don’t need to when their body language is clear. They’re warriors, staring down an enemy. We’ve fucked up.

An unseen force pulls us forward, and my survival instincts kick in. I shift the sub into a higher gear in a last ditch effort to try to guide us toward the surface, but no matter how much I push the throttle, whatever is pulling us is stronger. The engine strains until more warnings light up the dash just before something hard slams into the back of my craft, the crunch of metal echoing around me as the engine sputters to a stop.

More mer-guards swim into formation ahead of us, a united front leading us gods know where. Hunter is still out cold in his pod, but I see his chest moving infinitesimally, meaning he’s still alive for now. I lock eyes with my firebird. His hand is against the glass of his cockpit. I place my palm in the same position, wishing I could reach out and touch him. His mouth moves, and my heart clenches.

“I love you, too, firebird. I love you, too.”

23

“How are you enjoying your stay so far, princess?”

Thankfully, my mother didn’t notice us sneaking out before the party ended. Neither did our guards. It’s the first time I’ve been without them in what feels like ages, and while it feels like a relief, it also sets me on edge. Many of the extra guards my mother placed on me left during the event. That wouldn’t have happened without a reason. For now, I need to focus on the woman at my side, and whether or not she can be an ally in my plight.

We swim next to each other as I guide her slowly toward my quarters, taking my time while I try to figure out a plausible excuse as to why she cannot enter my rooms. I don’t think my starfish would like another woman, much less one who’s supposed to be my betrothed, in my private spaces. But the solitude could be the opportunity I need to win her over and explain the predicament I’m in. I just have to figure out if I can trust her. If she shares anything I say with my mother, it could be dangerous for Madi.

Farrasea laughs, a light tinkling sound. “Well, I haven’t been here long, but⁠—”

Urgent sounding voices cause her to cut off abruptly. We drift to a stop, unsure what is happening up ahead. They get louder as they come closer, whoever it is quickly approaching from the west corridor that leads away from the banquet hall. My mother’s voice cuts through the conversation.

“No. Leave them with Caspian’s pet. Make sure they don’t interfere with the wedding. We’ll deal with all of them as soon as the treaty is signed and bites are exchanged.”

Her captain of the guard makes a sound of assent and swims through the intersection without looking over to see us, thank the gods. Their words sweep through my thoughts like a rapid current. Who is she leaving with Madi? Is my starfish alright?

I need to get to her. This might be my only opportunity without guards for the foreseeable future. As much as I’d like to gain Princess Farrasea’s help, if something is going on with my mate, I can’t stay here a minute longer. I’m about to beg my leave when another familiar voice calls out from behind us.

“Brother! Farra!” Nero’s smile is bright as he approaches us, though his eyes are only for her.

Farrasea returns his grin. “Prince Nerocaitan, I thought you were enjoying the party.”

My brother rubs the back of his neck. “You may call me Nero. In fact, I prefer it.” He glances behind us to see what made us pause, but the commotion is gone. He clears his throat. “I was hoping to show you one of our latest technology projects. Your expertise would be most welcome.”

The princess looks between my brother and me, and I see my opening. “Please, go. As my brother is painfully aware, technology is not a strong interest of mine. I’ve been feeling a bit off after all that socializing and could use some time to decompress anyway.”

That’s all it takes for her to abandon my side and take up post next to my brother, both of them chattering excitedly as they swim off. If I were a different alpha, I’d feel slighted, but as it stands, all I feel is relief.

I wait a few moments after they disappear from view before moving swiftly through the water. When I break out of the palace, I head straight for the gates. It’s still early in the day, so the streets are crowded with people. I weave between them, not stopping to say hello to those I recognize or the few that call out to me. Whatever is going on, I can’t delay.

The closest exit out of the city is the main gate, but when it comes into view, I know I’ve made an error. There are twice as many guards blocking the doors. No one seems to take note of them, probably assuming the heightened security is because of the visiting princess.

I duck behind a hedge of seaweed, narrowly avoiding being seen. Staying low, I backtrack along the city wall. There are a few secret entrances known only to the royal house and inner circle. I discovered most of them when I was quite young, gallivanting around with my brothers, back when we took comfort in each other’s friendship.

This gate is unguarded. I slip out without being noticed, and swim as fast as I can toward my Madi, hoping she’s alright, no harm has come to her, and that whoever, or whatever, my mother imprisoned with her isn’t dangerous.

24

I’m abruptly awakened by sounds of splashing and yelling. Male voices, familiar, along with the guttural language of the merfolk. I shake my head and rub my eyes, trying to make sense of what’s going on.

Stumbling out from under the overhang where I was hiding from the sun, I nearly pinch myself to see if I’m dreaming. Maybe I’m hallucinating? Have the isolation and salt water finally gotten to me, and I’ve cracked? Because there is no way I’m watching Hunter and Phoenix crawling over the edge of rock while angry mermen point spears at them.

“We’re fuckin’ going! Lay off, you overgrown tuna!”

Okay, that is definitely something Phoenix would say, so maybe I’m not imagining this.