Page 53 of Welcome to Seaman’s Cove: Part Two

“Sweetheart, the risk is too high. I can’t lose you. We can’t…” Hunt closes his eyes as if in pain just at the thought of something happening to her.

Seb makes a small noise in the back of his throat, and I see the calculations running in that big beautiful mind of his. He’s gonna volunteer to stay behind. It would be just like him. I want him with us. With or without bites from everyone, he’s part of this pack just as much as the rest of us, but I won’t force him to put his life at risk if he doesn’t want to do this. If he wants to offer his suit to Madi, I’ll let him.

Surprisingly, he says nothing. Our eyes meet, and he gives a brief nod that seems to say, ‘we’re backing Madi.’ Fuck, yeah, we’re backing our girl. We’re doing this together. All of us as a pack. Getting our merman back.

Oblivious to my silent conversation with our beta, Madi cups Hunter’s face in her hands. “Look at me, Hunter.” He does. “You won’t lose me. But I need to do this. And I need you to trust me.”

Hunter searches her face for a few moments, before nodding. Madi gives him a chaste kiss, and just like that the tension is broken. That’s my cue.

“Okay then, adventurers! Time to go!” I clap my hands together once, then rub my palms. Excited energy rushes through my veins at the thought of exploring at such hidden depths. This is the kind of adventure I live for. Just wish we were doing it under safer circumstances. And without the merfolk with spears.

Madi and Seb both roll their eyes at my antics but stand anyway. I grab a breather from the drawer where I stashed them and hand it to Madi. Then we head back out to the lower deck of the ship where we originally launched the submersibles.

After a quick rundown on how to drive the water scooters, Evan and another beta crewmember help us suit up. The atmosphere is chaotic, yet serious. We all know how important this mission is. And how dangerous.

Once the scooters are lowered into the water and ready for us, we head to the swim platform. Madison is in a standard wetsuit, which makes her look even smaller compared to us. That much more breakable. She locks eyes with each of us before putting the breather between her lips, then grabs Hunter and Seb’s hands. I reach for Seb’s other hand so I’m connected, too.

Hunter counts down, and when he reaches one, we dive.

35

Tythas is full of excitement as everyone makes their way to the ceremonial reef just outside the city. Merlings giggle and zip between people, couples smile and hold hands, small groups gossip, others cast knowing winks in my direction. They’re completely unaware of the pit forming in my stomach.

For a brief moment, when Nami came to the dungeons to get me, I considered making a run for it, but I knew it would be foolish. Nero, Farra, and I went through every possible option last night, including escape. Running won’t solve things for my brother and the princess, or for our people. Nor would it ensure my pack’s safety. Mother has already proven she knows where Ocearus is, which means Madison and Hunter would have to give up their lives there while we went into hiding. I cannot force that upon my mates. The only way to ensure the best outcome for everyone is to reveal the truth. We have to go through with this the way we planned. I just wish I knew it would work.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Nami says. “Pre-wedding jitters?”

“Something like that,” I mumble.

As we near the gates, I study Nami. She’s always been loyal to my mother, but how far does that allegiance go? “What would you say if I told you the queen has been lying to everyone?”

It’s an impulsive question to pose. This isn’t part of the plan. But if I can get Nami to believe me, maybe there’s hope for convincing the elders and the rest of our citizens.

“Lying?” She laughs a little too loud. “Prince Caspian, surely I misheard you. To accuse the queen of lying would be treason.” She flits her gaze downward before catching my focus again, her expression imploring me to stay silent.

Shit. I shouldn’t have said anything. The guard below us is part of my mother’s inner circle and knows everything that’s going on. It would be nice to have Nami on our side, but I can’t say more. I’m willing to risk my own wellbeing, but Nami doesn’t deserve to be dragged into my crisis more than she already has been by being my guard.

“Nevermind.” I turn all of my attention to the gates where my mother waits with her escorts.

Nero is notably absent, though he should have been here by now. Amalie is also missing.

Our mother’s face is tight with anger as we approach.

“Where’s Nero?” I whisper.

She ignores me, taking my arm and pulling me along to the ceremonial reef. It’s not far outside the city walls, but the site has remained mostly untouched for ages. Bright corals create a backdrop full of vivid blues, oranges, yellows, every color you can imagine. The reef is taller than typical, forming a natural semicircle around a stone platform raised higher than where the crowd gathers.

Blips of luminous microorganisms shine in bursts not unlike human fireflies. This is the only place the miniature creatures live, making the space special and unique. It’s believed to be blessed by the old ocean gods and goddesses.

It would truly be beautiful, if it weren’t for what it could mean for my future.

“Welcome, citizens of Tythas and guests from Sirena. Thank you for coming to witness and celebrate the marriage of my third son and Princess Farrasea.” The queen’s voice booms through the reef, confident with faux enthusiasm. She refuses to say my chosen name. The citizens don’t know me as Caspian, but I’m surprised she doesn’t use my given name either. I’m not sure if it’s a concession to me or if she just doesn’t want to risk me making a scene over it. More likely, it's another way for her to undermine me, to infantilize my choices.

“This union will create unbreakable ties and strengthen the great kingdom of Tythas. It is the dawn of a new age. Let us begin!”

Cheers erupt from the crowd, while my stomach sinks. Where is my brother? We agreed we would stop this before it went on too long. He said he was going to the temple to ask for the blessing of the gods, but he should have been back by now. Did our mother find out what he planned? Has he been detained?

Farra and I share a worried look before she loops her arm through mine. She leans into me, a move that would seem innocuous to the crowd. Two lovers sharing a moment before they face their futures.