Page 54 of Welcome to Seaman’s Cove: Part Two

“He will be here, Caspian. You must have faith. We will delay as long as it takes.”

I don’t answer, there’s no need. We have the same goal, and I must trust my brother to keep his word. She’s nervous, too, I can feel it, but we have no choice but to begin the processional to the natural dais.

Once we make it to the front, the priest commences the ceremony. “Today we witness the joining of two hearts. Love is like the tide, it ebbs and flows, though it remains constant.”

I nearly scoff because not only does that not make sense, but the concept of us marrying for love instead of duty is laughable.

“This union has been written in the sands since these two were mere merlings,” the priest drones on, unaware of my internal turmoil. “By bonding today, they declare their intent to honor not only each other, but Tythas and Sirena. Before they speak their vows, are there any objections to⁠—”

“Stop.” Nero’s voice cuts through the water like a shark.

Ama skirts behind him, a familiar bag slung over her shoulders.

Finally!

Nero rises, but as he swims toward us, my mother grips his arm.

“What in the seven seas are you doing, Nerocaitian?” she hisses.

He yanks his arm away. “Setting things right, Mother.”

When he reaches my side, I can’t help but murmur, “Cutting it a little close, brother.”

He ignores me, turning to face the gathered crowd. “I cannot, in good conscience, allow this farce of a wedding to continue when Queen Namora has been lying to you.”

Mother’s eyes flit around the crowd, her calculating gaze taking in the stares of confusion and accusation. Before she can speak, however, Amalie activates one of the discs. The projection we watched before glows to life, and the guests go utterly silent.

“This relic is from the lost city of Ocearus.” Nero speaks over the projection, letting it play but drowning out the words. “A city where humans and merfolk lived…together.” He holds up a hand to silence the crowd from erupting into chaos. “Many of you know, our grandfather, the former king of Tythas, was made to look like a fool when he began looking for the lost city, for a solution to our ever increasing drop in merling conception. We’ve been led to believe there is nothing we can do. This disc and several more prove otherwise.”

This time he allows the crowd to argue among themselves, the cacophony increasing as they begin to speculate. Mother’s alpha dominance pulses like the current during a hurricane, forcing the guests into silence. Many of them tilt their heads, baring their necks in submission to their queen. There are several who fight it, though.

“Nonsense!” mother booms. “I’m unsure of my son’s motive, but clearly he is lying. Nerocaitan, this is treason!” The guards grow restless, torn between fulfilling their duty to their queen and this new information. How many of them have noticed the same erratic behavior in our mother that Nero and I have?

Alaisdair, the speaker of the elders, rises. Silence reigns once more. “Nerocaitan.” His voice is slow and measured. “Where did this artifact come from?”

Nero looks at me to answer. I reach for my bonds, their connection making me brave.

“My mates,” gasps and exclamations come from the crowd, but I ignore them and continue, “found them in the city of Ocearus.” As I speak, I unlatch the formal armor that’s felt like a noose since I put it on, showing off my bond bites. “My human mates.”

“What is the meaning of this?!” Alaisdair demands.

Nero reaches for Farra, who goes to him eagerly.

“My brother is mated to a human pack. One the princess has seen first hand.” He pauses, looking at Farra. “And Princess Farrasea and I are in love. We wish to rule together, but the queen has ignored our request and forced my already mated brother to comply with a betrothal he never wanted.”

“For your own good!” The queen snarls.

“No, Mother.” Nero meets her head on. “There is absolutely no reason to force this marriage or to keep humans a secret.” He turns back to the crowd. “The queen is no longer making decisions in the best interest of Tythas or its citizens.”

I look out at our people and see a mix of indignation, wariness, and disbelief, but there’s also a surprising number of people nodding their heads in agreement.

Movement near the dais draws my attention away from the citizens of Tythas as screams and shouts echo through the reef. My heart jumps into my throat at the scene before me. Mother has Amalie pulled tight to her chest, a pearlescent dagger held to her throat. My sister’s eyes are wide with fear, her hands clutching mother’s forearm. She spins with Amalie in her grasp, eyeing the crowd wildly.

“I will not stand for this betrayal, these lies! The union will proceed. The prince will bond Princess Farrasea, and bring Tythas honor and power.” She glances at me. “Now!”

36

Even with the scooters to propel us through the water, it feels like it’s taking an eternity to get to the city. Something’s wrong. I can sense Caspian’s panic, and it has my own rising to the surface. He’s been anxious all morning, but it’s getting worse. What the hell is happening down there? The wedding isn’t supposed to be for another two days, but something tells me whatever’s going on has him really worried.