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“Hurry,” said Nimian, eagerly tugging me forward.
The sand in my stomach turned to rocks at finding Faraall waiting by a column, his eyes locked on me, like a predator stalking its prey. He played with the shell on his necklace and grinned.
“Ignore him,” said my sister, picking a sea flower from the wall and jamming it into my hair.
I straightened and held my head high, the way my mother had taught me.
Faraall gave me a smug laugh and sailed off, targeting my father by his throne at the head of the room.
Triton, a hulking merman with a long, silver beard and mustache, bushy eyebrows, and an age- and battle-wearied face, greeted his protégé with an arm around his shoulder. Golden wristbands reflected the crystal light as he shifted. He, too, wore the scaled armor, but his were gold, signifying his status as king. A crown of gold adorned with shells, pearls, and starfish sat atop his head. The trident of the merfolk never left his grasp. He always told me he couldn’t let it fall into the wrong hands.
I had inherited most of his qualities: blazing violet eyes, strong cheekbones and nose, a fierce will, and stubbornness. From my mother, I had gained empathy and tenderness. Neither encouraged my rebelliousness, but I had my adored aunt to thank for that.
Faraall, like Nimian had done with the nobleman earlier, fawned under the attention from the king. Amazing, how fast the commander’s mood changed in the presence of the merking. All smiles and teeth. Relaxed and friendly posture. Nodding at everything my father said. What a barnacle. Sucking the generosity out of my father. Taking advantage of his kindness and compassion.
I wished my father could see Faraall for the vicious shark he was. My sisters and I had tried to tell Papa countless times. Even Mama had put in a few bad words to support us. But Father would not hear of it. Faraall was the glowing son Triton had always dreamed of. My sisters and I were just Faraall’s jealous, snitching step-sisters. Nothing we did was going to change that.
Four giant statues of Poseidon watched over the throne room. One, a representation of the sea god with a fish head and a crown, held out a trident in a manner that suggested he was attacking a foe.
I sent out a silent prayer to Poseidon, asking for his help in bringing my papa to see the truth about Faraall. Then I thanked the sea god and glanced back at my father.
“Nyssa,” someone called.
I scanned the room and found the sender.
In the corner of the room, away from all the activity, floated Taura and my aunt. Both sipped some of the seagrass wine from sea cucumber pouches. Everyone avoided them like the dark algae plague. Let’s just say they were considered the Black Groupers of the family. Like me, they didn’t subscribe to all the politics of court. All the fake flattery, arrogance, pretension, backstabbing, and betrayal. That got up more than a few noses. But they were my heroes, and I modeled myself after them. Why should I be like everyone else when they all thought I was a rebellious loser?
“Catch up with you in a moment,” I said to Nimian, leaving her side for the comfort of my aunt and cousin’s presence.
Aunt Ariel was dressed in a flame-colored corset to match her hair. She always wore bright clothes and makeup to attract attention. Taura, on the other hand, had changed into a softer silver number.
“Nyssa!” My aunt threw one arm around my back and kissed me on the cheek. “Heard you chased away another Sharkrider.”
Unlike me, my aunt never concealed her character, and the message she broadcast went out to everyone within a few feet of our vicinity. A few nobles passing by gasped and scurried away at the shocking news.
A thrill chased through me at challenging their prim merworld view.
“Aunt Ariel, you should have seen how fast the Sharkrider swam away,” I replied, squeezing her back.
Whenever my cousin, my aunt, and I got together in her chambers, we always laughed about our crazy antics. They and Gellian were the only ones I was comfortable confiding in. Despite going along with my aunt’s outburst just then, I really didn’t like the nobles knowing my business.
Aunt Ariel let out a big hoot that drew more attention.
Taura’s lips twitched with the hint of a smile.
My aunt’s finger grazed my chin. “Don’t worry, my dear. You’ll find the right merman one day. Experiment with as many as you can. Delve into the delights their magnificent bodies offer. Until you find that one that makes your heart sing.”
More nobles stared at us. Talk like this was generally shunned in a court environment. But Aunt Ariel never paid them heed or cared who we offended. That was what I loved about her. One day, I wished to be as bold as she was.
“Watch where you’re going, would you?” someone snapped close to us, capturing my attention because it sounded remarkably like my sister Aquina.
Yes. I was right. Oysters stained my sister’s corset. Aquina’s face was twisted with disgust. A servant furiously brushed at the mess.
Aquina batted away the servant’s hands. “Don’t touch me.” Her tone rose into the petulant territory.
“I’m so…so…sorry, Princess,” the poor servant squawked, clearly terrified out of her wits.
My sister made them all nervous. They couldn’t look her in the eye or touch her, and they certainly couldn’t speak to her without being spoken to first.
