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Chapter 2
“Yes, you creep.” Nimian waved her hands, shooing the Sharkrider away.
My mouth gaped. I didn’t know what to say. It felt like a magic bomb had exploded in my stomach.Shellfish. Talk about blowing my cover big time.
He steered away from us faster than a school of herring fleeing a dolphin.
“Thanks a lot,” I snapped at Nimian, shrinking in my seat as the rest of the patrons stared in our direction.
Thanks to her, I’d probably never be able to show my face in the bar again. My stomach pinched with regret. I liked coming to Shark Bait bar, where no one recognized me. Until now.
But on the bright side, at least I could take comfort knowing it wasn’t my fault this time—at leastIhadn’t scared the merman away.
My sister crossed her arms. “You’re late.”
“For what?” I sent the message to Nimian.
My response earned me a reproachful look from my younger sister. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten again? I swear, Nyssa. If your head wasn’t screwed on, you’d lose it.”
Whatever was she on about? I remembered everything. Except the things I wasn’t interested in. My brain needed precious space, and I wasn’t wasting it on all of her latest court gossip.
“You probably forgot your medical assessment yesterday, too.”
What was she? My day-planner servant? “Please. I’m as fit as a sea lion! And just as fast.”
Nimian glared at me, but the nasty look disappeared quickly because she started bouncing—a sign I understood as her bursting to tell me news.
“Papa has called an announcement of a royal decree,” she twittered, glowing with enthusiasm. No doubt, she was excited at the prospect of the all the mermen there’d be, all gathered together in one place.
My heart sank faster than a pirate ship’s anchor.
Royal decrees were an important announcement like a change in law, funding for some project, more taxes, or something else as equally horrible. They were as boring as watching the tide wear down a sand grain. When the king issued a royal decree, every member of the household had to attend. I’d have to dress up and look my finest. But I hated the way all the mermaids at court gawked at me. How they whispered in each other’s ears, judging me, spreading lies about me and scheming to set me up with their brothers, all to get themselves into the royal line via marriage. No, thanks.
“I can’t make it. I have a prior engagement,” I said. “But I shall have the pleasure of you telling me all about the afternoon once it’s over.”
Nimian grabbed my wrist and tugged, as if she were desperate to leave this place and never think of it again. I felt the same way; her surprise visit had ruined everything.
“No, you’re not,” she said. “Father is well aware of your little disappearing acts. He ordered me to ensure your attendance.”
I yanked free of my sister’s grasp. Now it made sense. Nimian had traveled all this way, working up a sweat and smearing her painted face, because our father had sent her to find me and bring me back.
On the odd occasion, Father let it slide when I skipped a few events here and there. I may have played on his soft spot for me. But if he’d asked for me personally, then attending the decree was mandatory. I had no other choice, save sailing away from Nimian and hiding somewhere. Jellyfish Cove might be an option. She hated their sticky, toxic stingers dangling over her and wouldn’t dare venture there. Or I could take shelter in the Sea Witch’s lands to the north. There, the air was thick with sulfur and hard to breathe, and I wasn’t even sureIwanted to go there. I rubbed my forehead, thinking over my options.
Escaping my father’s orders for the third function in a row was bound to leave me in his bad graces, and I was too old for a scolding. At twenty-two years of age, I knew my place…even if I didn’t like it. The role of princess to the people of Tritonia came with certain duties. I was expected to attend certain affairs. An angry King Triton was a force to be reckoned with. I didn’t care for being grounded in my quarters for another week, as I’d been the last time I’d missed a mandatory royal function. It was set. I was going. Whether I approved or not.
“Fine,” I said to Nimian. “Let me get my things.”
She cast her disgusted gaze across the bar. “I’ll wait for you outside.”
While she darted out faster than a school of fish spooked by a shark, I collected my purse from our original table.
Taura blocked my path out of the bar. “What did she want? Where are you going?”
Her face paled as I explained everything to her and Gellian.
“Shellfish,” Taura mumbled. “I’ll be expected to attend, too.”
All royalty, extended family and the court nobles included, would assemble for word from the king, after which, we’d snack on food and seagrass wine.
