Page 30 of A Kingdom Restored

She ground her teeth together. No wonder he’d taken such an interest in her, going out of his way to teach her to read and write properly. And she’d once thought he was the only one who was kind to her purely for her own sake.

“Murder?” She could hear the hint of unease below Elfin’s incredulous words. “My brother and his wife weren’t murdered. They were stung by rays.”

“Of course they were,” said Merletta scornfully. “Just like August’s patrol died of land sickness.”

Elfin’s jaw worked as he scanned her face. “You’re speaking about that Skulssted patrol?” he asked. “I’ve heard about the patrol leader’s miraculous survival, of course. He was lucky to make such a recovery.”

“Luck had little to do with it,” said Merletta curtly. “He was skillful enough to fight off the Center guards who tried to murder him, and wise enough to hide out in the open ocean until the hunt had died down.”

“That’s not what happened,” said Elfin, sounding more uncomfortable than angry. “It can’t be.”

A shudder went down Merletta’s frame as she fought to keep her calm. She found that she wanted Elfin to believe her, not just because she was telling the truth, but because she didn’t want him to think her a fool or a troublemaker.

“You said Elric and his wife died on a harvesting expedition you didn’t even know they were going on,” she began. “I assume Center guards were sent to protect the harvesters? And none of the harvesters saw the accident, right? Your brother and sister-in-law wandered off, and the next thing anyone knew, the guards had found them dead, correct? I’m guessing none of the harvesters even noticed the rays.”

Elfin’s pale face was devoid of all color now. Merletta had no doubt she’d recreated the circumstances exactly.

“But this is nonsense,” he said, clearly rattled. “Why would anyone want to kill them?”

“For the same reason the Center wants to kill me now.” Merletta sank wearily onto a stone bench. “You’ve said yourself that they were obsessed with the idea of expanding beyond the barrier. You even said that they weren’t the only ones who were outspoken about the issue, then lost their lives in the open ocean.”

“Because it’s dangerous out there,” Elfin insisted.

Merletta rose back into the water. “Have you ever seen a ray for yourself, Elfin?” she asked softly.

He shook his head.

“I have,” Merletta told him. “Let’s just say I didn’t especially like the charity home where I was dumped, whether by Denton or by nameless parents who didn’t want me. I used to escape at every opportunity, and the building was right near the barrier. I’ve spent more hours in the open ocean than a patrol guard, and it’s not what they claim. I’ve weaved my way through a fever of rays many a time, admiring the sleek grace of them. They can be dangerous if provoked, but they’re gentle creatures by nature. It’s not as though they’re trained killers who would size a mermaid up then take aim and spear through the heart. An unscrupulous Center guard, on the other hand…”

She shook her head. “If you don’t want to believe it, nothing I say will change your mind. You have to make the choice. I’m not asking for anything from you. My name isn’t even Merleisha. I suppose we’ll never know if that history is mine.”

“You’re generous,” Elfin said dryly. “I don’t suppose you doubt it any more than I do. It’s just a lot to take in.” Far from ushering Merletta out the door as she’d expected, he sank into a seat himself. “I suppose if the guard heard your parents calling you Letta, and knew your mother’s name, he probably thought your namewasMerletta, since he was from Hemssted, and familiar with our conventions.”

His gaze was a little misty as it passed over her. “You’re like them,” he murmured. “Not just in that you resemble your mother. But to hear you talk…they were always on a mission as well.”

He let out a groan, tinged with humor. “I don’t know what I’m struggling to comprehend more—that little Letta is alive, or that she’s the troublemaking trainee from Tilssted we’ve all been hearing so much about.”

Since he seemed in no hurry to expel her, Merletta lowered herself to a seated position again.

“I’m not what everyone thinks I am,” she told him ruefully. “Neither as impressive as my admirers think, nor as much of a brat as my critics make me out to be.”

“Well, it’s clear from one conversation with you that you’re not quite the uncultured, crass interloper I’ve heard described,” he said. He straightened. “Of course you’re not. You’re an El. We’ll soon set those rumor-mongers straight.”

Merletta was shaking her head before her thoughts even caught up. “I’m not asking you to do that,” she said quickly.

“I know you’re not,” Elfin responded. “But a daughter of this house will not be spoken of as some attention-seeking vagabond. You will learn that with the proper connections, and a family to lend you credibility, your influence will be greater through less dramatic means.”

“I’m not backing down.” Merletta spoke abruptly. “I’m not going to stop pushing back against the Center’s lies.”

“Merletta…Merleisha…Letta…” He gave her a strained smile. “I don’t know what to call you.”

“Merletta,” she said, pleased with how clear her voice came out now. “My name is Merletta.”

“Very well,” he said, speaking more calmly as he studied her face. “Merletta. I can understand, given the disadvantages you’ve suffered—and most unfairly so—your desire to gain attention through—”

“With respect, I don’t think you do understand,” Merletta cut him off. “It’s never been about seeking attention. Maybe I don’t value status and reputation the way you do. But I’m not so sure that’s a bad thing. Coming from nothing is what’s given me the freedom and determination to speak out against what I’ve seen. Think about it, sir. I’ve just given you reason to think your brother might have been murdered, and your first thought is to reel me back from embarrassing myself by challenging the very figures who were probably behind his death.”

“Hang on,” Elfin said defensively. “That’s still only speculation. Don’t think I won’t be investigating what you’ve said. But what I’m offering you is protection, and standing. I can understand your feelings at the resistance you’ve faced, and perhaps it is unjust. But look at what’s happening in Tilssted right now. You have to acknowledge that there are reasons behind the prejudice against that city. If your instructors knew you weren’t from some Tilssted slum, but actually hailed from an influential Hemssted family, don’t you think you might be treated differently?”

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