Page 59 of A Forgery of Fate

I drew a stunned breath. “I’ve become part fish.” Another gasp. “And I can talk underwater!”

Mailoh laughed. She sounded less hoarse here; her voice was smooth like melted sugar. “We may be underwater, but Ai’long is one of the immortal realms, Lady Saigas. Its waters are enchanted, and you’ll find you’ll be able to talk and sing and eat and drink just like you do above. The sangi helps too. You won’t even notice the change after a while. I take it you’re already feeling better?”

I was, though part of me wished I’d grown fins along with gills. Every time I tried to let go of Elang, I started floating away. I windmilled my arms, but it didn’t do much good. Feeling utterly ridiculous, I gave up and latched on to Elang’s neck again. Hoping he hadn’t noticed.

Of course he had. Unlike me, with my hulking movements, Elang swam with ease and grace. Thankfully, he didn’t show his annoyance in front of Mailoh, but it still startled me when he circled his arm around my waist, guiding me forward without a word.

“I’m feeling much better,” I told Mailoh hastily.

“How are your garments?” the turtle inquired. “We havea moment before we’re expected at the castle. I want to make sure you’re comfortable.”

My clothes did feel different, now that she mentioned it. On land, I’d felt like I was dragging a sack of rice. Underwater, my red sleeves floated about me in whorls of silk, and my cocoon of jackets and skirts was lighter than a fan. Still no pockets, but at least I could move. Except for that contraption of a headdress! I fidgeted with it.

“Is that bothering you?” said Mailoh, craning her neck to see.

“It’s all right, I’ll—”

“May I?” Elang’s voice skipped over mine.

May I what? I was more curious than anything, so I nodded.

He lifted me so I faced him. The water had changed him, but not as much as I’d previously thought. His white hair fell over his eyes the same way as before, his shoulders were broad and straight, and his nails were sharp black crescents. His scales had become bluer, though, almost the same shade as the water.

I darted my gaze to the side while he touched my headdress. In a shimmer of magic, it became a simple golden circlet, with slender strands of rubies and pearls dangling down my hair.

My eyes flew up. I’d seen banquets materialize on cotton blankets, I’d been dressed by mermaids and talking turtles, and I’d just taken a potion that gave me gills. Yet this enchantment, borne from Elang’s touch, was the first to make me gasp. It felt oddly intimate, in a way that made my stomach buzz.

“Thanks,” I mumbled.

“Will you let go of me now?” said Elang. “I’d like to show some dignity when Grandfather’s patrols arrive.”

He knew just how to nettle me. Suddenly finding my strength, I pushed myself away from him. Mailoh took my hand, ushering me past the rocks ahead until we floated above a wide gray plain.

“Welcome to Ai’long, Lady Saigas,” she said. “Behold your new home—Yonsar of the Westerly Seas.”

In my mind, I’d uprooted my life on land to stay in Ai’long, the most beautiful place in all the realms. I’d imagined a kaleidoscope of coral forests sprawling across the ocean ground, fish that glowed like lanterns and spanned fins that put butterflies to shame. I’d expected palaces wrought of crystal and jade, cities built of marbled shells and stone, and water that was bluer than a peacock’s feathers.

Not this.

Never had I seen such a desolate stretch of sea. The water was ashen and cast a wintry pall upon everything it touched, even my wedding robes. Every inhale smelled of ink, slightly spoiled and burnt.

Surrounding us, canyons gave way to chasms so deep they had no end. In the distance, I saw ruins. Toppled arches and broken moon gates. The ghostly remains of a city, leveled by a divine and ruthless force.

This…was the realm of dragons?

“It used to be magnificent,” said Mailoh, reading my reaction. “There are still pockets of beauty, if you look hard enough. You’ll learn to love it.”

Honestly, I doubted I’d be here long enough for that. “What happened?”

“Nazayun.” The name passed the turtle’s lips like faraway thunder.

I went cold. In the distance appeared a blurred silhouette, the specter of a dragon. As he gathered his form, pale blue eyes pierced out of his watery projection. He met my gaze, then disintegrated into the sea.

I was shaken. “Did you see that? Was that—”

“The patrols are here,” interrupted Elang. “Mailoh, get to the castle. We’ll join you shortly.”

From behind one of the cliffs emerged a shiver of sharks. At least a dozen, I counted. They were gray, blending in with the neighboring canyons. Their very presence stung, sending thorny vibrations across the water.

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