Page 36 of Taken By the Storm King

“Do you think she’s really the one? The future queen?”

“Must be. Have you seen how he looks at her? The king has chosen.”

I froze mid-step, the implications washing over me. Queen? Is that how they saw me? Is that what I was to Thalassar?

“Lucy?” Thalassar stopped, looking back at me with concern. “What’s wrong?”

I touched the pearl at my neck, suddenly aware it was more than just a translator. It was a symbol---one his people would recognize and understand in ways I was only beginning to grasp.

“Nothing,” I said, my mind racing. “Just... processing everything.”

He held out his hand to me, and I took it, letting him lead me toward the door.

Everything was changing so fast. Three days ago, I’d been focused solely on my mission. Now I was wearing royal insignia, sleeping with the king of a hidden civilization, and apparently being talked about as future royalty.

The strangest part? As terrifying and unexpected as it all was, it felt right.

I squared my shoulders and stepped forward with Thalassar into whatever came next.

THALASSAR

The council chamber vibrated with undertones of discord. Eleven pairs of solid black eyes fixed on Lucy as she entered on my arm. I felt her tense beside me, though her face remained calm. Guards flanked the entrance, their scaled hands gripping ceremonial spears tipped with sacred coral.

“Deep breaths,” I murmured to her, keeping my expression neutral despite the storm brewing inside me. The memory pearl I’d given her nestled behind her ear, its opalescent glow nearly hidden by her dark hair.

Lucy squeezed my arm. “I’m fine.”

I led her to the two carved chairs at the head of the crescent-shaped table. Every council member’s posture stiffened when Lucy sat in the chair traditionally reserved for the queen consort.

Korus, my military advisor, spoke first. “My king, while we appreciate your attendance, perhaps the human would be more comfortable waiting elsewhere.”

“The human,” Lucy said before I could respond, “would prefer to be addressed directly.”

I suppressed a smile as several council members shifted uncomfortably. The translation pearl was working better than expected.

“This emergency session concerns her directly,” I said to Korus. “Lucy stays.”

“As you wish.” Korus’s scales darkened along his neck---a sign of his displeasure, but he would not argue further.

“The attack on Lady Lucy was deliberate,” I continued, using the honorary title for the first time. “I want answers.”

Elder Veda, her silver scales gleaming even in the dim council light, nodded approvingly at my words. My mother’s oldest friend and advisor, she alone had supported my decision to bring Lucy to our kingdom from the beginning.

“The traditionalists will argue tradition,” Korus said, gesturing to the four eldest members who sat at the far end of the table. “They believe the human presence---especially in the royal chambers---violates our most sacred customs.”

The eldest member, Ravis, thumped his coral staff against the floor. “It is not merely tradition! The prophecies warn against allowing outsiders into our sacred spaces.”

Lucy leaned forward. “What prophecies?”

Ravis’s mouth tightened into a thin line. “I speak to my king, not to you.”

“You will address Lady Lucy with the respect due to a royal guest,” I said, each word sharp as a blade. “Or you will leave my council.”

Elder Veda traced a pattern on the table’s surface, an old gesture of requesting permission to speak. “Perhaps we should discuss what our scouts have found at the human landing site.”

My attention snapped to Maris, who oversaw the scouting parties. “Report.”

“The site was abandoned,” Maris said, sliding a small memory pearl across the table. “All the human females are missing.”

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