Page 42 of Taken By the Storm King

“I have an answer for you,” I replied, my heart suddenly racing. “If you still want to hear it.”

Thalassar took both my hands in his, his black eyes reflecting the lights of his kingdom.

“Nothing would honor me more,” he said.

THALASSAR

The shell artisans worked with fluid motions, their fingers extending coral-carved lanterns along the ceremonial path. Each lantern pulsed with glowing algae, casting rippling blue patterns across the white stone of the grand pavilion. I stood at the center, directing without words, my hand gestures enough for my people to understand my wishes.

“Three spans wider between the water pools,” I said, pointing to where two attendants struggled with a massive crystal basin. “The dance will require more space.”

One of the younger attendants accidentally knocked over a stack of pearled wreaths, sending them scattering across the pavilion floor.

“King Thalassar, forgive me, I---“

I raised my hand. “Continue your work. The wreaths will serve equally well scattered as they would stacked.”

Her relief was instant. She bowed and resumed her task, gathering the wreaths with deliberate care.

Two days until Lucy became my queen. Two days until the ocean itself would recognize our bond. My scales warmed at the thought of her -- her strange, smooth skin against mine, her hair floating like dark seaweed when we swam together.

I paused in my directions, gaze drawn to the horizon where the storm wall churned---that powerful barrier I’d maintained for so long to keep outsiders away. Soon it would protect not just my people, but the woman who had somehow breached all my defenses. The wall seemed different now, less a division and more an embrace.

My reverie broke when Elder Veda approached, her ancient hands clutching a bundle of scrolls. The old ritual texts, untouched for generations.

“Your preparations proceed well,” she said, nodding toward the pavilion. “But I wonder if your mind is fully here with us.”

“It’s with her,” I admitted. “And with what this ceremony means for our people.”

“Both thoughts worthy of a king.” Veda unfurled one of the scrolls, pointing to intricate markings. “The last royal bonding was your parents’. I was much younger then, but I remember how your father insisted on adding these particular markings to honor your mother’s lineage.”

I traced the pattern with my finger, memorizing it. “Will Lucy need markings too?”

“She will require adaptations. Her skin lacks our natural canvas.” Veda rolled the scroll carefully. “But we’ve devised temporary pigments that will hold through the ceremony.”

One of my guards approached, breaking our conversation. His hand rested on his weapon hilt, a sign he brought news requiring caution.

“The border patrols report increased movement from the Marsai territories, my king. Three scout parties detected in the outer reef. They retreated when challenged.”

My jaw tightened. “Double the border watches. No aggressive action, but maintain visibility.”

“Yes, my king.” He departed with a bow.

“The Mersai tests your attention,” Veda observed. “They know you’re distracted with preparations.”

“They’ll find me very focused if they approach closer.” I turned back to the preparations, watching as workers arranged shells in intricate patterns.

My mind drifted to Lucy’s acceptance of my proposal. Her initial hesitation had frozen my heart, but then she’d smiled -- that brilliant surface-dweller smile that still startled me with its intensity.

“Yes,” she’d said simply. “I’ll stay. I’ll be your queen.”

I’d lifted her then, spun her in a circle until she laughed. Her laughter still echoed in my mind, precious and rare.

“Your thoughts drift again,” Veda noted, breaking into my memory.

“To happy places,” I replied. “Is that not permitted on such occasions?”

Veda’s ancient face softened. “It’s expected. Now come, we must prepare your ceremonial markings. The ritual cleansing begins at sundown.”

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