Page 26 of Whispers Beneath the Deep
I was guided into the throne room, where the queen awaited, and much to my inner turmoil, the king did not. There was another merman in her presence, though. He was decked out in royal finery, robes in bright colors with silver thread and clips holding the material together at the throat. He was old, and a little sleazy looking. Wrinkles sagged his face, ever slightly. His nose was long and crooked, eyes a tad too small beneath drooping eyelids. Wisps of white hair were plastered onto his scalp as if by magic.
I didn’t like the way he spoke in hushed tones with the queen. And I certainly didn’t like the way they lapsed into silence the moment they saw me.
The guards left me to swim in alone, closing the doors after me. I swam up to the fin of her throne and bowed low, a respectful mask already settled into place.
“You called for me, Your Majesty?” I asked politely. The queen looked me over, eyes narrowing over my every inch. Finally, that sharp gaze settled on my face.
“Dearest daughter,” she began tightly.
My eyes flicked over to the merman at her side. He didn’t know who I really was. Good.
“I have been giving it a fair bit of thought. Since your sickness has passed, I believe it best to continue on with your lessons once more.”
Lessons. I tried to remember the captain’s words. He’d explained to me in detail what exactly the princess’ duties entailed. Fencing. Riding. Lessons in politics. Tea time. He had started to oversee my princess training. I hoped that would no longer be the case.
“With Captain Saber being busy with… more pressing matters, we have doubled your security. Prince Kai has sent over one of his own guards, as I’m sure you’re aware.”
More pressing matters.I read between those lines. The more pressing matters obviously meant he was out there looking for the princess he so obviously loved. The sooner he found her, the sooner he could get rid of me.
“And so, you will continue your lessons with Percival as though they never ceased.” She nodded to the merman at her side.
Percival. I racked my mind for a hint of recognition. Why was his name so familiar? Then it clicked. Like the whiplash of a strong current, it all came rushing back to me. Percival Pike. The name of one of the witnesses on the marriage contract I’d found. And, if I was remembering Captain Saber’s teachings correctly, he was the queen’s royal advisor.
And I was meant to study with him.
“These lessons will keep you occupied and less focused on the other activities you think are worth your time.”
What she really meant was, more focused on becoming the princess, and less focused on the things that truly mattered. Like the fate of criminals and selects.
I nodded my acquiescence. “Of course, stepmother.” The words burned out my throat.
She waited a couple of heartbeats, as if I would object, and then she turned to her advisor. “Off to the schoolroom, both of you.” A curt dismissal. “I have matters to which I must attend.”
Percival and I bowed to the queen respectfully or, at least, as respectfully as I could manage. It came out rather stiff and angry but I bore through it. Surprised at how something as simple as a bow could seem as condemning as if I let the axe drop on my own neck.
I straightened, but didn’t look at her again. I turned and exited the throne room, leaving Percival to follow me. It’s what I imagined Odele would do. Wait for no one. Act as if I owned the world because, well, Odeledidown it. At least, she owned Thalassar. Daft as she may be, she was still a princess, the future ruler. She waited for no one.
I didn’t slow when I heard and felt Percival approach behind me. He swam to my side, matching my pace, with my ever faithful guards trying to make themselves invisible behind us. There was something sleazy about this merman that made me uncomfortable. I put discreet space between us.
“I cannot express how glad I am to see you alive and well.”
Alive and well. What a strange way to word it. My eyes narrowed, but I assumed the most flippant expression. Like I had not a care in the world. I was wary of him, the same way prey are wary of sharks. The same way one should be wary in rock fish infested waters.
“How kind of you to be so attentive towards my well-being, Percival.”
“Yes, well, you are the future of Thalassar, and as your mother says, you must be up to par in your studies. They’ve been put off for too long.”
“My stepmother,” I corrected haughtily.
He stiffened, causing me to smile. I’d sounded just like Odele then. How she never ceased to remind those around her that Queen Circe wasnother birth mother. So many conch recordings. Her personality was embedded deep into my brain.
“Of course, Your Majesty.” He sniffed once. “Well, then, shall we venture to the library?”
“It’s not like I have a choice, do I?”
I could feel the glare emanating from his body but gave no acknowledgment of knowing I’d upset him.
We swam to the royal library in silence. I hadn’t yet been to the royal library; in fact, there hadn’t even been a tour of the palace. So when we finally arrived, I tried not to let my awe show when I beheld it.
