Page 66 of Oceansong
“I’ll take responsibility for any trouble that she causes. If she harms anyof us, punish me in whatever way you and the Queen and King deem fit. I will not run, and I will not resist.”
Angie turned and faced them. Neither of them looked in her direction, their softening glares locked on each other.
Cyrus snorted and squirmed in Kaden’s iron grasp. “You truly trust her so much?”
“Yes. Please, look at her. She’s half your size and unarmed. I wouldn’t have brought her here if I thought she was going to be a danger.”
Angie’s chest tightened again. Each breath grew shallower until she felt like she was choking.
She willed Cyrus to listen. To believe his brother. The silence stretched, Cyrus’ lips thinned, still trying to loosen Kaden’s arm around his neck.
Her head grew light and stars flashed in her vision.
Tian, Angie. Everything is going to be okay. She didn’t believe it, but she had to stay calm.
Kaden glanced in her direction, and then back to Cyrus, panic flashing in his eyes.
She backed against the rock wall behind her, her hands flying to her chest, and she could do nothing but stare at the two mer-princes as she slowly drowned.
Kaden twisted Cryus’ wrist until he winced, nostrils flaring. Sneering, he gave a curt nod.
Kaden released him and bolted to Angie, pressing his lips to hers, and breathed out.
Her vision and hearing cleared, and magic warmed her lungs. She could take full breaths again. Angie’s body slumped, her muscles relaxing.
Cyrus floated before them, eyes roving from one to the other, his tail swishing side to side and eyebrows so close together they formed a thick, jet-black line.
Before she could say a word, Cyrus spoke up. “The mer-queen and mer-king finally let you go? And after all that time I spent looking for you. Worrying about you, and thinking something terrible had befallen you. Only to find that you had been swimming off with a landwalker.”
For the first time, Angie noted the dark circles hanging beneath Kaden’s eyes, his face marred with residual worry mixed with fury.
Kaden put both palms over his face. “Son of a triggerfish.”
Angie would think the swear was cute, if it wasn’t in the context of Cyrus discovering them.
“You didn’t get enough of a verbal lashing from the King and Queen? You already missed your own banquet. If they find out you were with alandwalker, they’ll cast you out and kill her.” Cyrus threw his arms out.
Angie pulled her shoulders tight, her body racked with fear. “I’ll leave. And never come back,” she whispered.
She turned to face Kaden, who searched Cyrus’ face with desperate, pleading eyes. “I care for her. I swear on the Goddess’ name that she will not hurt us. Please, brother. Stay your tongue, even to Adrielle.”
“She doesn’t look like she’s in a position to hurt anyone.” Cyrus looked to Kaden, and then back to Angie again. He gritted his teeth, his hands becoming tight fists by his waist. In the strained stillness, Angie was afraid he had imploded and would lunge at her, strike her down like a moray eel.
Another stretch of silence.
Then Cyrus rubbed his face and ran his hand through his hair. He held his tail in a rigid set, and his gills flared open and close with exaggerated movements.
Angie caught a flicker feathering along his jaw, and to her relief, he finally spoke again.
“Fine, because you’re my brother, and I love you. But,” he pointed an accusing finger at Kaden, “do not make me regret this. I cannot be harboring your secrets and putting Adrielle’s and my life in danger.”
The tension in Angie’s chest made her pulse throb.
She wanted nothing more than to go home, be away from the two of them.
Kaden held out a tentative hand, and Cyrus gripped it tight. Cyrus leaned in close, lowering his voice. “We meet for dinner tonight. You tell me everything about her, and everything about the two of you. Going forward, you will hide nothing.” A golden-brown flame lit Cyrus’ eyes. “If you withhold anything further, you will feel the queendom’s wrath upon your head. If I don’t kill you first myself, and then I’ll kill her.”
Kaden swallowed hard and nodded his agreement.
