Page 99 of Oceansong
“Since your people discovered how to steal our magic, a good ten or eleven of them came in shortly after I woke up. Cut Aurora,” he motioned to the trapped mermaid, “and I. Forced us to release the magic to them. They’ve all but drained the life out of me, and I imagine her as well.”
“That’s why you’re so pale?” He looked like he hadn’t rested in a hundred years. “I thought the magic only helped humans breathe underwater.”
“My brother did not tell you all of it, then? It is also part of our lifeforce.” Cyrus shook his head, his expression downtrodden.
“So, when Kaden gives me the magic, he’s impairing himself?”
What had she done, gleefully taking his magic every time they explored the undersea?
“No, when we give humans magic, only a miniscule part of us is lost.” Even his voice sounded more strained than she remembered. “Each breath, or an equal amount of energy exerted or drained when we bring forth our Goddess’ gift, forces us to withhold from utilizing it again for a full tidesday to replenish it.” He took in a shallow breath and parted his lips.
“You don’t have to explain. I think I get the gist of it. You should rest,” Angie said, but Cyrus kept going.
“The more we use, the more fatigued we grow until we’re so weak that we cannot move.”
Her heart ached, and she clasped Cyrus’ hand between hers. “I’m going to get you out of here.”
Aurora was heavier than Angie thought, and if she couldn’t manage to drag her out of the tank, then there was no chance in getting Cryus out either. After all, it took multiple men and women to pull Cyrus aboard in his net, she didn’t stand a chance alone.
Finally, Cyrus spoke, his words carried on labored breaths. “I appreciate the thought, but the shore is too far from here. I would help more had I the strength. I am sorry.”
“No, don’t be sorry. I’ll find a way to get you out, I promise, but I have to tell Kaden. Tell him you’re alive, warn him that my people are using your magic.” Her words came out faster and faster until they formed a verbal mountain. After their time on the rocks, she’d agreed to meet Kaden tomorrow evening, but it was another day and a half that Cyrus might not have.
“Yes, you must.” He squeezed her hand. “The humans have left mealone for most of today, and I replenished a touch of my magic. I can give you what I still have so you can make it down to the queendom. My mother may not take too kindly to you being there, but try to find Kaden or Adrielle. Neither of them should be venturing out far.”
“Alright.” Angie grabbed a nearby step-stool and stood on it to be level with him.
“Do you know how to get there?”
Angie wrinkled her forehead. She’d been there once with Kaden, and had been dropped off by the dive boat, but she still didn’t think she could make it there on her own. “I have a general idea. Can you help me plot a path?”
“Of course.” Cyrus nodded. “I will give you directions toward the back of the palace, where less sentinels are likely to see you.”
With a focused ear, she listened to point by point of what Cyrus told her, committing his directions to memory until she could transcribe them to her dive compass later.
Cyrus motioned at her with his head. “Part your lips.”
She did, and he brushed his lips gently over hers, exhaling a slow trail of warm, steadying breaths into her mouth. “It’s done.” He turned his lips into a grim smile. “I’ll be here.”
Angie gave him a reassuring squeeze on his shoulder. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” She checked her watch. Angie’s gaze trailed down to Cyrus’ tail before she left. It was no longer maroon, but a soft, subtle rose.
Forty
Twenty paddles southeast. Then fourkicks north, fifteen kicks south.
Angie consulted the dive compass on her left wrist, where she’d transcribed Cyrus’ directions, using one finger to trace the path she’d followed. So far, Cyrus had been good to his word. She hadn’t seen one mer on her way down.
Her clothes created drag, causing her to exert herself more with each swim stroke and paddle. If she knew she’d be going underwater today, she wouldn’t have put on heavy cargo pants and a long-sleeved cotton shirt. She would feel like a soaked dishrag when she eventually got back to the surface, and muttered curses to herself until bright lights emerged from the fathomless deep.
She consulted her dive compass to get her bearings. Less than a quarter nautical mile to go until she reached the throne room, and she kept her head low. When she arrived, she slowed, her hamstrings and calves cramping from the ceaseless flutter-kicking.
She circled the seamounts surrounding the palace. The front and sides of the palace were covered with floating sentinels, weapons at the ready. The palace’s flank, facing another seamount range, was barren of guards. She reached the back windows facing the throne room and took the moment to stretch out her legs before continuing.
Tian, this was exhausting.
The back of Queen Serapha’s head came into view, as she gestured with exaggerated motions while speaking to Kaden. He floated upright with his hands behind his back, his handsome face holding a somber frown and fraught eyebrows. Two sentinels and Adrielle were on either side of them.
Angie pressed her lips together and shot one arm up high, waving withlarge arcs, fighting the water’s resistance. It took Kaden a minute to notice her flailing, and once his eyes locked with hers, his jaw slackened. Serapha and the sentinels turned around to see what he gawked at, and Angie darted underneath the long window and away from their sight, heart pounding.
