Page 108 of Midnightsong
Kaden
This tidesmonth’s council meeting was infull swing. Saeryn and the councilors’ speech drifted in one of Kaden’s ears and left out the other, never stopping in his mind to process what he was hearing.
How could he? His uncle had tried to get him killed, and all along, Saeryn had gone along with his tidesdays, treating his subjects as he always did. When Kaden came face to face with Saeryn for the first time after the assassination attempt, Saeryn made no mention of the fact that Kaden was alive, nor did his expression give away any sort of surprise.
Now Kaden was anchored here, his fists and jaws and abdominal and tail muscles clenched. His muscles throbbed in protest, but Kaden didn’t care.
The things he wanted to do to Saeryn in retaliation. Punch the merman square in his stomach. Announce from the palace top about his assassination scheme. Take the throne and exile him.
“Kaden, do you have any final thoughts on what we’ve discussed today?” Alasdair’s smooth voice broke Kaden’s reverie.
What had they even talked about? Kaden shook his head. His mind was full of how to track down the merman who tried to murder him under Saeryn’s orders.
“Meeting adjourned.” Darya put her slate down and she huddled with the rest of the council.
Saeryn unwound his tail, and without a word to Kaden, began to swim off.
The doors flew open.
“Excuse me, I must speak with His Majesty.” A merman with hair like snow and a teal tail, that Kaden didn’t recognize, propelled into the room with two sentinels at his tailfins.
“I’m sorry, we tried to stop him, but he insisted it was of paramount importance he see you,” a sentinel protested.
Kaden kept his distance, watching the scene unfold.
“Unauthorized civilians are not allowed in here.” Hylin reached out to grab the merman’s arm as he passed, stopping him. “Who are you?”
“A civilian who must speak with the kingimmediately.” The merman motioned Saeryn with one arm. “Please, Your Majesty.”
Saeryn approached the merman, whose shoulders were shaking.
The merman met Saeryn’s gaze. Looked over his shoulder, at Kaden.
His face turned as white as his hair, and Kaden knew. This must have been the merman who was in the diving suit.
“Do you want us to take him away?” a sentinel asked, directing her question to Saeryn.
“No, this one is obviously upset about something. I’ll grant him some of my private time.” Saeryn spoke even and calm, though Kaden caught the slightest of hitches in his speech.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The merman bowed and yelped as Saeryn grabbed his arm and led him out the door.
“That is odd,” Hylin remarked. “This hasn’t happened before. A civilian bursting in here demanding to speak directly to the monarch.”
A whisper in the back of Kaden’s mind told him to follow Saeryn. “Can one of you come with me?”
“What for? To where?” Oryma asked.
Kaden raked his mind for something to tell them.I’m trying to expose him for attempting to have me murdered and I need you as a witness.“I–I want to make sure the king is okay. W-what if the merman hurts him?”
“The king didn’t appear to be worried, but I should go. I’ll take a sentinel with us.” Hylin looked at the rest of the council, who nodded.
Hylin called a sentinel from outside, and the three of them followed Saeryn’s path down the singular hallway from the council chambers. The halls transitioned to the back of the palace, leading into a spacious cavern with a three-way split.
“Do you hear anything?” Hylin piped up from beside him.
Kaden listened for the softest whisper carried on the currents, or the sound of movement.
“This way.” He led them down the tunnel on the right, the one that led to the monarchs’ private atrium, away from their own bedchambers, away from the palace staff, where they could have their reprieve without disturbance.
