Page 19 of Midnightsong
“She died because of you!”
Yet, some mer lent their support.
“He did it for love!”
“...a good son...exemplary prince!”
“Silence!” Three members of the mer council, Darya, Allie and Alasdair, standing at Saeryn’sside shouted in unison. Their voices rippled through the waves, and the cacophony died down into a thick silence.
“Show Prince Kaden the respect he deserves. We do not condone disrespectful behavior here, and especially not toward your prince,” Saeryn added, his glare shooting daggers at the offending mer.
“You will allow him to speak without interruption.” Adrielle’s firm voice sailed through the tides.
“Mother, you will be missed.” He forced himself to settle his shaking voice. “Our queendom was built under yours and Father’s rule. And there will never be another monarch like you. Rest in peace, Mother.”He swallowed hard, as if stone was lodged in his throat, his gaze quickly flitted to Saeryn, who faced the crowds, head held high. “We must seek answers and maintain peace with the humans. We must find out who was responsible for her passing.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Saeryn’s glare weighed heavy on him, and Kaden could have drowned.
Cyrus spoke next, assisted upright by Kaden and Alasdair, followed by Adrielle. “It should come as no surprise that I’m not the biggest fan of humans.” A dark chuckle escaped him. “After all, they’re responsible for my condition. And were it not for my mother, I would likely be in even worse shape. Or dead.”
A murmur rippled through the mer crowd.
Cyrus continued. “She was an exemplary queen. And in this, I agree with Kaden. She would strive to seek answers from the humans. She would not want another war. In this way, we should honor her memory and her life.”
Kaden’s heart swelled at his brother’s words.
Half the mer crowd cheered, and the other remained silent and still.
Saeryn’s voice broke through, and the crowd’s attention was rapt. “Might I remind you, dear citizens of Haibei, that Prince Kaden’s heart belongs to a landwalker?” He swept an arm in Kaden’s direction. “Who is the most loyal landwalker to us. And as you can see, she is not here today to support the merman she supposedly loves.” Each of his uncle’s punctuated words struck Kaden in the gut.
Why was he sowing dissent during his sister’s funeral? How dare he? Still, he wouldn’t let Saeryn speak ill of Angie and turn the rest of the queendom against him.
A dull roar swept through the citizens.
Kaden spoke under his breath. “You barred humans from coming here.”
“This is not the time, Uncle Saeryn,” Cyrus added, timbre measured.
Saeryn bore his icy stare into his nephews, raising his voice so it carried to the mourners. “I would have made an exception for her. You should have asked, but you didn’t.”
Kaden’s skin tingled with unease and his lips moved, but no words emerged.
Saeryn turned back to the crowd, his expression softening. “But Prince Cyrus is right. This is not the time. Thank all of you for coming to celebrate and mourn our late queen this tidesday.” He nodded to the sentinels surrounding him, an indication that the ceremony was over.
Sentinels created a barrier around Serapha and carried her through the throngs of mer who prayed and spoke their condolences aloud.
They would leave through the seamounts surrounding the palace and travel another seamile to reach the royal cemetery.
When the mer dispersed and Saeryn and Cassia had returned to the palace with their entourage, Cyrus called Kaden. “Adrielle and I must take our leave, as it’s time to feed Libbi and Hadrien. But, please, meet us in our quarters at the turn of the tide.”
“The healers allowed you to return to the palace?” Kaden’s spirits lifted. It meant his brother was recovering well if he was removed from the healers’ constant day and night watch.
“Yes.” Cyrus called back as four sentinels swam beneath the bed and, each holding one corner, carried his bed on their backs. A hard edge laced his gruff voice. “See you there?”
Kaden nodded. He would be there.
The tides shifted and Kaden made one stop on his way to Adrielle and Cyrus’ chambers. He fidgeted with the seaflute in his hands. After the funeral, he wanted nothing more than to talk to Angie. She hadn’t answered, leaving him to briefly wonder where she was. With her family? Or asleep? Or simply not near her flute?
Before him, there was no mistaking Saeryn’s voice, addressing a family.
