Page 57 of Midnightsong
He didn’t understand the limits of the monarch’s newfound magic granted by Sanyue when they accepted Her blessing. All he knew from the sparse conversations he had with his parents about it was that monarchs were only imbued with the Goddess’ blessing when they were active rulers.
Could he use Her blessing to see Angie, give her breath without having his lifeforce drained constantly?
Cassia and Varin would know, so he pushed open the throne room door when he reached the palace proper.
“Welcome back.” Cassia greeted him as he swam to greet the monarchs, their tails anchoring them to their coral thrones.
Kaden stopped some tailspans away from them, clasping his hands and holding them loose at his lower back. “Any word from Calora?”
“Our daughter is on her way back from Nanhai,” Cassia replied, her gaze steely. Kaden pursed his lips. His aunt’s usual warmth appeared to have fled and he hadn’t the first idea why.
“I heard you spent some time on the surface?” A twinkle appeared in Varin’s eyes.
“I did, but it didn’t end well. Angie was upset with me,” Kaden replied. “I–I admitted to her what was happening with my health. That giving her breath and using my magic too much was depleting my lifeforce.”
“Oh?” Cassia raised an eyebrow. “How long has this been happening?”
“Over a tidesyear.” Kaden’s cheeks grew hot.
“I see. Then you must understand why she was upset if you hid it from her for so long?” Varin added. Unlike Cassia’s cold demeanor, Varin’s tone and expression were still welcoming and gentle.
“I know. Which is why I wanted to ask what the limits are of your magic.”
“I will leave you to talk to my nephew.” Cassia eyed her lifemate. “I must take my leave.” With an abrupt loosening of her tail from the throne, she gave Kaden a brusque goodbye nod, leaving through the back entrance and inside the palace.
“Is my aunt okay? She doesn’t seem like herself.”
“She’s grieving still. And she has been conferring with Saeryn as to their next possible move, but I do not believe they have come to any sort of agreement,” Varin replied. “But you asked about monarch magic. You know all mer have the power to control the seas, but the monarchs with their deity’s blessing wield the most potent of magic. Using the same amount as a non-monarch mer will use less of our lifeforce.”
Kaden nodded absently. “Does that also apply for giving breath to a human?”
A knowing smile crossed Varin’s lips. “I don’t know for sure. That is a rare situation, but possibly, yes.”
“Your Majesty?” A sentinel poked her head through the throne room doors. “Citizens are here to see you.”
“Great, send them in.” Varin turned to Kaden. “When are you heading home?”
“At the turn of the tide.”
“I am sending some sentries to Haibei, and I advise that you travel with them to combine your magic and propel yourselves as a collective.”
“I will. Thank you, Uncle Varin.”
Kaden made his way back to his room. He moved past the banquet hall, over the grand foyer that was set lower than the rest of the palace to give it more room, and then the kitchens. The chefs were hard at work, preparing spiced sea grapes, candied sea lettuce, and neat, clean bunches of vibrant, tender kelp. They made his stomach rumble, but he didn’t want to interrupt their cooking.
Kaden had found it a strange experience since he’d arrived at this queendom. Cassia and Varin employed a deluge of cooks and servants to keep the palace tidy and their workers fed. At home, Serapha and Aqilus had harped on Kaden and Cyrus to keep themselves and their quarters clean and refused to have servants. Instead, they had part-time cooks swimming in on a twice-weekly basis, otherwise, the family was responsible for making their own meals.
Serapha had made it clear she would not have her sons become, in her words, lazy and useless.
He arrived at his quarters and, with a strong, firm grip, he grasped his seaglass door. He pulled it with too much force, and it clanged against its rock frame when it fully opened.
Kaden swam to the other side of the room, ensuring his pack was still secure on two hooks made from rock.
He wriggled his way into his hammock, staring at the gilded ceiling.
Thoughts of whether Saeryn had made any progress with the citizens lingered in his mind. But whether he did or not, Kaden had to return to Haibei soon.
Even if he didn’t have the first idea what he was going home to.
