Page 83 of Midnightsong
“Then yes, I agree to uphold my end.”
“Do keep us apprised of your efforts.” He nodded at the seaflute, and Angie took it back.
“Kaden, I’ll talk to you later. Or did you want to stay on?”
“I’ll stay on, as long as you both need me to. Seems like there’s much I can learn from the governor.”
“I’m hopeful this will end well,” Governor Vester remarked, holding out a hand to her. “There were other things you wanted to talk about. Mer rights, and you mentioned you had some ideas on how we can help them and keep Washingtonians safe?”
“Yes.” Angie cracked her knuckles and pulled out her paper with bullet points of what she wanted to talk about.
She left an hour later after shaking Governor Vester’s hand, and once she was far enough away from the building where nobody could see or judge her, she broke into a relieved laugh and spun in place, her arms stretched out. He agreed with her proposal to enact a ban on mer hunting and selling, and he said he would run it by their legislators.
Angie couldn’t believe it. The governor of Washington was consideringherproposal, a civilian, and she broke into a happy run. The gentle winds were light and airy over her cheeks and swept her hair back. Birds sang and chirped overhead, and even the clouds had parted ways to showcase the sun.
A perfect day.
She pulled out her seaflute when she was near her car and addressed Kaden again, who had stayed quiet on the seaflute throughout the rest of her and Vester’s meeting. “That went great,” she said, breathless. “Thank you so much for talking to him. He wants to start the process to pass a law to ban hunting and selling mer. I think this will be a huge step forward.”
“I think so too. I think together, we can stop this.” He went quiet for a brief moment. “I will relay this to my uncle, and if he believes humans are doing their part, he may agree to pull back on planning war.”
“I hope so,” she murmured, starting up her car and resting the seaflute in one of her cupholders, leaning it against her center console.
“And Angie?”
“Yes?”
“Hearing your voice again is a welcoming light in the deep sea’s dark.”
An electric jolt ran down her arms and legs at his deep voice, so soft and full of fondness. “I wish I could hug you right now.” She rested the tips of her fingers over the seaflute before she started driving.
They would move forward from this. Repairing their relationship with each other, and the relationship between human and mer.
Her heart burst with adoration.
Thirty-Five
Kaden
Kaden’s focus was only on Angieand the way his heart fluttered and danced now that they had spoken and reaffirmed their love and commitment to each other.
He put his seaflute away and held his half-carved zhangyu from its setting, his tailfins bouncing with excitement, inspiration striking to finish it.
“Your Highness?” A faint voice called outside of his door, and he swam to it, sliding it open.
Raina floated outside, her hands behind her back, sandy braid over her shoulder. “Your brother is doing well today and wishes to speak with you.”
“Oh, wonderful.” Kaden followed her through the gilded hallways, twisting and turning until they reached Cyrus and Adrielle’s chambers.
Raina stopped in front of their door. “I’ll leave you two and will check on the crown prince at the turn of the tide. I will be in the infirmary in the meantime; please let me know if he needs anything.” And with a small bow of her head, she left.
Kaden let himself in, finding Cyrus sitting upright in his hammock, swaying back and forth with the currents. His brother lifted an arm to wave, and Kaden returned to the stalactite, wrapping the bottom of his tail to anchor himself.
“Have you done your inner healing?” Cyrus had his hands folded on the thickest part of his tail, tailfins sweeping side to side.
“Somewhat. Angie contacted me and we had a long talk.”
“Ah, so she bolstered your confidence?” Cyrus raised a knowing eyebrow.
