Page 156 of The Dragon's Gambit
“I know this might sound weird, but I don’t feel nervous at all.” Reiya continued to look at the path in front of them. “I feel like I was always meant to come here. Like I’m fulfilling something I was always supposed to.”
“Maybe you were.” Brody shrugged.
“This will be my first time meeting a merrow,” Xander said, looking at the others. “I hope I’m dressed appropriately.”
Reiya giggled. “This is my first time meeting the Merrow Queen. I guess we’re about to find out what she’s really like.”
The four companions slowly began to make their way down the sandy path, each step taking them closer to the coral palace. The palace stood tall and proud, its walls made of vibrant, pink and orange coral that shimmered with its own light. The intricate patterns and curves of the coral made it seem like a fairytale castle come to life. While it was a sight to behold, Reiya couldn’t appreciate it at that moment.
There are some moments in life that define who you are as a person. These moments bring out the person that you are supposed to be. It is within this defining moment that a person will either step back in fear or rise up, embracing their power.
Reiya was about to discover her moment.
Chapter 94 Olga
Just outside the coral palace, two armed guards were waiting for them. They had the upper body of a human but had a deep forest green tailfin. Their faces were blocky, and they wore golden helmets. In their webbed fingers, they held silvertridents. Their eyes scanned over them maliciously until they fell on Reiya. She watched the whites of their eyes grow as they sensed who she was. All fairies recognized who the fairy princess was. Reiya decided it was best to speak openly and confidently, showing her authority over the marine fairies.
“I have come to seek an audience with your Merrow Queen.” Reiya wanted to roll her eyes. Even the merrows having someone with the title of queen felt like a slap in the face. She could be their leader, but their queen? Not when they had a queen and princess of higher authority. It just showed how much they wanted to separate themselves from the fairy royalty. She watched as one of them shifted uncomfortably. The other straightened his shoulders and looked ahead.
“Proceed, princess.”
His voice was gruff and terse. But they had gotten entrance without having to spill blood. Reiya felt Xander’s hand tighten around her as they walked into the building. The walls were pure white, so bright it was almost blinding. They seemed to radiate light, giving the illusion of endless space. The texture was spongy, like an old cushion that had lost its shape and springiness over time. The floor was a pale off-white, resembling bleached bone, and it glinted under the harsh glare of the overhead lights.
As they walked down the seemingly never-ending hall, the walls and floor stretched out before them, creating a sense of infinite emptiness in the sterile environment. It felt as if they were walking through a tunnel made of white fog, with no visible end in sight. An occasional guard was lined up every ten feet or so. They didn’t even spare them a glance, continuing to stare straight ahead.
Don’t leave my sight for a second, Reiya,Brody warned as he and Chelsie walked right on her heels, keeping little space between them. Reiya smiled and gave Brody a small nod.
Two large bronze doors welcomed them at the end of the hall. The guards there immediately opened them. She could feel the presence of someone strong as they slowly entered the inner room.
Reiya noticed her immediately, sitting on a stone throne in the middle of the room. Her long, flowing hair resembled the deep blue hues of the ocean, swirling and curling around her body. Her striking dark green eyes seemed to glow against her pale skin, framed by thick lashes. The lower half of her body was a light green tailfin, while her upper body remained that of a woman’s. Adorning her torso was a chest plate made of dazzling gold, etched with intricate designs. As her piercing emerald gaze met Reiya’s, she offered a cold smile that did little to conceal the sharp points of her teeth, resembling those of a predatory shark.
“Welcome, princess. What an honor to be graced with your presence. What is the occasion? We have rarely met the fairies of the land.” Her voice dripped with a fake sweetness as her strong gaze held Reiya’s.
“You can call me Reiya. And how should I address you?” She would not address her as your majesty. She was the real royalty, not the merrows.
“Olga,” she replied tersely.
Reiya let a small smile rest on her lips. “Nice to meet you, Olga. I have come here because you have something I need.”
Olga leaned back in her chair and looked at her sharp fingernails. “What could I possibly have here that you might need?”
Reiya had the odd feeling that Olga already knew why she was there, but she proceeded anyway. “I need the Ocean’s Tear.” Reiya watched the green eyes glow slightly before they flipped up toward her completely.
“You? You need the Ocean’s Tear?” Olga straightened up and then smirked at Reiya. “I already knew this. I just wanted to hearyou ask for it. I actually know a lot of what goes on above ground. Specifically, I know about a certain half demon that desires the fairy princess.” Her eyes stared at Reiya and then moved to look at the shining stone on her neck. Her eyes twitched before returning back to the sapphire gaze.
Reiya narrowed her eyes at Olga.What game is she playing here?“What is the point of bringing that up?”
Olga smiled. “Yes. The point. As much as I would love to hand over the Ocean’s Tear to you, I simply can’t. Not until you complete the task I ask of you. No one has ever been able to complete the task I ask of them. Each task is custom-tailored for each person who seeks the Ocean’s Tear.”
Reiya sighed in annoyance. “What task will you ask of me?”
Olga’s lips curled upward, revealing her pointed teeth. Her eyes held a smile as well, as she answered Reiya in her deep voice. “I want you to bring me back the heart of Abaas.”
“Why? Why do you need his heart?” Brody growled angrily, no longer able to keep quiet.
Her eyes snapped to Brody’s, and she sneered in disgust at him. She did not like being spoken to by a nobody like him. He was a guardian. That meant nothing to her.
Reiya quickly interjected. “What my guardian means to say is what’s the point of this task? How does this task get me the Ocean’s Tear?”
