I almost turned around and glared, but before I could there was the loud blaring of a horn. I leaned over the edge of the balcony eagerly, placing my hands on the railing. Would there be an orchestra? I’d always wanted to see live music.
A hush descended upon the crowd as an old merman swam onto the stage below. He was wearing black robes, his long white hair braided behind his back. Was he the orchestra master? I tried to lean closer but felt the tug at the end of my dress. When I turned, Kai was looking at me with concern. I rolled my eyes at him. Even if I fell over the edge, I could swim right back up again. That was the great thing about being a mermaid.
Turning my attention back to the merman, I watched as he cleared his throat. “The Minister of Justice comes forth to present the charges to her Majesty, Queen Circe Malabella and King Xristo Oriana de Malabella.”
The Queen as my side replied in a booming voice that carried through the water. “Proceed with the charges, Minister.”
Charges? What was she talking about? A sudden feeling of unease crept through me. Still, I kept my hands tight on the balcony and watched with rapt attention.
“On this day on the one hundredth and nineteenth year of the Malabella reign, I, the Minister of Justice, hereby condemn this mer for the crimes of fleeing Selection as well as aiding other criminals to the crown of fleeing Selection.”
My heart sank to the pit of my stomach. My fingers trembled on the balcony. A sudden intense feeling of nausea washed over me but I pushed it away and tried to focus.
“And what is the punishment for these crimes?” the Queen asked.
The Minister rolled his kelp parchment up again. His answer was clear and sent frozen icicles straight through my veins. “The punishment is death.”
The Queen nodded. “Bring forth the prisoner.”
I wanted to close my eyes when they brought the merman out onto the stage. This scene was so familiar to me. I’d seen it a day before Selection in Lagoona. I’d seen soldiers bring Christof down and behead him. And I would witness it here in Eramaea, from the comfort of my throne and with the heavy weight of a crown bearing me down.
This merman, unlike Christof, did not fight his captors. He swam with dignity despite being covered in the gray cloth of a prisoner and with a sack over his head. My breath caught in my throat, a sob froze waiting to be unleashed. More mermen swam out onto stage. One with a large swinging axe. The other to place a block before the condemned.
“By royal permission do I decree that this merman known as Elias Blackfin, alias the Black Blade, be condemned to die."
The gasp tore through my throat as the hood was pulled away to reveal the merman underneath. His black hair was ruffled, the silver cross at his ear gone. The side of his face was bruised as if he’d been punched repeatedly. When he looked up in our direction, his eyes found mine…
And he smiled.
*The End*
