It was a glittering silver wonderland and nothing I could have ever imagined. If there’d been breath in my lungs, I would have lost it. It was a massive, underwater castle. That was the only way to describe it but it looked like it was made out of millions of sea shells.
It probably was.
Hello, Mage Queen.
I blinked a few times at the voice in my head. Where was it coming from?
We are pleased to finally meet you. No one can ever find us down here, but you did. That means you are favored by the gods.
Reva’s brows kissed in the center of her forehead as she stared at me. I shrugged and swam in a small circle. The kingdom before us looked empty and I wondered if it was because they were anticipating our arrival. I imagined something more lively.
Please continue to the castle. We will answer all of your questions once you arrive.
Disappointingly, I was somewhat of a slow swimmer. When Reva wrapped her hand around my wrist and yanked me forward, I was beyond grateful. I liked having Jesper’s attention but I couldn’t rely on him for everything, especially this. I wanted to appear strong and I didn’t know how to do that wrapped around the male Shadow Elf.
There weren’t doors on the underwater kingdom, just large archways to swim through. When we made it to the magnificent first one, two armed mermen swam out and posted themselves on either side of it. Their armor was also made out of hundreds of seashells and they each held a glittering crystal trident in their hands. They thumped closed fists over their chests and bowed as we passed.
Just beyond the first archway was what seemed to be an entryway completely made out of crystal and what looked to be marble. Everything was glittering silver and white. It was pristine and immaculate. Reva pulled me forward and I grinned at my friends. How was this real life? If anyone told me months ago I would be meeting with mermaids in their underwater city, I would have never believed them. This was something that dreams were made of.
We passed under another archway and came to a huge throne room. There were crystal and marble statues of mermaids and different kinds of fish posted all along the walkway—swimway— that led to two completely silver thrones. Seated upon those chairs were two beautiful creatures. The mermaid’s breasts were covered with what looked to be yarn woven with shells. Her long tail tucked before her was a deep and dark purple while her hair was a the darkest midnight. The merman seated beside her had a pale bare chest with a dark green tail. His hair was cropped short and a shimmering bronze.
Very carefully I swam forward to meet them both. Alric, Reva, and Jesper stayed behind me, though Jesper swam closer than the others. He was more royalty than they were and one of my advisors. Eventually, I would officially appoint Alric as an advisor but until then, he was my guard.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
JUNIPER
The mer-king rose from his throne and swam to my side. He pressed his cold lips to the side of my cheek and squeezed my hand in his.
Welcome to our home. We are honored to have you.His voice entered my mind. Could I do the same?
We are thrilled to have the chance.I thought back to him and he grinned with all of his teeth. Placed on one of his canines was a small glittering seashell. The rest of him didn’t have any jewels or adornments.
I am Caspian and this is my wife, Lilli.He reached a hand out to the mermaid and she smiled before she swam to his side. There were no seashells on her teeth.
I am Juniper.I didn’t know how comfortable I felt introducing myself as the Mage Queen just yet. As another group of my subjects mentioned before, there hadn’t been a coronation yet. They wanted a royal decree.
The Mage Queen. We have been waiting for you, wondering if you would forsake us like the last did.
Sadness pinged in my heart with this new information. The last Mage Queen hadn’t been much of a favorite, it seemed. Iknew not everyone would like me and I knew I would have enemies, but did she try?
I’m sorry that the last queen didn’t meet your expectations. Can I ask what she did?
The two royals in front of me looked at each other before responding. Caspian’s voice floated through my mind.The snails weren’t something she could stomach. She sent advisors and plenty of peasants, but she would never come down here to us.
Lilli wrapped her hand around her husband’s bicep.We have no problems coming to land and traveling it. We wouldn’t be able to have children otherwise, but if she’d tried to meet us once… That’s all we really wanted. We expected some kind of effort. She never put it forth. When our children were dying in the neighboring oceans and we cried for help, she turned us away. She was offended that we never told her we could travel on land, but she never gave us the chance to.
My earlier thoughts of abandonment of my duties came to slap me in the face. If I’d been like the last Mage Queen I would have lost all respect from the merfolk. I vowed to myself and my magic that I would put forth effort. That I would do the hard things. These people deserved that. All of my subjects deserved that. There was no easy way out, I could see that now.
I will admit, the snails were a bit difficult.
So we’ve heard.Lilli shot me a sympathetic look.But we enjoy them down here. They offer many vitamins and nutrients to our diets. Maybe one day they won’t be so bad for you.
I can only hope.
Caspian reminded me of Jesper with his next words.What can we do for you? How may we assist in what’s to come? Are you looking for an army? Are you needing advisors? He looked over my shoulder with a pointed glance at the Shadow Elf. I see you already have one or has he made a proposal known?
Nerves skittered through me.No marriage proposal, just as an advisor.
