Into the Deep (27 page)

Dull, throbbing heat spreads from my palms and I actually sense the power flowing out of me and into him. Initially, aside from the heat, I’m not positive it’s working. Silently, I say his name, begging for him to wake up. A few seconds later, he groans and shifts under my touch. I bark out a half-laugh, half-sob in relief. As his lids open, happiness blossoms in my heart.

“I knew I had to do something drastic to capture your attention,” Xander jokes weakly.

Stretching his chest, he pushes himself into an upright position. Alexios rushes over, returning from his trip to the surface, and embraces his son. Then he examines every inch of his body. Once he checks out, Alexios turns to me with emotion-filled eyes and wraps me up in a fierce hug, whispering his gratitude.

I ask, “Are my parents okay?”

He offers me an encouraging pat. “They’re safe. I can take you to them.”

Nerio surges over and wraps me up tight. There I am safe and the events we all just experienced threaten to shatter me. “I need to see my parents.”

As Nerio and I help Xander up, Alexios orders the guards, who have gathered around us, to return to the palace. He also threatens, under promise of death, for none of them to speak of what happened here or to King Stavros.

The three of us follow Alexios from this dark place. Even with Calandra gone, it has a sinister feel about it. She vanished, but it doesn’t mean she’s done. She’s going to be more dangerous after witnessing the range of my power. I’ll have to be more careful than ever.

Kona crashes into me and burrows close. I hold onto him tight, noticing a gash running down his left side. Without thought, I heal him and am rewarded with a playful nudge. Nerio grasps my other arm, as if I’m the one who needs support, and pulls me against his side.

A lump lodges in my throat and I send a “thank you” out to the sharks. A few linger behind, including the hammerhead I owe our lives to. Their own relief is returned, thankful at being released from their bonds.

Come to me soon. I’ll need your help again before this war is over,
I say silently.

As you wish, princess. I am at your service.

Then, a thought occurs to me.
What is your name?

I don’t have one, none of us do.

I chew my lip as we rise.
You’re a hammerhead. I’ll name you Thor, after the thunder god who uses a hammer as a weapon.

A dry chuckle reverberates through my mind.
I’m honored with any name you give me.

Once we pass out of range, my thoughts turn grim. Things are about to change. I need to take my ability seriously, spend all my free time honing it. Calandra is going to hit back, harder than ever, on both land and sea. It’s going to get a thousand times worse.

Especially now that Stavros is human.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Wherever Alexios left my parents must have been close because we don’t travel far. It isn’t near enough time to compose myself or digest the sequence of events which just happened. I am numb, exhausted, and terrified to see my father as anything but the strong merman I know him as.

“Where are we?” I ask, as Alexios slows.

“A small corner of Indonesia. I left them on an isolated beach. They’ll find settlements nearby.”

I catch traces of sorrow in his voice. He’s mourning the loss of not only a king but a friend. As for me, I haven’t yet begun to process what I’ve lost. We may have won a battle, but the war is not over, a fact pushing at me relentlessly.

We surface near the shore of a heavily forested coastline. Stavros and my mom are huddled near a small fire. She’s soaking wet and Stavros has fashioned a wrap out of some leaves to cover his nakedness. Because of the other’s proximity I decide to stay in the water for the time being, my trembling hand clinging to Nerio’s as if my very existence depended on it.

Mom stands and runs to the shore, followed by Stavros. “Oh, baby, I’m so glad you’re safe.”

Tears roll down my cheeks. “I’m sorry I left you. This is my fault. If I’d stayed put, you wouldn’t be here.”

“Don’t think that,” Stavros says, sounding every inch the king. “If you’d been at home, this could have happened regardless. Calandra would have abducted you both.”

I wipe my tears. He’s right. At least now the Pacific mer can be assured they have a weapon to use against the enemy. Unfortunately it is the only comfort I can gain from this situation.

“I take it since you are all here, unharmed, she is gone?” my father asks.

“Temporarily,” Alexios confirms.

“The princess performed superbly. She is everything Batari promised and more,” Nerio gloats.

An idea strikes me and I shoot forward a couple feet. “Can it be undone? Can I reverse whatever Calandra did to you?”

The silence that follows is weighted—with hope, fear, and even acceptance.

Stavros answers, “It’s highly unlikely. You might not have the strength.”

“Let me try,” I plead. “Please.”

His expression is full of doubt, but he nods, just once. Without hesitation, I clear my mind and picture him as he was, as a merman. Instead of legs, I visualize his long, powerful, dark green tail. Warmth bursts from within, indicating the power is stirring, but it’s not enough.

Whatever Calandra hit Stavros with to turn him human is strong magic, beyond my comprehension. Determined, I double my efforts. My body trembles from the exertion and a light pain throbs in my head.

I stop as the tears fall faster. “I can’t. Maybe when I’m more experienced or understand it more.”

“It matters that you tried, Zoey. I can live with my choice for now, maybe forever.”

He pulls Mom close and kisses her. She watches him with such pure love I have to turn away. It’s so weird. They’re my parents. I should be happy for them, but all of a sudden I’m on the outside looking in.

Nerio must sense my unease because he moves closer.

“What happens to the kingdom?” I ask, certain I’m not going to be happy with the answer.

Another brief silence settles over us, making my anxiety soar.

“Alexios is the most qualified to take over my throne. I have no doubts about leaving him in charge and our people will follow him without question. Most of them, at least.” Stavros nails me with a pointed stare. “Zoey, you’re officially the heir. This position is yours, so you have to be the one to anoint Alexios as a temporary figurehead until you’re ready. I figure maybe two years.”

My jaw drops. I’ve heard this ever since I changed into a mermaid, but suddenly it’s blaringly real. I previously dealt with it by convincing myself it was years down the road, secure in the notion Stavros would live a long and full life. I’ve only been a mermaid for two weeks!

I cannot form a single word. The buzzing in my head grows louder as panic claws up my throat.

“Can we have a private moment?” Stavros directs his question to the merman.

Xander and Alexios nod and swim beyond the small peninsula, disappearing out of sight. Nerio lays his forehead to mine and I draw courage from him. He dips below the water without a word.

I pull myself onto the beach. In moments, I’m human again and being held by my mom’s loving arms and covered by her blouse. I want to object, especially when I glimpse her shivering in a thin tank top, but I am more comfortable covered up. Then Stavros joins in the embrace and my family is finally complete.

After a while, he assists me as I hop over to a log and sit. Joining me, he stares, hard.

“You’re scared, the fact does not escape me, but I have to impress upon you the seriousness of the situation. Calandra is far from defeated. In fact, I fear her wrath especially after what I assume just occurred. The people of our kingdom need reassurance. They need to have faith that there is a future for them. The mer love you, they won’t oppose you. Word will spread of Magdalena’s betrayal and our people will seek reassurance about the future.”

I blink to clear the cobwebs from my racing mind. “I haven’t even graduated high school.”

Not the most intelligent thing to say, I admit, but I’m sixteen, for crying out loud. Mom smoothes my hair down in a soft rhythm and I find comfort in its familiarity.

The corner of his mouth lifts.

“Which is why I said in a couple years,” my father says. “You’ll have plenty of time to learn what is required. As a future queen, I wouldn’t feel safe letting you attend school on land. But, if I’m close, we might work something out. If it’s longer than two years, it shouldn’t be a problem either. The mer have to be confident you’re committed to them.” He lifts a shoulder. “Besides, maybe by then you’ll have turned me into a merman again. Then you won’t have to worry until later.”

It doesn’t exactly quell my fears. “What if I don’t want all this?”

Stavros tries to hide his disappointment, but he doesn’t succeed. “In that case, Alexios would become king, but on a permanent basis. You’ll have to appoint him, either way. There may be challengers, those who believe they’re entitled to lead. For years the mer of the Pacific Ocean have looked to our family for leadership. They won’t let go of the comfort it offers easily. It may sound as if I’m trying to guilt you into this, but it’s not my intention. I merely ask you to understand and weigh the facts.”

I’m scrambling to keep up with him. Ever since the night I first turned, I’ve loved the world of the mer. But it doesn’t mean I’m ready to rule them.

“Do I have to decide this instant?”

He’s silent for a few minutes as he mulls this over. “I realize how big this is, so here’s what I suggest. Appoint Alexios in a temporary manner with the promise you’ll take over in a couple years, when you’re better acquainted with our world. Use these next two years to learn as much as possible. You can make your final decision before you turn eighteen. Galina will be there to help and a source of great knowledge. Let the mer hear your intentions from the beginning and work closely with Alexios. Be honest with them. Does that sound fair?”

“I don’t have two years though.”

Confusion clouds Mom’s features. “What are you talking about, sweetie.”

“I’m a half breed. The change between mermaid and human can happen at will after I turn sixteen, but I have to choose before I turn seventeen.”

“Sorry, I forgot.” Stavros runs a palm down his face. “Do you think you’ll have a decision once the year is out?”

I nod. “It’s tough to explain. I’m fairly certain I’ll remain mer and do what it is you’re asking. What I’m afraid of is not living my life and being tied down to a title. Can you understand?”

“Of course.” He cups my cheek and I burrow into it. “I ran off for a couple weeks when I found out, remember? Having a young queen will bring joy and fun to our people, especially once the danger is defeated. You can still live how you wish, only it’ll be in a different way. I’d never ask you to give up who you are. Being unique and not of this world is what makes you perfect for the job.”

Another sobering realization pops in my head. “Say I accept, do I have to marry? I mean, what about Nerio? Can I do it on my own?”

“We don’t do traditional marriages like you’re used to. It’s more complicated. But to answer your question, no, you don’t. You can rule for years on your own until choosing a mate. Personally, though, I believe having one will make you, and us, stronger.” His expression darkens. “As for Nerio, I respect him and feel he’s good for you. But it’s not up to us. He will have to decide what’s best for him, if the time comes. I agree, you’re too young for marriage, so try not to feel pressured. He will have to prove himself to the people of this kingdom, show them he is your equal. With Alexios ruling for now, it leaves an important position open. Have him assign Nerio to lead the guard.”

I have no idea how Nerio will feel about that. It’s not the best conversation subject to bring up. We haven’t really had a chance to discuss our futures, not in any detail at least. Is he ambitious enough to agree to the life I am accepting?

I’m terrified to find out.

“Okay, I agree. Let’s give it a year, until my seventeenth birthday, for me to figure it out. If I do decide to accept, I won’t do it without being completely ready. I’ll do what I can in the time given. Nothing like a crash course in Mermaid Queen 101.”

My parents laugh. Hearing their voices joined together gives me the illusion of peace, that the world is finally settling into normalcy.

Only it isn’t. I just agreed to a future I’m not convinced I want.