Chapter 2

Fatigue settled in my bones like an anchor, but fear and concern for my people made me push through my exhaustion. The faster I could get home, the sooner we could form a plan to keep our people safe. Orm and his army had to increase speed to keep up with my intense pace. Relief washed over me like a calm tide when my home finally came into view. Orm left me behind and rushed through the shell-encrusted gates of Aquarius. That slimy eel was probably racing to inform my father about my discovery, but maybe that was for the best. He seemed to listen to Orm better than he did me. Stupid male egos.

As I entered the palace, a hushed silence greeted me. No one dared to meet my gaze as I quickly swam toward my father's throne room. The weight of shame gnawed at my insides, a reminder that my disappearance had stirred up turmoil throughout the entire kingdom. Well, they could be angry with me all they wanted. Now that we knew the threat was real, we could find a way to protect our people.

I threw the throne room door open without being summoned inside. I was already in trouble; what did the neglect of formality matter at a time like this? I eyed my father and mother as I rushed forward. Their faces were harsh and unforgiving. Orm was tucked close to my father's side, observing me intently as I approached the throne.

"What have you to say for yourself?" My father's voice boomed and echoed off the sand-colored rafters that held up the ceiling of the massive throne room.

My throat bobbed, irritation settling in my chest at his question. "Father, please. I had to know if the threat of Dark Water was a myth or not." My voice rang a little louder than I had intended, and the mere mention of Dark Water had the officials and court attendees gasping.

My father's eyes widened to the size of a dwarf pufferfish. Schooling his anger in the face of onlookers, he rose from his throne and approached me. He gripped my upper arm and pulled me closer so that he could whisper in my ear. "My patience with you is running thin," he warned. "You will not speak of Dark Water again, and if you dare to go close to land again, I will do much worse than simply taking away what little freedom you have."

My gaze shot to Orm's. The little seaworm had already squealed on me and told my father I had been close to land.

Tears leaked from my eyes as I yanked away from my father's grasp. "Someone needs to speak about it! We are in danger! Something has to be done! I saw it with my own eyes. It's real!"

I was near panic. Why could no one see the jeopardy we were in? Did my father truly believe ignoring the problem would make it go away? I glanced around as whispers broke out among the sirens at court. The wrinkles around my father's eyes intensified, and a vein throbbed on his forehead. His gaze bore into me, a silent storm brewing in the depths of his irises. The court hushed into an uneasy silence as he floated before me.

"That's enough, Rhea." My mother rose from her seat, casually interrupting the spectacle my father and I were about to make. "We are preparing a feast tonight to welcome you back home. The entire kingdom is looking forward to this celebration, and I will not allow you to be tardy." My mother pulled on my arm and ushered me out of the throne room, away from the piercing, disapproving glares of my father and Orm.

I bit my tongue so hard to keep from arguing with them further that the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. This conversation wasn't over, but quarreling with my father in front of his court was disrespect of the worst kind.

How could they even entertain the idea of a party with Dark Water threatening everything in existence? I shoved the rising tide of my emotions back down as I rushed toward my room. I gently pushed my bedroom door ajar, hoping for a few moments of peace to figure out what I would do next, but my little sister pounced on me, leaving me with no respite.

"Where have you been? I have been worried sick," Meleea yelled, latching onto my arm and dragging me into the room.

"I…"

"Never mind," she interrupted, pushing me in front of the vanity mirror crafted from delicate conch shells and proceeding to shower me with her feminine wiles. She skillfully wove a comb through my auburn locks. Then she focused on enhancing my features, adorning my lips with a deep shade of crimson, and artfully etching intricate patterns on my skin using our celebration ink. I sat there, enduring her relentless attention, confused as to why she was so concerned with my appearance.

After she was content with her efforts, I gazed at my reflection in the mirror. My hair cascaded down my back in flawless waves, and the makeup and intricate skin art she applied were truly exquisite. I looked like a princess on the outside, but on the inside, I was a fraud. I wasn't like Meleea, who reveled in the glam and attention of our court. She embodied the word princess, and I, the rebel who never did as she was told and never lived up to my father's hopes.

As I sat there, the weight of expectation pressed upon me like an invisible pearl crown. The court would soon be filled with nobles and sirens of import, all expecting the poised princess they believed me to be. Little did they know that beneath all these layers of shimmering paint was a spirit yearning for freedom.

"You look beautiful." Meleea smiled, brushing her hand against my cheek. "Even I can see that you do not want this, but we can't choose the life we are born into. It's time you lived up to your duties and stopped running off."

My eyes rose to meet her emerald ones, and then swept over her beautiful sandy-colored hair, so much like my mother"s and Valeria"s. "You sound just like father."

She nudged me playfully. "I'll take that as a compliment."

A knock at my door brought my head back around. "Enter."

Our mother floated in, looking every bit the queen she truly was. She stopped behind me with a sad smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You are going to be the death of me," she said, her words wrapped in a mixture of concern and affection. Running her fingers through my hair, her laugh lines became even more evident with her smile, betraying her years and wisdom. "When will you learn that these little excursions of yours are foolish and dangerous?" She offered me her hand, and I took it, letting her pull me from the chair.

She grabbed Meleea's hand with her other. "Come my lovelies, we have a party to attend."

As we ventured through the grand halls of the palace, I felt a twinge of guilt for the worry etched on her face. Worry I was getting ready to intensify. "Mother?"

Her eyes sparkled with a warm smile as she motioned for me to proceed.

"I was not lying when I said I found Dark Water." She stopped immediately, casting a cautious gaze to Meleea, who had paled at my declaration. I silently cursed myself for not guarding my younger sister against such horrifying news. "Father refuses to listen to me. We have to do something," I rushed on before she could reprimand me.

Mother, ever the composed ruler, broke her silence with a measured tone. "You have always been just like him. That's why the two of you do not get along." She paused so long I feared she was done with the conversation. "Your father does not plan on staying long at the party. When he makes his move to leave, I suggest you speak to him about it." She smiled, pulling a gaping-mouthed Meleea behind her and into the mass of sirens waiting outside.

"Believe me, I will," I promised as I composed myself and ventured into the crowd.

The sirens were in an uproar, and I tried to muster a smile as I made my way through the multitude. On a raised platform, my family awaited my arrival, so I glided toward them with deliberate grace. In my paranoia, I kept stealing glances at the horizon, expecting to see Dark Water descending upon our city at any second, but the water remained clear.

I paused, hovering in the current as my mind jumbled with confusion. Why was Orm up on the platform with my family? Even as the captain of the guard, that status did not afford him such privileges.

My pulse jumped as Orm reached down, drawing me to his side on the platform. His touch tingled against my skin, stinging like the tentacles of a jellyfish. I started to pull away, but my father's heated gaze shifted in my direction, shutting down that thought.

He glanced across the mass of sirens and spoke in a commandeering voice. "It is with great happiness that I announce the betrothal of my eldest daughter, Rhea, to the captain of our guard, Orm. The future of our kingdom."

A wave of cheers reverberated through the ocean, drowning my senses in a paralyzing numbness. The celebration clashed sharply with the churning turmoil within me. Bile surged up the back of my throat, threatening to undo my composure. With a determined swallow, I suppressed the rising discomfort, refusing to embarrass myself in front of the entire kingdom by spewing the contents of my stomach.

"Smile," Orm hissed in my ear, penetrating my shock.

I plastered on my best fake smile and raised my arm to wave to the well-wishers. For now, I was forced to play my role, but later, I would give my family a piece of my mind. So, this was the reason behind Meleea's makeover and my mother's saddened eyes.

In seconds, the entire court was busy with servers who carried mounds of food. The celebration quickly died down as the sirens stuffed their mouths. I would normally join them; the fare of fresh fish and seaweed rolls looked delectable, but my father's announcement of my unexpected engagement had soured my stomach.

I pulled my hand from Orm's as I sought my father. Finally, I found him hiding in a dark corner away from the mass of sirens. I started toward him but was stopped by Orm grabbing my wrist.

He smiled down at me. "I hope the news of our engagement is pleasing to you." He had the audacity to touch his slimy lips to the back of my hand.

My skin crawled beneath his touch. With practiced grace, I slid my hand from his grasp, even though my mind screamed for me to peel the lips from his face with my claws. "It sickens me, to be quite honest, and I will not allow it," I whispered, baring my teeth at him, hoping it appeared as a sweet smile in front of the people who crowded around us.

Orm gently slid a finger beneath my chin, forcing my gaze back to his. "You have no choice in the matter," he purred, bending down to kiss my brow. My body shook all over as hot anger coursed through my extremities. "Don"t forget to save me the first dance." Orm's smug smile did unspeakable things to my already queasy stomach.

I crammed my raging emotions down as deep as they would go before lifting my eyes and frantically scanning the mass of sirens, searching for Father. When I feared that he had retired for the night, I caught a fleeting glimpse of his tail as he ducked back into the palace. I smiled to myself at my luck as I swam off after him.

I paused at the door, casting a cautious glance around to ensure no prying eyes were watching, and then discreetly followed him inside. The impending argument weighed heavily on my conscience. Whenever he and I clashed, it rarely ended well. Hopefully, the noise from the party would drown out our fighting.

"Father," I called to him, and he stopped and turned toward me.

He swam closer to me, and I swallowed past the lump forming in my throat. He blew bubbles out of his nose and slowly floated back toward me. "Rhea, please. At least let me have one good night's sleep before we go head-to-head about your engagement to Orm."

"Surprisingly, that is the least of my concerns at the moment."

He gritted his teeth. "Before you start, let me warn you: if you mention Dark Water again, I will not be held responsible for my actions."

"But…"

"Besides, Orm has told me everything I need to know."

After he rudely interrupted me and then turned away as if dismissing me, my anger surged another notch. Fueled by frustration, I swiftly maneuvered to block his path with a quick swish of my tail. I was determined to make him listen, even if it meant arguing with him for the rest of the night.

"I want to know what you intend to do about Dark Water. It's real, Father!"

"Rhea," he warned and glanced around, as if ensuring no one was around to hear me.

"I have a right to know, as does the rest of the kingdom. It will bring everyone peace if you just tell us what you intend to do!" My emotions were all over the place and I was having a hard time keeping them in check.

My father's face softened as he met my eyes. "There's nothing I can do." As his words took root, a sudden burst of coldness expanded in my core.

I blinked at him a few times, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. When my gaze rose to meet his again, he continued, "There's nothing I can do, Rhea. I have tried. Not even my trident fazed the Dark Water." My hope sank like a ship going down in a storm. He knew all along that Dark Water was real. "That's why I have been so tight-lipped on the matter. It cannot be stopped. I didn't want everyone living with the fear of knowing that we would all die soon. It's your responsibility now to hold your head high and continue on as if nothing is wrong—to uphold morale."

"Nothing can be done…" I repeated, my mind struggling to fully grasp his words.

"Rhea." He gripped my shoulders and lightly shook me to gain my attention. "You have to be strong. As the Princess of Aquarius, it is your responsibility to shoulder the burden of the people so they don't have to. I don't want anyone else to know about this. I tried to protect you as well, but you are so stubborn." His eyes reflected his unspoken emotions, and I knew his words were true. He inhaled a sharp breath. "If only…"

"If only what, Father?"

"Nothing. I'm sorry you learned of this on the night of your betrothal celebration. I wanted you and the rest of the kingdom to have something to look forward to." He turned to leave again as I idly floated in the current.

There was something he wasn't telling me. I felt it. He might be more mature than me, but I would not accept a doomed fate and simply belly up and die. I glanced at his retreating back and swallowed past the dryness in my throat. Sirens could not be swayed by another's song, yet I had discovered years ago that my song held unusual power. I had carefully guarded this secret, keeping it hidden from all. But now, if I were to uncover the truths my father was so unwilling to share, I had no choice but to take the risk.

My lips parted, and my siren's melody filled the dimly lit hallway. As my father turned, his eyes immediately clouded with enchantment. I couldn't predict his reaction if he uncovered my actions, as I was breaking sacred siren laws just by attempting to influence another of our kind.

I held my breath, praying that my deceit would be worth the risk and he would answer me. "Tell me everything you know about stopping Dark Water."

Confusion washed over his face, and I could tell he was trying to fight my melody, but then the words tumbled from his lips. "There is a rumor about a locket around the neck of a gorgon. It contains a piece of Poseidon's heart. With it, there might be a small chance of stopping Dark Water."

Hope dared to flare in my chest at my father's words. Could it be possible? Was a small piece of Poseidon still in this world? "Where?" I could barely contain the urgency in my voice.

"Eel Cavern. The sea witch, she is the only one who might know where to find it. She knows more about the upper world than anyone I know."

His response sent a chill coursing through me and ignited my curiosity. The legends painted the sea witch as the epitome of evil. Her dark magic was both forbidden and feared. In truth, I wasn't entirely convinced of her existence, until now.

"She's real?"

I did not realize I had spoken the words aloud until my father spoke. "She's very real and dangerous. I banished her from the kingdom for practicing forbidden sorcery before you were born."

I wanted to know more, but his hazy eyes were becoming clearer and I knew I was running out of time. I had the information I needed anyway. As my siren song gradually subsided, my father blinked several times until his eyes regained clarity. Once I was sure he was back to his usual self, I lightly brushed a kiss on his cheek and started off toward Eel Cavern before anyone realized I was missing.

I managed to slip past the crowd and reach the gates without anyone noticing me. A quick glance over my shoulder revealed the looming figure of my father, engaged in conversation with his subjects, seemingly oblivious to my deceit. Anxious, I gnawed at my lower lip as I slipped through the gates. I watched the top of the imposing structure, careful not to let the guards see me.

"Where do you think you are going?" Dread gripped my stomach as I turned to see Meleea stalking from the shadows.

I rushed to her side, shoving her back inside the safety of Aquarius"s walls. My heart raced, and I spoke in hushed urgency, "Eel Cavern. I have to stop Dark Water."

Meleea"s eyes narrowed, a mixture of concern and disbelief flickering in their depths. "It's not your responsibility to save everyone. It's too dangerous."

"I know," I interrupted, the weight of my choices pressing on me. "But I have to try." With those words, I turned away, desperately hoping that she wouldn't try to stop me.

The cool current hung heavy with uncertainty as I slipped beyond the city walls, leaving behind the safety of Aquarius. The looming threat of Dark Water echoed in my thoughts, a relentless hum urging me toward Eel Cavern.