The Mermaid Trials Read online

  “I thought Annaruth was the Seer!”

  Dane shook his head, leaning in to whisper.

  “Seer is different. It’s very rare. I’ll tell you later. It’s your turn!”

  I swam forward, forcing myself to put my shoulders back and hold my head high. Annaruth’s smile was gentle as she made her announcement.

  “Katriana Spark!”

  I nearly toppled over, but I managed to stay strong as my robes transformed into a golden gown, swirling majestically around me. Dark blue gems adorned the neckline and the sleeves. This was my uniform? I realized I’d never seen a female Spark, not even in photos. I’d never expected anything like this. It was so glamorous!

  Tears were in my eyes as I caught my friends’ eyes one by one. Dane, still waiting behind me. Starla, with the rest of the Elite. And Annaruth, who had become almost like a mother to me.

  “I couldn’t be prouder, my wild one.”

  I nodded and took my place with the others, forming a semicircle in front of the Queen. Only Dane was left. He swam forward, his gaze direct when he looked at the Royals on the platform.

  “And finally, Prince Pollux Dane Spark, long may he reign.”

  The crowd went berserk as his robes transformed into a golden tunic. The fabric and jewels were similar to what I wore, but Dane also wore the royal sash across his chest and a golden crown upon his head.

  “Dane?”

  His eyes were on mine. He floated there proudly, the transformation complete. He was . . . the Prince? Not who he’d had said he was, but a Royal?

  No. He was the Royal.

  No one stood above him but the Queen.

  I felt myself want to faint, but I didn’t move. His deep blue eyes bored into me, asking me something. But what?

  And then I remembered what he had said. What he had asked of me. He had asked me not to hate him.

  I gave my head a little shake and forced a smile to let him know I didn’t hate him. How could I hate him? I was shocked and not just a little bit angry though. He’d lied to me!

  But we were strangers when this all began. He had no reason to trust me until now.

  My pesky and annoyingly wise internal voice was at it again, mature and far less reactionary than I was. I wanted to hold onto my anger! I wanted to nurse it until I decided how I felt!

  I watched as guards surrounded Dane, I mean Pollux, and drew him away. Was he being arrested? What was happening?

  “Did you know?”

  Rip was beside me, asking me something.

  “What?”

  “Did you know who he was?”

  I shook my head numbly. The arena had erupted into chaos, with the ceremony ending abruptly and without fanfare. The Elite were milling around as the crowd emptied from the stadium.

  Starla swam to my side.

  “What will they do with him?”

  I took Starla’s hand and squeezed it.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Nothing,” Rip said. “I mean, the Queen looked mad, don’t get me wrong, but what can they do? He’s next in line for the throne.”

  I exhaled, feeling relieved. I might be a little confused, but I didn’t want Dane to get in trouble. No, not Dane. His name is Pollux, and he’s the Prince. My cheeks warmed up, remembering the kiss we had shared.

  I had been kissed by a Prince, and I hadn’t even known it!

  “One thing is for sure—they’ll never let him set foot or fin on dry land.”

  “He won’t be Spark?”

  “How can he be?”

  I swallowed, realizing how restrictive his life must be. No wonder his greatest fear had been chains and ropes. But somehow, he had broken free. Maybe he could in real life too.

  “You guys ready for the ball?”

  Starla nodded. I shook my head distractedly.

  “I need to go somewhere first.”

  It was odd, swimming through the open sea alone, wearing the most exalted Elite uniform in the sea. The gold felt like a second skin, and I knew it was designed to look like shimmering light. Lovely as it was, it was worrisome. I felt exposed.

  The quiet gave me time to think, to settle my tumultuous emotions. I was so worried about Beazil. I knew he would be shaken up. I knew he’d been forced to do things that were out of character, and in doing so, he had saved my life.

  And the thrill of my victory . . . well, I felt almost too happy, and guilty about that at the same time. My familiar had paid a high price for my victory. In truth, I would have traded it all just to keep him safe.

  But life didn’t work that way. You didn’t get to pick and choose what costs you paid or what rewards you might gain. And we hadn’t had a choice in the matter. We’d both had no option but to enter.

  It was the law.

  I reasoned with myself the whole way, trying to assuage my guilt in what had happened to my familiar. And between arguments, I’d worried about Dane.

  He was the Prince. He was my friend. That was it. I couldn’t think past that. As a Prince, he could never truly be interested in someone like me. Princes married Princesses. And I wasn’t so sure I wanted to get married anyway! Not for a long time, and only then if I found the right person.

  So even as a Spark, and even if he did have feelings for me, it was utterly hopeless. Better to be smart and squash the strange fluttery feeling I got in my chest when I was around him. Wiser. More mature.

  I glanced around surreptitiously, making a wide circle as I approached the cliffs. I dove down at precisely the right spot, seeking the entrance. The light was still good, but I wanted to get back before dark, if at all possible. I didn’t know how my uniform worked after dark. For all I knew, the damn dress glowed. I didn’t need to become a beacon for every predator in the sea, and especially not for any humans who might be out in a boat.

  Two-leggers were the most dangerous predators of all. Mers had feared sailors since humans first took to the sea. Triton forbid one of them ever got their hands on a Mer!

  I felt him before I could see him.

  “Beaz?”

  I saw him as I swam closer to the surface inside the cave, a big, unmoving shape that exuded despondence. It was warm in here. He was perfectly still on his favorite shelf, facing the wall. I had a moment of utter panic until I saw the subtle movement of his breath.

  He was alive. But I was pretty sure my shark was depressed.

  I swam closer, perching on my hip beside him. I lay my hand on his side.

  “Beazil?”

  He heaved a dramatic sigh but didn’t move.

  “I’m so sorry, Beazil.”

  Another sigh.

  “I wanted to thank you. You saved my life.”

  He twisted slightly so I could see his face. His left eye was gone, a thick bandage magically affixed to cover the wound. Then he sighed and twisted a bit more so I could see his working eye.

  “Annaruth made you something.” Beazil lifted his head at last, and I smiled. “She made you an eye. But you have to come back to the camp to get it.”

  He said nothing, but he nuzzled into my hand. I scratched his favorite spots, just sitting there peacefully together for a moment. He nosed my side where I usually kept my net bag.

  “I didn’t have time to get you food, you greedy beggar! I woke up not long before the ceremony, and they wouldn’t let me out of bed until the last moment.”

  I pressed a kiss to his nose to take the sting out of my teasing. He’d been through so much. I ran my hands over several long scratches. It looked as if someone had used a dagger to deliberately carve the marks into his magnificent skin.

  “Do you want to stay here tonight? You are welcome at the ball, you know.”

  Beazil sighed dramatically. I hid a grin. He was going to be all right.

  “There will be food. Maybe even bucket loads of shrimp, just for you.” I bit my lip. “I shouldn’t stay here too long. My dress is kinda bright.”

  It was dark in here already, and getting darker outside by the minute. Th
e light was waning. It was time to go.

  I took a look down at myself and gasped.

  Well, that was unexpected.

  Apparently, my dress required light to be seen. Right now, I was invisible. Not a little bit invisible. I could see the rock beneath me, as clearly as if my body was made of glass.

  I assumed my arms and head could be seen, particularly from the way Beazil’s whole eye followed my movements. But sharks could feel vibrations. So that proved nothing.

  But either way, my dress did not make a beacon as I’d feared.

  “Come on, Beaz. Annaruth is waiting for us.”

  He rolled over onto his back, and I laughed, vigorously scratching his belly.

  “Starla is worried about you. And Dane—” My voice caught in my throat. Could I still call him Dane? I shook my head, pushing that thought aside. Of course I could. As long as I bowed, I supposed. “Dane is worried about you too.”

  I could practically hear him grumble as he righted himself and swam off the shelf. I grinned and swam to the entrance of the cave. I took one look back, wondering if I would ever be here again.

  I bade a silent goodbye to my secret cave and flipped my fins. We swam back toward the camp, where Annaruth had worked her magic once again. I was excited to see what she had done for the ball and what everyone would be wearing. And of course, the food. But nothing made me as excited as my familiar getting his new eye.

  Beazil and I swam into camp, where he circled patiently while I sought out the High Priestess. I swam into her tent to find her waiting for me, with no sign of partygoers or magic.

  “Hello, wild one.”

  “Annaruth! Where is everyone? I thought the ball would be here.”

  “No, the camp is being dismantled. The ball is just beginning at the Castle. You haven’t missed anything yet.”

  “The Castle?”

  “The Royal Castle. Your new home.”

  My mouth opened. My father had been an Elite, but he had his own house where he lived with his wife and child. But perhaps that was only allowed after the first hundred years of service, or for the Elite with families of their own. I hadn’t imagined I would be living in the Castle.

  The Castle where Dane lived.

  Oh, Triton. Here we go.

  “I see.”

  “You will be fine.” She opened the curtains that covered the door and called out. “Come inside, Beazil.”

  He swam through, his massive body taking up almost all the space. She stroked him gently, then adjusted his position so that he lay on his side.

  “Such a brave, magnificent soul.”

  I bit back a laugh.

  “He doesn’t like to be brave.”

  “That makes him all the braver.”

  I nodded. I felt the same way. His actions in the Trials had been extraordinary, especially considering what a gentle creature he was. He’d been born in the wrong body. But he always rose to the occasion when I needed him to.

  I couldn’t have asked for a more stalwart familiar.

  “He’ll have his own accommodations in the Royal stables. And all the shrimp he can eat.”

  Beazil seemed to smile at that. I know I did.

  “I’m going to remove your bandage and give you your new eye now, okay?”

  She showed him the magical eye she had created for him. He lowered his nose and offered up his wound in response. I watched as she gently removed the bandage. I closed my eyes when I saw the gaping hole Thalia had made with her dagger.

  Thalia! I curse her name! A more vicious Mer never lived!

  “Jealous and foolhardy, Katriana. Frightened. Not vicious.”

  “But she tried to kill me!”

  “I can see into all hearts, Tri. Not just yours. She never wanted you dead. She only meant to best you. She’s always known she is not your equal, in heart or talent.”

  I stared at Annaruth as she used steady hands to slip the magic eye into Beazil’s empty socket. She waved her hand over it, and it came to life, whirring and spinning in a kaleidoscope of colors. I stared in wonder as the raw-edged flesh wove itself together to hug the new eye.

  “Can you see, Beaz? Does it hurt?”

  He nuzzled me and then Annaruth in answer. Then he rolled over and showed us his belly.

  “I guess not,” I said with a laugh, giving his belly a scratch. Annaruth was charmed and ran her hand over his stomach, then she took some time to touch every one of his scars. I noticed that they grew at least a shade paler after she passed her hands over each one.

  “That’s amazing. Thank you.”

  “It’s my pleasure.” She winked at me. “Now, how about the ball?”

  I nodded eagerly, calling Beaz to come with us.

  We swam out of the tent and into the sea.

  Epilogue

  “May I have this dance?”

  I stiffened at the sound of the familiar deep voice behind me. I hadn’t seen Dane yet. Not since the ceremony. And I wasn’t sure I was ready to face him. I’d already planned to make myself scarce if he was around. And now here he was, sneaking up on me.

  Annaruth had guided us into the castle, introducing me to the guards. To my surprise, they knew who I was. They even knew Beazil. They showed no fear, though I did notice they gave him a wide berth as we swam through the wide gates.

  We’d settled him in the stables, where Annaruth said he could come and go at his leisure. I’d laughed when she’d said ‘leisure.’ That was Beazil’s middle name.

  I shook my head wryly.

  I had no doubt my shark was about to get very fat.

  He’d been immediately presented with two barrels full of shrimp, with the promise of more to come. Bottomless barrels, so to speak. I’d left him munching happily with a promise to see him in the morning.

  Then I’d been shown to my rooms, which were beyond all expectations. I was still in shock about the housing I’d been given. I was struggling to believe such extraordinary rooms were truly mine. Yet, from what I could tell, they were. Both rooms were large and so beautiful, elegantly decorated in blue, green, and gold, with a separate sitting room. The bedroom came complete with an enormous wardrobe full of gowns, tunics, and of course, several identical versions of my Spark uniform.

  Annaruth had insisted that I change into a dark green and gold gown before the ball began. I didn’t give a thought to my hair until she took control of that too. Finally, she gave me a gentle nudge toward a human-made mirror. It was massive and so clear, with intricately carved wood surrounding it. It wasn’t even slightly tarnished or rotted, the wood and glass protected by magic, no doubt.

  But it was what was in the glass that made me stare in stupefied awe.

  I hadn’t recognized the Mer floating there.

  She was different than I was. Older. More confident. At ease in her own skin. She was pretty! I’d never imagined I’d say that about myself, but it was true. For the first time in my life, I liked what I saw when I looked at my reflection. My hair was still wild and curly, but it looked shinier, with the top lifted up and held back with two gem-encrusted combs.

  And my skin! Even my freckles looked charming for once, instead of just spotty!

  So, I shouldn’t be nervous now, just because there was a Prince waiting to dance with me. Right?

  He swam to face me, giving Starla a nod and a smile in greeting. She’d also changed into a fuchsia-colored gown that brought out the stunning green of her hair and the gold of her eyes. We were hoping our rooms were near each other in the Castle.

  Rip had already told us he was in the Elite Mermen’s wing, but there was a central hall that connected the males and females, where we could go to eat and to relax when we weren’t on duty.

  I wondered if Dane would visit us there. I wondered if Lila could visit. I’d made promises to her, as well. Promises I intended to keep.

  And I didn’t want her serving in my stepmother’s palace a moment more. Not after the old witch had pushed her daughter to nearly murder me. I felt
a twinge of pity for my half-sister. Perhaps I’d been the lucky one. I’d had two loving parents. Even though they’d died young, they had been mine.

  “You look . . .”

  I gave Dane a warning look and he laughed.

  “I was going to say beautiful, but that doesn’t really do you justice.”

  I sighed, not sure what to say.

  “Thanks?”

  “You’re welcome.” He swam closer. “Will you dance with me?”

  He held out his hand, and I stared at it for a moment, deciding. But it wasn’t like I was ever going to say no. I was just working up the nerve to dance with him. He was the Royal Prince, after all. I placed my hand in his and we swam onto the dance floor. I was startled when he pulled me close.

  “So, do you hate me?”

  I breathed out through my nose.

  “No, Dane. I mean, Pollux. I mean, Your Highness.”

  I stopped dancing and gave him a belated bow. He laughed and pulled me into his arms again, twirling me away from the other dancers, all craning their necks to look at us.

  “You are incorrigible.” He stared at me intently. “I’m glad you aren’t impressed with my title.”

  “Oh, but I am. I’m just too tired to bow properly.”

  “Not too tired to dance, I hope.”

  “Well, I think I could manage a song or two.”

  He squeezed me, and we danced around the room, my gown swirling around us as we spun giddily in circles. We passed the podium where his mother, the Queen, sat on a gilded throne. She was beautiful, with golden waves and clear green eyes. Her gown was covered in gemstones and crusted in pearls.

  “Bring her to us, Son.”

  I looked up at her in awe, bowing low.

  “You may rise. Leave us, Pollux.”

  I cast him a panicked glance, but Dane was too busy glaring at his mother to notice.

  “Mother, I warn you—”

  “Now, Son.”

  He gave me a quick smile and then swam off. I was sure that smile was supposed to be encouraging, but he looked worried. So . . . not reassuring. Not even a little.

  “You performed well in the Trials, Katriana Spark. We are most impressed.”

  “I hope to serve you well, Highness.”