The Broken Queen

Chapter 1

The swim to Nepptheas was long and arduous. Made even longer by my frequent stops to rest and eat, it was late at night when I arrived. The water was still, the houses that were standing dark and undisturbed. If I didn't know any better, I'd think the city was just sleeping. But I did know better.

It was as if the sea was holding its breath as I swam past ruined houses, either bearing—I swallowed hard, struggling to even think the name—Alyssa's insigna, an enormous wave crashing on the surface on both sides of the flag, or mine and Jay's, a dolphin on one side of the flag, a whale on the opposite. The dolphin was meant to represent peace, harmony, and protection, the whale physical and emotional healing.

I shivered as I swam, pulling my cloak tighter around me. My gaze drifted to my right hand, the ring resting there. I thought about my husband sleeping in our bedroom, unaware of the task I'd given myself. Someone—someone I'd loved and trusted deeply—had betrayed me and taken up Tiger Shark's mantle.

Now, even though my heart broke at the thought, I had to track down my mother's sister—I couldn't bring myself to call her my aunt—and bring her back to Aegrem to stand trial for her crimes. I reached into my bag, grabbing a shrimp and nibbling on it.

I had packed light—not knowing where or how far I was going. Just a spare set of clothes and foods that would travel well. My daggers were at my waist, a comforting presence. A shadow out of the corner of my eye had me gripping a dagger as I whirled around. A merboy—though his muscles and light dusting of stubble on his face were that of a merman—with black hair and dark green eyes stared at me, surprise and shock on his face.

I shook my head, not daring to hope. He must've been just shy of 13. Drew? My hands trembled as I signed.

The merboy nodded, relief on his face as he wrapped his arms around my waist. I hugged him back, tears of relief and worry streaming down my face. After a few minutes, I broke the hug, gripping him by the shoulders and scanning his body. He seemed unharmed, thank the gods. But there was a sort of... heaviness weighing on him that hadn't been there the last time we'd seen each other.

Where are your sisters? Are they okay? I almost couldn't see through the torrent of tears streaming down my face. The last time I'd seen Ella and Faye, they'd been headed to Pelathas to find Bella and David.

He nodded. They're fine. Your friends are taking great care of us. They're very nice.

I smiled as I took his hand. Yes, they are. Come with me. But stay very quiet.

The smile disappeared from my face as he nodded. Every now and then, a movement out of the corner of my eye had me flinching, pushing Drew behind me as I gripped my dagger. We had just passed another row of unrecognisable houses when Drew suddenly gripped my hand, his face lighting up.

I followed his gaze, a choked sob escaping me as I recognised the mermaid and merman coming toward us, two young mermaids in tow. The merman, black-haired and grey-eyed, said something to the mermaid at his side. Her eyes, identical to that of her brother's, widened as they met mine. A shaking hand hovered over her mouth as tears filled her eyes.

The older of the two mermaids gripped the younger mermaid's hand, a smile on her face as she gestured to Drew. Drew rushed to Bella, throwing his arms around her. She hugged him back just as tightly, smiling through her tears. David swam to me, grabbing me in a hug then holding me at arm's length as he looked me up and down. What... how? Where's Jay? His hands were steady as he signed.

My chest tightened as I again thought of him at home, sleeping in our bed, unaware of my journey. It's too much to explain right now. All I can say right now is.... I took a shaky breath, steeling myself. I'm going to find Alyssa. But I need to find someone else to help me do it. Naia.

I had looked down at my hands as I'd signed, not wanting to see his expression. When I looked up, conflicting emotions flashed across his face: disbelief, anger, and fear. He opened his mouth, lifting his hands as he did so. I quickly shook my head. I need you to trust me. Please. Take Drew and the girls back to Pelathas. Keep them safe. If I don't come back, they'll need someone to look after them.

He shook his head vehemently at the words, even as his face paled. You will come back. Jay needs you. Aegrem needs you. His unspoken words hung in the water between us. We need you.

My hands shook as I swam to Ella and Faye, bending down to meet each of their gazes. Faye was just a year old, but she was all smiles, her grey eyes wide as she noticed me. I smiled at her, my eyes filling with tears. I don't think she realised what was happening.

She threw her arms around my neck, gripping me tightly. I did the same, neither of us letting go for quite some time.

Ella was last. Her brown eyes were wide, tears filling them as we looked at each other. I hugged her, silent tears rolling down my face.

It was only as we broke apart that I straightened and wiped my eyes, swimming back to David and Bella. I love you both. Please, take care of yourselves. I hugged them in turn, holding them both for several seconds before letting go.

I gripped my bag as I turned back around, struggling to keep the tears at bay. It was only when I'd left them far behind that uneasiness crept over me. I turned around in a slow circle, scanning my surroundings.

The tip of a black-and-white tail fin stuck out from behind a rock, limp on the seafloor. My heart was a war drum in my chest as I cautiously swam towards it, gripping my dagger. I was not prepared for what—or rather, who— lay on the other side of the rock.

My sister—whom I'd never thought I'd see again—stared at me, her emerald-green eyes wide. We stared at each other, neither of us moving. When she opened her mouth, the world fell out from underneath me.

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