Blood On The Altar

Chapter 3

When I opened my eyes again, I immediately rose from the bed and got dressed. I didn't know what was going on, but I had to go see Kai. I knew it was late and everyone would most likely be asleep, but I didn't care.

I silently threw on my cloak and swam out of the palace, few torches lit to light my way. It didn't matter. I knew the way. My heart hammered against my rib cage, and my hands were in easy reach of my daggers.

In spite of the late hour, guards greeted me at the entrance to Beltmare's palace. "Princess Isadora," one of the two said. That was Zac. He was around Uncle David's age, with black hair and blue eyes. "It's very late. Prince Kai was not expecting you. Should I summon him?"

I shook my head as I opened my mouth. I had no idea how to convey the urgency without sounding crazy. "No. I'll go to him."

Zac hesitated, swapping a glance with the guard beside him. Adrenaline chased through my veins at a run, making my heart race. He finally nodded and moved aside, loosing a breath as he did so.

I could hardly breathe as I swam to their suite, my hand trembling as I lifted it to knock. That was when I noticed the door was slightly ajar. King Drake swam back and forth in front of his son. From what I could tell, Kai was tense.

"What do you want me to say, Dad?" His voice cracked just slightly, but in that waver I was able to identify his main emotion: love. "That I wished I'd never met her? That I wished for another mermaid without so much baggage?"

I flinched at the harsh wording. But I knew he didn't mean it. King Drake stopped and rose to his full height, towering over Kai. "I wish you'd told me the truth."

I was frozen. I'd only spent a few short minutes with Kai, and that had been with his parents present, but in those precious moments, I realised something. I loved him too. Or, I could learn to love him.

Kai took a deep breath. "That I love her?

My heart skipped a beat, and for a moment I thought I might faint. As he continued, I could hear the love in his voice. "In the short time that I've spent with her, I got to know the real her. I realized that she carries a lot of her family's mistakes, like they're hers to shoulder. But then again, who doesn't have family drama? Whose family doesn't make mistakes? Izzy may be young, but then again, so am I. I really think I can see a future with her, Dad."

A knock sounded at the door, causing me to flinch. I clapped my hand over my mouth to muffle the cry that was perilously close to escaping. Silence had settled over the room, but it was broken a heartbeat later as King Drake spoke. "If this is truly what you want, then it is official. The wedding will go forward as planned, during the next eclipse."

My heart thudded, and I held my breath as he swam to the door and presumably opened it, judging from the low murmur of voices. His father shut the door and swam back to him. "You'd better pray that you know Isadora as well as you think you do. We've both seen firsthand how those closest to us can betray you."

I wondered at that, but didn't have time to dwell on it. I swam to a corner and hid, barely breathing as King Drake swam out of the suite. He swam right past where I was, but didn't see me. As soon as he was gone, I swam into their suite. When Kai saw me, he had a shocked expression on his face, but it quickly smoothed into happiness. "Isadora! I have the most wonderful news."

I swam to him, gently taking both his hands. "Did you really mean what you said? That..." I swallowed hard, forcing the words out. "That you love me?"

He nodded, gaze fixed on me. "Of course. I know I acted cold when we first met, but now that I've gotten to know you, I really can imagine a future with you." He looked at the ground as if embarrassed as the next words left his mouth. "That is, if you can imagine a future with me."

I gazed into his eyes, bottomless pools of obsidian, while I considered my answer. "Yes."

A smile spread across his face as he took my face in his hands and kissed me. Unlike that first time, where the slightest touch of his skin sent shivers down my spine, I leaned into the kiss.

When we finally came up for air, I gave him a sheepish smile. "I suppose I should be getting back home. I have to tell my parents the good news." A hint of giddiness laced my words when I spoke.

He nodded. "Of course. I'll see you soon." He kissed me again, holding my gaze for a few seconds before looking away.

I sped home, the smile permanently affixed to my face. While happiness flooded my heart, the tiniest bit of dread was wedged beside it. I also had to speak to my parents about the Loyalty Pendant, a conversation I dreaded having. By the time I arrived home, it was early evening.

The guards at the front again bowed to me, but I hardly paid them any attention. When I swam to our suite, I realized the door was ajar. I swam inside, the words practically bursting out of me. Before I had even opened my mouth, however, I noticed the expressions on Mom and Dad's faces.

"What's going on?" I asked, the excitement fading from my tone, replaced by wary concern.

They exchanged a glance before Dad turned back to me. "We just got word from Nepptheas. Brandon and Naia are on a rampage. They've ravaged the city. Hundreds of homes were destroyed, more lives lost."

A shiver ran through me, the happiness replaced by fear. I suddenly turned to Mom, fear written on my face. "Faye and Drew. A-are they..." I couldn't bear to voice the rest, but Mom understood.

She nodded, relief on her face. "They're safe with Bella and David. But we need to find the Loyalty Pendant and destroy it once and for all."

Dad suddenly glanced at me. "Where were you this morning? You were gone when we got up."

As terrified as I was, nothing could keep the happiness from my tone. "I went to visit Kai. He and I talked, and we both decided that we want to get married."

The expression on Dad's face was nothing short of shocked. Mom had an identical expression on her face, though worry was etched on it also. "This is very sudden, Izzy. Have you thought this through? I mean, planning a wedding right now..." She trailed off, but I could tell from her tone that she didn't think it was a good idea.

Dad nodded. "I agree with Nerissa. When did you plan to have this wedding?"

"During the next eclipse. That's plenty of time to get everything straightened out with Nepptheas."

They reluctantly agreed. I knew they were worried about Aunt Naia's response to the wedding, but I wouldn't worry about that now. For the first time in a long time, I fell asleep with excitement and hope in my heart.

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