Blood On The Altar

Chapter 4

I tossed and turned that night, unable to banish Kai's face from my mind. Only this time, he wasn't the focus of my nightmares. A mermaid with blonde hair swam up to me, a cruel smile on her face. Aunt Naia. I crossed my arms, glaring at her.

"What?" I snapped. The fear from hearing the news about Nepptheas was fresh in my mind and thinning my temper. She grinned as if she had some big secret she was just dying to share.

"Oh, nothing. I just wanted to congratulate you on your engagement." The smile on her face was so smug and satisfied. I had a feeling that wasn't all she wanted to tell me. "And let you know what's coming."

Without further preamble, she swam up beside me, placing her hand on my shoulder. I flinched at the contact but didn't jerk away. A black void swallowed me up, dragging me down into its depths until I couldn't tell up from down, left from right.

Images swam past me, so quickly I could hardly make them out: Mom clutching Dad's hand, sobbing as they watched the palace—our home—crumble to the ground. The fear on their faces as they anxiously searched the rubble for signs of life, yelling my name.

The more images that appeared, the harder it was to breathe. One by one, they swam past me, each one more heartbreaking than the last: Dad collapsing to the ground, silent tears rolling down his face as he watched his parents die for a second time. The anguish on Aunt Bella and Uncle David's faces as they floated beside Dad, watching the scene before them in horror.

I couldn't handle it. "Stop!" I screamed. Tears streamed down my cheeks, making it difficult to see. I turned back to Aunt Naia, lips trembling as I opened my mouth. "W-what can I do to stop these events from happening? I'll do anything."

She grinned. She was enjoying my torment. "Bring me the Loyalty Pendant."

I froze, my mind going back to the conversation I'd had with Kai's parents. King Drake's voice filled my head. "Your aunt mentioned the Loyalty Pendant when we last spoke. Your parents wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would they?"

My mouth opened, words pouring out before I had even formed them in my head. "Y-you're trying to align yourself with Beltmare. To have the might of another army when you strike next." Horror was etched on my face, temporarily pushing aside the sadness and anger.

She nodded as if it should have been obvious. "I was hoping you'd have figured it out sooner. Guess you're not as smart as I thought."

My hands clenched into fists as I spoke through gritted teeth. "You won't get away with this. Kai will never allow this to happen. It won't stop the wedding. He'll alert his parents and they'll have guards locking down the palace. You'll never get in." I hoped I sounded braver than I felt because inside I was a trembling mess.

She only smiled as she swam up to me, placing a hand on my cheek. Coming from anyone else, it would have seemed like a loving touch of a doting aunt. "I'll enjoy watching you try."

The sob that broke from me as I jerked awake had me praying that I hadn't awoken the entire castle. I was restless as I got dressed and swam down to breakfast. Every noise had me flinching and clenching my fists to avoid reaching for my daggers.

I had just flinched for what felt like the hundredth time as silverware clattered on a plate when I felt eyes on me. Nadia, who was sitting next to me, lowered her voice as she spoke. "Are you alright, my lady?"

I didn't want her to worry, so I nodded as I picked at my food. My mind was spinning, my thoughts rushing from one subject to another. After I'd eaten as much as I could stomach, I excused myself, heading straight for my room. I'd barely shut the door behind me before I collapsed in tears.