A Mermaid's Curse

Chapter 21

Regaining consciousness brought confusion and fear. Like the previous morning, my head felt impossibly heavy, but I managed to open my eyes and lift it. It was only then that I remembered what had happened. The ghosts. The battle raging around me.

How long had I been asleep? Where was Kai? Was Aunt Bella okay?

As if summoned by my thoughts, the door opened. I was in our bedroom, the windows open to let in fresh water and sunlight. Kai swam in, his eyes clouded with sorrow, exhaustion, and pain. In my quick scan of his body, I saw no injuries, but I sensed a lingering heaviness in him.

He swam towards me, eyes locked on mine. "Thank the gods you're alright. We were so worried. Your parents are helping clear up the debris from the attack. They'll probably be right behind me." He inhaled sharply, wincing.

Tugging back the neck of his shirt, he revealed the edges of a bandage poking out from his collarbone. My eyes widened, hands shaking as I reached for him. Seeing my reaction, he immediately began to reassure me. "It's not as bad as it looks," he said. "It was a careless mistake. But I'm fine. I'm more worried about you. What happened out there?"

When I'd satisfied myself that it wasn't serious, I focused on his question. "I don't know. I had just deflected the blow of one of Nepptheas' soldiers when the ghosts reappeared. They swarmed me. The last thing I remember was hearing a scream and..." I trailed off, jolting upright. "Aunt Bella. She's hurt. Where is she? I need to see her." I was rambling, but I couldn't seem to stop myself.

Kai gently squeezed my hand. "She'll be fine. Resting at home. Your uncle's with her."

I let out a shaky breath. Putting a hand to my forehead, I closed my eyes, wishing I could block out the images. "Why would you say goodbye like that? It was almost as if you were anticipating neither you nor me coming back." Replaying his words in my head made my heart stop.

It was his turn to let out a shaky breath. When he finally met my gaze, his eyes were lined with grief. "I never got to say goodbye to my dad. It's something I regret every day. I just needed you to know." His voice broke on the last word.

I hugged him tightly, neither of us letting go for a few seconds. "I was already planning to pay Mom and Dad a visit today. Now I'll have two reasons."

I rose from the bed, clutching Kai's hand tightly, and quickly got dressed. The swim to Aegrem was leisurely and peaceful, the water silent and calm. When we arrived at the palace, the guards bowed to us before opening the doors and ushering us inside.

I hadn't realized I was shaking until I felt Kai's eyes on me. We'd barely swum in front of the door to their suite before it opened. Worried eyes appeared, locking onto my own. "Oh, good. You're awake. How are you feeling?" Dad's eyes were on mine, but the question was for both of us.

I had to bite back a sob at the weariness in Dad's gaze, the stoop of his shoulders. He was clearly exhausted from the attack, but there was a heaviness in him that worried me. How many more times would he be forced to risk his life, his family's lives, for his kingdom? The gods knew how many losses he'd already suffered before I was even born.

"Where's Mom?" I asked, voice thick with tears. The scene from my nightmare a couple nights ago—had it really only been that long?—flashed through my head, bringing with it a fresh wave of fear and agony, as if I'd been in Mom's place.

Kai scanned my face, squeezing my hand. "Whenever you're ready to talk, just let me know," he said softly, kissing me on the forehead.

Dad inhaled deeply, taking my hand as he exhaled. "She's still sleeping. She was up even later than I was yesterday, making sure everyone had adequate shelter and supplies."