A Mermaid's Curse

Chapter 25

The tears rushed down my cheeks like a waterfall, blurring my vision and making my chest hitch. Every time I thought they were ceasing, a fresh wave would crash over me. I'd suppressed my emotions ever since we'd run into Faye and Drew, refusing to let the grief, anger, and sadness escape. But the second I felt Queen Katrina's arms come around me, her grip so much like my own when I had hugged Mom, I broke down.

One image played in my head over and over: the terrifying expression on Dad's face as he explained what had happened, the anger and hatred in his eyes. I started to hiccup, my tears finally slowing. When my breathing finally steadied, I pulled away, looking into concerned eyes. "I heard what happened. I'm so sorry. How are you doing?" Her voice was soft, worried.

I swiped at my eyes, furious at myself for letting my walls down so easily. I hadn't realized how long I'd held all those emotions back. Kai's hand slipped into mine, the gentle squeeze giving me the courage I needed to speak. "I don't know." My voice was hollow, emotionless. The sadness had been replaced by a feeling of shock, like a rogue wave hitting me head-on.

She took my other hand, leading me into their sitting room. "Can I get you anything?" Her voice had never lost its softness—if anything, it had only increased.

After a few deep, controlled breaths, I finally met her gaze. "No. There's actually something we wanted to talk to you about."

Much like they had when I'd told Mom and Dad about Nadia, the words poured out of me. Kai added his own thoughts every so often, his hand never leaving mine. I felt drained after I finished speaking, like I could sleep for decades and it still wouldn't be enough.

"The gates of Beltmare will be open to any and all who may come seeking shelter. You have my word, Isadora. We will do whatever we can."

The grateful smile had already started to form on my lips, but before I could so much as lift my eyes to hers, I inhaled sharply. A vibrating pain began in between my temples, insistent and sharp.

"Izzy? Are you okay?" Was Kai still beside me? It sounded like he was all the way across the room.

My eyes clenched shut, teeth gritted against the pain. It was like a million tiny hammers were pounding on the entrance to my mind. I wanted to cry out, but I couldn't find my voice. In my mind's eye, however, I saw a blurry face. The more I blinked, the clearer it got.

Brown eyes filled with tears; red-gold hair floating near her shoulders; a smile as familiar to me as my own. Aunt Meri? "H... how are you here right now?" I whispered, voice hushed with awe.

She swam up to me, cupping my chin in her hand. "I'm not. I'm in your mind. But I had to see you, if only to give you a message. You're never alone, Izzy. You are not worthless. You are not weak. You are not pathetic. You're strong and brave, just like your parents. You just have to believe in yourself. I love you so much, sweet girl."

When she placed a featherlight kiss on my forehead, I had to choke back a sob. I had so much I wanted to say, but I couldn't make words come. As if sensing my hesitation, she nodded. "I know everything, Isadora. Don't give up. You can beat Naia and the others."

The headache disappeared as quickly as it had come, leaving a lingering sense of exhaustion. I opened my mouth (to say what, I didn't know) but I never got the chance. The words fell away as translucent figures appeared in the corners of my eyes, faces filled with urgency.

When one of them spoke, I was taken aback. It was both young and old, crazy and sane. "You can't give up, Isadora. Show Nepptheas how real royalty fights. You're not alone."

In those words was a hidden message, one I had to work hard to understand. Once I figured it out, though, determination surged through me. All this time, I had convinced myself that the ghosts were just manifestations of my depression and anxiety. Figments of my imagination, unable to do anything but distract and haunt me.