A World No One Knows (bxb) [editing and rewriting]

Chapter 8

I swim around to the back of the castle and into one of the many open windows. I look both ways down the hall and choose a random direction. I swim down hallway after hallway, wishing I went in through the front door. I'm easily lost in a place this size. I go slow and make sure that I don't get seen. I'm supposed to be dead anyway. My wounds pulse with every move I make, but my head screams at me to get to Casmir. If I get to him, then everything will be okay. We can get the medicine for Jes and then get out of here. We can go back to the way things were on land-- out of the ocean and away from people who want to kill me.

The palace itself is magnificent. Shiny rocks and metals line the floor and walls. Guards swim along, watching for any intruders. This place really is at war.

I pear around the corner and see two guards coming my way. I quickly swim back and duck behind a patch of seaweed dancing in the water. I hold my breath as the guards pass and wait until they round the corner before letting it go. I look to make sure the coast is clear before heading the same way again. I'm nearing the end of the hallway when I hear voices. I'm about to swim in the other direction when one of the voices stops me. I'd know that voice anywhere.

"But why?" Casmir says.

"Your job was to bring him here and you did. That was all. I did not tell you to have feelings for him. Honestly, I didn't think it possible. He's a disgusting creature."

"He didn't deserve to die. He didn't do anything wrong."

"He was living."

"Father!"

"Be quiet."

"Father. You don't mean that."

"Oh, I do."

"Why do you hate him so much? What has he ever done to you?"

"He could ruin all of the plans that I've worked on all these years. If he realizes how powerful he is... Things could go wrong very easily. I can't have that at this time. I'm so close." A pause. "Oh, don't look so sad, Casmir. You must've known that it would come to this. He was a threat. He had to go. You're resisting me, Casmir. You didn't actually care for the boy, did you?"

It takes a second. "I didn't. I promise. It was all part of the plan."

"That's my boy." I hear a scuffle. "You have done well, Casmir. The army is getting ready. In a few days time, we will storm the palace, kill the Royals and take Meridian for ourselves. Then phase one will be complete. I'm proud of you, son. You're just like your sister. Both getting powerful mers to fall for you."

"You mean deceiving them into falling for us. I mean her. We're different. Lana's lying to whomever is the heir of the kingdom, trying to make them fall in love with her so that she can be a Royal."

"But aren't you doing the same?"

"Blaise isn't the heir to the throne of Meridian. Zander is." There's a silence. "Is he not?"

"Quiet. I hear someone. Go, and don't tell anyone anything. Or it's you in the Kelp Forest. Understand?"

"Yes, father."

I hear someone swimming my way. I panic and swim into the first room I find. I pant and hear one person swimming past the doorway. Then I hear more voices.

"Good afternoon, Royal advisor. The Royals request your presence in the throne room."

"Thank you. I will be there in a moment."

The two guards swim past the room I'm in, and then there's silence. I look around the dark, empty room and sink down to the floor.

Everything I thought I knew is wrong. I was lied to, and I fell for it. I didn't question anything. I trusted him. He gave me no reason not to. He was charming and funny and— we're mates. I may not feel the connection yet, but to go and do what he did?