The Seelie Curse

Chapter 90

A burbling sound pierces Kyma's ears and she twists in the water, her tail flicking and gleaming in the dim light that seeps into the river. A bubble of water floats in front of her, shimmering and separate from the rest of the river. She frowns and moves to the shoreline, hoisting herself onto the smooth stone of the bank. From higher up, Astrila lifts her furry seal head from where she was sunning herself on the stone. She barks in question and Kyma flashes a small smile in her cousin's direction.

"It's a water message."

She reaches for the message now floating in front of her. When her finger touches its surface, the message rises into the air and unfolds. The writing that makes up the short message is neat and easy to read, but it is unfamiliar to her.

Kyma,

We need to meet with you, something of importance has come to our attention. Come to the kingdom as soon as you can. We will be waiting.

Anabla

Kyma frowns at the message and looks to Astrila. "We've been summoned to the Eastern Merrow Kingdom."

Astrila shifts, holding her pelt in her lap. It's in its raw form, only like that because she's going to shift back when she is done speaking.

"Do you know why?"

"Anabla said they needed to meet with me about something important, I don't know what."

"When do they need you?"

"As soon as we can come."

Astrila nods. "Then let me write a message for Ro and we can go."

Kyma frowns. "Will she even see it?"

"Just because she has been busy with the courts doesn't mean that we're no longer going to see her. If she comes by, I just want to let her know where we have gone."

Kyma shrugs. "Okay."

Astrila pushes to her feet and disappears over the upper edge of the riverbank. When she returns a few moments later, she is already swinging her pelt over her shoulders in preparation to shift. She steps into the water and changes, her body rippling into seal form. She slides deeper and starts off down the river, Kyma following behind her.

~~~

Kyma flicks her tail, pushing through the water to emerge inside the pool of the Eastern Kingdom throne room. There is a puff of air beside her as Astrila breaks through, exhaling. Kyma frowns at the room around her, it's completely empty.

"Hello?"

There is a soft sound from the living chambers and Anabla pokes her head out, waving at them. She disappears from sight and emerges a moment later, her brother in tow. As they walk over to the pool, Kyma pulls herself out of the water and shifts, fixing her clothing.

"What did you need to meet with me about?"

Anabla twists her fingers together. "Do you remember the message my father sent us last time we spoke?"

"I remember you getting a message, but I don't know what it said."

"Well, someone important was coming to our kingdom and they sent a message a few days in advance. They arrived yesterday."

Kyma frowns, shifting her weight to her other foot. "Where are you going with this?"

Anabla twists back towards the living chambers. "You can come out now!"

Someone steps from the opening, their dark hair unbound and loose around their shoulders. Kyma doesn't even have to see the crown resting on the woman's brow before she is off, running across the stone towards her.

She launches into her mother's open arms, hugging her so tightly that she can hear her mother's breath woosh out as her lungs are compressed. A hand strokes Kyma's hair, slowly pulling it free from her hasty bun. There is a soft laugh and a gentle hand pushes against Kyma's shoulder, trying to push her away.

"Seachild, I need to breathe."

Kyma drops her arms, flushing. "Sorry."

She pulls back to look at her mother's warm eyes, still feeling the redness in her cheeks. Her words fumble as she tries to get them out.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you everything, I really am. It's just- I- It felt like-"

"Kyma." Kyma snaps her mouth shut, feeling her cheeks darken. "You already told me this in your water message. Calm down, take a breath." She waits until Kyma has done so before she continues. "Instead of going over what has already been said, why don't you tell me the rest of the story? What's happened since your message?"

Kyma sighs and begins to tell the story. Her mother stands there patiently while Kyma speaks, only flickers of emotion passing across her face. By the time Kyma manages to finish, her voice is hoarse.

"That's all of it, every bit."

Lahira nods and looks past Kyma to Astrila, who is still in seal form. "Is that-"

"That's Astrila. My cousin. Do you want to meet her?"

"Please."
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What do you think of this? Did you expect Lahira to be here? What do you think will happen next? Tell me your thoughts!

Happy reading and I'll see you next chapter!

~ Goddess of Fate, signing out