Death Beyond the Waves (Royal Secrets Book 4) by Aleera Anaya Ceres

Author:Aleera Anaya Ceres [Ceres, Aleera Anaya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-04-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Odele

When had palace life become so boring?

To be honest, it had always been boring. Such a vast place and I was hardly ever allowed out of it. I’d never visited anywhere beyond the confines of my own kingdom. Being closed in had led me to the royal library in the first place, a place that, against my better nature, had become my sought after sanctuary.

But even now, I couldn’t seem to bring myself to venture there. I’d read and listened to everything, so it didn’t sound appealing.

I sighed, a long suffering sound that was unbidden, and unattractive. I was just so bored. This was why I didn’t want the responsibility of being queen. To be shut in the kingdom of Thalassar forever?

I think not.

There were places I wanted to see before I withered away and died an old mer. Sights I’d only heard about but could never dream of.

The kraken sculpture and libraries in the kingdom of Brague.

The lush forestation of Kappur.

The vicious Great Dragon of Draconi—even if I did despise the Lizard Prince, I could still have a fondness for the sights of his kingdom.

The vast abyss of Ventlair.

The orca breeding grounds in Iol.

Even to the dangerous waters of the Uncharted, where vicious, ugly and savage mer dwelled. Where mer were rumored to have ventured and never come back alive.

As “future queen” I was to be locked in a prison of propriety in Thalassarin standards. To never see what I wanted, when I wanted, how I wanted.

I’d die before I let that happen. I’d die before I became queen. Odalaea would be put on that throne, if it were the last thing I did. Then, I’d finally be free to do as I wished, plunge into the royal coffers, take money and travel. Take money and live richly, anywhere but in this suffocating palace, with it’s terrible decor, and even worse memories…

“Princess!”

Speaking of…

I tried not to cringe as I turned and found Percival, my stepmother’s sluggy looking advisor, swim hurriedly towards me. It was too late now to pretend as if I hadn’t seen him, though I suppose I could have. I despised the mer, and it was all too obvious he despised me as well, if the way he was glaring at me with disapproval was of any indication.

“Princess, a word.” He stopped before me, appearing slightly out of breath, though composing in his posture.

He disgusted me down to my very core.

“Say your word and be done with it then, as I have a great many things to see to,” I snapped impatiently.

Percival looked at me, appearing to be taken aback momentarily at my words. “I—”

“Really. You have the usage of merely one word and you decide to say ‘I’? How incredibly wasteful.” I looked him over. “And yet so incredibly you.”

He emitted a shocked gasp. “Princess!” Oh, how he sounded perfectly scandalized.

How perfect. Now I could leave.

I started to swim away, and the sleazy mer did something I’d make sure he’d regret later.

He grabbed my arm.

“We must prepare you for the wedding ceremony.

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