Seaweed by Elle Strauss

Author:Elle Strauss
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: adventure, fantasy, mermaids, teen romance, fantasy action adventure fiction novel epic saga, merfolk, fantasy about a mermaid
Publisher: Elle Strauss

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Dex swam toward the guards. Keep them back, he instructed Kon. Then to Tor. Don’t let go of her.

I could see through a sliver opening between Dex and the guards. A handful, maybe five or six Larsfolk, treading water like egg beaters. They were the ADHD version of Tor’s clan.

I was freaking out because I knew they wanted me, and now I knew why.

There’s only five, Tor said to Kon. Why?

They must have had a small pod stationed nearby. They’ve come to see if the spy’s news was true or not.

What will they do? I moaned. Will they fight?

Not this time, their numbers are too low, Tor said. Besides, they must know the king and queen of Rai are here.

Dex’s voice boomed. What is your business here?

A high-pitched whiny voice responded. We want to see the girl.

What girl?

We know there is a girl, neither Lars nor Rai. Our spy provided a strand of hair as proof.

I turned to Tor. How could they tell by a strand of my hair? I imagined them examining it through an underwater microscope.

They could smell it.

Smells again? I was going to get a complex.

What did they smell?

Human.

Oh. I didn’t smell like merfolk. I smelled human. I really didn’t belong here.

If there is a girl such as you claim in our midst, Dex said, I have no intention of presenting her to you. Therefore, I urge you to leave.

We will not leave until we see her.

Are you declaring war? You are aware that the king and queen of Rai are with us?

This information seemed to shake them. I shot Tor a questioning look.

It is against merfolk rules of war to engage battle directly with royalty, unless their own king or prince declare war first.

Tor turned to Kon. Is there another way out?

Kon nodded then questioned his parents.

Should I take them?

I believe we are fine for the moment, King Playo said. You and Tor remove the girl. Dex and the guards are handling the matter.

Tor squeezed my hand.

The king continued, You should move on. We’ll find you at the next stop.

Oh, Tor! The queen reached out for her son, her eyes full of motherly concern. It’s not safe for you to travel alone right now.

There’s no other way. I’ll be careful Mother, I promise. Tor kissed her quickly on the cheek.

Then he turned to Shava. Her eyes were wide with fear and, I would dare to say, longing. The look she shared with Tor was like a punch in the gut to me. There was nothing that would keep Shava from pursuing Tor when he returned without me. I was sure of this.

All the stress was causing my lungs to seize up again.

This way, Kon said. He swam farther into the back regions of the cave. I held tightly to Tor’s hand, praying my eyes would continue to adapt to the growing blackness. I hoped the way out wouldn’t take long. The walls of the cave felt like they were pressing in, and I fought the growing panic of being trapped in dark, closed in spaces.

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