So Deep the Ocean by Elle Cross

Author:Elle Cross [Cross, Elle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 46066537
Published: 2019-06-27T00:00:00+00:00

Part II

The Deeps

13

Welcome to the Deeps

Karina

* * *

The morning was a bustle of activity as we prepared to leave for the Deeps. We gathered in the library. Being surrounded by books, it was as good a place as any to open a portal to another world.

West created the portal, the scent of storms filling me senses as a gateway connected toward my father's kingdom of Avariki.

Kingdom. What an odd concept, having a court or sovereignty that revolved around a male. A…king. The Shades had organizations that were primarily run by males, and though that wasn’t odd in and of itself, the lack of female representation had always been unsettling to me.

I had to get used to being open minded toward other cultures if I was expected to gain and attract allies. At least I get to practice my diplomacy with my father, someone who was from a circle of power that didn't revolve around queens.

Maybe that would be something else I could talk to King Vatea about: being part of a Remnant God tribe, and what it meant to be Dagan.

We had visited with him for a time. It was a whirlwind, though. So many names and faces.

"Ready, my queen?" West asked.

I nodded. We would go on ahead, and Steward would coordinate the transfer of our stuff over to our appointed place in Avariki.

West opened the portal, and Ranek made the way.

There was a splash and I could almost feel the sea spray against my face. Maybe it was more real than my imagination.

The golden glow of dappled sunlight grew brighter until it was like a sunburst. I blinked the dazzle from my eyes just as my father, Vatea filled the portal. "Well met, my daughter."

Vatea's hair rippled in the breeze. Bronzed skin warmed by sunshine that seemed to light from within him. Black tattoos etched in geometrical designs over his chest and arms, signs of power.

I answered his smile with one of my own.

Havoc, West and Ouros went through first, along with their hand picked guards. Taran stayed at my back, a hand absently playing with the lock of hair curled around my neck. At Ranek's nod, it was time for the rest to come over.

I received a lingering kiss from Drystan and Jindyss, one eye red and the other black. "We will miss you. Come back soon."

"We will miss you too,” I said, answering him in the plural to make him feel more comfortable. “We will."

Ranek clasped Drystan's shoulder while Enver hugged him. "Come, my love," Enver said. He moved in front of me, my shield with Taran at my back. Ranek would walk behind and close the straits.

From one step to the other, we walked from the cool and dry climate of the Shadow Court and onto Avariki, the Dagan kingdom ruled by my father.

When I first met him, Vatea had been strolling along the beach. Little did I know that he was able to walk along the fringes of daylight the way I can walk in shadows, and we had met not-so coincidentally that day.

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