I swallowed deeply and took a deep breath, shaking my head, trying to clear the buzzing sound and the rippling going through my body.
“What, what’s wrong? But I thought…?”
“No, Commander. I’m glad you were able to connect to the firefin. That’s probably all you were feeling right now, was the joy from that. It is exhilarating. But we have more important things to think of. Like, not everything your animals will tell you will be joyous. You’re going to hear a lot of pain from them on your planet. You should be ready for that. Now, let’s go back to my castle, so I can get ready to be your alliance bride.
”
Ceritha sat down at the back and untethered the sail before I could even get myself situated again. She let the sails and the wind lead us back to her Capital City. I finally caught my breath as we made out the lights of the port. I didn’t dare speak to her, a scowl on her face as she maneuvered the boat to the port, but I was confounded and dizzy, and a little hurt. She didn’t speak the whole way back, as we tied up her little boat, and then she stomped away to her castle. I found a soldier who led me to my quarters to tidy up for the celebratory dinner.
I looked at my hands as I tied my tie. I flexed them into fists, still remembering the pulse of power that had come through them as Ceritha and I touched the firefin together. What was that? Was that what it felt like to connect to an animal? Or was that what it felt like for me to connect to Ceritha?
At least I have a lifetime with her to figure it out…
Four
Ceritha
“You can’t ignore him the whole night.”
I looked at my sister with disgust. “Wanna bet?”
“You have to dance with him at least once. Everyone is expecting you to have at least one dance with the man you’re supposed to marry.”
“Isn’t marrying him like I’m expected to enough for them, Nerite?”
“What in the world happened after he jumped into the water to swim after you?” Nerite poured some more champagne into my glass. I rolled my eyes at her.
“Like that’s going to help me forget what I have to do.”
“Just think of all the animals you are going to save. All the animals you will be able to protect.”
I took a deep breath. That thought did always help. That was the only thought that helped. I would be able to get through anything if I was able to just keep thinking of that.
“At least Cowrie and Murex are going with you, right?”
I nodded. That was a relief. My father had finally, at the final hour, given in to my biggest request: that two of my most prized scientists, Cowrie and Murex come with me to Farian. They wouldn’t be destined to be there forever, but at least until the blue flu was taken care of from the Bristola Oceans. Then they would be free to return.
My gaze fell on Commander Axis. He was approaching us. I, on the other hand, would be forever tied to this man… I sighed… Nerite squeezed my hand under the table as the whimsical tune of the instruments changed to something romantic and nostalgic.
“Just one dance, Princess?” Axis asked, hand extended. I squeezed back my sister’s hand and then took my Commander’s hand. He led me to the dance floor and spun me into the flow of the crowd. However, as soon as we entered, the ushers signaled for everyone else to leave, and it was just myself and the Commander of the Seawards Special Operations Unit, Prince of Bristola dancing on the wide wood floor to a song about forlorn romance from centuries ago.
“I heard your scientists will be accompanying us.” He spun me out into a circle again, my aquamarine gown gracefully twirling against my heels and back to brush against his sparkle-to-shine boots. He was wearing a dark blue dress uniform, sword in a fancy scabbard just for such an occasion. I couldn’t help but admit he looked astonishingly handsome.
“Yes. It is huge that my father gave in to that request. It is what is best for Farian, and for Serpul, truly. They are brilliant scientists and I need them to help fight the blue flu.”
“That is why I insisted.”
I looked at him sharply, ground my teeth, and bit my tongue from my immediate reply. Be grateful… I commanded myself. I wanted to bite off his head. Again, people maneuvering my world outside my control… “You are the one that made that possible?”
“I heard it was your biggest request. All I want is for you to be happy, Princess. I know this situation is not ideal, but I really can be charming, and I think you will like Bristola. If I can do anything to make this transition easier—”
I knew my blue eyes were flashing anger and my grip on his back and hand tightened. He winced a little at the claw-like fingers digging into his skin. “Transition? Transition? How about upheaval? Turmoil? Tempest? Are those words more apt?”
“Think of all the animals you will save… Please… Think of that… You are going to do so much good on Farian—”
“Sounds like you have been speaking to my sister.”
“No,” he said, and it seemed sincere. “I just know how much you care and I want you to see that I care, too. You will be able to save so many. You may even be able to save me.”
I looked into his black eyes, aware it was a line he was spinning for my benefit. I let go him as he spun me again. “I’m not in the Curan saving business, Commander. That’s your job. I’ll see you in the morning. Thank you for the dance.”
I stomped away, tears starting to stream down my
