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Still, I had a lot of impossible tasks in front of me. Better to just put my head down and get this done so that I could move on to the next one. Whatever that might be.
It was ridiculous, really, how little I knew about being merQueen. Oh, I’d spent the last year trying to learn, and I definitely knew more now than I did when I left home on my seventeenth birthday. But it wasn’t enough. Not even close. Kona had had centuries to prepare for his role as selkie king—twelve months wasn’t exactly in the same class. I needed advice, and fast.
With my desperation outweighing my sense of shame, I broke formation for the first time since the trip began. From the time we’d left San Diego, we’d been swimming with guards in the front, followed by Kona, then more guards, followed by me, then—you guessed it—more guards. Putting on a burst of speed, I passed the center guards, all of whom reached for their weapons like they were actually afraid I was going to attack their king. I rolled my eyes at them, then—under their watchful gazes—tapped Kona on the shoulder.
He turned to me with a frown. What do you want? he projected along the private channel he used to communicate with me underwater.
To talk. We haven’t exchanged twenty words since we left San Diego.
I didn’t think there was anything left to say.
I gritted my teeth against the annoyance that took root inside of me. I’d spent the last four months being the willing object of his wrath—after all, I deserved it—but enough was enough. Seriously. We had a sea witch to defeat, two kingdoms to rebuild, and a lot of people depending on us. I understood that he was well within his rights to be angry with me, but if we had any hope of keeping our people safe, we had to work together.
I was hoping for some advice, actually.
The smirk he shot my way was anything but amused. And here I thought you had all the answers.
I sighed. Kona.
Yes, Tempest?
Nothing. I looked away, started to drop back to my regular spot.
He didn’t let me go. Instead he reached out like he would take my hand, but he stopped himself right before his fingers wrapped around my wrist. I’m sorry. I’m being a little bit of an ass.
A little bit? I asked archly.
Okay. A lot. I just—He stopped, shook his head. What do you want advice on?
I don’t know what to do when we get to Coral Straits.
First of all, there’s no we. We’re splitting up in about half an hour.
You’re not coming with? I didn’t like how lost I sounded, but the fact of the matter was, I’d been counting on Kona to help me smooth things over. Though he was selkie, he understood merpeople better than I ever would. He also had a glib tongue, could talk anybody into anything. Including them forgiving me for my absence when Hailana died.
I’ve got to get back, Tempest. I was in the middle of hearings on new clan defenses when I found out about Hailana. The safety of my people is not something I’m comfortable leaving open-ended for any longer than I absolutely have to.
I nodded. I understood that, just like I understood there was more to it than he was letting on. While it was important that we be seen in public together sometime soon to show proof of our clans’ alliance, Kona wanted to control that meeting. The last thing he could afford was for it to appear as if he were trailing behind me like a lovesick seal.
Okay, I answered. But what do I do first?
I’ve been thinking about this for a few days now. It was terrible luck that Hailana died while you were in San Diego. It puts you in a weak position, makes it look like you care more about your human boyfriend than you do your subjects. No merQueen—or other royal, for that matter—can afford that perception of her.
That’s not fair. I spent eighty percent of my time in Coral Straits, helping to rebuild the city.
He grinned. Yeah, well, fact is so much less important than perception.
You don’t really believe that, do you?
Who’s been royalty longer?
Kona, these are real people with real problems. How they perceive me isn’t going to feed them or give them shelter. It isn’t going to save them from Tiamat.
That’s where you’re wrong, Tempe.
I stiffened instinctively at his use of my nickname. Mark had started calling me that years ago, and while pretty much everyone I knew used it these days, it still hurt to hear. To realize that I was never again going to hear Mark or Moku, Logan or my father, call me that.
If Kona noticed my reaction, he didn’t acknowledge it. Instead, he continued like nothing had happened. You can lead only as long as people are willing to follow you. And they’ll be willing only if they can believe in you.
I understand that, I answered with a nod. But shouldn’t they want to follow me because of what’s real, not just because of what they think is real?
Absolutely. But you’ll never get to do the important stuff if they don’t give you the chance. I’m not advocating that you don’t follow through on all your plans for Coral Straits—I know you well enough to know you’ve probably got a thousand new ideas. I’m just saying, win them over before you try to make the changes. It’ll go much easier on you that way.
I thought about what he’d said for a little while. Okay, I finally responded. I’ll buy that. But you haven’t answered my question. What should I do when I first get back to Coral Straits?
I would head straight into the center of town. You can see who is out and about, stop and talk to people for a while. Give them a chance to see and talk to you. And gauge the temperature of the town at the same time.
Should I give a speech?
You’re going to need to, but not at first. Just talk to them. Be yourself, only nicer.
Ha-ha. You’re so funny.
It’s a gift. He grinned, and I realized it was the first smile I’d seen from him in four long months. But seriously, no speeches until you’ve figured out what the people need. Talk to them, talk to the Council. Then write a hell of a eulogy for Hailana. Get her laid to rest as soon as possible. Until that happens, you’ll never have any real authority.
I turned his words over in my head as I plotted and planned. Everything he’d told me had made sense, and I was grateful he’d been able to put his feelings aside long enough to give me some sound advice. But when I thanked him, he blew me off.
I’m doing it as much for me as I am for you. Your government needs to be strong, Tempest, right from the beginning. You won’t get a second chance, and I can’t afford to have some weak Council member try to seize control of the mercity. Not now, when we’re still so weak. And not when everything depends on our ability to stand up to Tiamat and her pet monsters.
I understand that. But I still appreciate the help, especially considering everything that happened … I trailed off uncertainly, barely whispering the last couple of words as Kona’s expression shifted from somewhat friendly to remote as hell. I sighed. I’d put my foot in it again. If the truce between Kona and me was going to work, I would have to remember not to apologize or mention anything that happened between us at all.
A few minutes later we got to the giant kelp forest that we often used as a landmark. If we went straight over it at a reasonable pace, we’d end up in Coral Straits within the hour. If we veered left and then turned left again at the jellyfish garden about ten miles ahead, we’d end up in Kona’s territory instead.