Their entrance into the Great Hall is similar. Hand in arm, they walk in with synchronized steps. The paired couples each stand together, in front of the king and Nerin. A few others have gathered, mostly family and friends of the Undine maidens and guards.
Nerin! Serena glances at the King's second, thinking about how uptight she appeared even when Hailey was just talking about Murphy as a previous potential mate. Nerin's lips are pursed, eyes narrowed. Serena leans into Murphy. "Was your mom upset about the king's idea?"
Murphy glances at Nerin, then Serena. "The king wanted us paired for real. She refused, and they finally came to an agreement that only the impression would be upheld."
Murphy and Serena's coordinated steps echo in the cavern. All eyes snap to them. For once, Serena is relieved to be in the Great Hall, even if she is the center of attention.
They pass the small crowd that has gathered. Serena can feel their eyes travel down the scratches on her arm and she hopes she managed to wipe most of the wolf blood from her face.
"I knew he'd be rough," Serena hears one of the elderly Undine whisper to her friend. The couples that returned before them must have reported Serena and Murphy disappearing into the woods together.
"Of course he would," the friend whispers back. "He didn't get to be head of the King's Guard by being gentle."
Serena's cheeks flush. As if this wasn't already awkward enough.
Murphy's stony face and sure steps do not falter. He leads Serena right up to the mid-platform, forcing his way in between two couples who have to back up to give them room. Disconnecting, Murphy and Serena's arms drops to their sides. He clicks his heels together, and bows—quick and purposeful. Serena curtsies. It is more graceful and slightly slower, but she is aware their separate movements complement each other.
This is weird, she thinks.
King Merrick looks at Serena. His gaze moves to her arms. His eyebrows grow together with his frown, and he shoots a glance at Murphy.
Standing beside the king, Nerin clears her throat. "Your king and Society thank you for your protection." Nerin is good at putting a stop to awkward moments.
Serena leans back, looking behind Murphy's shoulder to steal a glance at Ervin and Cordelia. They look…happy. Her eyes flit to Kai and his partner. Simone's lower lip sticks out, pouting. Kai is glaring at Murphy.
He's jealous? After he chose another mate? How is that fair?
Serena squeezes her eyes shut. First the cliff, then Liam—no, Serena tells herself, then the werewolf. After all that, Murphy yelling about her losing her trident. He's lucky he didn't get a trident shoved right up his—
"Serena!"
Serena's eyes snap to Nerin.
"The king wishes to know the details of the event. Do not ignore him."
Serena looks at the king; his downturned mouth tells her he is not happy.
"Details?" ask Serena.
King Merrick and Nerin both nod.
What kind of details could they possibly want? All I saw was Undine rolling around in the sand. Unless…does he want details about me and Murphy? Did everyone else give details before we walked in?
Serena shoots a glance at Murphy. He notices.
"Your majesty, I don't think—"
"Grace Poseidon, man," King Merrick interrupts Murphy. "All I need to know is if there were any werewolves!"
Murphy looks at Serena, eyes narrowed, as if it were her fault he defended her in front of the king.
Serena rubs one palm across the scratches on her arm, all too aware of the words she told Liam not an hour ago; I quit. Somehow, it is much harder to say standing here in front of the king, Nerin, Murphy, and Kai who spent hours to help train her, and in front of her Temporal Caste—once the last of their race, now hoping that on this night they conceived the next generation of Undine.
Serena mumbles under her breath.
The king leans forward. "What was that?"
Serena's eyes snap up, and she takes several steps holding her trident diagonally across her body.
She can hear Murphy scramble behind her. "Serena!" he hisses.
"Serena…" Nerin does the same.
She ignores them, eyes locked on the king.
She takes the first step up to his throne, pushing aside his massive tail with the stem of her trident.
The king's eyes widen in shock.
Three more steps, and their eyes are level. She stops and leans forward.
"There were no werewolves tonight. Your people are safe." All she can think of when she says this is bloody fangs, inches from her neck.
The king does not return her glare, at least not with the same ferocity. "I think you mean to say our people are safe."
Serena blinks. Dang it. I definitely can't quit now.
She eases off the king, backing down the steps. Murphy waits for her, he must have followed almost all the way to the throne.
"If there isn't anything else—" the king begins.
"There is something else," interrupts Serena, her back to him.
"What now?" growls the king.
Serena glances at Ervin, then Kai. "I request permission to access the king’s library."
"Why?" asks the king. His voice is loud, nearly at a shout.
Serena turns, squaring her shoulders to King Merrick. "So I can protect our people, damn you!" She slams the stem of her trident into the cave floor. The crack echoes across the cavern; same as when the king demands the attention of his people.
The room goes silent, except for Serena's hard breathing. Her eyes are full of fury, and she could care less that she just damned her own king.
King Merrick leans back in his throne, mouth twitching. "Permission granted."