Chapter Thirty-Five
Serena sputters on granules of sand stuck in her gills, mouth, and throat. Her heartbeat flutters as quickly as her fins, and she is still calling out, purely out of fear. It has morphed into her echolocation whistle, but it is as loud as ever. Her world materializes before her as the sound comes back to her.
Serena slows. There is a mass of forms in front of her, several dozen of her size, if not larger. She inches closer, and they come into view. Undine—and lots of them. Almost all of Society, Serena imagines.
Her eyes go wide. It was her call—the call that can't be resisted, except this time the king did not counter with his own.
Murphy and Kai approach, their eyebrows furrowed as they scrutinize Serena. Murphy swims around her, leaving her staring into Kai's eyes. They blaze with fury and his jawline is tight.
Serena turns her attention back to Murphy, who is peering closely at her torn webbing. When he moves back in front of her, his eyes match the fury Kai's have already shown. Murphy turns, facing Society alongside Serena. Opening his mouth, he releases his own sound. Compared to Serena's soft, caramel harmony, Murphy's is a bone-shaking boom.
Those in the first few rows are pushed back, shocked by the sound that is normally reserved for reprimanding the guard. Another movement comes from within the group. The King's Guard makes their way forward, organizing themselves in a V-formation in front of Society. Murphy takes his place at the apex, then motions for Serena to join him.
It is a battle formation, and Serena can't help but think just how unready they truly are. Three guards don't even have tridents.
Serena approaches Murphy, taking her place by his side, and raising her trident in the air. It signals the entire guard formation to move forward, something Serena has seen Murphy do hundreds of times.
She leads them in a sharp curve, practically cutting through the mass of Society gathered behind them. Shoulders back and chin high, Serena doesn't look back to make sure they follow her instead of moving toward The Dry. Once she reaches the caves, she transforms and heads straight for the Great Hall. She can hear the sounds of several Undine emerging from the water behind her, and lets out a sigh of relief.
When she enters the Great Hall, Murphy is by her side, and the King's Guard is in a column behind them. The rest of Society enters in groups, quietly filling the room. King Merrick and Nerin are at the throne. As the council members come in, they take their place at the mid-platform.
Serena doesn't know when the last of the Undine filter in to the Great Hall, but the king nods, signaling her to speak.
"They are burning the wolfsbane patch," Serena says.
Sarafina, the Head Gardener, gasps. "All of it?"
Serena glances at her. She can't help but notice Sarafina’s scales are the same shade as wolfsbane. She probably takes the burning as a personal insult. Serena looks back to the king. "Yes, all of it."
"And how do you interpret this action, Werewolf Liaison?" the king asks.
"I think it is retribution, for the pairing," Serena says. "Somehow, he knows what happened."
The king nods, looking at Serena with sad eyes. "It was successful, the pairing. But it is unlikely they would continue to be so, especially with the wolfsbane gone."
Serena gets his meaning. It was a nice try, but there still must be a sacrifice—Serena in exchange for a new generation of Undine. He is aware that Serena knows of the deadline.
She glances at the king. "Do you know what they plan on doing with me?"
The king's spine goes rigid. "I…" he glances at Nerin. "I have never asked."
Serena nods, biting the inside of her cheek. There is a large lump in her throat, but tears do not come. She is too exhausted for tears, emotionally and physically. Would it help, if I told him?
The king slumps down in his chair, as if energy and life is slowly emitting from him. "What would you have me do, were you in my position?" he asks Serena, refusing to look at her.
Serena turns, surveying the crowd of Undine behind her. She sees Rayne and Mariam, leaning into each other for support. Cordelia is near the front, shooting nervous glances at Ervin, then back to Serena. Simone stands with the other Healer Assistants, all three staring openly at Serena.
She could make Kai happy, Serena thinks. At least she seems willing enough.
Serena turns back around to the king, lowering her voice. "I'd give me up, too."
"And that is your recommendation?" asks the king.
Folding her arms across her midsection, fingertips cradling her elbows, Serena stares at the three gashes her trident made in the cave floor. "Yes."
"Then it is settled," says the king, sitting up straight in his throne and bringing his trident to stand at his side. He raises his voice, so it permeates the Great Hall. "We go ashore in two days, and we will take our beaches back." He looks down at Serena, eyes blazing. In a softer voice, he tells her. "We will fight for our painted maiden."
Both relief and guilt flood her system, and Serena sags at the knees. Her hand goes to her mouth, and she has to doubt her king.
Is this the right call?
The king continues to speak to the crowd. "The council will convene in two hours to discuss the battle plan. And," the king looks at Serena, "the Werewolf Liaison's presence is requested."
Once Assembly is dismissed, Serena sinks even lower, her knees almost touching the floor.
"Serena," Kai is by her side, pulling her up. "Are you okay?"
"Yes…no." Serena shakes her head, trying to clear it of adrenaline. "I'm not sure." She looks up at him, remembering her anger at the pairing. But when Serena glances at Simone, she is turning away.
"What happened to you out there tonight?" asks Kai. "Your call was so desperate. Are you hurt? Were there wolves?"
Serena looks at him, eyes wide. He has no idea what just transpired at court.
"Liam was there—the one I normally see," says Serena. "And Alaric."
"Alaric?" Kai's mouth drops open and his eyes go wide. "Oh…"
"What?" asks Serena.
"Alaric was the first werewolf."