you defy the very core of the mer. For what? One. Visit.”
Doubt cast a pall over the dignitaries, who murmured among themselves.
King Kadir turned on him soberly. “I would not ask our guests to risk their cities over one visit. When we forge our new covenant, we will not do so on the open ocean.”
“You think floating boats can withstand the tempests that destroy even the largest human construction?”
“They will have an island.”
The murmuring increased and extended outward through the All-Council advisers.
Sirak frowned. “What are you plotting, King Kadir?”
“Only that the brides’ dedication has increased my own. If they are determined to reunite with us, I am determined they will have any land they need.”
“And how do you expect to provide that? Raise the ancient ruin?”
King Kadir tipped his head. “Would it not inspire your confidence, All-Council head?”
The murmuring increased. Shock mixed with awe. Could he really do that?
Lieutenant Diras looked sharply at Gailen, but he subtly shook his head. He had no idea how to do this.
“You cannot turn back the centuries, King Kadir. The old city is dead.” Sirak lifted his vibrations to the dignitaries. “This is your final chance to leave in peace.”
No one moved.
Sirak curled his upper lip in a silent snarl, and he suddenly looked a lot older. “We will meet again. And next time, you will admit defeat, but no one will survive.”
King Kadir said nothing.
Sirak glared at Gailen and swam into his army. The units formed behind him, swimming away, and the vast field of enemies swam around their shelter. Some jabbed their tridents at the shield and shouted insults so the queens flexed their fingers and the bubble expanded, forcing the All-Council warriors to scramble back.
Ha.
On King Kadir’s commands, they descended to a current that would intersect with others to lead them to Atlantis. Despite the enemy units still trailing them and the events of the night, everyone relaxed, and vibrations rose with good cheer.
More warriors wanted to hear all the details about the brides and their adventures, while others speculated wildly about how they would come up with a new island in a week. King Kadir was surrounded by sober dignitaries, and Gailen wanted that answer too.
Queen Elyssa swam to Gailen and Starr and squeezed them in a hug.
“You two came at just the right time.” She pulled back, her fingertips and soul still glowing to maintain the shield, and her kind eyes glimmered. “Hi, Starr. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Starr!” Queen Hazel hugged her. Unlike Queen Elyssa’s steady command of her powers, Queen Hazel must have stopped controlling hers, because the shield contracted on her side, drawing the warriors and dignitaries in with disgruntled surprise.
Queen Elyssa quickly pushed the shield out again, fully capable of maintaining it solo.
Queen Hazel wailed. “Look at what happened to my beautiful venue!”
“I’m sorry, Hazel,” Starr vibrated quietly.
“I swear, every time I hold a party, something goes wrong. I’m going to find those Sons of Hercules, and I’m going to mace-tase them into another dimension.”
“Uh, well, you might have missed your chance…”
Had Ryerson or his followers escaped? All the innocent platform workers had been accounted for, but they’d had no communications with the terrorists. Plenty of construction boats and life rafts had been left behind.
“Were you all okay?” Starr asked.
“Oh, yeah. Isag got the word to us just in time. We already had the shield up because of the army, but—oh.” Queen Hazel lifted her hands, and her fingertips glowed. The shield brightened even more and expanded. “We moved away and tried to warn the All-Council, but you can see how that head guy listens. I don’t think anyone died, but they’re lucky the first blasts were higher up.”
Lucky…
The current carried them past the communications cable. Although the oil rig had fallen into the ocean, the cable was taut, meaning it was still connected to something on the surface. But it drifted at an angle, so whatever remained was at the mercy of the currents and winds.
Queen Hazel’s young fry squealed in the arms of another warrior, and Queen Hazel grabbed Starr’s forearm. “Tal’s awake this time, so come meet my baby. You can say whatever you want as long as it’s ‘Oh my God’ and ‘How did he end up so cute?’”
Starr looked startled. Then her soul light brightened. She looked at Gailen as if she needed permission.
He released her easily. Young fry were the pride of the mer, and Starr had not described many friends on the surface. Hopefully, that would now