young fry. Meg, prepare to heal the warriors who will certainly need your services.”
“You betcha.”
“Bex.” He sobered. “You are powerful. I only pray to the Life Tree that you are powerful enough. When the time comes, you must push back the kraken.”
She nodded.
They swam toward the cowering children and unsettled warriors. Ciran entwined Dannika, and everything felt better. They were meant to swim as a pair.
A few Luscans led by Lieutenant Orike tried to make a stand, but Dannika and Angie’s shield rolled over them like a marshmallow over scattered pebbles.
“Wait.” Meg held up a finger as her long fins stroked steadily to keep pace with them. “Bex pushing the kraken might piss her off. Why don’t I just ask her not to hurt us?”
Ciran blinked rapidly again. “You can do that?”
“Why not? I’m a Disney princess, and she kind of resembles the tarantulas I’ve been putting up with ever since my kids were old enough to carry them into my hammock. I can at least try, right?”
“Ah, yes, that would be incredible. Descend with Angie to push through these warriors.”
Angie released Bex’s hand and took Meg’s. “Ladies, it’s been a pleasure. I hope to be back shortly. If not, I—”
“Oh, let’s just go, Mom.” Meg tugged her hand. “They know you love us. We all know.”
She blinked, then poked Meg in the belly. “Some of you are easier to love than others, I must admit.”
“Please.” Meg rolled her eyes.
Her mother grinned and descended, pulling a smaller bubble around her and Meg.
Lieutenant Orike brandished his trident. “By the order of the king, I command you to stop.”
“And I command you to stop commanding me.” Angie lifted her nose. “Respect your elders. Or did your king teach you nothing?”
He whacked her shield, but his trident bounced off with an equal force and he fumbled it. The women descended through the scattered warriors.
“Stop fighting,” Meg mouthed at them. “We’re trying to help you.”
Dannika, Bex, and Ciran centered on the kids.
A line of older warriors protected them.
The king raged at the leader. “Obey me, Figuara. We have to distract the kraken.”
The old warrior, Figuara, stood firm.
“Lieutenant Orike.” The king searched the water and found him ascending from the fruitless altercation with Meg and Angie. “You are on the unprotected side. Kill the young fry.”
Lieutenant Orike frowned deeply. “What?”
“Throw their bodies in the trench. The fate of the city depends on it.”
Lieutenant Orike rotated to face the kids.
A warrior floating beside Hadali gripped his trident. “Do not touch my family.”
The king growled. “Prince Lukiyo. How dare you betray me?”
“I am sorry, Grandfather.” He faced down Lieutenant Orike. “But I cannot let you sacrifice your new recruits.”
Lieutenant Orike shook his head. Apparently, he did have some morals after all. He turned on Figuara. “You are acting above your position, old male. Obey your king or face my wrath.”
Figuara parried his first blow. Lieutenant Orike’s warriors rallied to him, and the battle was on.
The king kicked forward.
Prince Lukiyo met his trident with a clash.
“Now,” Ciran said.
Dannika expanded her shield around the kids. Hadali hugged Bex. She returned his hug, but her gaze rested on the fight beyond their shelter. Prince Lukiyo was stranded outside.
The king held up his trident. “How dare you raise your trident to me? After all I have done for you?”
Prince Lukiyo lowered his trident. “I’m sorry, Grandfather. I just couldn’t let you hurt my family.”
“I am disappointed.”
Bex released Hadali and darted out of the shield. She wove between the fighting warriors with lithe grace.
Prince Lukiyo hung his head. “Please forgive me.”
“I will.” The king lifted his trident and launched it at Prince Lukiyo’s unguarded heart.
Bex thrust out her palm. “Stop.”
The trident flew away from Prince Lukiyo. It whipped around and around and disappeared beneath the city.
The king glared. “You. Again.”
Lukiyo straightened. “Mom?”
The king withdrew a jagged dagger from his arm sheath. “You have defied me for too long. First, you turned my son against me. Now, you weaken the will of my grandson.”
“You shouldn’t have sunk my sailboat.” She dove back, keeping his gaze on her and away from the children. “Me and Ankena never would have met. You turned him against you all by yourself.”
The king roared and slashed at her.
She kicked back toward the abyss.
“Grandfather, please.” The dark-haired young prince flew after him. “Don’t hurt my mom.”
“Of all the betrayals, Lukiyo, yours hurts the worst of all.” He grabbed the prince and put a knife to Prince Lukiyo’s throat.
Lukiyo swallowed. “Please.”
The king’s blade pressed hard enough to draw a red