Durstin Read online

  He would have been beautiful had there not been such rage in his glowing blue eyes.

  “Why are you here, elf?” he demanded. His words were clearly audible, though she didn’t know how.

  She bowed her head and used the Voice of Command to penetrate the water. “Great King Nirjhar, I come in peace. Let us in.”

  “Who are you?”

  “I am Queen Kiersten of the River people, and this is my husband, King Durstin.”

  He snorted. “An elven queen of the River people? While it’s strange, it means nothing to me. I’m looking for the Queen of Garthurian, or the Queen of Renwyn. The River people aren’t even a magic race. So Elsifan or Aielle couldn’t even bother to come down here themselves?” Anger rose in his voice. “So be it. I’ve asked for help from them long enough.”

  “I have a message from them. Please, let us in so we can talk.”

  “It’s too late now for that. Go away.”

  She was losing her ability to concentrate, feeling her body starve for air.

  “I said go away!” Nirjhar waved a hand at an outcropping of rock and boulders flew in all directions, splitting the water as if it were air. The largest were flying straight toward them, so she conjured another portal for her and Durstin to retreat through.

  “Dammit,” Durstin said, examining his bleeding arm. “Why is that man so angry?”

  “Wouldn’t you be angry if you needed help and no one was willing to come to your aid?”

  “You mean like Renwyn during the human plague and the Ardak Invasion?” he shot back. “No. I have no idea what that feels like.”

  “We need him to let us in.”

  “Maybe we should start by showing him the cure for the Red Death,” Durstin pointed out, holding up the bag.

  “Yes,” she sighed. “You’re right.”

  “Don’t you have magic that will let you stay under water?” He looked down at his sopping clothes. “This is damned uncomfortable.”

  “I told you to let me go alone.”

  “Not a chance.”

  “Then hold your breath.” She created the portal a second time. “Let’s hope he doesn’t have ten more mermen with him.”

  And, of course, he did.

  Nirjhar didn’t wait for her to speak before screaming, “Attack!”

  The others raised their swords and came toward her. She didn’t have time to use a portal, so she created a shield and thrust it outward. Her greatest affinity was with the air, and when it mixed with the water surrounding them, it created a whirlpool around her and Durstin, which kept them at bay.

  “We have the cure for the Red Death!” she shouted, using the Voice of Power to penetrate the whirlpool and the water.

  King Nirjhar raised his sword, and his men stopped trying to find a way through her shield. The standoff between her and the king lasted for a long moment, and just as her lungs began to burn with the strain of holding her breath, the king gestured to the gates below and they opened.

  When she entered with Durstin, she found herself in the round entryway of a great palace filled with air rather than water. Great pillars rose stories high, gilded with gold along the tops and bottoms. The floor beneath them was decorated with elaborate mosaics of shells, seashells covered in gold making a great star in the center, then spreading outward and leading the way down to numerous underwater tunnels.

  The splendor was such that she didn’t realize their clothes had magically dried. By the time she caught her breath, Nirjhar was there to meet them.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Durstin

  Durstin narrowed his eyes at the mostly naked merman. His tail had transformed into two muscular legs, and he was wearing a simple loincloth made of iridescent scales. To his chagrin, the merman bowed low over Kiersten’s hand and kissed it before turning and winking at him. “So, you do have some power, elven queen who rules a non-magical people.”

  “You must have great power to be strong enough to hold the enormous weight of the water back from this palace.”

  Nirjhar laughed. “Not magic, my lady. Technology. You’d be surprised at the strength of a vacuum.”

  She took a step back in shock. “You’re using technology to keep the water out?”

  “Yes, why is that so surprising?” The corners of his mouth turned down. “Or did you think that we wouldn’t have technology simply because we live down here? Is that why none of you came to help us?”

  “Of course not.” Kiersten put her hands on her hips. “I’m simply in awe of your technological ability. And I have seen that you have some power as well, especially your children.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “How did you see this?”

  Durstin cleared his throat and held out the package. “First, let us offer you the cure for the Red Death, the sickness that has been plaguing the air and waters. King Tordan and Queen Aielle send it with their best wishes and said there are instructions inside.”

  The king frowned and looked down at the package. “They have a cure for this affliction?”

  “Yes, they do, it is why they have been unreachable. It would seem that it has taken quite a bit to procure it and recreate it,” Kiersten replied smoothly.

  The king snorted. “I’ll bet.” He glanced to where a child was peeking out from behind a pillar, and the child ducked back out of view. “Too busy for us down here.”

  “That isn’t true, and they would have come themselves had I not shown up at their castle. You see, I’ve had a vision that has made it imperative I speak with you.”

  Two other males joined them, and he nodded to one. “Bring us nourishment in the visitor starfish chamber.”

  “The starfish chamber?” Durstin whispered.

  He could see his wife fighting not to grin.

  Nirjhar turned his gaze to them, angry once again. “My niece Ondi wanted to name the room we use for visitors, and so she did. Do you find that amusing?”

  Durstin’s humor evaporated. It was clear that Nirjhar was highly suspicious of them and didn’t have a sense of humor. “On the contrary, I find the name welcoming.”

  “And appropriate for a stunning palace under the ocean,” Kiersten added.

  Nirjhar scowled but fell silent as he led them down a corridor to the left, and it opened into a beautiful room decorated with golden sculptures of different starfish woven into netting that moved in tandem with the water beyond. They seemed to dance along the ceiling, float upon the walls, and the end of the chamber ended in a large glass window that looked out upon a sheltered coral reef with hundreds of real starfish of different colors lining the seabed and floating or climbing along the coral.

  Kiersten took in a breath. “This is beyond beautiful.”

  For a moment, Nirjhar’s eyes lightened. “I’ll tell her you said so.” He gestured for them to sit in two of the starfish-shaped armchairs before he took a seat himself.

  A younger merchild brought in some tea and starfish-shaped biscuits and set them on the small table that sat in the middle.

  When she was gone, King Nirjhar leaned forward. “So, tell me of this vision.”

  “I saw how the merchildren gained their powers. When the Ardaks arrived, they put a crystal into their mountain base that radiated energy over the planet. That energy was what manifested the magic in your children. I saw them creating the lightning.”

  “Lightning?” He rose from the chair and began to pace. “I didn’t know they could do that.”

  “They can do that and much more,” Kiersten said calmly. “I saw them create whirlpools as well, which implies they have affinities in electricity and air and water.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “I don’t know, and the guardian of the cavern did not explain, but I saw the merchildren creating whirlpools and storm clouds that forced the Ardak ships down into the sea.” She shook her head. “They wanted to save the people on land from the Ardaks.”

  Nirjhar rubbed his forehead. “And you believe this to be an accurate prediction
?”

  “Yes, but there is more you should know. The Ardaks retaliated. They shot a beam of energy into the ocean, boiling it. Within minutes, there was nothing left, and everything in or on the ocean was dead.”

  “Oh gods, is that even possible?” Nirjhar stopped and surveyed the room with an almost hopeless expression. “If they can evaporate an entire ocean, what chance do we have?”

  Durstin felt for the king. It was one thing to think of a battle that might be equal, but quite another to understand the devastation the Ardaks could bring.

  “We can help to train your children so they learn to use and control the magic, and we should forbid them from taking action against the ships that will come. It is imperative that we tell them why as well. Part of what Durstin saw was their worry over the inaction of the merpeople. If you want to stay out of the fight, then I understand, but I would like to ask you to stand with us in the fight for Aurora.”

  Nirjhar shook his head. “Is your help with magic contingent on my helping with the fighting?”

  “No, of course not. Whether you help or not, the elves will help you.”

  He blew out a slow breath and clasped his hands together on his lap. “I don’t think we should get involved. Unless the Ardaks are sea creatures, we’ll be safe down here as long as we don’t antagonize them.”

  “Where have I heard that before,” Durstin muttered under his breath.

  “What are you talking about?” Nirjhar turned his scowl on Durstin.

  “The elves didn’t help us or the Siirtians either the last time the Ardaks attacked. I don’t know how we’re supposed to win a war if no one wants to help each other.”

  “But we understand how you feel,” Kiersten rushed in. “But if you decide to stay out of it, I would suggest keeping an eye on the children. I don’t think they are going to give up so easily. Allowing them the option to fight with the collective is better than them deciding to fight alone.”

  “Who were the children?”

  Kiersten tried to remember. “Lehar, Ondi, Ohar . . .”

  “And Urmi,” Durstin finished for her.

  Nirjhar nodded. “Let me talk to them and get this cure to my people. You’ve given me much to think about. If we decide to join you, I will come up to Renwyn to see what we can do to help you.”

  “The directions for mixing the cure are in the packet,” Durstin explained, and the king nodded. “As a last thought, you might want to see whether the adults are gaining magic as well. My vision seemed to imply that they should be, but perhaps they haven’t noticed it yet.”

  Kiersten went to say something else, but Durstin reached out and took her hand to stop her. From the set of Nirjhar’s shoulders, it was clear that there was nothing more they could do.

  “You are always welcome with the River people,” he stated, holding out his arm. Nirjhar clasped it strongly.

  “And King Tordan and Queen Aielle will be waiting anxiously for your reply.” Kiersten nodded.

  Nirjhar took her hand once more and kissed it. “Please pass along my gratitude to them for providing the cure, and thank you both for bringing it to us. I will think on all you’ve said seriously. We may see you soon.”

  When Kiersten raised her hand, creating a portal, Nirjhar whistled. “Can you teach our children to do that?”

  “If we can get you a crystal, then we can try.” She nodded. “And perhaps even more. It really depends on them. What they can imagine, how they want to let the power flow through them.”

  Durstin felt reassured as he stepped through the portal, leaving the underwater palace. Although the king had not yet agreed, perhaps he would be able to save his realm from the horrible future his wife had seen in the vision.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Kiersten

  She closed the portal and then brought her hands up to rub her temples, which were throbbing in time with her pulse.

  “Where are we?” Durstin asked.

  Kiersten paused. “We’re just outside Merryth’s domain—it’s just up ahead.”

  He looked at her hands. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes. It’s just a headache. Would you believe that I’m nervous about returning there again? And not necessarily because of the second test.”

  “With the reception your sister gave you the first time? I’d be quaking in my boots,” Durstin said wryly.

  “Don’t joke about that,” she replied. “I really don’t want to fight her again.”

  Durstin pulled her in for a quick hug. “Come on. You just held off a bunch of merpeople beneath an ocean and survived. Besides, I don’t think she’ll be as hostile this time. But if she is, then you can hold your own.”

  “I just wish she would listen to me. Everything happened so long ago, and with the Ardaks returning, it seems futile to keep arguing about it.”

  “You should try again. Don’t underestimate your powers of persuasion.”

  She glanced at him, feeling herself smile. “Yes, they are pretty strong, aren’t they?” She expected him to chuckle, and when he didn’t, her smile faded. He was still angry and mistrustful, and it wasn’t unwarranted. “At least they used to be.”

  Pushing aside her headache and her fears, she proceeded down the corridor and found the door open. Merryth was sitting at her table alone.

  Her lips pursed when she saw them, but Kiersten saw her eyes were suspiciously red. “And so, the great Kerryth has returned. I should have expected it. Only you would think you could leave the Cave of Knowledge in the middle of the tests to pursue a different goal.”

  “I wouldn’t say my leaving was for a different goal, and we were able to gain a conference with the merpeople, who will hopefully be cured by now.” Kiersten shook her head. Her sister was allowing her anger to blind her.

  Merryth returned with the chest moments later, and when she opened it, a crystal sat inside with the vials she was expecting. The crystal was clear with a blue stone that had seemingly grown in the center.

  “What is that?” Durstin asked.

  Kiersten examined it. “I don’t know.”

  Merryth looked down, her lips twisting into a bitter frown. “It’s a water crystal. I guess you’ve passed the first test.”

  Kiersten glanced at the crystal, and a horrible feeling of guilt warred with her happiness at completing the task. “I’ve been worried this entire time that we didn’t complete the test, or that we wouldn’t be allowed to take the next one because we’d left.” She shook her head. “I didn’t know we would get a prize.”

  “What does a water crystal do?”

  “I’m not exactly sure, but I’ll bet if I had combined that with my air magic, I wouldn’t have had to hold my breath.” Kiersten moved it aside and picked up the second vial and handed it to him, taking one for herself.

  He glanced over at her with the vial almost to his lips. “I will admit that I’m slightly afraid of what horrors await us.”

  She suppressed a small shiver. The visions definitely hadn’t been uplifting so far. “I agree. But I guess we’ll find out.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Durstin

  “C

  ome, daughter, the ball is about to begin.” Durstin heard the words and turned, seeing an elaborately dressed elven elder step into the room. He wore a long flowing gown of green velvet embellished with embroidered swirls of gold.

  A motion made his head turn, and a younger elven version of his wife was there. She was impossibly beautiful with pale skin and golden eyes, and her long golden hair was styled in elegant braids, adorned with sparkling green gems and crystals.

  He took in a breath, stunned by her grace as she seemed to glide forward to stand next to her father. She was the woman he loved, yet she was someone else entirely. He couldn’t fathom it.

  “So, I’m announcing your engagement tonight, am I?” Her father beamed down at her. “The ancient royal houses of Heliros and Liatris shall be united once again—and I couldn’t be happier.”

  Kierste
n’s mouth opened in shock, and he could see it was all she could do not to scream. “What are you talking about, Father?”

  Her father frowned. “What do you mean? Tonight, Elsifan officially asked for your hand, assuring me you loved him. I thought you were happy about it.”

  Kiersten shook her head. “That isn’t true. And the house of Liatris isn’t a royal house on Aurora—as much as Elsifan wishes it were so. Please don’t make that kind of announcement tonight, Father. I’ll clear this up with him.”

  He slowly nodded. “I will do as you ask. But what about your future, Kerryth? You’ve been alone all this time—I believed you were simply waiting until the time was right.”

  “The time will never be right with Elsifan.”

  “What’s wrong with him? He’s a prince in his own right, the only one whose bloodline is worthy enough to unite with our house. And he’s handsome enough. Merryth seemed to like him.”

  “Please, Father, that was Merryth,” she replied, and Durstin could sense her irritation. “I know it’s been centuries since Merryth became the guardian, and I don’t understand why everyone thinks I’m just going to step into her shoes and wed Elsifan. I can’t do it—not for the good of the kingdom.”

  Durstin saw her involuntary shudder.

  Her father frowned. “Is there someone else? You know the elders. For a proper succession, they will want a male by your side.”

  Her thoughts went over the available options, but none were attractive to her. “No, my magic hasn’t called to anyone. I’ve been thinking on this for years. Could I simply give Elsifan the throne?”

  He took a step back, his expression horrified. “If Elsifan were a better man, I would suggest that. But he will need someone like you by his side to make him see reason. He used to be a lot more reasonable, but with each passing year, it seems to be worse. That’s why I was so happy about this marriage. The younger elves are swayed by his pretty words and visionary ideals, but make no mistake, with his temperament he would rule with an iron fist—and that never works well in any kingdom, much less a kingdom of elves.”