The High Seas Queen

Chapter Nine: Warship

Shock filled the room, everyone started talking over each other. I watched the room turn to chaos, never taking my eyes off Wren and him, never pulling his off mine. This was a tragedy, definitely a threat, and something that needed to be addressed.

“Enough.” The word felt soft after all I had heard, but the group didn’t miss it.“Everyone, please sit down. Wren, is there anything else you want to share before the questions start?” Still, our locked gazes never faltered. A shimmer passed through his eyes, and the hazel I had seen before sparkled over the green like a wave on the ocean.

“I think that your grandmother should join us for this meeting.” I nodded, not even questioning why he thought that. He turned, pulling away from the table to tell the guards outside the hallway to pass the message on to the former Queen. “There was one other thing I wished to share: The tank the siren was being held in had to have been made by or with the help of other merfolk. It was made with the coral we use to trap the unstable ones. I could hear her song, but it wasn't affecting anyone.” Sitting down, he braced his elbows on the table and steepled his fingers in front of his lips.

We didn’t have to wait long before my grandmother came through the doors, not even out of breath. When she swam in, she looked around the room and stopped on me. She let out a long sigh before addressing me. “He told you about the tank and the siren?”

I shouldn't have been as surprised as I was, but there I was with my jaw practically hitting the floor in astonishment. “You knew all this and didn't tell me? Why did you keep this from me?” The last question wasn't only to Grandmother, but also to Wren. “Both of you should have come to me when this happened, especially with me being your heir. This is nonsense. What you have kept to yourself for two years is dangerous information.”

“Honey, we didn't keep this to ourselves. When Wren came to me after he returned, I sent many of our spies and even some of the other rulers to check it out and see if they could rescue the poor creature. Unfortunately, her captors didn't know how to hold her properly and she was lost to the sea foam.” A sad silence fell over the room and I allowed it for a moment before my anger returned to full force.

“So, other monarchs and merfolk knew that a captured siren was being held in a tank by humans, and you didn't think I should know? Was it that you didn't trust me or were you unsure of me? I cannot wrap my head around the reasoning you could have for not telling me.” My throat started to hurt as I tried to hold back the boiling emotions inside of me. I felt a hand wrap around my own. Leon had moved over to my side to comfort and stand beside me. That’s when I realized three generals had come to my side. Leon, Gail, and Sebastian showed me and the others in the room their support.

When I looked down and saw Korrin staring at the leftover breakfast, it made me nauseous. I had spent the previous year learning and training with her. I always thought I could trust her. Leon’s hand tightened. I could feel the anger radiating from him. “Korrin, is there something you would like to say?” The bite in his voice sent shivers up my arms. He was mad, and he was defending me. It was an incredibly sweet gesture.

I removed my hand from his and gave him a reassuring pat. I moved towards Korrin quickly, surprised when she didn't flinch but my grandmother shifted. There was the missing piece to our puzzle. Korrin was sent to keep an eye on me. I scoffed and returned to my spot by Leon. Surrounded by my friends, I felt stronger even in the face of the betrayal I felt.

“It wasn't about trust, my dear. I wanted to allow you a peaceful mind for a little longer. I didn't mean for this to be the introductory problem in your rule. Wren and I have been corresponding since then and if he has brought the issue here, to Oki, then there is a huge problem. Please Ashera, I named you my heir when you were three. I trust you more than anyone.”

I heard her, and what she said broke my armor bit by bit, warming me from the inside. Even though I understood the hurt was still there. No longer furious at my grandmother, I turned on Wren. I released the cork on my Aura and allowed it to wind angrily over to Wren. I imagine it as a small killer whale swimming around him, and to his credit, he didn’t back away from it.

“I need to talk to Wren alone please.” No one moved at first, so I gritted my teeth and tried again. “Everyone get out, now.” When Leon walked by me, he reached out and squeezed my hand. I returned the gesture with an apologetic smile before returning my attention to Wren. We were locked into an intense staring contest while everyone filtered out and the doors were shut. His glowing green eyes pierced my purple ones, and I could feel his octopus aura reach out and caress my little whale.

“Ash,”

“I think you meant to say ‘Queen Ashera’.” His face paled. I knew it felt like I had slapped him, but what did he expect from me at that point? I am his Queen. I was his princess when he learned of this problem and no one deemed the titles worthy when hiding this from me. “How could you do this to me, Wren? I thought... Well, at the very least, I thought you trusted me.” I started to choke on the words as intense emotion filled my brain.

The man in front of me replaced the boy I once knew. I was so mad, I wondered what he had to say at the same time I wanted to run from him, from all the responsibilities I had been given just yesterday. "It’s been 24 hours since I was crowned and all these problems appeared in front of me within that time. I should have had more warning.” His face was solemn as he floated towards me and embraced me in a hug I didn't even know I wanted.

“Oh princess, I am so sorry. I wanted to tell you immediately, but… I also agreed with Pearl that we should give you more time. I had to stay away too since I’d turned. I was worried you would be scared of me.” He chuckled darkly and squeezed me. “Not that you are scared of anything, but I am not the boy you knew.” I am a ruler and now a siren. It’s weird, but it's still me.”

I allowed him to comfort me a little longer. Then, after regaining my composure, I pushed away and looked up at him. He looked down at me fondly and his hazel eyes were back in full force. “Wren, what is going on? Honesty, please. You keep changing in front of me, the secret you and my grandmother kept. Tell me the truth: Why are you here to see me?”

He was still holding me tightly when he looked over my head, eyes glossing over as he recalled a memory. “The warship I brought today is not the one I stole from the harbor town. This one was used to attack my people. The coral reefs that once surrounded my home are gray and dead. The City of Octopi is gone and the merfolk I brought with me are all that’s left. Some turned and attacked the ship, but they didn't survive. We managed to get the humans, and then I brought it here to show Pearl.”