In Deeper Waters F.T. Lukens (acx book reading txt) 📖

family’s bane.” Tal took a breath. “No one knows what I am. Rumors started circulating when my magic first manifested and I couldn’t control it as well, but it’s never been widely confirmed. My mother says if people knew the truth, the other kingdoms would either attack us or force her to hand me over for imprisonment.”

Athlen sank in the water. “You have to hide?”

“Yes,” Tal said. He picked through another pile of shells and pearls and gold. “I’ve not been allowed to leave the castle. My siblings have visited all the other kingdoms in an effort to improve diplomacy, but this is my first time out in the world.”

“I’m sorry.”

Tal shrugged. “Don’t be. This was my family’s fault.”

“That doesn’t seem fair.”

“It doesn’t matter if it’s fair. It is my burden as a prince. It is my family’s responsibility to undo the damage my great-grandfather caused as best we can.” Tal pulled his knees to his chest, his toes pruned from the water, and wrapped his arms around his shins. He rested his chin on the bend of his knees.

Brow furrowed, Athlen eyed Tal’s hand. “How does it work? Is it always fire?”

“Not always.” Tal flexed his fingers. “Sometimes I can will objects to move, but only if I concentrate. It’s not as easy as the fire.” He leaned closer. “I’m not even really good at it,” he admitted, voice low. “My tutor says that with time I’ll be as powerful as my great-grandfather, but he can’t teach me beyond the parchments we have.”

“I know a sea witch!” Athlen said. He pulled his body onto a slanted rock next to Tal and propped up on his side. “She lives in the depths and will come to any who call her name with a desire in their heart. She’s powerful and beautiful and terrifying. But…” Athlen trailed off. “You have to bargain, and I don’t… Never mind, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

Tal perked up. “How do you know a sea witch?”

Athlen blushed. “Do you think mermen have the ability to have legs whenever they want? I had to make a bargain.”

“And what was your bargain?”

Athlen laughed and flopped backward, arms over his chest. He flicked his tail, making water droplets arch through the air and land on Tal’s face. “I already gave you a secret. One’s enough for now, my prince.” Athlen crossed his arms behind his head and stretched, eyes shining in the firelight.

Tal narrowed his eyes. “Fine, but you’ll tell me later.” It wasn’t a request and Athlen smiled.

A companionable silence fell between them as they lay next to each other on the slick rock, Tal’s bare feet next to Athlen’s magnificent tail. Their arms brushed, Tal’s tanned skin a contrast to Athlen’s pale body. There was a strange kinship between them; both were forced to hide their true selves or risk—and in Athlen’s case, suffer—imprisonment.

Heaving a sigh, Tal stretched out his body and pointed his toes. He took solace in the quiet minutes and the lapping of the water as the receding tide revealed more of Athlen’s home.

“Thank you for saving me,” Athlen said, breaking the quiet. “I haven’t had anyone looking after me other than Dara for a long time. It’s nice to have another friend.”

The feeling that welled in Tal was beyond description, but if forced, he’d claim it was warmth and pride.

“I have to go,” Tal said, eyes heavy. “Shay is going to be so angry at me for shaking her again.”

“Do you want me to walk you back to the ship?”

“I’ll be fine.” Tal sat up and yawned. “No need to get dressed and follow me.”

Athlen huffed. “I’ll use the water and swim the shoreline. You can wave to me once you’re on the dock.”

Tal rolled his eyes. “You’re as bad as my family.”

“Well, of the two of us, I have more experience with the city humans.”

“Says the boy who doesn’t know the difference in value between a pearl and a piece of sea glass.”

Athlen puffed his chest. “I get what I need.” He spread out his hands. “I have plenty to share. I don’t understand why everyone is so greedy.”

Tal shook his head. “You are a wonder.”

“As are you,” he replied, voice somber, free of teasing.

Tal’s blush returned in full force, but Athlen didn’t see it, as he had already disappeared into the depths of the pool.

Without his boots, Tal carefully waded back the way they had come. The tide had gone out, leaving more sand for Tal to navigate, but that also meant Athlen was farther away, beyond the surf. Tal couldn’t see him in the waves, but took comfort in knowing he was there, a companion in the dark night, the stars the only witnesses to their secrets and friendship.

Illuminated by the moon, the dock appeared busier than normal. As Tal approached, a group of men detached from the shadows, accompanied by a large animal. Tal stopped, fear blossoming as they fanned out around him.

“Been waiting for you, princeling.”

A glint of metal in the man’s hand made Tal step back. Glad of Shay’s paranoia and insistence, Tal unsheathed the dagger at his side and dropped into a defensive crouch, his toes curling in the wet sand.

“Don’t come any closer.”

Blade in one hand, Tal uncurled the other at his side, his magic bubbling beneath the surface of his skin. Flames licked up his spine, and heat unfurled in his belly. Defensive spells coiled on the tip of his tongue. He could defeat these men with fire and steel.

“Why? Are you going to use that blade on us? Or do you have a different weapon singeing your veins?”

They laughed as they swaggered closer. The animal—now discernable as a huge wild cat—was on their heels, ears pricked forward, lips curled into a snarl.

“Come now, princeling. Show us the sparks.”

The words brought Tal up short and washed over him like a cold wave. They wanted him to use his magic. They wanted him to prove the rumors true. They thought they’d force it