Aya gasped. “You know?”

Shocks rocked through Soren in quick succession.

Queen Elyssa nodded. “You can hear it breathing sometimes. Lotar identified it. It’s creepy.”

“And you’re still here?” Aya squeaked.

“Blake killed Kadir’s Life Tree. I had to use the only seed to bring it—and Kadir—back from the dead. Luckily that’s my mermaid power! That’s why I’m so glad to see you.”

Queen Elyssa carried Kadir’s young fry. Another female was coming here to birth her young fry. Blake had killed the Life Tree when his submersible severed it but Queen Elyssa had brought it – and Kadir—back to life using up the power of the only seed. If the Atlantis Life Tree died again, Kadir would die with it.

They had to fight.

Kadir patted Soren’s leg. His smile was as melancholy as his wife’s. “It is heartening you have returned. We need more friends.”

“And you allow the other warrior and queen to come?” Soren snarled, stuck on the easy fact — that more brides and young fry were coming — than the hard fact that Kadir couldn’t evacuate. “In the face of this threat?”

Kadir grimaced. “It is their choice. I will not force anyone to leave or restrict anyone from entering.”

It was not his desire to damn anyone. Soren regretted his outburst.

“The megalodon has not attacked?” Soren pressed.

Queen Elyssa shook her head. “We sometimes feel this ugly wind blowing through the middle of the city.”

Aya pinched the bridge of her nose. “And you want to stay?”

“Well, not want to. But Kadir doesn’t have a choice.”

“You do.”

Queen Elyssa lifted her chin. “My baby is going to know his father and his mother.”

Her announcement rang across the courtyard. The warriors straightened, invigorated by her declaration. Most warriors never knew their mothers. To know both parents was a dream.

They would all help her wish come true.

“Anyway, it’s okay,” Queen Elyssa continued. “We have a foolproof plan. Now that you’re here, we’ll figure out an even fool-proofer plan. Fooler-proof. You know what I mean.”

Aya crossed her arms. “This isn’t elementary school.”

“Are you sure? We’re both kind of mermaids.” Queen Elyssa rubbed Aya’s forehead. “I think I can feel a horn growing right here.”

Aya’s serious brow lightened.

Queen Elyssa giggled.

Aya smiled. “You’re a nut.”

“One of us has to be.”

Their lights combined to a tinkling brilliance that silenced the castle like the holy shine of the Life Tree. Two women, their pure love and friendship, shining for all to see.

This was why the city had been founded. This was the dream behind Atlantis. Brides wanted to come, and queens stayed.

The rest of it — the queens’ healing connection to the Life Tree, their unusual ability to keep pieces of it alive that would otherwise wither, and their activation of its power to protect and defend — those were not what the mer had expected. Such powers had been recorded, but the history was so ancient it was easier to believe it was an exaggeration or a lie.

Now Soren knew the truth.

The queens would save them.

Even though every instinct fought against it, he would keep Aya in Atlantis. He would keep Queen Elyssa near Kadir. And he would welcome this newcomer, Lucy.

Lucy had been the first modern bride to join with a merman. Her acceptance of Warlord Torun even after his exile had started the groundswell of support in the other underwater cities that broke loose and formed an army. Together, they joined Soren and freed Kadir from the All-Council’s impenetrable prison. Many stayed on to found Atlantis.

And now, many were staring at him with the same faith, determination, and heart.

They would fight the megalodon.

Atlantis would survive. Somehow.

“Okay.” Queen Elyssa made a fist, the universal insult to start a fight.

Kadir caught her fist and flattened her hand. She smiled up at him, knowing she’d made a mistake and that he’d helped her — and his warriors were so inured to her accident they barely blinked.

“Well, we should do introductions. Then Aya can choose her guards, do the ceremony, and get some rest.”

Ceremony?

“You don’t want to work on our plan?” Aya pushed.

“You and Soren both look exhausted. And we already have one plan. You should rest while you can.” Queen Elyssa waved her forward. “Stand and make a welcome speech.”

Aya straightened her shoulders like a proud warrior and launched into a stirring speech.

“Thank you for your warm welcome during this difficult time. I will do my best to serve as your queen. Let this mark the beginning of a beautiful future between human and mer. Thank you.”

Her light shone with stunning brilliance.

Queen Elyssa cheered.

The other warriors listened respectfully. Soren swelled with pride. No warrior could doubt the strength of his Aya.

Queen Elyssa straightened again. “Now, we’ll do introductions. Then, Aya, you can choose which two warriors will serve as your personal guards.”

“Personal guards?”

“I hate to say this, but Atlantis isn’t perfectly safe just yet.”

Queen Elyssa had chosen Gailen and Tial for her personal guards after they defended her from raiders.

Aya looked out over the warriors. “I already know who I would like.”

The warriors shifted with surprise.

What? She had gotten to know them during the feast? Or the bride pageant?

Queen Elyssa also looked curious. “Already? Are you sure you don’t want to meet everyone formally?”

“I would like to, but it will not alter my choice. Would you like me to announce them now or wait until after the introductions?”

“You can announce them now.” Queen Elyssa smiled with mischievousness. “No need to keep them in suspense. They can turn you down, though.”

“That’s fine.” Aya turned to the gathered warriors.

They all straightened and puffed out their chests.

Soren understood the burning wish, the yearning to be selected. This was a different promotion, one that never happened in the old cities. There, the highest honor was First Lieutenant within the city, or possibly General outside of its borders.

Whose service would be noticed and honored?

Aya spoke clearly. “For my personal guard, I select Faier and Ciran.”

The two warriors startled. Across the courtyard, they looked at the others as though to confirm they’d been chosen, then, with a nod to each other, they kicked forward to stand in front of Aya and Soren.

What united these two? Why had Aya chosen them? They both clearly wondered, as did everyone else. Ciran had escorted Kadir to the bride pageant, and them into the Atlantis today. But she had never spoken to Faier.

Ciran arrived first. His brown and evergreen tattoos intertwined, and he formally made the salute of Atlantis. “I would be honored to accept this position, bride Aya.” His words were precise. Careful and thoughtful.

She nodded.

Faier moved more slowly. He had sustained injuries from the last battle. Not only was his face slashed with wicked scars, but the fin on his uninjured leg was now split. No doubt he still conducted his patrols, working three times as hard.

“I am honored.” He smiled quietly and also made the two-circles-adjoining salute.

“I hope guarding me will not interfere with your duties.” She looked to Soren for confirmation.

Ah! Could it be that she had chosen them because he wanted them for patrols? Tingles popped in Soren’s chest like tiny bubbles. She had listened at the trench. She valued his opinions. And, she wished to bring these warriors to him so that his work could continue even when they were guarding her.

“We will discuss the new duties,” Soren said. “After introductions. Line up.”

Her two promoted guards joined him, ranging behind Aya. Queen Elyssa organized the warriors. Aya shook hands with all, repeating their names and inquiring details.

“Zoan.” She shook hands with the last warrior. “Your twin brother is the one I shot with a harpoon gun during the last battle, am I correct? How will I know if he impersonates you and breaks into the city once again?”

The peach-tattooed warrior’s eyes gleamed and his lips quirked, sharing a private joke. “Do not trust the ‘me’ with a harpoon scar on his arm.”

Her eyes narrowed as though trying to tell whether he was being serious.

He kept his smile in place.

“I will have more questions for you later,” she said coolly, finishing with the introduction.

“I will have more answers for you later.” He flashed a white grin in his tanned face and flicked his fins, returning to the jostling warrior crowd.

Aya shifted to address Soren and her guards. “Are all warriors from Siyokoy so cheerful?”

“Many, yes,” Faier said swiftly, seeking to answer her actual question. “The warriors of the different cities do have tendencies. It is rare so many gathered in one place can exist in harmony.”

She nodded. “No one has fought a megalodon.”

A sobering thought.

With a sigh, she turned to Soren and lifted her arms. “It’s time to rest?”

He pulled her against him. “You are tired.”

“The sooner we sleep, the sooner we can discuss strategy.”

He nodded to Ciran and Faier to swim with them. They kicked to the tunnel entrance.

Queen Elyssa stopped him. “You still have to do the ceremony.”

Aya lifted her head. “I just did the welcome ceremony.”

“No, silly.” A smile broke over Elyssa’s face. “The marriage ceremony. To Soren. We’re going to have it right now.”