“We’ve waited two weeks for her to name us friend?” Danielle demanded. “She could have done that the moment she accepted leadership of the tribe!”
Bea smiled and patted Danielle’s arm. “It wasn’t the undine who delayed us. Theodore and I haven’t had an easy time convincing our people to let go of their hostility. There were many who wished to punish the undine.”
Theodore scowled. “With the return of trade, I’ve ordered all merchants to return their prices to what they were before the crisis. A handful of gougers have been arrested, but the rest are falling into line. That should go a long way toward making the people happy. Though Montgomery still presses to punish Hilad for their role in this mess.”
“Name Montgomery ambassador to Hilad,” Beatrice suggested. “Send him to live among them for a year.”
The king laughed and squeezed her hand. “Who would I be punishing, Montgomery or the Hiladi?”
Lannadae returned a short time later. She sang to her people, her voice louder than Danielle had ever heard. In response, one of the kelpies surged forward, head held high. On the kelpie’s back, four undine carried a large chest.
“Most of the gold my sister collected will be returned, but I wanted to give you this,” Lannadae said. “I hope it will help to repair some of the damage Lirea caused.”
“Thank you,” said Bea. “How is your sister?”
Lannadae’s expression fell. “She refuses to leave her tower. We’ve dug a tunnel through the wall, but when I visit, she only hides. She hasn’t spoken since Morveren’s death. I don’t know how much she remembers. She’s like an infant, with no voice and no understanding of the world around her. But she seems to enjoy it when I sing to her. Yesterday she even came out into the open to listen.”
Lannadae swam closer, smiling through tears. “Thank you. All of you.”
“How are you adapting to your role as queen?” Danielle asked. “I know how overwhelming such a change can be.”
Lannadae beamed. “Oh, I’m not the queen. Lirea holds that title until her death. But when the queen is too old or injured to rule, her consort is allowed to act in her name.”
Danielle turned to Beatrice, certain she had misheard. For once, Bea looked as surprised as Danielle felt. “Her consort?”
Lannadae laughed. “You look like gulper eels.”
“But she’s your sister,” said Danielle.
“Yes, of course.” Lannadae’s laughter grew, until she could barely stay afloat. “Oh, Danielle. Next you’ll be expecting me to wear clothes, too.”
Theodore raised a hand, disguising his own laughter with a cough.
“As consort, it falls to me to care for Lirea and our tribe.” Lannadae’s tails swayed gently beneath the waves, keeping her close to the ship. “I’ll still have suitors, of course. I might even take a mate of my own. Mermen from this tribe and others.” She flushed, the expression making her look almost human. “After so long in exile, I’m looking forward to that part.”
“What of Morveren’s followers?” Talia asked.
Lannadae’s smile faded. “Morveren’s magic wore off within a day. Their transformation was temporary, unlike my sister’s. Those who fought for Morveren have been banished. If there are others who believed as she did, they’ve decided to keep those beliefs to themselves.”
She swam back to the gathered undine. Taking a spear from another mermaid, Lannadae raised her weapon in salute. “Farewell, my friends!” She turned to the Hiladi, saluting them as well.
“Will we see you in the fall for the migration?” Beatrice asked.
Lannadae lowered her spear. “I look forward to the strawberries.” And then she was gone. Moments later, no trace of undine remained.
“We could learn from them,” Beatrice commented, smothering a yawn. “I know nobles who would have stretched this ceremony out for three days.”
“
Now
will you rest, Your Majesty?” Danielle asked.
“I’ve already spent too much time in that stuffy cabin.” Beatrice shook her head. “Give me the wind and the rolling of the deck beneath my feet.”
Danielle groaned. “I’ll take the bed, I think.”
“I wanted to thank you, Danielle.” Beatrice’s voice was somber.
“Snow was the one who freed you from the knife. And Talia—”
“That’s not what I meant. Don’t misunderstand, I’m grateful to be free.” She looked back at Snow and Talia, who were still bickering. “Neither of those women trust easily, but they trust you. For several years, I’ve worried what would become of them after I’m gone. You’ve eased that fear. For
that
, I thank you.”
Theodore chuckled and added, “That and helping us avoid all-out war, of course.” He kissed Beatrice on the cheek.
Danielle turned to stare at the water. “So is this what the queen does? Rescue princesses and prevent wars?”
“You didn’t think the job was all balls and banquets, did you?” Beatrice’s eyes twinkled.
Danielle watched the waves breaking against the
Phillipa
. “Lannadae is so young. Snow said her scent wasn’t yet strong enough to control the tribe, and she’s been through so much. Will she be—”
“Lannadae is stronger than she knows. She has a kind heart, and she cares for her people. For now, they will stay with her because they choose to. Because they know she came back to protect them.” Beatrice squeezed Danielle’s hand. “She may feel uncertain, even scared, but she will be a good queen.”
Danielle flushed. “I . . . imagine she must feel overwhelmed. There’s so much to learn.”
“There always is,” Beatrice said, smiling. “But thanks in part to you and your companions, she already knows those things that are most important.”
Before Danielle could answer, Beatrice took her hand and tugged her from the rail. “Now come, I want you to try your hand at the wheel.”
“I don’t know how—”
Beatrice’s eyes sparkled. “Princess Danielle, do you remember what I told you when you said you didn’t know how to swim?”
Danielle swallowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“That’s more like it.” Beatrice took Theodore’s hand, allowing him to help her down from the forecastle. “The voyage home is far too short, and there’s much I intend to teach you.”