Mer Tales 01 - Everblue

me as if to say “what a kiss-ass.” I bit my lip to refrain from laughing.
    “ So,” Azor said quickly, “that situation up North we discussed in the Council meeting has escalated. Jack, we need your expertise and advice after all. The King was hoping you wouldn’t mind leaving your responsibilities in the hands of Alaster and helping us out.”
    I glanced at Uncle Al. His smirk under his white beard made my stomach flip. Why would they be allowing him to oversee again after the disaster last time? We still hadn’t fully overcome the rumor mill over the fire and near sinking of the Empress . He was the last person I wanted in charge of our lake or our business. In quiet alarm, I waited for Dad to object, to insist I stay to protect Tahoe and run things in his absence.
    “ If that’s what the King wishes, “ Dad said to my dismay, “of course.”
    “ Great. And then, as far as the family—”
    I swallowed hard and clenched my jaw. Uncle Al taking over the lake? The last thing I wanted was to share living quarters with them.
    “— Finley and Tatiana are having their eighteenth birthday soon, correct?”
    Mom folded her hands on the table top. “Yes.”
    Azor smiled wide. “Perfect. The Coming of Age festival is less than a month away and there is much to prepare. We’ll just have you stay in Natatoria for the time being. Have any prospects of promising been voiced?”
    Tatiana hit her tail against mine. I kept a straight face.
    “ Not unless it’s happened within the last hour,” Dad said with a smile. “We’re allowing Fin and Tatiana to choose, you know.”
    Azor’s countenance fell. “Well . . . hopefully they’ll find suitable mates before the festival.”
    From my peripheral vision, I noticed Tatch close her eyes, as if she’d sent up a silent prayer of thanks.
    “ Fine then,” Azor continued. “Magdalene, you and Tatiana will be assigned to the palace to help prepare for the upcoming festival. Finley, I’d like you to join me in my command. One day, you might be given an actual gate of your own to guard so it’s important you’re trained.”
    Trained? Was he kidding? I’d been guarding the gate with Dad from the day I could swim. Maybe if he got off his pompous fin and actually spoke from experience instead of barking orders from his dad, I’d respect him. I bit back my retort once I caught Dad’s cautious eye.
    “ As you wish, Azor,” I said begrudgingly but shot a pleading look back. Dad still had time to suggest I stay in Tahoe in his place.
    Dad kept a mask of strength and nodded his head. “I’m proud of you, Son.”
    “ Excellent. Now that that’s settled, I’d like to speak to Jack and Alaster alone. We have details to discuss.” Azor raised his arm, directing us—the outcasts—toward the shimmering waterway in the opposite corner of the room. The tunnel leading to the city of Natatoria.
    Dread crept across my scales. Our “convenient” assignments brought us right under the nose of the King. We’d have to fall in line and follow their rituals. No more jaunts on land for the time being. But the worst part was Dad’s assignment.
    What possibly could be happening up North that would shake him so badly? He’d never arbitrarily leave Alaster in charge of Tahoe and ditch us to deal with things like a pre-promising festival if there wasn’t something big happening. Whatever the situation, though he tried to hide it, I’d never seen him so concerned before. When would we see him again? I suddenly didn’t want him to go without me.
    Tatiana responded to the gravity of the situation first and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Bye, Daddy.”
    He patted her on the back and his gruff exterior crumbled a bit. “You take care of your mother. I’ll be home soon.”
    Mom forced a smile and hugged my father next, but for much longer.
    “ When will you be home?” she asked quietly in English, caressing his face with her hands.
    Azor interjected, answering to prove he understood her. “A few weeks, Magdalene. We’ll take good care of Jack. It’ll be difficult, but of anyone I know, you two can handle it.”
    Ignoring Azor, Dad hugged Mom and caressed her hair. “I love you,” he said, distress lining his tanned face. “Always know that.” They shared a tender kiss.
    Anger burned in my belly. The fact that the King and his son had such control over us irked me. All the expectations sent a dagger into my chest. I wanted to jump up and demand Dad decline the