Dot’s explosion throws me sideways, and my head slams against the stone floor. Dizzy and queasy from the concussive force, I only have a moment to regain my balance. My head pounds in time with my pulse, and I choke on acrid smoke invading my lungs.
I was prepared for something to happen but not Dot’s destruction. Yet the white cloud from its fire suppression system has created the perfect screen. I search to my left where I know Renner was standing seconds before. Since my ability is useless against the weighted guards fumbling to free themselves, our only hope is to get the door open. I don’t even know if that’s possible, but we are getting out of here.
A firm grip clamps around my wrist, and I move to break the hold when I realize it’s Renner.
“This way.” His voice husky from the smoke, he hauls me forward.
“Where—?” It’s foolish to ask. The guards are shouting, the monarch is yelling orders, and what’s left of Dot is emanating a high-pitched screech that makes my head hurt.
I focus on the uneven pavers and try not to trip as we rush to the left side of the room. I can’t see Leef at all and can barely see Renner in front of me, but I stop when we get to a gaping hole in the wall.
“This way,” a deep voice says. It’s the man the monarch called Beta.
I hesitate before Renner pushes me through, and my hands slip forward on mossy rocks. I can’t get a firm grip and topple headfirst down what can only be considered a slide.
One scream breaks free, but the speed stops any other sound. It’s pitch black, and I have no concept of where I’m going or how long it will be before I hit the ground. Just when I think the slide will continue forever, my body rockets free of the tunnel, and I fly through the air.
I think to catch myself, but my head still pounds from where it connected with the floor, and the ground feels odd, undulating in a way my muddled thoughts can’t comprehend. Then it’s too late, and I’m plunged into space-cold water.
The shock forces my mouth open, and I break the surface gagging. My cape threatens to drag me down, and I make frantic movements to release its clasp when hands grip my shoulders.
On instinct, I start to fight them off, but a girl with a soft, lyrical voice speaks at my ear. “This way, Your Majesty. I will take you to safety.”
“My friends.” I gasp.
“They will be safe.”
I hesitate, but it’s so dark, I don’t know where to go. I must trust that this girl, whoever she is, is here to help.
“All right.”
She takes my arm and swims swiftly, pulling me along, and soon a glowing light appears ahead of us. The light is diffused by the water, but the outline of the girl’s delicate features becomes clear. Full lips, wide nose, almond shaped eyes. She looks near my age. Her hair is dripping wet from the water, but she is beautiful.
“You must take a deep breath, Majesty.” She nods down, and I understand.
I fill my lungs with air, as does she, and we plunge beneath the surface of the frigid water. I think, too late, that I should have removed my cloak, but the girl swims strong and direct, as if the weight doesn’t hinder her. She takes us through a tunnel that seems like it will never end.
My lungs burn, aching for air, and I begin to feel desperate, but we break the surface. I gasp in a ragged breath. The air has shifted to warm and moist with the scent of salt water. We’re in a cave lit by bioluminescent plants that drape from the ceiling.
“The ladder.” The girl draws me to metal rungs hammered into the cave’s stone wall.
I climb them, awkward in my drenched cloak, and fall to the rocky floor. Seconds later, Renner’s head breaks the surface, and he searches for me.
“Are you all right?”
I nod.
Leef comes up next, followed by a boy and Beta behind him. We’re all breathing hard and, if my own limbs are any indication, shaking from the strain of shock and swimming. But we’re alive.
Beta climbs the ladder last and drops into a bow. “Majesty, we are honored by your presence.”
“Please, call me Talie.”
He dips his head. “Princess Talie, these are my children. My daughter Koi and her brother Sal.”
“Thank you for saving us.” I pour as much gratitude into my words as I can.
“It is our pleasure to serve.” Koi dips her head.
“But…I don’t understand. Who are you?” I finally admit my ignorance.
Beta appeared to side with the Monarch, but his actions after the explosion don’t line up.
“Are we safe?” Renner interjects.
I feel foolish that it wasn’t the first thing I asked.
“For now, yes.” Beta bends down to the younger boy and whispers something to him.
Sal jumps up and climbs another ladder that rises up the side of the cave toward a patch of sunlight. It’s so steep, a spike of worry shoots through me for the boy, but Beta seems unconcerned.
“Sal will check for us, but we have half a time before the ship will be here.”
“Ship?” Leef speaks for the first time since we’ve left the monarch’s room. He’s clutching a bundle that looks suspiciously like Dot’s head, and a pang of sadness pinches me. He blew up his favorite bot to save us.
“We have arranged an underwater ship that will take you to the Hub. There will be passage for the three of you there, which will take you back to your sky ship.”
“Why?” My blurted question shocks Beta.
“We are—were—loyal to Monarch N’Saala, bless his journey beyond, and we will do whatever we can to protect our world from returning to the days before.”
“But Monarch LeGran will know you helped us.”
“That may be.” Beta shrugs. “There are options for us. Places we can hide. Our fate is of little consequence, but if you are captured, that would spell disaster for more than just my family.”
I feel the weight of his words like a black hole sucking me into its depths. There is no resisting who I am. No alternative.
“Thank you for your sacrifice.” The words feel shallow, but it’s all I can offer.
“It’s nothing.” Beta stands and helps Koi up. “But here, change into these.”
He pulls out packs from a space carved into the rock wall and hands them to each of us.
“You can change this way, Your Majesty.” Koi leads me around the bend.
I feel Renner watching me and know he doesn’t like it when I’m out of sight, but I feel safe here. Safe with these people who would risk their lives to save mine.
I change into a tight suit of silvery material that feels cool to the touch. Koi tells me it will keep me warm in the water. Then I pull on a new cloak made of shimmering blue material she says will mimic the colors of the sea and dry quickly. She also assures me it will not hold me down in the water. Just how much time will I be swimming?
When I rejoin the group, Leef and Renner are similarly dressed, though Leef keeps pulling at the tight suit, uncomfortable with its form-fitting nature. I stifle a laugh and catch Renner watching me. The weight of worry that fills his gaze stirs my feelings. I still haven’t talked with him—there’s been no time—but my resolve rises and falls like the tides. One minute I’m resolute in committing to every Gravless duty, and the next I’m convinced of the need for change.
The one thing that never wavers is how I feel for him. And that is something Renner deserves to know.
But now is not the time. I turn to Sal, who has returned safely from his climb. “How old are you?”
The boy looks up at me with a sheepish expression. “Eleven cycles, Majesty.”
“Please, call me Talie.”
“All right, Lady Talie.”
I want to correct him, but his respect is something I understand. “Is your name short for something?”
His bright green eyes sparkle in the dim light. “It is short for Salmon.”
I smile. “I sense a theme.”
He giggles. “Yes Maj—Lady Talie.”
“Tell me, Sal.” A bubbling erupts from the surface of the smooth pool, cutting off my question.
Renner is at my side instantly, placing himself in front of me and whatever emerges from the water.
“Peace.” Beta raises a hand. “All is well.”
Renner relaxes, but he doesn’t move away.
“Come. It is time. You must swim to enter.” Beta gestures to the pool.
I bite back a groan. I was nearly dry. “I’ll show you the way, Lady Talie,” Koi says.
She makes a beautiful dive into the water, breaking the surface in a graceful way I know I can’t emulate. I take the ladder, noting how much warmer I feel in this special suit. Renner comes in behind me, but Leef jumps in without a word.
Beta and Sal also dive without so much as a splash. Then we all draw in a deep breaths and dive, following Koi to the underwater entrance to the ship and our only means of escape.