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Kai stood in the throne room entrance. He remained as still and quiet as possible, not wanting to interrupt the proceeding. In this matter, he knew he’d never be in charge. And he couldn’t have been more delighted.
He gazed in wonder at the beauty of the sight. The cold, dismal throne room had been restored to its former glory. Light from multitudes of L’even pearls glittered from pieces placed on shelves and mounted on the wall.
On the throne sat the most beautiful Perlnaut that had ever graced the kingdom. She wore a diadem much like his own, but with added silver lacing that trailed along her red chestnut mane.
Kai’s attention drifted from the clam shell hanging from a chain around the Perlnaut’s neck to the stack of stone tablets resting on her lap. Her wrists and fingers glowed with additional L’even pearl pieces, further brightening the room as she read to a group of five Perlnaut children.
The children sat around the throne, fixated on the Perlnaut and her telling of The Lake Maiden.
Kai grinned widely as she read the last lines in a voice he’d never imagined would carry underwater.
“Drawing on the power and strength of the L’even pearls, she transformed. Her tail fins became legs, and her voice sounded through the air. She followed the path through the grove of ficus trees she had seen the man disappear through each day. And then won him over with her song.”
The smallest of the children leaped off the lake floor, twisting once before landing at the Perlnaut’s side. He rubbed at the black coils of hair tied at the nape of his neck.
“Mother, what if the Lake Maiden wanted to come back?” He tugged at his tail fins. “How would she swim like us?”
The Perlnaut placed a hand on the child’s head and smiled. “She and those in her line may both use their abilities and the power of the L’even pearls to transform.”
Kai swallowed. Before continuing, the Perlnaut’s green-gold eyes locked onto his.
Their voices joined with the only explanation they’d lived or known.
“In that form the then-existing maiden will return to the lake.”
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Chess Desalls is an author of award-winning YA fiction. Sign up here for notifications about giveaways, upcoming books, and special events.