Mahdi leaned over to her. “I think they love you almost as much as I do,” he said.
Sera smiled and squeezed his arm. As she did, a shimmer caught her eye. It was the little shell ring he’d once carved for her. After Lucia had handed it to him as proof of Sera’s death, Mahdi had kept it. He’d given it to Sera when she returned from the Southern Sea. Mērē dila, mērī ātmā, he’d whispered as he put the ring on her finger once more.
They would be married, she and Mahdi. Just as it had been decided years ago. One day, but not now. They both had realms to rule and much to learn. He would have to return to Matali soon, and it would be so hard to let him go. But it wouldn’t be forever.
The happy procession came to a fork in the current. A statue of the former ruler and her husband stood there—Regina Isabella and Principe Bastiaan, Sera’s parents.
Sera swam to it and made a deep curtsey. She missed them both profoundly and wished that they were here today, to celebrate with her. Tears threatened, but she held them back. She had lost so much. Everyone had. But she was thankful, too, for all that remained.
Love lives on, Horok had told her.
Sera swept her eyes over her people, happy and safe; she looked at her brother and her friends, and then she gazed at the merman she loved with all her heart.
“Yes,” she whispered. “It does.”
IN A STONE CAVE, deep under the dark waters of a wild and ancient river, the witches sang.
Hand in hand, they swam in a circle, chanting their timeless spells.
The world believed they were dead, killed by a brutal merman and his soldiers. Their names were slowly fading from memory, even from the memories of the ones who’d been summoned.
Which was exactly what they wanted. Their work needed secrecy and stealth. The fewer who knew about them, the better.
The elder sat on her throne of antlers, her black eyes bright and alert, listening to the incantas, nodding at their song. On her hands, three eyes, set in three amber rings, swiveled in their settings, wary and watchful.
If anyone, mer or human, had been close enough, they might’ve heard her singing with the others.
Daughters six, your task is done,
You’ve defeated the monster Abbadon.
He and his maker are now at rest,
And so ends your dangerous quest.
But the Iele’s work will never cease
Until all waters live in peace.
Serafina now rules wisely and well,
But far away, another dwells.
A soulless mermaid prowls the seas
Who once Miromara’s throne did seize.
In a cave of darkness, deep and black,
She plots and plans her next attack.
Sheltered by Kharis, with Morsa’s favor,
She waits till revenge is hers to savor.
Like her parents, in their time,
With wicked humans, she aligns.
Finners, trawlers, criminals all,
They listen to her siren’s call,
And give her gold to grant their wish:
The whereabouts of sharks and fish.
Using slyness, wiles, and stealth,
She builds reserves of power and wealth.
Daughters six, take heed, take care
Of her maliciousness beware.
Guard against her, stalwart friends,
Help those she sells for her own ends.
Protect the creatures of the deep,
In hidden chasms, on seamounts steep.
Guard the dolphins and the whales,
Guard the ones with fins and scales.
Save the osprey, tern, and gull,
Save the harp seal from the cull.
One quest has ended, another begins,
Only time will tell who wins.
In depths below, or waters above.
Fight hard, my children, for what you love.