Journey into the Realm: The Stolen Child (Journey into the Realm Series) by Markelle Grabo Page B

uncertainty. “What should we do now?”
    Elvina sighed. “You might as well heal me while we have time.”
    I smiled and placed my hands gently against her neck. “Heal,” I commanded, watching the soft glow of light appear underneath my palms. Her blood began to disappear as the wound closed. I removed my hands and inspected my work.
    “Well done,” Elvina praised. “I barely felt that.”
    Prince Orrin’s hands were on my neck before I had time to smile.
    I screamed but remained still to avoid injury. How had he snuck up on us like that? We were in open water. Where had he hid?
    “Mermaids may not have spells at their beck and call, but we have plenty of magic at our disposal to surprise creatures like you,” the Prince whispered in my ear, his closeness making me sick with fear.
    “Let her go, Prince Orrin.”
    Kelby’s voice was like a miracle. I couldn’t help relaxing even though Orrin’s hands were still on me.
    “Keep away, sea fae,” the Prince warned. “Unless you want to see her dead.”
    It was déjà vu at its finest, only now I was in Elvina’s place. I only hoped she had enough strength to immobilize him before his teeth sank into my flesh.
    “You asked me to stop you if it came to this,” Kelby said. “Remember who you are, Prince. You do not wish harm upon the Chosen Daughter.”
    Prince Orrin moaned. “Her call is too strong. I cannot resist.”
    “Yes, you can,” Kelby asserted. “Let her go. You are not your father. You believe in peace.”
    Prince Orrin struggled silently with himself, his grip tightening and loosening on my neck as he agonized over a decision. I held my breath and prayed for his change of heart. I closed my eyes and waited endlessly for him to make a move.
    “You must promise me something,” the Prince said suddenly. “Promise me you will not forget the prison that traps my kind. Queen Naida is no better than the King you mean to destroy.”
    I cleared my throat. “When my journey is complete, I promise I will return to save you and your kind. I will do my best to make you their king.”
    He wasted no time releasing me. I coughed and rubbed my neck until I was able to breathe evenly. The stress of being underwater was no help.
    “Ramsey,” a familiar voice called.
    I turned to see Nathan swimming toward me. Tavis and Aimee floated next to Kelby. Elvina had joined them. From where Orrin had held me I hadn’t been able to see anyone. I had assumed Kelby was alone because no one else had spoken. But my friends were here, safe and away from the palace.
    I rushed into Nathan’s arms. At that moment, my inner struggle over whether or not to be close to him was nonexistent. I lost myself in the comfort of his hands pressed against my back, his face buried in my neck. I breathed him in and felt safe for the first time that day.
    “You must leave before I lose control,” Prince Orrin said.
    I reluctantly moved away from Nathan and watched as the Prince removed his father’s crown and held it out to me. I took it gratefully. As Kelby made the circle, Tavis handed me my bow and bag of arrows. His own were slung over his shoulder. He must have grabbed them during the escape. Aimee removed the honeysuckle from her pack and placed it in the circle. I added the crown.
    Prince Orrin watched from the sidelines, still trembling but otherwise in control.
    “How did you resist the siren’s call?” I asked Kelby, something I was too curious about to ignore.
    “Sea fairies have their own enchantments. They do not answer to sirens,” she explained.
    “Thank you,” I said, placing her shell in her palm. “We wouldn’t have gotten through this without you.”
    She in turn placed the shell in my hair. “Keep this charm to remind you.”
    “Remind me of what?” I asked.
    “The good that still lingers in this Realm. A good that deserves to be defended,” she said quietly.
    I nodded as Kelby moved to Prince Orrin’s side. I joined my friends at the circle.