Waterfire Saga, Book Four: Sea Spell: Deep Blue Novel, A by Jennifer Donnelly Page A

is what
I
want,” she snapped.
    Portia, surprised by the menace in her daughter’s voice, took a stroke backward. She and Vallerio glanced at each other. He seemed equally taken aback.
    “I—I guess we could have a private ceremony,” she finally said. “For family and friends. And keep the state ceremony on the agreed date.”
    “Whatever,” Lucia said dismissively. She turned back to Mahdi. She must’ve glimpsed something in his expression that she didn’t like, for her eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “Aren’t you happy?”
    Mahdi wasn’t. Far from it.
    He knew that when he sang the first note of his marriage vows, the dangerous game he was playing would be over. If a Promised mer sang marriage vows to anyone but his or her betrothed, the vows would fall flat. Lucia, Portia, and everyone else at the ceremony would discover that he’d Promised himself to another, and it wouldn’t take them long to figure out who it was. Vallerio would throw him in the dungeons, if he didn’t put an arrow through his heart.
    Mahdi also knew that he had to give the performance of his life now.
    He raised Lucia’s hand to his lips and kissed it. “I’m
beyond
happy,” he lied. “Our wedding day can’t some soon enough. Why not tonight?”
    Lucia flushed with pleasure. “That’s
too
soon!” she said, laughing. “The regina’s wedding requires a syzygy, remember? Be patient!”
    “I’ll try my best,” Mahdi said, smiling at her.
    “Can you come for a swim through the gardens?” she asked.
    He shook his head. “Later, I promise. Your father, mother, and I are busy protecting your realm. And you know that nothing is more important to me than your safety.”
    Lucia nodded. She kissed his cheek, then swam out of the room.
    Portia watched her daughter go, an expression of misgiving on her face. “Never mind Qin,” she said, as guards closed the door after Lucia. “Thanks to Lucia’s news, it’ll have to wait. What we need to do, right
now
, is kill Serafina, before she brings all our plans toppling down.”
    “But the Black Fins aren’t a threat,” Vallerio protested. “We just discussed this!”
    “I’m not talking about the Black Fins,” Portia retorted. “I’m talking about Sera.
She’s
the true heir to the throne. Lucia’s claim is only legitimate if she’s dead. All along, we’ve stated that Sera was killed in the invasion of Cerulea and that any claim to the contrary was the work of an imposter. Mer believed that at first, but now some of them believe Sera’s alive. Our spy tells me that some of our own citizens are fleeing to the Kargjord to join her.”
    As Portia was speaking, Mahdi saw a chance to help Sera. “Who
is
this spy, anyway? Are you certain his information is reliable?” he asked, hoping that Portia might give him something he could pass on to the Black Fins.
    But she was too cagey. “No names, Mahdi. What if you fall into the Black Fins’ hands and they pull a bloodsong from you? Let’s just say the spy is close to Serafina and has my trust completely.”
    “Good to know,” Mahdi said. His tone was casual, but inside he was desperate. He
had
to derail Portia’s murderous plan. “But are you
sure
killing Serafina is a wise move?” he asked. “She’s been granted sanctuary by Guldemar. If we send troops into the Kargjord, which is his territory, he’ll view it as an act of aggression. We don’t want a war with the Meerteufel.”
    “All the more reason for you to bring Guldemar over to our side,” Portia said.
    Vallerio weighed in. “You’re right, of course, my darling,” he said, then turned to Mahdi. “Take six chests of treasure with you to Scaghaufen to whet Guldemar’s appetite for an alliance.”
    “I will,” said Mahdi. “But you know what the Meerteufel are like. What if he refuses? What if he won’t allow our troops into the Karg to attack the Black Fins?”
    Portia smiled darkly. “Then we don’t send troops. All we need is one