Ace coddled the young boy to her chest, his sleeping features giving him a rather angelic face. The other children had fallen asleep as well, all huddling together in a quiet heap of warmth and comfort.

A loud, jarring crash suddenly shattered the silence, sending her heart racing like a drum. The children stirred, eyes snapping open with confusion and fear. Her pulse throbbed in her ears.

The door flew open with a metallic clang, revealing Destan, his face etched with relief and exhaustion. He immediately wrapped his strong arms around her and the small boy. "Aceso," he breathed into her ear, his voice a balm against the chaos outside. "You're safe."

Ace's breath hitched. She hugged him tighter, burying her face against his neck. "And you are too," she murmured. Then her voice sharpened with quiet reproach, "Why didn't you tell me a battle had begun?"

His face twisted with surprise. "How did-"

"Diamond Goddess, remember?" she said, her hand rising to gently touch his cheek, the warmth of her fingertips grounding him. "You can't hide much from me, love."

Destan's lips curved into a bashful smile. "You know me too well. It makes you the perfect wife and Queen."

A sudden cough drew their attention. Her gaze shifted toward the doorway, her eyes narrowing at the sight of the large merman that hovered in the shadows.

Black, was her first thought of him. His tail shimmered like a midnight sea, and his long, dark hair framed his chiseled features. He might have looked formidable if not for the guilt shadowing his face.

"Destan? Who is this?" she asked, tilting her head as her gaze sharpened on the intruder.

"Aceso, meet Caspian, the Onyx King," Destan murmured, his arm tightening protectively around her waist. "My fiancée, Aceso."

Caspian's posture stiffened, but he bowed with slow, deliberate grace. "I apologize profusely for coming to your kingdom like this. I'll have to go to the Emerald Kingdom after this."

Ace's breath seized in her chest. "Morgan!" she gasped, her voice a sharp whisper of alarm.

Caspian's face paled, his eyes wide with dawning horror. "Gods. Elric was going to be in charge of him!"

Her heart thundered like a war drum, her eyes locked on Destan's. Without a word, she bolted from his arms, her body a blur of movement as she swam toward the Emerald Kingdom with every ounce of speed she could muster. Panic coursed through her veins, fueling every powerful kick of her tail.

**********************

Kai stood amidst the battlefield, his chest heaving. The clash of metal had stilled. Onyx soldiers glanced around in confusion, the haze of enchantment slowly lifting from their eyes. The soldier he'd been fighting moments before released his sword, his face twisted in horror as he stared at his bloodstained hands. "What have I done?" he muttered, his voice broken.

Kai's gaze darted to his brother. Atlantis's golden eyes were wide with shock, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers who had dropped their weapons as if waking from a nightmare.

"They were bewitched," Atlantis murmured, his voice thick with realization. But then his eyes shot open in terror, his head whipping toward the eastern horizon. "Morgan!"

******************

Morgan's heart thudded like a war drum in his chest, his breaths shallow and rapid. His eyes fixed on the emerald sphere before him. Ren's body floated within, her eyes closed, her dark hair drifting like ink in the water. She looked peaceful, but Morgan knew the truth. He could feel it—a darkness creeping closer. It pressed against his mind like an icy fog, familiar but twisted in a way that made his skin crawl.

Six dark shapes moved in the corner of his vision. Orbs of writhing shadow, circling the sphere like predators stalking prey. The guards around him raised their twin blades, their bodies coiled with readiness, muscles taut as bowstrings.

Morgan's eyes flickered with resolve. He summoned white-hot flames into his palm and hurled it at one of the shadowy orbs. The ball burst, revealing a merman with wild, white hair and a tail as black as onyx. The man's eyes locked on him, filled with fury and conviction.

"Your people have broken the sacred law," the merman growled, his voice like grinding stone as he drew his twin swords.

Morgan's eyes narrowed, his fingers curling into fists of magic. "There is no law broken! That mermaid is not a human! Look at her, you fool!"

The merman's eyes flickered with doubt but hardened once more. "A human is a human. She'll return to her world and expose us all. We will not risk it!"

He lunged. Blades aimed for Morgan's heart, but the nearest guard intercepted him, driving his sword deep into the Onyxian's chest. Blood bloomed in the water like a crimson cloud. The other guards surged forward, their movements precise, slicing through the enemy with the grace of seasoned warriors.

Morgan's hands trembled, his reserves of magic dwindling. He gritted his teeth, beads of sweat drifting upward like tiny pearls. He focused his mind, calling the last of his strength to create a barrier around the emerald sphere. The glow of his magic spread in slow, radiant tendrils, wrapping around the sphere like ivy on a tree.

A sharp, searing pain tore through his chest. His magic faltered. His eyes shot downward, his breath hitching in his throat. A clawed hand was buried deep in his chest, his heart's rhythm faltering.

His gaze snapped upward. Green, vertical-slit eyes stared back, boiling with fury. The merman's face was inches from his own, lips curled into a sneer. The dark aura that surrounded him felt suffocating.

The world tilted. His arms fell limp. Every breath came slower, each one heavier than the last.

Movement caught his fading vision—a flash of red. His gaze flickered to it, catching sight of golden orbs, wild with horror. Atlantis. Tears welled in Morgan's eyes, the weight of unspoken words pressing on his chest. His lips quivered.

"I'm sorry, Atlantis," he whispered, his voice barely a breath. The world dimmed, his senses fading like a candle snuffed out. Darkness claimed him, cold and endless.

To Be Continued in Book 3: 

Onyx

Though I'd draw the final scene. I'm not a pro but I'd thought I'd post it.