Chapter 16

"What..." Meera felt her sinking heart rise up above water at the familiar faces of her cousins. She rushed forward and jumped into Marcella's arms. The two embraced as Ozmen stood nearby, a protective and watchful figure.

"What are you doing here?" Meera asked, pulling back to look at Marcella.

"Meera, something terrible has happened," Marcella started, her voice quivering as she spoke.

"What happened?" Meera felt her blood chill.

"Father's been poisoned," Marcella said, her voice cracking as she held back tears.

"What?" Meera's eyes widened in shock. She looked towards Ozmen as he lowered his head and held the pain at bay. "How did this happen?"

"We don't know," Ozmen sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It occurred after his morning bath a few days back. He began to feel ill and complained of his throat burning."

Meera's stomach churned, "Venomfire."

"Yes," Marcella nodded. "That's what Lord Zahir said. How did you know?"

The wind in Meera's lungs disappeared as she turned to look towards Eryx. He watched her careful eyes as if he expected her to crumble again.

"He's not the only one," Ozmen's low voice pulled Meera back. "June....."

"No," Meera cried out, her hands flying to her mouth to stop the whimper that wrenched through her heart.

"We didn't know where you were," Marcella grabbed Meera's shoulders. "We thought you were dead."

"I...." Meera didn't have words. Her soul cried out for her cousin and uncle. She felt the pressure inside her chest rise into her throat, cutting off her air.

"Where did you go?" Marcella's sobs echoed in the air as she clutched Meera's shoulders, her bottom lip trembling with a mix of sorrow and frustration. Meera's gaze lingered on Eryx, seeking solace in his familiar presence. Pain and confusion etched across her face, she hesitated, the weight of the news and her emotions pulling her in conflicting directions.

"I had to go," Meera finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper. The room felt heavy with unspoken grief.

"Why?" Marcella asked, her voice laced with frustration. "Where did you go?"

Meera, avoiding the direct questions, turned to Ozmen. "I'm assuming you're ruling as regent."

"Yes," Ozmen bowed slightly, his posture reflecting the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

"What do you know about who did this?"

"Well, there was some destruction by the water channels," Ozmen explained. "We went to check as soon as we heard other people in town were also poisoned."

"How many?" Meera dared to ask.

"Thirty," Ozmen said. "All out of town."

"Because the water passes through their village before coming to the palace," Meera placed a hand over her heart to stop the ache, but nothing helped.

"Yes," Ozmen continued. "There were a few bodies by the channel. We don't know who they are or where they came from-"

"Delphina," Meera spoke up.

Ozmen paused, "What?"

"They were from Dalphina."

"How do you know that?" Ozmen asked in confusion.

"I just do," Meera said. "Send word to King Elias. Tell him we know what he tried to do and we demand answers."

"No," Ozmen shook his head. "We have no proof. Sending any kind of message to King Elias right now would be a mistake."

"What can he do, Oz?" Meera demanded, her voice rising with tension. "He has no army, no money. All he has are his barrels of venomfire, and he is not going to get away with poisoning our water."

"How do you know any of this?" Ozmen demanded. "What are you not telling me, Meera?"

"I can't," Meera shook her head. "I can't tell you how I know, but you have to trust me, Oz. You know I would never tell you to do anything unless I was completely sure of it. I'm telling you, Elias is responsible for the Venomfire. He wants to make us suffer."

"Meera, I love you, but right now you sound crazy," Ozmen grabbed her shoulders and held her back. "We're not children anymore, and this isn't a game of chess or hide and seek. I am regent, and every action I take right now will change the course of two kingdoms. You have to tell me how you know it was Elias."

"Can't you just trust me?" Meera begged. "Please."

"No," Ozmen put his foot down. "And as your regent, I command you to tell me what you know."

"You command me?" Meera's eyes widened.

"Yes, I do," Ozmen said, his eyes filling with pain. "And if you fail to do so, your actions will be an act of treason against the crown."

"Treason?" Meera gasped. "Oz!"

"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves," Eryx stepped in, his voice calm but assertive. "Meera and I had gone to the channels that night when we saw the men from Dalphina. You can ask my men. There was a scuffle, and Meera was injured. She has been recovering here ever since."

Ozmen's eyes narrowed, suspicion etched across his face. Marcella turned towards her cousin as Meera stared at Eryx, anticipation and tension hanging in the air, wanting to hear what he had to say next.

"And you didn't think to inform anyone at the palace?" Ozmen asked, his voice edged with frustration.

"Meera was my first priority," Eryx explained, his gaze steady.

"My father and sister have been poisoned!" Ozmen's eyes filled with fire. He stepped forward and stood head to head with Eryx. "You didn't think to tell anyone the water was poisoned? Innocent people drank that water! We could have stopped them! We could have stopped June and my father-"

"Stop! Stop!"

Everyone around the cabin stilled as Meera placed her hands over her ears and shouted. The overwhelming tension and accusations had become too much for her to bear. Her plea cut through the air, a desperate attempt to silence the escalating confrontation.

The room fell silent as Ozmen and Eryx stepped back, their confrontation momentarily halted. Meera tried to catch her breath, her teary eyes searching for clarity in the chaos. The weight of the tragedy, the accusations, and the unexpected revelation mingled in the air, creating an atmosphere heavy with sorrow and uncertainty.

Marcella's gaze flickered between Meera and the men in front of her, torn between family loyalty and the need for answers. The cabin seemed to shrink as the emotions within it swirled like a tempest, each word and gesture magnifying the severity of the situation.

Eryx, still maintaining his calm demeanor, watched Meera with concern. Zeya remained stoic, her eyes revealing nothing as she observed the unfolding drama.

"Please just stop," Meera begged, her voice a soft whisper as she tried to gather her thoughts. "I thought I had stopped the poison."

Ozmen took a step away from Eryx. He peered at Meera, his eyes filled with confusion and sorrow, her shoulders shaking with the sobs that rocked her.

"This wasn't supposed to happen," Meera shook her head. "June and Uncle Neftali....."

"You tried to stop the poison?" Marcella spoke. "How? What do you mean?"

Meera's eyes flickered up towards Eryx. She stared at him with her tear-filled eyes, watching the muscles in his jaw clench.

"Meera," he warned. "No... don't do it."

"What is it, Meera?" Ozmen stepped closer to his cousin and took her by the shoulders. "You can tell me. What happened? What do you mean?"

"I...." Meera sobbed, her eyes moving from Eryx to Zeya, who gave her a small nod. When Meera's eyes returned towards Ozmen, she knew there would be no going back if the words left her mouth. But Meera needed to punish the man responsible for the pain raging through her kingdom.

"What is it, Meera?"

"I..." Meera began slowly, her insides trembling. "I knew something was wrong with the water the night I left with Eryx."

"How did you know that?" Ozmen asked.

"The water speaks to me."

Meera's words hung in the air for a second, and then for two. Ozmen and Marcella stared at her, wanting to understand but unable to make heads or tails of what was being said.

"I don't..." Marcella shook her head. "I don't understand."

"I..." Meera's eyes flickered towards Eryx once more. He had turned away from her. His profile showed off his sharp clenched jaw as he avoided looking at her.

Eryx's discomfort was palpable, his inner turmoil evident in every tense line of his body. He had tried to protect Meera from the consequences of revealing her secret, knowing the potential dangers that could follow. His silence spoke volumes, a silent plea for her to reconsider.

Meera took a deep breath, mustering the strength to continue. "The water communicates with me. It's a gift, or a curse, bestowed upon me by the moon goddess, Selene."

Ozmen's grip on her shoulders tightened, and Marcella's eyes widened with a mix of awe and confusion. The gravity of Meera's revelation hung heavily in the air, a profound silence settling over the cabin. The enormity of what Meera claimed was beyond their immediate comprehension.

"Eryx knew of my abilities since the day we met," Meera continued, her voice quivering. "He wanted to protect me, protect us all from the consequences. But now, knowing what I do, I can help. We need to stop Elias and save our people."

Ozmen's gaze shifted from Meera to Eryx, a storm of conflicting emotions raging within him. Eryx, though still avoiding eye contact, nodded subtly in acknowledgment of Meera's decision.

"This is madness," Marcella finally spoke, her voice breaking the silence.

Meera's heart raced as she braced herself for the consequences of laying bare her extraordinary ability. The burden of responsibility, the weight of secrecy, had become too much to bear. Now, with her truth exposed, Meera was ready to face whatever came next, driven by the unwavering determination to protect her people and bring justice to those who had inflicted pain upon her kingdom.

"This isn't the time for jokes, Meera," Ozmen said.

"I'm not joking," Meera explained. "I cleaned the water and purified all the poison....but I guess I didn't get all of it."

"Are you listening to yourself right now?" Ozmen stepped back, his face etched with frustration. "You want me to believe you can communicate with the water?"

"Yes," Meera nodded.

"You're a witch?" Marcella questioned.

"She's an elemental," Eryx spoke up. "Luckily, she can't cast any spells. She would have been a bit too powerful otherwise."

"An elemental?" Ozmen asked. "What is that?"

Ozmen's disbelief hung in the air like a heavy fog, his eyes narrowing at Meera as if waiting for her to reveal the punchline to an absurd joke. He couldn't fathom the idea that Meera possessed such a supernatural gift, and the frustration etched on his face reflected his struggle to reconcile the fantastical claim with the harsh reality of their situation.

Meera, standing before Ozmen, saw the skepticism in his eyes, and it cut deeper than any physical wound. She could sense the disbelief, the rejection of her truth, like a sharp pang in her chest. The gravity of her revelation seemed lost on Ozmen, and Meera knew that to convince him she had to show him her abilities.

"I understand that it's hard to believe, Ozmen," Eryx interjected, attempting to ease the tension. "But Meera saved us that night. She has a connection with the element, a rare and powerful ability. It's not something she chose; it's a part of who she is."

Ozmen's gaze shifted between Meera and Eryx, a storm of conflicting emotions playing out on his face. The nature of Meera's revelation clashed with his rational understanding of the world. The idea that his cousin, someone he had known all his life, held such a mystical ability seemed preposterous.

"You expect me to believe that she has some magical connection with water?" Ozmen shook his head, his frustration growing. "This is absurd, Meera. We're dealing with a poison, not fairy tales."

Meera's eyes pleaded with Ozmen, the weight of her truth bearing down on her. She wanted him to understand, to trust her in this dire moment. In that tense silence, Meera grappled not only with the impending crisis but also with the disbelief of her family.

"She can show you," Zeya stepped forward.

"Oh, good god," Eryx muttered under his breath, frustrated by the women who seemed hell-bent on spilling all their secrets.

"Show us what?" Marcella wondered. "Meera, tell me this is not true. You can't actually talk to the water. No one can."

"I can," Meera said. "And I did the night Elias's men poured poison into our channels."

As Meera spoke, Zeya walked forward with a bowl of water meant to wash and clean inside the cabin. She set it on the small table and took a step back. Marcella watched her with curious eyes as the beautiful girl came to stand beside her and stole a quick glance in her direction.

"Ozmen..." Meera began quietly. "I would never deceive you."

Ozmen didn't know what to say as he watched Meera dip her hand into the water and turn it over. The soft sounds filled the cabin as small bubbles began to rise from the bowl.

Marcella and Ozmen stepped closer to one another as all the water in the bowl floated around as if a washcloth in the air. Their jaws were unhinged as Meera waved her fingers, and the water danced to her commands. She separated them and then scattered them like stars above their heads. The droplets rose high above the ceiling before falling all at once as rain.

Marcella gasped, feeling the cool liquid run down her back. But before she could complain, the water rushed back up her body and hovered above her head. She was stunned to find she was as dry as a turtle in the sun.

"How can you do this?" Marcella asked in disbelief.

Meera glanced at Eryx, who still stood with a tense jaw, his eyes a mixture of frustration and resignation. With a deep breath, Meera focused on Marcella and Ozmen, her eyes filled with a mixture of vulnerability and determination.

"I have a connection with the element," Meera explained. "It responds to me. It's a gift that runs in my blood. I can feel the currents, the vibrations, and I can manipulate it to some extent. It's not witchcraft or sorcery; it's a part of who I am."

Ozmen's eyes darted between the floating water and Meera, struggling to reconcile the mystical display with the reality he had known. Marcella, still standing beneath the suspended water, looked at Meera with a mix of awe and confusion.

"No..." Ozmen slowly shook his head, his voice a whisper in the charged atmosphere of the cabin.

Meera, her heart heavy with the weight of her truth, knew that acceptance would take time. She had laid bare the depths of her extraordinary abilities, and the reactions of those around her were a tapestry of disbelief, wonder, and a subtle hint of fear. As the suspended water hung in the air, Meera waited, hoping that her cousins would find a way to understand the depths of her connection with the element.

"No, this isn't a part of who you are," Ozmen shook his head once more. "You've never been like this before. Who did this to you? Was it Eryx?"

"No!" Meera's eyes widened. "I've always been like this."

"Since when?" Ozmen demanded.

"Since I was thirteen," Meera said. "You can ask Sion. He knows."

"Sion?" Ozmen's eyes grew wider.

"Yes," Meera nodded. "He caught me playing with the water by the temple and told me not to tell anyone."

"Why..." Marcella wondered.

"Why?" Ozmen was baffled by his sister's question. "Because people will stone her to death if they find out what she can do!"

Ozmen's frustration reached a boiling point. He struggled to reconcile the image of the cousin he thought he knew with this revelation of an extraordinary ability. His mind raced with questions, suspicions, and a growing sense of being overwhelmed.

Ozmen's voice trembled with a mix of anger and confusion. "How can I trust you now? How can I trust anything you say?"

Meera's eyes welled up with tears as she watched Ozmen's emotional turmoil unfold before her. She had hoped for understanding, for his support, but the reality was far from her expectations. The weight of her secret, now exposed, pressed heavily on her shoulders, and the foundation of trust between cousins seemed to be crumbling.

"I didn't want to burden anyone with this," Meera explained, her voice strained. "I feared what people would do if they found out. Please, Ozmen, I need your help now more than ever. Elias is a threat to our kingdom, and I can help stop him. I need you to trust me, to believe in me."

Ozmen's emotions warred within him. He felt betrayed, overwhelmed, and unable to comprehend the scope of Meera's revelation. The weight of responsibility as a regent, the uncertainty of the kingdom's future, and now the revelation of Meera's secret had taken a toll on him. He took a step back, running a hand through his hair in a gesture of frustration.

"Meera, I need time," Ozmen whispered, his eyes weary. "I need time to process all of this. I don't know how to deal with this right now."

Meera nodded, understanding the enormity of what she had revealed. She watched as Ozmen turned away, his shoulders slumped with the weight of the unexpected burden. Marcella stood beside him, her own confusion mirroring her brother's.

In the cabin filled with charged emotions, Meera felt a profound sense of isolation. The secrets that had once protected her had now become barriers between her and the people she loved.

________________

A heavy silence hung over the passage of time, as a day unfolded without a single word from Ozmen or Marcella. The weight of their unspoken thoughts pressed down on Meera's shoulders, leaving her heartbroken and homesick for the warmth of familial connection that seemed to slip away.

The sun climbed and descended in the sky, casting shadows that played with the echoes of solitude. Meera found herself pacing the surroundings of the cabin, the weight of uncertainty settling like an unwelcome companion. The air felt thick with unspoken tension, and the absence of familial chatter left an emptiness that echoed in the quiet corners of her heart.

As the day wore on, Meera sought solace in the familiar surroundings of the harbor and bay. The eyes tracked the waves and leaped up to kiss the sides of the ship while she mentally pushed them higher and higher until they reached her toes from where she sat hidden behind some piled crates, The water play offered a brief escape from reality. But Meera's eyes betrayed the silent turmoil within, reflecting a mixture of sorrow and longing.

In the midst of her solitude, Eryx, ever watchful, noticed Meera's solitary retreat towards the back of the ship. Sensing her distress, he made his way toward her, navigating through the crew and guards on watch. His eyes, usually sharp and focused, softened with concern as he approached her. He cleared his throat and Meera turned to face him, her eyes revealing the weariness that clung to her soul. Eryx stepped closer, a silent pillar of support in her sea of uncertainty.

"I never wanted it to come to this," Meera admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought telling them the truth would help, but it feels like I've lost them."

"Trust is fragile," Eryx said. "Especially when faced with the unexpected. Give them time to come to terms with this revelation."

Meera nodded, "Was that your strategy with me?"

"Are you saying it worked and you trust me now?" Eryx teased.

"I do," Meera surprised him by admitting, her eyes serious and no trace of playfulness. "I trust you."

Eryx was taken aback by the depth of trust in Meera's eyes. He stared at her, feeling hope rise up inside his heart as he smiled.

"Sion had said I would know what to do once I met your wolf," Meera explained.

"And what do you have to do?" Eryx waited to hear.

"I have to go with you," Meera sighed. "I can't explain it but once I saw your wolf, I just knew....There was this heavy knot in the pit of my stomach yelling at me, calling me to the tasks I know nothing about."

Eryx listened carefully. He stayed close as the water continued to leap up and kiss Meera's toes.

"But there was a darkness," Meera frowned. "Surrounding your wolf."

"The Northpass," Eryx sighed, running a hand through his hair. His piercing gaze scanned the horizon as if searching for the monsters he spoke about. "We're the guards of this realm. We're kissed by the shadow word. It helps us see past the mist in the dark frosts."

Meera nodded, taking note of his words. "What will you train me to do?"

"Serve your kingdom," Eryx said. "You want to protect your people? Protect them from the real danger that's out there."

"How?"

"There are others like you," Eryx said. "One elemental for each wolf. Never in our history have we found two elements in one lifetime. I'm hopeful that Zeya and Sven will find their mates as well."

Meera listened to Eryx's words as she began to trace pictures on the deck with her wet toe. Her somber face caused Eryx to step closer and take a seat beside her.

"We can set sail for Voreios tonight,," he said.

"No," Meera shook her head. "I can't leave just yet. My uncle and June...they need me. Ozmen needs me."

Eryx frowned.

"And besides," Meera sighed, wrapping her arms around herself. "If I leave Azmeera like this, I will tarnish the reputation of the crown forever. No one will want to Marry Marcella or June if I run off with you. They will have to pay for my actions."

As Eryx observed Meera's troubled expression, a profound understanding washed over him, connecting the threads of their shared duty. In Meera's resolute commitment to safeguarding her kingdom, he saw reflections of his own relentless dedication to protecting the world from the forces of evil. The weight of responsibility she carried resonated deeply with him, evoking a sense of kinship that transcended mere camaraderie.

Eryx recognized the familiar elements of duty in Meera's gaze—the unyielding resolve, the sacrifices made for the greater good, and the unwavering commitment to her people. Yet, as he delved into the intricate tapestry of their shared sense of responsibility, a bitter realization crept in. While Eryx had become somewhat immune to the emotional toll of making sacrifices for the greater good, he could sense that Meera harbored a different perspective.

The difference between their approaches to duty stirred conflicting emotions within Eryx. He grappled with the understanding that his duty had desensitized him to the pain of making sacrifices, while Meera, driven by an unwavering moral compass, wouldn't easily reconcile with causing harm to others.

"I don't want to see Azmeera suffer because of my choices," Meera confessed, her voice laced with a mix of determination and regret. "I've always been taught that a leader must prioritize the well-being of their people above all else."

Eryx nodded in understanding.

"I respect your dedication to your kingdom," Eryx said.

Meera turned to look at him, her eyes searching for a solution in the depths of his calm gaze. Eryx, usually reserved, found himself compelled to offer Meera more than just cryptic responses.

"We can devise a plan," Eryx suggested. "A way to safeguard your family and Ozmen, while still fulfilling your destiny."

"And what would that plan be?" Meera sighed, stretching her legs out before her and tilting her face towards the sun.

Eryx's gaze lingered on Meera, captivated by the beauty that seemed to radiate from her. As he considered the difficult decision ahead, his thoughts momentarily drifted to the ethereal grace Meera possessed. Meera's elegance was accentuated by the play of sunlight on her features, creating an aura of serenity that belied the turmoil within. Eryx couldn't deny the enchantment he felt, the way her presence seemed to cast a spell even in the midst of their grave discussions. With a conflicted heart, Eryx returned his focus to the task at hand, determined to find a solution that would safeguard both Meera's loved ones and the destiny she carried.

"There is a way you can help everyone," Eryx began.

Meera slowly opened her eyes and turned toward him, "Yes?"

Eryx's eyes lingered on Meera for a long second before he finally spoke.

"Marry me." 

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Will Ozmen give his blessing as regent? Will Meera agree? 

This book is going to be very long, might seem slow at times but that's only because I don't want to jump around from place to place.