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

said, “Thank you” – an obvious dismissal.
    The dark-haired mermaid focused her icy gaze on me. “Dismiss me now and you will never see another Magical Realm.”
    Maybe she was our ally after all.

~7~
Connections
    Princess Teslyn sounded like she wanted to help us, but there was an edge to her words that concerned me. I had to be sure of her intentions before I decided to trust her. “All right, we’re listening.”
    The Princess frowned. “I hope you are not expecting a detailed explanation for my presence. Aiding your efforts was not my idea.”
    “Whose idea was it?” I asked.
    “My brother’s,” she said. When we didn’t react, she added, “Prince Orrin.”
    “The merman King Almog silenced?” Elvina wondered.
    “Yes,” she answered. “He will visit you shortly to explain. I am only here to let you know…You have allies. You are not alone in this.”
    I felt relief course through me for the first time since our arrival in the palace. There was still hope. We would have help. We could get out of here.
    “Thank you,” I said. Elvina echoed my words.
    “Do not thank me just yet,” the Princess advised. “My brother and I have influence here, but not nearly as much as the King and Queen and the rest of the council.”
    With that, she departed from the room.
    “What do you think?” Elvina asked once the door closed.
    I sighed. “I don’t know. We might as well wait for Prince Orrin. Hear him out, decide what to do then.” I rubbed my arms anxiously.
    “Nathan and the others are fine. The mermaids won’t hurt them,” Elvina said, as if reading my very thoughts.
    “Not yet,” I retorted. “But how long before they need jail space and decide to…to…I don’t know….” I gripped the folds of my clothes in frustration. I hated being so powerless. I hated waiting for a merman who may or may not be our only hope of escape. I hated that I hadn’t told Nathan I loved him before I left the prison cell, because I did. I loved him even when I pushed him away. I could only hope he knew that.
    “Ramsey,” Elvina said, taking my hands and holding them tight, “we’re going to get to the Flower Fairy Realm. All of us.”
    The sound of our door clicking open prevented me from responding. In swam Prince Orrin, looking ruffled and crackling with energy. “We will have to make this quick.”
    “Make what quick?” I asked.
    He readily ignored me. “My reluctant sister and I have devised a plan for your escape. It is riddled with flaws and risks, but we have not had much time to prepare. With so many visitors lately, we have barely had enough privacy to discuss our options.”
    “So you’ve had more visitors other than the Element fairies?” I assumed.
    Orrin’s eyes flashed a darker shade of green. “You are very intuitive.”
    I smirked. “And you are very good at avoiding direct questions.”
    Elvina moved between us, preventing further witty commentary. “The plan?”
    Orrin nodded. “Right. We must wait for dark water, when the city is covered in shadow. Princess Teslyn will distract the council while I take you to the border.”
    “Wait,” I said, unable to believe that the merman spewing such poorly planned nonsense was actually a prince. “That’s it?”
    Orrin frowned, as if he couldn’t understand why I doubted him. “Like I said, we have not had much time. But I believe this will work.”
    “It won’t work,” I insisted. “Unless your mermaids are oblivious to movement.”
    The Prince swam past Elvina until we faced each other. “Do not mock me.”
    I placed my hands on my hips, trying to look imposing. I probably just looked foolish, but I wasn’t about to admit that by removing them. “I’m not. I’m being honest. We can’t just leave. We have to be more careful than that.”
    “There is no time to be careful,” he said. “We must act before the mermaids have adjusted to your presence. The palace is in chaos because of your arrival. Furniture is being moved,