Free Eternal Sacrifice (Mortal Enchantment Book 4) by Stacey O'Neale

elementals. Mermaids, sirens, and selkies each studied me as they sauntered by in their naked mortal forms. Once they passed through the mist that protected the water territory, they shifted into their creature forms.
    I hadn’t been down here much over the years. For the most part, Britta kept the members of her court in seclusion. Although they could travel all over Avalon, they remained in the water. Out of all the courts, hers was the most mysterious. It had been said that they can only speak through telepathy, but I knew otherwise. During the rare times I was in Avalon, I overheard two water elementals speaking to one another. Their voices were soft, and they sang their words. I’d never told anyone about that day. I just assumed Britta had a reason she kept them quiet.
    The knights led me through various winding hallways filled with paintings. The entire history of the elementals were depicted. Each one featured portrayals of the different creatures of her court throughout the centuries. Oddly, I noticed several portraits of a male mortal. The first paintings were of her with a mortal child. He aged in each one I passed, all the way up to the young adult years. By the style of his clothes, I’d guessed he lived around the twelfth century. It was obvious that this mortal had been very important to her.
    I stood in front of the entrance to Britta’s throne room, which was unlike any of the other royal throne rooms. Upon entering, the scent of salt flooded my nostrils. Each one of the walls were covered with dark green seaweed. The steps that led to her throne were made of large seashells, and the actual chair she sat on reminded me of a massive salmon-colored clam shell. The floor was made of white sand. No one was here. Pillars made of multi-colored coral were in every corner of the room. The only thing missing was water, which was kept out by the separate magical mist that surrounded her territory like a dome.
    I jolted when I heard her voice in my head. “Why have you come, young king?”
    Turning around, I saw that she stood only a few yards behind me. Her jet-black hair was twisted into a bun, and held up by starfish. Her midnight blue, floor-length gown dragged behind her several feet. The deep color of her dress against her pale skin made her look even more ethereal than usual. I bowed my head to show her respect. “Don’t you already know?”
    She smiled briefly. “Yes.”
    Since it was clear she already knew my intentions, there was no point in wasting anymore time. “I need you to release Merlin. He might be the only elemental who can save us.”
    She ambled toward the window with such elegance that it seemed as if she were floating. “The akasha can save us.”
    Yes, by sacrificing her life. That wasn’t an option I was willing to accept. I shook my head. “I won’t let that happen.”
    Britta continued to stare out the window with her arms clasped loosely behind her back. From this height, she could see for miles in every direction. “Do you know why Merlin was imprisoned?”
    Mother never told me anything, especially if it was something that could’ve gotten her in trouble with the high council. I wouldn’t be surprised if no one knew what they’d done. Not to mention, I didn’t know Merlin existed until Kalin told me. “No.”
    Turning away from the window, her eyes met mine. They were all white like she was having a vision. Even the tattoos on the sides of her face were glowing. “Eighteen years ago, you were brought here as an infant. I had foreseen your destiny. That you would be the end to us all.”
    Hearing those words was like taking a bullet to the chest. Before she abruptly left the high council meeting, she mentioned the events were happening exactly as she had previously foreseen and the end of our world was near. The part she left out was that I was to blame. “Why me? What did I do?”
    As she held out her palm, a premonition flashed in my head. It was moving pictures of