"His face!"

Aeralie grabbed Perry's bicep with the strength of a tightened vice and pointed as Dalton appeared.

She, Perry, Kazimir, Jazz, Cynthia and Cole were congregated outside in one of the grand gardens, enjoying hot tea in the crisp winter air, everyone scattered around the gazebo that shaded them from the darkening clouds above, lounging in large cushioned chairs or on huge pillows that were dropped on the floor.

Everyone looked around as Dalton appeared at the top of the stairs that led out from one of the balcony doors then made his way down the steps and into the garden.

His cheekbone had a vicious gash through it, red and raw and angry but still fragile enough that a slight bump or pull could make it bleed again.

Cole shot to his feet.

"What happened?" he cried, running out to meet Dalton, catching his arms, leaning down to see the cut.

"Nothing, it's fine," Dalton said, waving him off and walking forwards until he reached the gazebo. He looked at everyone for a moment, then smoothed his sleeves. "I realised I've been failing miserably as a host these last few days. I hope you'll let me join you for tea," he said.

Everyone looked blankly at him. Cynthia was the one to smoothly pull a chair away from the table.

"You hardly need to ask," she said, her smile easy.

Dalton bowed his head to her and stepped up onto the gazebo.

He glanced down at Kazimir, who was sprawled out on one of the giant cushions, a book propped on his stomach, resting against his thighs, his cup to his lips and he looked up at Dalton.

They were quiet for a moment as they looked at each other.

"You still look awful," Kazimir finally commented.

Everyone gaped at him and Dalton sneered at him, kicking his foot and dropping into the chair Cynthia had pulled out for him. A servant came forward and prepared his tea and everyone else settled back into their conversations.

Aeralie quickly shifted her chair over to him.

Dalton glanced at her, then blinked. "Princess Aeralie," he said, "I'm sorry I've been so absent. How are you?" he asked, turning towards her and leaning forwards to see the notebook Perry had found for her so she could write her answer down if Kazimir wasn't nearby and the sign language was beyond what he and Cynthia knew.

"I'm glad to see that. And how are you finding the palace? Is there anything you might like to do while you're staying with us?" Dalton continued.

Aeralie was practically fizzing with excitement at the prospect of finally talking to him and their conversation was easy and simple, smooth as anything.

Kazimir watched, his teacup still against his lips.

His gaze absently travelling between Aeralie – who was watching Dalton with big, bright eyes – to Dalton – who was looking at her notebook with seemingly genuine interest – and then onto Perry.

Perry sat apart from the pair, watching, his expression now downcast.

Someone dropped onto the cushion beside him, making him jump, almost dropping his cup and he glared at Cole who settled back, watching the trio, linking his fingers and resting them on his stomach.

"You know you can't just say things like that to a royal, correct?" he muttered after a moment, watching Perry who was absently flicking through a book, not reading any of it.

"And yet I did," Kazimir replied.

Cole gave him a cold look, quite in contrast to his usual smiles. Kazimir just shrugged at him.

"I don't think it's any of your business what we say to each other, anyway," Kazimir continued.

"Listen," Cole hissed, turning towards him, "You have no idea what he's going through. He doesn't need sneering comments from a stranger on top of everything else."

Kazimir set his cup down and snapped his book shut, turning so they faced each other.

"Why don't you go be a good little pirate over there?" he said, gesturing to Dalton. "If you're so worried about him, go simper over him instead. Far as I could tell, His highness didn't seem all that upset by my comment."

"You've never even spoken to him and yet you can take that attitude. What kind of servant are you?"

"An honest one," Kazimir replied, rolled back over onto his back. "And we have spoken before, as I told him much the same last night."

"Last night?" Cole said, startled.

Kazimir glanced at him. "We were going in the same direction," he said simply.

Cole stared at him, sitting up.

He opened his mouth and the balcony doors Dalton had come through suddenly burst open, making everyone look around.

Kazimir sat up to see over the edge of the gazebo just as two children came racing out of the palace, their beautiful clothing chaotic as they bolted down the steps.

Dalton shot to his feet and Kazimir stared at him.

His expression was so... so happy.

He rushed out from behind the table, down the steps of the gazebo and dropped to his knees just as the children threw themselves into his arms, hugging him tightly.

"You're back," he said, wrapping his arms around them, "Mother didn't tell me if you'd come back with her, I'm so glad you're back."

"Dalton! You have to see all the things we returned with!" the girl said, grabbing his arm and shaking him.

"Papa bought me a new horse! You have to ride with me!" the boy shouted over her.

"Of course," Dalton said, smiling at both of them.

Kazimir looked at Cole.

Cole glanced at him, then nodded to the children. "His brother and sister," he said simply.

Kazimir stared, then looked back at the children again, surprised simply by the obvious age gap between Dalton and his siblings.

"Come on!" the little princess was saying, pulling his arm, "You have so much to see!"

"I have guests to entertain first," Dalton said, taking her hand.

"Can't they wait?" the little prince said, glancing at the group on the gazebo. "Ah!" He suddenly pointed towards Aeralie then Kazimir. "Mermaids!"

Ice shot up Aeralie's spine as she and Kazimir stared at the boy who shook his sister by the shoulder, pointing at them.

"They look like mermaids!"

The others looked at the pair and Aeralie looked at Kazimir, hiding her panic perfectly; while screaming in his head to do something.

So he laughed.

"I'd be a merman, Your Highness," he said, sliding across the floor to the steps and setting his feet on the top stairs. "But I'm afraid I'm lacking the distinctive tail."

"You have legs," the prince said, clearly disappointed.

"Toes and everything," Kazimir said, smiling, "As does my lady." He gestured to Aeralie and she smiled at them, waving.

"She could be hiding a tail under her dress," the princess whispered to her brother – her conspiracy voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

Kazimir and Aeralie shot each other a grin and Aeralie got to her feet, walking to the steps and lifting her skirts to reveal her shoe, spinning on the spot so her skirts flared around her, showing that she was only hiding two slender legs until her skirts.

"Ah, that's boring," the prince sighed, collapsing dramatically against Dalton's chest, dropping his chin on his brother's shoulder. "I was sure we'd come back to a mermaid this time."

Kazimir glanced at Dalton who just held his brother.

"Well, maybe next time," was all Dalton said, absently stroking his brother's hair, looking at his sister who was looking at Aeralie with huge eyes.

The doors to the balcony opened again and Kazimir watched as the muscles of Dalton's back tensed in an instant.

Queen Elaina stepped out, frowning in disapproval when she saw them.

"Rowland! Astra! I told you not to speak to him!" she snapped, folding her arms, that metal fan of hers clinking as she snapped it shut. Her falcon and hawk flew out through the doors behind her and raced to the royal children, circling.

"We were just saying hello," Rowland said with a sigh.

"Leave him alone," the queen said, "He's busy with guests."

"Fine, fine," Astra said, hugging Dalton regardless.

He hugged them back before they stepped back and gave him and his guests a very proper bow and curtsy, before turning and running back to their mother.

"Don't run! Try and be a little conscious of who you are!" she snapped, shoving them in ahead of her and slamming the doors closed the second her birds followed them.

"She's not getting any nicer," Aeralie said as she walked back to her seat.

"She really isn't," Perry thought back.

Kazimir snorted and settled his elbow on his thigh, his cheek in his palm, looking at Dalton who was getting to his feet, brushing his clothes down.

If only they knew.

"Well, at least they're looking well," Cole said to Dalton, sliding over so he sat cross-legged behind Kazimir, watching as Dalton turned and walked back towards them.

"They're always well," Dalton said simply, taking a seat on the top step beside Kazimir.

"I didn't realise you had siblings, You Highness," Kazimir said, tilting his head to the side as he looked at him.

"Just the two," he said, rubbing the back of his neck and rolling his shoulders like he was trying to rid the tension his mother caused.

"Aeralie is asking how old they are," Cynthia called.

The men looked back towards the table and Aeralie repeated the hand signs, smiling her thanks to Cynthia.

"They're seven," Dalton said, "Twins."

Aeralie made another few signs and Dalton looked at Kazimir.

"Where have they been?" Kazimir said.

"My parents have been away for a diplomatic meeting, the twins were with them. I'm not sure when The King will return; it seems he's staying away for now, on other business."

"If he's not careful, he'll be caught by the waves," Cole said.

A raindrop hit Kazimir's hand; making him look down, then up towards the darkening sky. Cole and Dalton looked up at him, then up to see what had caught his attention, right before rain thundered down on them.

Dalton and Kazimir scrambled back under the gazebo roof, both soaked in an instant.

"You just had to say something, didn't you?" Dalton said as he shook his head, water spraying everywhere.

"I was talking about the waves, you can't blame the rain on me."

"We'll fetch umbrellas," one of the servants said quickly.

"No, wait, there's no reason to get soaked," Dalton said.

"It's just a bit of rain, we can run," Cynthia said, leaning back in her seat and lifting a hand out beyond the edge of the gazebo, water pooling in her palm.

"I'm sure it will pass quick enough if we just wait," Jazz said.

"You're not going to transform back into a merman after getting soaked, are you?" Perry asked.

Kazimir glanced at him out of the corner of his eye as he ran his hands through his hair.

"Well that would be very awkward to explain," Kazimir thought back, "So I hope not."

"Do you think I'd change?" Aeralie asked.

"I doubt it," Kazimir said.

"You know, another few days and the snow will start," Cole said, making everyone look at him as he set his hands on the wall of the gazebo and leant forwards, looking up at the rain.

"Are you sure about staying here until the waves pass?" Dalton asked, walking over to stand next to him.

"We still have time to decide," Cole said, grinning at him, "Don't worry about us."

"I'm not worried about you, but I don't want to hear you complaining about being stuck on land when you had the chance to leave," Dalton said, frowning at him.

"It's fine, it's fine," Cole said, waving him off, his grin widening.

The balcony doors opened as that moment and servants rushed out with umbrellas so the group didn't need to wait until the rain passed.

They were hurried inside and the ladies were offered warm shawls to ward off any potential fevers. The irony that servants were handing a mermaid a shawl for fear she'd get a chill from getting wet did not pass Aeralie and Kazimir as they shot a silent grin towards each other and Aeralie wrapped herself up.

Kazimir took the towel he was handed and dragged it through his hair, thinking what he really needed was something to tie his loose hair back.

A length of thin leather appeared in front of him and he looked around to see Cole holding it out– one of the numerous random accessories he wore around his wrists and clothes and neck.

Kazimir nodded his thanks and took it, tying his hair back into a messy, damp knot at the back of his head. As he worked, a slow chill ran up his spine, making him pause, frowning, the leather hanging out of his mouth, hands in his hair.

He looked around and spied the younger royal children peering at him through a partially open door.

"You have admirers," Cole said absently as Kazimir quickly tied his hair back.

"Well, what is more curious than a stranger?" Kazimir asked.

"Mermen vanishing into the night?"

Kazimir pointedly rolled his eyes. "This kingdom has an obsession."

"Did your princess not say she saw him?"

"I believe she thinks she saw something very convincing," Kazimir replied, then both looked around as the children hurried out of their room and across the hall to the group, stopping by Aeralie.

"Are you really a princess?" the prince, Rowland, ask.

Aeralie looked down at him in surprise, then nodded.

The princess, Astra, looked at Kazimir. "Are you a prince?"

"No, Your Highness, I'm a translator," Kazimir said.

"What do you translate?"

Kazimir smiled. "Silence into sound," he said simply and the children looked at him in confusion.

The door to the neighbouring room opened and Queen Elaina stepped out, stopping when she saw her younger children. "What did I just say?" she growled, glaring at them.

"We weren't speaking to Dal, we were speaking to the strangers," Astra said quickly, her tone defiant.

The queen's razor eyes turned to Aeralie and Kazimir and she seemed to finally register them.

"Princess Aeralie?" she asked darkly, looking at Aeralie.

Aeralie curtsied low and beautifully, Kazimir following with a bow.

"Where is it you come from exactly?" the queen asked, walking forwards, shooing her children out of the way. "I've never heard of an Aeralie."

"No, Your Majesty," Kazimir said, "We come from a small kingdom, far away from here. I'd be happy to show you its location on a world map of course."

Queen Elaina pursed her lips. She didn't believe him – which was fair.

Aeralie distracted her however by pointing at her own throat then to the queen's.

Queen Elaina looked at her in impatient disgust and Kazimir quickly translated the hand gestures.

"She's commenting on your necklace," he said, watching Aeralie.

"My necklace?" the queen asked, suspicion in her voice.

"Well, the jewel in the middle. If looks like Celestine Diamond, a jewel found only in our kingdom," Kazimir explained, looking at her, "But they rarely leave our lands. What is the jewel, if we might ask?"

The queen was quiet for a moment, then shook her head. "I don't know," she admitted, "My husband gifted it to me. I do not know where he came by it."

Kazimir gave her a charming smile. "Really? Maybe our kingdoms do have a connection without our knowing. Our king or queen must have clearly admired your husband to hand over such a dazzling jewel... assuming it really is a priceless Celestine Diamond. Could be a talented forgery, of course."

The idea that she was wearing a forgery clearly enraged the queen.

"And how would I know?" she snapped. "My jewellers will surely tell me."

"A jeweller?" Kazimir copied innocently, "But you can see it for yourself."

"What?"

Kazimir held out a hand. "Will you let me show you? I can show you here, we have enough light."

Queen Elaina stared at him. "You want me to take it off?"

"Only if her Majesty wishes," Kazimir said, "Of course if you would rather not, I understand."

Kazimir watched her the entire time, barely blinking, keeping his eyes on hers, his voice soft and low and melodic.

The queen stared at him for a while longer, then reached up and unclasped the necklace, handing it over to him.

Kazimir took it and moved so he stood beside her, holding the necklace up so it caught the daylight beyond the windows.

"The diamonds aren't like the usual ones," he said calmly, "Most are obviously not clouded if they are worth something. Our diamonds are misted but when held up to light; one might see streaks of other colours in there. So if we just—"

As he spoke, Kazimir gently touched his fingertips to the white diamond.

The shock that ripped through his body almost floored him. It took everything he had to stand straight and keep his smile. More than he had really.

Pain, like an electrocution, shattered his nerves, a screaming echo roaring through his mind, his body going cold and he clutched the necklace so hard his fingers went white to keep from dropping it.

When he shoved the necklace back into the queen's hand, he could feel sweat prickling his forehead.

He gave her a strained smile which came across to everyone else as apologetic.

"Sorry," he said, stepping back, "It's not one of ours."

He could feel Aeralie and Perry watching, waiting.

"That's it," he thought to them as a wave of sickness hit him, "That's what we're after."

~~~

Next Up: In a moment

Art By: Nadima Shibina