The Poseidon king folds his arms behind his back. “I do not make excuses for what she did; fleeing from her kind, living on land was wrong. She broke the law. But so have many of you here today. Jagen has acted treasonously toward the Royals, and has forsaken the law handed down from our great generals. He has accused the Royals of unimaginable things. Many of you have followed his lead. I beg you today to desist in this madness. To accept Nalia as the Poseidon heir. To reunite her with her intended mate, Grom. But more than that. I beg you to reunite the kingdoms of Triton and Poseidon once more. Just as the generals always intended.”

The Loyals give a cry of outrage, but for a moment it is drowned out by the applause of slapping tails in the Arena. In fact, some of the Loyals leave their companions and move to the Triton and Poseidon sections.

Jagen is quick to recover. He swims to Tandel and whispers something to the old Archive. Tandel nods, his expression eager to help.

Tandel addresses the Arena over the continuous drone of the crowd. “Friends, I would like to invite Jagen up to speak again. It has come to our attention that he has some new information.”

Jagen graciously takes the center stone of the Arena. “Friends, don’t be hasty in gifting the Royals with your trust once again. Trust must be earned. Don’t be enchanted by the words of a king you have not seen in too many seasons.” He chides the audience with a disappointed look. “As it turns out, I do indeed have new information.”

Jagen smiles viciously at the small section of Royals behind the center stone. “No doubt you’ve noticed the sudden presence of Princess Rayna. For the past few days, we have been searching for her, without the cooperation of the Royals. We feel it is important to hear her testimony, as her future is determined by the outcome of this tribunal as well.”

“What is he talking about?” Rayna snarls to Galen.

“I don’t know,” he whispers. “I didn’t know they were looking for you.” Which is the truth. And it’s also very clever on Jagen’s part. Of course he didn’t have the cooperation of the Royals—he never told us he was looking for her. But that might be for the better, since none of them were likely to give up her location anyway. What’s more is that Jagen sees value in Rayna’s testimony. Putting her on the center stone and provoking her temper is the best way to turn the rest of the crowd against the Royals. Galen exchanges a concerned look with Grom.

“If it would please you, friends,” Jagen continues, “I would like to inquire of her Highness as to her whereabouts, and her involvement in the appearance of the alleged Poseidon heir.”

The audience seems to applaud as one, beating their fins against each other. The sound reverberates through the Arena. Jagen smiles. “Without further delay, I invite Princess Rayna to the center stone.”

Rayna grabs Galen’s hand. “I don’t want to go to the center stone.”

“I know. Just stay calm. You’ll be okay.”

She shoots him a look. “You don’t believe that.”

“I believe it, if you keep your temper in check. Toraf is over there in section Triton. Just keep your eyes on him. Don’t look at the crowd.”

She takes in a breath. “I don’t say things the right way.”

“I know.”

“And he’s going to make me mad.”

“I know.”

“I shouldn’t have come back.”

I know. Galen places his hand on the small of her back and propels her forward. He wishes she’d come just a little sooner—she could have changed into the traditional Syrena seaweed wrap for females. Now she has to take the center stone wearing the top half of a purple human swimsuit. Jagen can be relied upon to exploit that to his full advantage.

Rayna takes forever to reach the center stone. Jagen rolls his eyes.

Tandel greets Rayna warmly. “Thank you for honoring us with your presence, Highness. Jagen has expressed the desire for your testimony on the issues at hand. Please start with where you have been, princess. Jagen has reported that Trackers have not been able to find you.”

Rayna flounders for a moment, then straightens up the moment she finds Toraf in the crowd. It’s as if confidence has inflated her; she pokes her chest out and lifts her chin. Galen’s not sure if that’s good or bad. “I was on land.”

“I’m sorry, Highness, but would you mind speaking louder?” Tandel coaxes.

“I can’t,” she croaks. “My voice has left me.”

“How convenient,” Jagen sneers.

She crosses her arms at him. Beside Galen, Grom stiffens. There’s no telling what she’s about to say. But thankfully, Rayna seems to remember Galen’s advice to keep her temper. She uncrosses her arms and relaxes. A little. She looks at Tandel. “You can appoint someone to speak for me, if you want. I can’t talk, but it doesn’t mean I don’t have anything to say.”

Tandel nods. “Of course, Highness.” He motions for a female Archive, Atta, to come to the center. “Atta will assist you, princess. She serves on the council for this tribunal and is therefore a neutral party in these proceedings. Please tell her what you wish our friends in the Arena to know. She will relay your words.”

Rayna nods. “Fine. I said I could not be Tracked because I was on land.” Atta relays her answer to the Arena.

“And why were you on land, Highness?” Tandel asks.

Rayna mulls over this for a moment. She glances back at Galen in askance. He shrugs. He’s not sure how she should respond. The truth would be irretrievably condemning. But what could she possibly say that will make any sense? She turns back to Tandel. “I was on land because I was afraid for my life.” She waits for Atta to transfer her comment to the rest of them. Then she continues. “Everyone knows Jagen has been guilty of conspiracy for many seasons. I’ve known for a while that the Royals would be in danger somehow. Especially when he had Paca pretend to have the Gift of Poseidon.”