We were almost there when I heard Jorie say, “If I did not like him so, his overprotection would be irksome.”

“His sister is my wife and his wife is my sister. This is the man you would wish for both, no?” Mars replied, and I knew they were talking about True.

Thus, suddenly excited to share with my cousin about my day, I forced my eyes open, raised my head, looked forward and saw True striding purposefully around the large fire that rose in the courtyard in front of the Citadel.

It was then I found that my adventure had been so delightful, my desire to share about it beat back the fatigue and I aimed a beaming smile to my cousin.

“True, it was glorious!” I called.

His return smile was oddly tight as Mars reined in Hephaestus close to True.

“This makes me happy for you,” he replied.

Then his gaze went direct to Mars.

Oh no.

“What is it?” Mars clipped, noting what I had noted.

True was not greeting us upon our return from my first swim as a mermaid, keen to know how it went.

Something was amiss.

His jaw hardened, his gaze bore into Mars’s, then it came to me and it softened.

“Silence,” he said like he was trying not to talk through his teeth, “your mother is here.”

I shot straight in my husband’s arms.

“Fuck,” I heard Jorie mutter.

“Where is she?” Mars bit off.

“I demanded she remain behind in the red room so that she did not surprise Silence with her appearance as she did me,” True told him.

“Thank you,” I said, cutting into their conversation. “Now, if I could ask you to have the servants delay for fifteen minutes so I can see to my state and make my way to the throne room. After that time, they can escort her there, and I will grant her an audience.”

True’s brows rose at my words and my tone in saying them

My husband’s arm tightened about me, and he called, “Silence.”

I looked up to Mars.

“I am not her queen, but I am a queen, and when you wish to speak to a queen, and that wish is granted, she provides you an audience, which shortly, I will do,” I stated. “Now, will you let me down, husband?”

He gazed at my face and murmured, “My love, a queen can also refuse an audience.”

“Why would I do that?” I asked. “For I wish to hear what she has to say.”

Mars did not, at once, acquiesce to my earlier request.

But then, he hefted me down into True’s waiting hands before he dismounted behind me.

Jorie was at our side in a flash.

“I would attend this audience,” he stated.

I looked up at my brother.