The Mermaids Madness

wanted her here as well.”
    If not for Beatrice, Danielle would have mistaken the undine for rocks in the water. Only their heads and shoulders broke the surface. They swam in an inverted V formation, reminding her of geese.
    Without warning, they disappeared beneath the water.
    “What happened?” asked Danielle.
    Armand stepped toward her, sliding one hand around her waist. Such informality would have earned stern words from the chancellor back at the palace, but such rules were less important here at sea. Danielle leaned against him, the warmth of his body a pleasant contrast to the cool winds. He pointed to the waves where the undine had vanished. “Watch.”
    The lead undine launched into the air, arching over the water and disappearing with hardly a splash. Two more followed, leaping even higher than the first. Faster and faster they flew from the water in pairs, so close Danielle was amazed they didn’t collide.
    “There are more than I remember,” Armand commented. “I wonder if another tribe has joined with Posannes’.”
    “Perhaps,” Beatrice said, frowning.
    Armand flashed a boyish grin as he turned around. “Load the cannons!”
    On either side of the main deck, men jammed long rods down the cannons, packing the powder into the barrels. They hadn’t bothered to haul cannonballs up onto the deck, as this was only a show for the undine.
    “Wait.” Beatrice was still studying the water, though the undine were too far away to make out any detail.
    “Hold!” Armand shouted. To his mother, he asked, “What is it?”
    “I’m not sure.” Beatrice sounded troubled, but uncertain. She started to say more, then shook her head.
    Armand watched Beatrice a moment longer, then turned back to the crew. “Ready salute!”
    The men used ropes and pulleys to haul the cannons into position at the edge of the deck, the barrels protruding through wide gaps in the railing.
    Armand glanced at the queen again. When she didn’t speak, he raised his arm and shouted, “Fire!”
    At each cannon, men brought long poles with burning fuses over the cannons. The resulting explosions sent a shudder through the Glass Slipper . The cannons bucked from the recoil, straining at the ropes. Dark smoke billowed from the sides of the ship. Danielle wrinkled her nose at the burned-metal smell.
    “I’m sorry,” Armand said, still smiling. His tone sounded not the slightest bit apologetic. “I forgot to tell them to only use half a charge.”
    “Yes. I seem to recall you ‘forgetting’ last year, too.” Beatrice shook her head. “Your eyes are younger than mine. Do any of you see King Posannes?”
    Talia stepped to the railing on Beatrice’s left, peering through the smoke. “Not yet. What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing, I hope,” said Beatrice. “But you should get down to the main deck. All of you.”
    By now, the breeze had begun to clear the worst of the smoke, and the undine were close enough for Danielle to make out individuals through the haze. Their skin was a deep tan, a few shades lighter than Talia’s. Most were bare-chested, the men and women both, though a few wore tight-fitting gray skins that left their arms uncovered. Some wore weapons, mostly knives and slender fishing spears, secured to harnesses around their arms and chests.
    A single mermaid surfaced ahead of the rest.
    “Who is that?” Armand stepped past his mother, cupping a hand over his eyes. “Where is Posannes?”
    “Armand, I said—” Beatrice’s lips tightened. “Talia, get him out of here.”
    Armand moved to the railing. “If there’s a threat, I have to—”
    He yelped in surprise as Talia kicked the back of his knees. She caught his collar as he dropped, dragging him toward the ladder.
    Armand reached around to grab her wrists, trying to pry her hands free. With a shrug, Talia released her grip, dropping him. Armand lurched to his feet, and Talia shoved him backward. His heel hit the chest of preserves, and he fell again, tumbling down onto the main deck below.
    “Talia!” Danielle peered down to see her husband sprawled atop two fallen crewmen. “Are you all right, Armand?”
    “He should be. I aimed him at a deckhand.” Talia hopped over the chest, following him down.
    “You too,” Beatrice said to Danielle. “Quickly. Get Snow.”
    Danielle started to obey, then turned back to take the queen’s hand. “If there’s danger, you should leave too.”
    Beatrice shook her head. “Please, Danielle.”
    The sea just