Serafina glanced at the teapot. “Could I have a cup of tea first? I’m going to need one.”
Mahdi poured. As he handed Sera a cup of the hot, soothing drink, she started to talk. She told him everything that had happened to her since she and Neela fled the duca’s palazzo. An hour later, she finished.
Mahdi sat back in his chair, dazed. “You could’ve been killed, Sera,” he said. “By death riders. By Rorrim. By Rafe Mfeme. By the Opafago. Why didn’t you come back? Why didn’t you let me help you?”
“Hmm, let’s see…because I had no idea you were Blu? Because you never told me?”
“And you think Ondalina’s behind all this? You think Kolfinn’s the one who wants to unlock the monster’s cage?”
“I was sure it was Ondalina until I met Astrid. She was summoned by the Iele too. She fought the monster so courageously and she swore that her father had nothing to do with the attack on Cerulea. But then she left us. She won’t fight with us. And now I don’t know what to think.”
Mahdi digested this. “I don’t know either, Sera, but I do know this: that story you told me about the infanta’s hawk and the fake necklace? That’s some very good news.”
“Why?”
“Because Traho believes the hawk dropped the real necklace. If I can find the fake necklace for him, he’ll have a fake talisman, but he won’t know that. And he—or Kolfinn—will fail if they try to use it to free Abbadon.”
“You’re right. You have to find the fake, Mahdi,” Sera said. She told him exactly where the wreck was, so that he could search north of it. As she finished talking, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Mahdi said.
“You’re awake!” said Coco, swimming into the room with Abelard right on her tail. She hugged Serafina tightly. “Elena wants to know if you’re feeling up to dinner.”
“Is it that late?” Mahdi said, looking out of the window. The waters were dark now.
“Can I tell her you’ll come down?” Coco asked.
Serafina smiled. “Yes, you can.”
As Coco left, Mahdi turned back to Serafina. “I’ll need to leave right after dinner. I have to get back to camp.” He hesitated, then added, “Sera, there’s news of your uncle. Good news, I think.”
“What news? What’s happened?” Sera asked excitedly.
“I don’t want to get your hopes up, but he’s been seen in the waters off Portugal with an army of Kobold at his back.”
“Mahdi, are you serious?”
He nodded and Serafina whooped for joy.
“I also hear that Portia Volnero has left Cerulea for parts unknown.”
“Does anyone know why?” asked Serafina. “Was she a collaborator? Did she side with Traho?”
“It’s possible. And if she was, she might’ve left because she was worried about what would happen when your uncle retakes the city.”
“What about Lucia?” Sera asked.
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen her for days. Kind of makes me nervous. She’s like a rockfish—the most dangerous when you can’t see her.”
“Oh, Mahdi, this is such good news. I want to have hope, I can’t help it, but I’m almost afraid to,” Serafina said.
Mahdi’s face grew solemn. “You should be, Sera,” he said quietly.
“Why? What’s wrong?” she asked him.
“When the death riders came to Cerulea, it was an invasion. When Vallerio returns to the city, it will be out-and-out war.” He took her hand again, then said, “No matter what happens, I want you to know that I love you, Sera.”
“Oh, Mahdi,” Sera whispered.
“I’ve loved you since the day I met you. Really met you. In the garden.” He smiled. “When you were listening to a conch and knocked the sea fan down to get my attention.”
“What? I didn’t knock it down! It fell!”
“Uh-huh. Sure it did.”
“Mahdi!” she protested. And then she leaned over and kissed him. Slowly and sweetly. “I love you, too. Always have. Ever since you made Ambassador Akmal knock the sea fan down. To get my attention.”
“Sera,” he said, serious again, “I don’t know what will happen when your uncle tries to re-enter the city. I’m moving people between safe houses. I’m helping Fossegrim and the Black Fins. Traho could find out at any time, and if he does…” He paused for a moment, as if to work up his courage, then all in a rush he continued. “I want us to say our vows to each other.”
Sera blinked at him. “Mahdi, I…I just…I mean, wow. This is sudden.”
“Once I told you that you were my choice. Am I yours?”