Book 2. Mina - The Drowned Palace 1

Book 2. Mina - The Drowned Palace 1
After breakfast, the Hag took Mina to the lake, which was only a short walk from the hut, the two white tigers following behind them. The third tiger was with the gypsy traveling caravan.
The forest was quiet around them, but Mina barely noticed her surroundings, her thoughts consumed by Jayden—try as she might, she couldn’t think of him as Abeel—and her determination to make him whole again.
At least his mind, for she wasn’t sure if she could ever mend his body or restore what he had lost—his Beast.
Without his Beast, a part of him was gone forever, but even so, he was still the same man she had wed and fallen completely in love with. Her heart and soul belonged to him entirely—not only because he was her soulmate, but because of the man he was.
As the silver waters of the lake slowly came into view, Mina forced herself to focus on the task at hand—learning to control her voice. She had an inkling it wouldn’t be as easy as it sounded, but for Jayden, she would go to the Halls of Darkness, where Beliar resided, and challenge the Dark God himself if that was what it took to get her husband back. He might not love her, but there was enough love in her heart for both of them.
When they reached the lake, they stopped at the shore.
The Hag reached into her pocket and pulled out a small seashell. She brought it to her lips, and moments later, a soft, harmonious melody floated through the air.
One of the tigers jumped into the water, disappearing beneath the surface, while the other remained by the Hag’s side.
“Aren’t you afraid it will drown?” Mina asked after the surface of the lake grew still, not a single ripple indicating the majestic creature’s return.
“No,” the reply came immediately.
“But—” Mina started, growing increasingly worried about the tiger.
“Patience,” the Hag demanded before adding, “That will be the first thing you have to learn as you become familiar with your voice and understand how your magic works.”
It occurred to Mina that there might be more to the tiger than met the eye, but something in the Hag’s words caught her attention.
“How long will it take to learn how to use my magic?” she asked.
With her gaze fixed on the lake, the Hag replied, “As long as it takes.”
Dread washed over Mina. She couldn’t afford to waste precious time she didn’t have learning how to use her voice. With each passing moment, she felt Jayden slipping farther and farther away from her, while something deep inside her soul urged her to return to him, telling her that he needed her just as much as she needed him. 
What worried her the most was Rosalyn and Fherax.
Mina was convinced they were plotting something that would eventually lead to her losing Jayden forever, and she couldn’t allow it.
She wouldn’t allow it.
Everything Rosalyn wanted, she got. But not this time.
This time, Mina was determined to fight, and she wouldn’t stop until she got back the man she loved. After all, anything was permitted in war and love, and this was war—a war Rosalyn had started and Mina would end.
Minutes passed without a ripple disturbing the calm surface of the lake. Although she worried about the tiger, Mina forced herself to wait, to be patient. If the Hag wasn’t concerned, then she shouldn’t be either.
Suddenly, something erupted from the lake, water splashing in every direction, some of it reaching Mina’s boots.
For a moment, she thought it was the tiger, but three black kelpies emerged from the water instead. Mounted on their strong backs were the most beautiful creatures Mina had ever seen—one mermaid and two mermen. It was no wonder so many humans had fallen in love with them, for their beauty had no match. Not even the Elves, who were considered the most elegant and noble of the races on Aylarra, possessed the same grace or allure.
Behind them came a white kelpie, making Mina wonder if it was the tiger that had leaped into the water minutes ago. She glanced at the Hag, but Talulah ignored her, her attention entirely focused on the mermaid.
The mermaid inclined her head in the Hag’s direction, water dripping from her long teal hair, before saying, “It’s been a few years since we last saw each other.”
At that, the Hag asked, “Is that your way of saying that you missed me, Andromeda?”
The mermaid narrowed her eyes. “Still as arrogant as ever, Talulah.”
So the Hag’s name was Talulah.
Something flashed in Talulah’s eyes. “Hmm… I might be arrogant, but at least I’m not vain.” 
The mermen laughed at that. Both had short hair–the one to the left had purple hair, and the one on the right a soft green.
Andromeda pressed her lips into a thin line before asking, “Why did you call me?”
Talulah nodded toward Mina. “Mermaid blood runs through her veins. Her voice carries magic, but she doesn’t know how to use it.”
Andromeda barely glanced at Mina, clearly preferring to pretend she wasn’t there. “And?” the mermaid asked.
“She needs someone to teach her,” Talulah pointed out, as if it were obvious. Somehow, her cloudy gaze shifted from Andromeda to the two mermen flanking her. “And there are no better teachers in the Drowned Palace than you, Keel, and Llyr.”
When it became clear that the mermaid wasn’t going to agree, Talulah added, “Don’t forget that you owe me a favor, and I’m calling upon it now.”
Andromeda’s eyebrows shot up. “She must be very important if you’re willing to exchange the favor I owe you so I can teach her how to use her magic. But are you sure she’s worth it? She’s not the only human descendant of mermaids, and while a few possess some of our abilities, I have yet to encounter one worth the trouble.”
Without hesitation, Talulah replied, “With the proper training, her voice will be even stronger than that of Queen Assyria.”
Mina didn’t know who Queen Assyria was, but judging by the reaction of the two mermen, she had a feeling she was someone important.
“That strong?” the one with purple hair asked.
Talulah nodded. “She is the one who prevented the Enchanted Forest from being destroyed. The power of her voice opened a portal in the Void and sent the Shadows that threatened to destroy our world into another universe.”
Andromeda’s gaze finally flicked toward Mina, her green eyes boring into almost identical ones. She studied Mina for a moment before telling her, “Your voice might have magic, and it might be strong, but that doesn’t mean you will learn how to use it. Many mermaids spend years trying to learn how their magic works, but their songs are never quite right. Do everyone a favor and go back home.”
Squaring her shoulders and meeting the mermaid’s gaze, Mina said, “My home is no more. The only way to get it back is by learning how to use my voice. Are you going to teach me, or should I try my luck with another mermaid?” 

So sorry for the delay - this summer has been quite busy, not to mention so very hot. However, I am positive that things are slowing down and I will return to updating regularly - around 2-3 chapters weekly. I am already working on the next update.