Ariella (Princesses Uncovered #3)

Chapter 10

Tobias stretched, yawning. He opened his eyes, sighing. I wish that there was more light down here. Honestly. Why didn’t Father build the city just a little closer to the surface? The ships wouldn’t see us even if we did. A little closer to the sun couldn’t hurt. Why can’t we just dwell in plain sight and in harmony with the surface dwellers? He shook his head.

If his father knew he thought such things, he would be disappointed. His father didn't like it when Tobias thought about the surface or its people. He had often told his son that he could do as he liked when he had the throne, but until then, to forget the notion of moving any closer to the surface. Not that Tobias could move closer to the surface anyway. How was he supposed to move a gigantic marble palace, not to mention the many different houses in the village?

Usually, Tobias didn't think about these things much. It was better not to because it made him feel cold and lonely without the sunlight. It was rare for him to allow such thoughts to come when he was not alone and near the sunlight where he would be warmed despite the coldness the thoughts left in his heart. 

Shaking the bleak thoughts from his mind, Tobias swam through the door, heading for the secret exit out of the palace. He’d found it when he was ten, and he’d used it to escape his father’s guards ever since.

Ari swam into the hallway slowly, rubbing sleep from her eyes. “Tobias?” She murmured, frowning. “What are you doing up?”

He raised an eyebrow at her. “I might ask you the same thing.”

“I heard you, so I wanted to know what you were doing up so early.” She muttered, turning back to her room’s doorway. “But you obviously don’t want me around, so I’ll go back to bed.”

He cocked his head. “No, come on. You can come with me.” What are you thinking, inviting her to come along? Are you crazy? He suppressed the thought, but it niggled at the back of his mind. Your father is going to kill you if he finds out you did this. Again. After everything he’s told you. He pushed back, arguing with himself and ending it. I really don’t care what he thinks. The only thing he ever does when I get caught on one of these runs is lock me in my room and post guards on me so I have to stay in the palace for all of the next day. Not a very effective punishment.

Ari swam towards him, brushing his arm accidently with hers as she shifted her tail to keep steady. “Sorry.” She whispered.

He grinned, taking her arm and pulling her closer. “Keep up and keep quiet. We’re going somewhere secret.”

***

They reached a little room with no door. None of the rooms in the palace had doors. In fact, almost none of the buildings in any of the Nereid kingdoms did. What was the point? Who would be able to open a door underwater anyway with the pressure pushing back? It would be too much work. The only building that had one was the huge prison on the outskirts of the city.

Tobias placed a finger on Ari’s lips, sending shivers up her spine. She smiled at him, nodding to show she understood. They swam into the small, stone room without making noise. Neither of them wanted to disturb the slumber of those in the palace and making a ruckus was a sure way to do so.

The room was mostly empty, but faded carvings covered the stone walls and a statue stood in the corner, its head broken off and lying on the ground at its feet.  In the other corner, an urn with its lid laying askew on top, stood, a silent testimony to the room’s abandonment.

“Tobias?” Ari whispered.

He shook his head. “Not yet.” He hissed back.

Swimming to a section of wall, he began maneuvering a rock out of its spot.