Read Online Journey into the Realm: The Stolen Child (Journey into the Realm Series) by Markelle Grabo - Free Book Online Page B

their crowns because they knew we needed one to get out of here. Vortigern’s ambassadors had probably informed them.
    Three of the mermaids looked very similar. All had long bluish-green hair and piercing violet eyes. Their faces shone with distaste. I supposed they didn’t like Elvina and me very much, what with the disturbance our arrival had caused. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
    The last two appeared younger than the rest, their faces youthful and fresh. One, a merman with sandy-colored hair and green eyes, studied us curiously. The black-haired mermaid beside him watched with an unwavering icy blue gaze. I couldn’t tell if she was disgusted or intrigued by our presence. Maybe it was both.
    Queen Naida was the first to speak. She didn’t hold the scepter, but she seemed to be the one in charge. “I have brought the two fairies the council requested.” She turned to us. “State your names, please.”
    I eyed the mermaids warily, feeling exposed and uncomfortable in their presence. They wore gazes of scrutiny and judgment. I felt like I was up for auction. “Okay. I’m Ramsey and this is El –”
    “Elsa,” Elvina answered quickly. “My name is Elsa.”
    Feeling extremely confused, I shot her a sideways glance, which she in turn ignored completely. Why was she afraid to say her name? Yes, she was the fairy child who had started the war more or less, but I was the one destined to end it, and I had given my name. What did it matter if they knew? I wasn’t about to correct her, but I would definitely bring up the subject when we were alone.
    “Very good,” Queen Naida said with an approving nod. “Questions may begin now.”
    At first, I thought she meant for Elvina and I to ask questions, which I was beyond ready for. I wanted to know how this all-powerful council could allow themselves to be bullied by Element fairies. But then King Almog opened his mouth, and I was forced to keep quiet.
    “Naida tells me you are related to the High Queen,” he said in his thick accent, addressing me. “Do you seek her favor?”
    My initial thought was: What a stupid question. It doesn’t even make any sense. But I knew the mermaids wouldn’t respond kindly to any outbursts, so I chose my words carefully.
    “I seek her aid,” I told him. “To protect the Magical Realms from further war and destruction. That’s why you have to let us go. You can’t let Vortigern’s empty threats stop you from doing what’s right.”
    King Almog chuckled softly. “You are brave and noble for one so young. But while you know of war and destruction, you know nothing about preservation. King Vortigern’s threats are real and dangerous. We cannot and will not ignore them on your word alone.”
    “You can’t ignore what’s happening, either,” I retorted. “Elves and fairies are dying because King Vortigern thirsts for power. He won’t stop with the Elf Realm. Soon he’ll be waging war on your kind.”
    “How can you be so sure?” One of the three similar mermaids asked. “Your war began over a stolen fairy child. What do we have that Vortigern wants?”
    I noticed Elvina cringe and I wished I could comfort her. She was never comfortable with talk of the war’s origins because of her part in its beginning.
    “Council Member Mairi makes a valid point,” King Almog decreed. “There is no reason why the Element Fairy King would wage war with us, unless we allowed you and your friends to leave Atlantis, which would be against his orders.”
    I couldn’t control my temper any longer. Their ignorance was just too much for me to handle. “Don’t you see what’s going on?” I cried. “This is only the beginning. First orders and then pretty soon he’ll be invading your palace and calling it his second home!”
    “Why would he do that?” another of the similar mermaids inquired.
    “Because he’s greedy and obsessed with power,” I insisted. “The stolen fairy child was only an excuse to start something with