Brotherhood of the Sea: Secrets of Galathea, #1

By Elle Beaumont

How far is too far when it comes to sacrifice under the sea?

Eighteen-year-old Jager and his older brother, Kriegen, are recent graduates from Selith Academy–an elite school for merfolk. The two work to help their community after tragedy befell their father, but when the Uplanders break a promise, the two mermen only have one goal–keep the kingdom safe at any cost. 

When the brothers are divided in their responses, they quickly learn that every choice has a consequence, and every action has a price. 

Fans of Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly, The Little Mermaid by Christina Henry, and Breakwater by Catherine Jones Payne.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Midnight Tide Publishing
• Release date: Dec 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393692591

Book preview

Were it a more meaningful day, Jager of Limnaia wouldn’t think twice about prying himself from his bed, but today was nothing special: a change of the season, and thus much of the village celebrated. There was no reason for Jager to be out of bed.

His brother Kriegen, the star pupil of the local coven, thought otherwise. Kriegen was up early and Jager could hear his brother rustling around. Try to be a little louder, will you? he grumbled.

Well, if you’d get out of bed, it wouldn’t be an issue, Kriegen sing-sang his reply. In prior years, he had earned his way higher in the coven, and it was an honor he deserved. Kriegen was studious and absorbed his Mistress’ teaching like a sponge. He had bloomed like a bloody anemone and made his brother look like simple plankton.

Jager stiffened. He dropped his arm and shot a glare at his older brother who seemed impervious to how much noise he was creating. One swift flick of a deep blue tail and he could knock him into the wall, but it wasn’t worth the effort.

It’s much too early to be awake. Why in the depths are you even up at this hour? He scrubbed at his eyes and sat up, tossing the kelp-woven blanket aside.

Kriegen shot him a look and shrugged a shoulder. His hair—a deep shade of blue—matched his tail. Someone woke up on the wrong side of the seabed today.

A scowl marred Jager’s features as he rolled himself out of bed. Today was about praising the God of the Sea, Muir. Villagers and city folk alike paid tribute, and wasted their time—at least he thought so.

He believed in the god enough, but he lacked the faith to praise Muir, and preferred sleep to the harvesting of crops which were only to be sent away on the current.

I woke up just fine. Jager plucked a kelp-woven shirt from his wardrobe and pulled it over his head. Unlike Kriegen, his hair was black with a blue sheen. Their tails were nearly identical except for a cluster of emerald-colored scales that hovered just below his belly button.

Kriegen yanked a shirt over his head and raked his fingers through his hair. His sharp blue eyes homed in on his brother. You would do well to respect our god, he cautioned his brother.

I admire you looking out for me and all, but I assure you I respect Muir. The brothers didn’t exactly share the same views. While he was more relaxed in his beliefs, Kriegen was devout, and perhaps that was why he possessed more magic. It didn’t matter to Jager.

Kriegen said no more and spun around in the water. Bubbles churned up as he snorted and fled the room.

A snide remark died on Jager’s lips and he mourned the loss of the opportunity. Maybe he shouldn’t tease his brother as he did, but what were little brothers for? A decade separated the two of them, which was nothing for merfolk, and despite how they treated each other they were fairly close. But as of late, Kriegen seemed to swim off on various errands, and he kept to himself in the evenings. When Jager prodded him about it, he only shrugged it off and said it was coven business.

Perhaps it’s a young mermaid, Jager thought, and laughed as he readied himself for the day.

Outside of the family home, as expected, the sea floor bustled with activity. The merfolk coated strings of kelp in luminescent algae of pinks, blues, and greens, which brought the village to life even more.

Despite Jager’s indifference, the village looked brilliant, and he knew it was good for the people; it brought the community together. These festivals might have been a waste of resources in his opinion, but if it brought them joy, then so be it.

A clap to his shoulder jolted him from his thoughts.

So, you decided to join the celebration, Brother? Kriegen’s lips tilted at the corner as he swam around him.

Jager scoffed. He moved forward, shooing a nosy firefly squid away. Its frills ruffled and it shot itself away. If you can’t beat them, join them, Jager offered and bent down to pick up a basket of finely spun kelp. What would Muir need with that?