جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 9

On the third day of our silence, the old pain from the potion that had given me human legs flared up again.Kael had once sworn that if I came ashore for him, he would be true to me for the rest of his life.But now he merely said, "See a doctor," then left to tour the deep sea with Talia.I told him doctors couldn't ease my pain. Only royal blood blessed by the gods could relieve it.He didn't care. He told me to rest, behave, and not cause any trouble that might ruin his trip with Talia.His old vows were forgotten. My agony mattered less than a moment of Talia's happiness.At last, I saw the truth: Kael had lied to me.The siren had him completely under her spell.Luckily, I'd stopped caring long ago.I told my family that Kael and I were divorced.They didn't ask a single question. Without the slightest hesitation, they said, "Maren, the deep sea will always be your home."Their words brought tears to my eyes.I was no longer the human prince's wife, but I was still a mermaid princ

Talia nearly tripped over her fancy skirt as she stumbled up the steps.She didn't even try to maintain the poise expected of a new countess. She brushed past me and handed the paper in her fist straight to Kael.Talia's voice shook. "Your Highness, we received word from the northern sea trade route. The merfolk there refuse to recognize my authority. They've seized our merchant ships and injured our officials."Her eyes flicked toward me as she complained, "Those fish don't take me seriously at all..."Kael's brows drew together. The arrogance from his talk with me hadn't faded yet.Seeing Talia panic, he said gently, "Calm down. You're a countess of the kingdom now. One stretch of sea isn't worth getting this upset over."Kael skimmed the paper, and his face darkened.I imitated Talia and leaned close to her cheek."Talia, it's time to show what you can do. Don't let His Highness down. Good luck."Leaving her with that sour look on her face, I walked away smiling.Sooner or later, th

The moment the water closed over my head, I felt happier than words could say.The royal city's stuffy incense was gone. Warm currents brushed my cheeks.My mother called my name, crying."My daughter! My Maren!"I saw my mother's long hair floating around her, my father's beard trembling, and my only sister watching me with red eyes.I couldn't help crying too.My mother and my sister threw their arms around me, their hands shaking as they stroked my back.My mother sobbed so hard she could barely speak. "You've gotten so thin. My Maren must have suffered so much on land."My sister looked up. "Maren, I missed you so much."My father gripped the Sea King's scepter. "That Kael is nothing but a liar!"I'll raise a tidal wave and drown the whole land, then drag Kael and that stupid siren down here to pay with their lives!"My father turned to leave in a rage, but I grabbed his arm. "Don't, Father."He couldn't believe it. "Maren, after everything they put you through, you want me to let

Kael had handed Talia over, but deep down, he feared things wouldn't get better."Maren..."Kael buried his face in his hands and let out a despairing sob.Meanwhile, deep beneath the sea, I was enjoying a meal when the news reached me.I swirled the drink in my cup and scoffed."He's handing over Talia to make peace? Is one siren really worth that much?"On the beach, Talia was bound in heavy iron chains. She shook as she screamed."Get away! You ignorant humans, get away!"They'd drugged her to keep her from singing and bewitching anyone. Now her voice was rough and ugly.I walked up to her slowly and looked coldly at what she'd become.When Talia saw me, she got even angrier.Her voice came out harsh and grating. "You must be loving this, seeing me brought this low!"We both come from the deep sea, so why were you born a noble mermaid princess while I'm stuck being a siren!"I answered calmly, "Because I've never put my fate in a man's hands."You think you lost to me, but you reall