The Little Merman

Chapter Twenty-Five: "The Many Forms Of Love"

Flotsam hesitated, his eyes looking at the castle's large glass doors. Jetsam looked away from the beach, asking Flotsam with sudden concern. "Flotsam? What's wrong?" Flotsam licked his dry lips nervously, slowly turning to face Jetsam better as he said softly. "I just... Mother has Sean under her spell now. Can't we just... leave Verlaine out of this?" Jetsam's eyes widened in shock. Grabbing Flotsam's arm, he pulled him off to the side and discreetly told him in a stern voice. "Where is your head at, Flotsam? I've taken care of Anslo. Mother has Sean. YOU need to work over Verlaine and stop screwing around with her! Just like we planned. Nathan could be back soon. We have to work fast." Flotsam pulled his arm from Jetsam's grip, muttering out grimly. "I know, but..." Flotsam couldn't finish his words. Turning away from Jetsam, he started to make his way across the courtyard to the far side of the beach. He only stopped when Jetsam called out in a lighter voice. "Flotsam. What you have with her... It isn't real."

Flotsam opened his mouth to argue but closed it and walked off. He'd never won a fight with Jetsam. Storming off to the dock behind the castle, he sat down and stared into the water at his reflection. Removing his boots, he slowly dipped his bare feet into the water. He'd never felt so divided before. Torn between land and sea. Torn between his new emotions for Verlaine and his family. The lantern on the dock flickered, causing Flotsam to look up. Verlaine was making her way down the ramp of the ship. She smiled warmly at him, and his heart ached. Looking back at the water, he tried to get his emotions under control. He had a job to do, but his heart wasn't in it. Verlaine walked over to him, her voice sweet and caring as she asked him. "Flotsam? Are you ok? Did something happen?" When Flotsam didn't answer, she adjusted her dress to sit gracefully beside him. Feeling her eyes on him, he reluctantly told her. "I'm not sure a woman of your position would understand." Verlaine shrugged, sitting up straight as she said nicely. "I'll try to understand."

Flotsam inhaled slowly, then found himself blurting out. "Have you ever had to do something that people expected you to do... but when the time came. You weren't sure you could go through with it?" Verlaine chuckled very softly, drawing his fragile eyes. Giving him another smile, she admitted openly. "Yes. Arranged marriages are like that. I've always told my father that I would do anything to help the family. Marry well. Keep our people and lands safe... It's easy to say the words. But... trying to stay true to them is much harder. Hearts don't align as swiftly as people." Verlaine's expression turned sad, upon adding anxiously. "It's why I'm here. I have to marry prince Sean... or I'll be forced to marry an older man that I'm not attracted to." Flotsam's heart twisted as her words sank in. Smoothing out the skirt of her dress, she told him shakily. "The more I'm around Sean though... The more I have my own doubts. I can tell that he's not happy... and no matter what I do... I don't think that I'll ever make him happy."

Flotsam's hand shook a little when he reached out to touch hers. He thought she'd pull away, but instead their eyes met. Swallowing, Flotsam told her in a timid honest voice. "If it means anything... You make me happy." Verlaine blushed, glancing around nervously before asking him in a shy whisper. "I do?" Flotsam blushed a little, leaning in a little to whisper back. "I like the way you talk about your books. You have a way of taking me places that I've never been. I know what it's like to be looked over... I wanna get to know you more." Verlaine turned her hand over to hold his hand. Flotsam's heart started racing when she looked down at their hands with a small smile. Her smile faded a bit though as she said grimly. "You're a sweetheart, Flotsam. Any girl would be lucky to have you. If I wasn't a princess... but I am." She pulled her hand away from his, turning her gaze to the dark ocean horizon as she said with a broken heart. "Despite what the stories tell you. Not all princesses live happily ever after. We are bound by duty and not matters of the heart."

Flotsam's heart leapt from his chest, causing him to reach out to touch her cheek. Turning her face to look at him with gentle fingers, he leaned in to press his lips to hers. Verlaine tensed and he recoiled from her, whispering out breathlessly. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have..." Flotsam lowered his eyes. He felt so stupid for doing that. What was wrong with him? Reaching up, he pulled the earring from his ear to set it on the dock. He wanted to flee into the water before he started to cry. He shifted closer to the edge of the dock, when she surprised him by grabbing his neck and pressing her lips to his. He froze, savoring her kiss. Her kiss was sweeter and made his heart swell with pure bliss. A tear rolled down his cheek as he wrapped his arms around her. She put her hands on his chest, leaning into him more as their kiss continued. Flotsam wanted to kiss her like this forever, until he felt his body shift too far off the dock. Breaking the kiss, he gasped and fell off the dock. Since she was leaning on him, she fell in with him.