Under The Sea

Chapter Nine - Secret Plan

Samuel paced back and forth across the sand, the space barely enough to take over six paces in each direction. It had been a few days since Axel's last visit.

He wracked his mind for what he may have done to drive Axel away. Was it their last interaction when he had held his hand? Had he gone too far?

He recognized he had felt something when he grabbed his hand, but had Axel felt it too? Is that why he was avoiding him?

Samuel couldn't even leave to go after him. His injury had healed, or rather sealed, and he no longer needed the patch, but he still couldn't move as freely as he had wanted to.

Maybe it was just him. He could be overreacting. It wasn't like he had done anything that would have offended him. Or had he? Samuel wracked his head for anything he learned about merpeople. Yet, other than old fishing lore, he drew a blank.

Then, Samuel heard it, a distant clattering, the sound of metal crashing together and he jumps. Axel had never made a noise before. It was his cave; of course he would know where everything was. He moved beside the slab, dredging up the hidden stone Axel had retrieved for him after he had attacked him.

A head popped above the surface and Samuel had half a mind to throw the stone, but remembered his failure the last time and refused to get rid of the only thing he had for protection.

"Paxton?" A voice came, and the person crawled onto the sand.

"Finn?" Samuel asked, his voice trembling as he lowered the rock.

As the figure turned around, he realized it was not Finn, but Axel. "Axel?! What the hell?"

"Hey, sorry," Axel huffed as he moved around on the sand. "My father assigned a guard to protect me. I had to disguise myself to sneak out."

"Protect you from what?"

"... humans."

"What?" Samuel burst, intrigued by his response. This time it was Samuel who lunged towards him. "Why are there humans around?"

"Well..." Axel trailed off, considering how to broach the topic, "I assume they're looking for you... your highness."

Samuel froze as the words left Axel's lips, his title hanging in the tense air between them. Axel chewed on his cheek as he waited for a reaction from the man. Their eyes locked in a heated gaze, each daring the other to speak.

"I-"

"You're the land Prince, right?"

"Yes."

"I knew it!" Axel exclaimed, "I understand why you didn't tell me."

"You do?"

"I don't suppose I ever formally introduced myself either." Axel pulled off the cloak over his head, revealing his shell chain across his forehead. "I am Prince Axel Hallaire of the Kingdom of Latistan."

Samuel was awestruck at the revelation, yet as he spoke, his past comments made more sense. His father, the Kingdom, guards.

"I have a confession myself," Samuel returned, watching as Axel's eyes widened in interest. "You're correct, I am the Prince. Prince Samuel Kristley of the Kingdom of Meridian."

"Wait, what?" Axel exclaimed, "your name is Samuel!"

"I'm sorry I lied to you," Samuel interjected, drawing his attention back, "as a Prince you surely understand why I kept my identity hidden."

"As a Prince, I do," Axel sighed, his voice low, "as a friend..."

"We barely know each other," Samuel cut him off, "before the storm I didn't even believe your species existed!"