“Remember not a word!” Reena smile flirtatiously at the only male on the royal guard. He reddened and nodded, too enamored with my sister to speak. If anyone could coerce a guard to turn his back on us while keeping a lookout while we listen in on our mother secret meeting, it would be her.
We hid in the kitchen cubby and slightly opened the coral flap that covered the opening used to serve food to the meeting room. Then, we waited. I didn’t take long for the messenger to return looking cleaner but exhausted.
“Hey! Do I have any in my teeth?” Reena asked. Holding up a handful seaweed and baring her teeth.
“What! Reena please, focus. This is important.”
“Okay … want some?
“… actually yeah. Give me some.” I said, grabbing the offered snack.
“ I was not expecting you to arrive alone” my mother had arrived and begun the meeting.
“Yes, Queen, I understand. I was sent to negotiate the favor they ask in return.”
“Yes, I had guessed they might want something in return. We actually just recently finished removing treasure from a sunken ship off the American coast. There were many jewels and gold found.” My mother said with a tone that was hopeful and sad. As if she knew this was not enough.
“Actually, that could make an excellent dowry. As you know, Queen Berna has a son, Prince Dergan, who is now twenty-one” The messenger mused.
Whoa! Dowry? As in marriage? The want an alliance bonded my marriage. My heart dropped to the furthest tip of my tail, and the feeling of gloom overwhelmed me.
My mother remained still, frozen almost. “ I understand. I have three, the eldest Jorlun has a daughter already. But my daughter Reena is known among the land for her remarkable beauty.” Reena jumped slightly at the mention of her name.
“I have no doubt that they are beautiful. But my Queen is interested in your youngest. She has heard that she is the daughter of a merman and not a human. Is this so?’
“Yes, my daughter is mermaid on both sides. But she is also very young, only seventeen.”
Seventeen? That meant me? My father is a merman? The seaweed slipped out of my hand.
“It is true that double blooded mermaids are stronger, faster?”
My mother looked uncomfortable. “I have not had her compared to others … but she is the fastest mermaid I have ever seen. But I am hesitant about this.”
“ Queen Berna made it very clear to me that in exchange for her battle ready guardsmen she would like your youngest.” The messenger said this with a tone of finality.
“ I guess I must agree.”
“Good. The defensive guard is on its way. They should arrive within the next day or two. When they arrive I return. With the princess.”
“Yes.” My mother voice cracked. “Aurania will go with you”
“Oh, oh, no” Reena whispered. “I’m so sorry”
I barely registered.
My heart had stopped.
YOU ARE READING
All's fair in love and fishtails!
RomanceAurania's a simple girl who longs for human interaction. It's a hard thing when you live underwater and have a scaly tail. Aurania is a mermaid. In fact she is the youngest mermaid princess of the Atlantic kingdom. But thing aren't going so well...
