Our Fated Tail

Anilena

Anilena-Ray

I had two engagement parties this week. The first was for the mer, which I was getting ready for at the moment. I was getting poked and prodded by the castle's seamstress. Eren had taken Aiden to be cared for by one of the matrons before going to help his father with the plans for tonight's gathering. But that had been a few hours ago and I was still being tortured for what I deemed to be a useless reason. I am underwater for Christ's sake! Why do I need a fancy dress for? 

Eren came into the large room I was being tortured in and chuckled at me as I yelped. I glared down at the mermaid trying to get measurements and sew together a line of some type of plant at my waist. I growled in frustration and ripped the plant away from my body, making the woman shriek in protest and horror. I turned to Eren and glared heatedly.

"Why is it that I have to get abused by needles and covered in sea plants while you only have to wear a fancy armor? I don't need a dress when half of my body is a fish tail!"

He sighed and swam up to me wrapping his arms around my waist. "It won't be a dress and it is just how things have to be." He smirked. "It wouldn't be so painful if you would stay still."

I rolled my eyes and he pulled me up against him. "Fine. But I am not happy about this."

Eren smiled and kissed me, taking my breath away instantly. I kissed him back as I wrapped my arms around his neck to keep him close. Before either of us could lose ourselves in the kiss, he pulled back making me gasp for breath. I pressed my forehead against his and let out a deep sigh. I nodded in agreement and slowly went back to the seamstress as Eren took a seat on the waterlogged bench that was sat next to the large mirror. I apologized to the woman and she gave me an understanding smiled before starting again. She slowly but gently laced several layers of various plants together to create an elegant corset that had several small shells sewn into a single line going down the front. It was tight when she laced it up and I blushed at how it pushed my chest up. I placed my hands over it embarrassed.

"Ah," the seamstress noticed. "I have something that will make it more...modest for you."

I looked at her confused as she opened a drawer to pull out a small bundle of ivory lace. I admired it in awe as she removed the corset to sew it on. Eren was watching with a smile. I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out at him. The woman held up the piece for me to see. The lace had been added on the top to cover the excess of skin that showed and a thin strip around the bottom. The shells were small sand dollars and there were pearls attached to the middle of them. I grinned and nodded. It was beautiful. There was a knock on the door before a servant stuck his head in the room to announce that Arkeanus had suggested we got some rest before the party.

"Announcing the prince, Seren Dalinan, and Miss Anilena Connors."

I looked over at the guard and shyly entered the grand ballroom with Eren. I had been dressed in the corset the seamstress had made and my hair, which I'd changed to brown for the occasion, was braided with kelp and various shells that formed a small tiara on my head. Several bracelets had been attached to my wrists and my eyes lined with black. My lips were a deep red and I felt like a bug under a microscope. Eren wore a leather vest that had the crest of the Neptune kingdom and a silver circlet rested on the top of his head. He had his bangs in his face covering his left eye and I smirked as a few of the nobles looked at him disgusted. When we got to the middle of the floor, we stopped and I moved the hair from his eyes. He smiled at me lovingly and leaned down to whisper in my ear.

"You look absolutely breathtaking."

I smiled and kissed him softly. "Thank you."

Arkeanus grinned and came to stand behind us, putting a large hand on each of our shoulders. "Welcome," he said loudly. "This is a celebration for the engagement of my son, Seren, and his mate, Anilena." His eyes hardened and a warning leaked into his voice as he said, "I trust you all will give them the greatest of blessings and respect."