The Pirate Princess

Chapter 18

Another month goes by, and still, nothing. No attacks and no one has been taken. The entire thing was more talk than action. Adella and I confirmed that I am with child and have decided to keep it. Even though she wasn't Adella's child, Adella made it a point to be her mother, just as much as me.

But something we were worried about was if she'll be able to transform. If the halfbreed has children with a human, the trait could die out. Whatever happens, Adella and I agreed we would do what's best for our daughter and our family.

My mother has been stealing Adella away for wedding planning, trying to encourage her to have the wedding sooner while there is some peace. I believe we should stay vigilant. I don't want us to celebrate something so wonderful just to have the rug ripped out from under us. Adella understood my fear, but at the same time, she knew what was going on in the city. "My love," she says, "our people are terrified. We are living in constant fear because of humans." She cupped my face, "Something like a wedding could bring some joy to our people, even if something happens." I shook my head,

"I just... I don't want to have the wedding, and then we're attacked." Adella nodded, then I saw her eyes light up; an idea glistened in her eyes,

"What if we had a small wedding?" She suggested, "Like if we eloped?" I raised my brow, "It could be your mother and a witness, maybe Edweana." I thought for a moment it could work. "We could do this for now, and then when everything is over, have a real wedding for all of us." I nodded,

"That may work," I say,

"Just think about it for now, my love." She told me, "Promise me?" I kissed her lips and nodded,

"I promise." I say, "Take the idea to my mother, see if she is alright with it, and I'll consider it." Adella nods, placing a hand on my belly,

"How's the little one?" She asks; I shrug,

"She's fine, I think." I tell her, "I can't wait until she starts moving." Adella nods,

"I'm sure she's going to be as beautiful as her mother." I smile,

"And as sweet and kind-hearted as you, as well." I began to wonder, "If I am her mother and you're going to be my wife, does that make you her mother too?" Adella giggled,

"Caspia, my love, we have time to figure this out." Adella says, "And no matter what she calls me, I will be her mother, yes." I thought for barely a moment and said,

"Let's do it." I say, "Let's get married." Adella smiled; I kissed her once again as she got up, reaching for my hand,

"Come now," she said, "let's go speak to your mother together." I giggled, shaking my head as I got up with her, and we swam off to find my mother.

Mother was in the throne room, going over some wedding details with some of the mermaids in the court. "Mother," I called her. Her attention turned to Adella and me as we swam into the throne room,

"Caspia, Adella, welcome in!" She said happily, "We were just going over some wedding details; do you two want a traditional royal mermaid wedding or something to honor your human heritage as well?"

"That's what we wanted to speak to you about, Marina," Adella told her. Mother waved the others off, and they left us alone.

"When is the wedding?" She asked excitedly,

"We want to have a small wedding for now," I tell her, "at least until we know the threats from the humans are over."

"When would you like to have it?" She asked us. Adella and I looked at each other, then turned back to my mother,

"Today." We said in unison. Mother swam up to us, pulling us into a hug,

"I'll get everything ready." She tells us, "But you still need a witness."

"Edweana." Adella tells her, "She's been my best friend since I turned thirteen; she deserves to be at my wedding." Mother waves a guard over,

"Go and retrieve Miss Edweana." She tells him, "She has a wedding to attend." The guard leaves, and we begin getting everything ready for our wedding.