Beneath the surface: Forbidden Love

Thirty Seven

Marisela

The sound of the waves crashing on the shore is a soothing melody that lulls me into a trance, yet there's an undercurrent of restlessness, mirroring my anticipation.

As I stand on the shoreline, the salt-tinged breeze plays with my hair, and the night sky is a tapestry of stars, each one a glimmering promise. The sand beneath my feet is cool and soft, a connection to the earth that grounds me, even as I'm suspended in the magic of the moment.

Do you think he will come?" I ask Avalon impatiently.

"He will definitely be here." She lays a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Trust me."

"Do you think I'm doing the right thing?" I ask her, searching her face for any signs of regret, but I see none. All I see is... hope.

"You're father has been waiting for this moment his entire life." She smiles softly at me. "You are his whole world, trust that." I stay quiet at her words, the nerves eating me up inside.

Time stretches out endlessly, and there's a feeling of both vulnerability and exhilaration. Every minute feels like an eternity, knowing that his arrival will be a crescendo of emotions.

The ocean, a vast expanse of darkness, stretches before me, its waves whispering secrets in the moonlight. In the embrace of the midnight beach, I find solace in the rhythmic harmony of the waves, and there's a sense of being a part of a timeless, ageless world.

It's a waiting that's filled with longing, but it's also a testament to the enduring connection we share.

Then I see him.

My heart pounding with anticipation, as the sea's surface stirred and parted. Then, in a cascade of sparkling droplets, he emerges.

The king of the sea, resplendent in his regal splendor, rose from the depths with an aura of majestic power. His eyes, deep as the ocean itself, glistened with wisdom and an ancient understanding of the world. His hair, like a bright star.

As he rises higher, his massive form, both human and aquatic, reveals itself. The sea-water cascades from his glistening skin, leaving a trail of silvery drops in its wake. He is adorned in intricate shells and shimmering scales that seemed to be woven into his very being.

In this moment, the air feels charged with an otherworldly energy, and the world stands still. The king of the sea's presence is a profound reminder of the boundless wonders hidden beneath the waves, and I couldn't help but feel humbled by the grandeur of this aquatic monarch. His emergence from the depths is a testament to the untamed beauty and power of the sea, and a moment I would forever treasure as an encounter with the elemental forces of nature.

This is my father. The King of the Sea.

"Marisela." He says my name with such admiration.

"You really are my father." I say to him, my eyes begin to fill with tears. He nods his head, his own eyes glisten with unshed tears.

"I have searched everywhere for you," he begins to speak with such emotion. "I never gave up." He turns to Avalon, and nods his head, as if to say thank you.

"I will leave now." Avalon turns to me, her eyes fill with tears. She pulls me into a long warm embrace and I don't hesitate to hug her back. We both knew what was to come of this hug. After a long moment, we both pull apart, and with one last final glance, knowing fully well this will be the last time for a while. She turns and leaves.

"Avalon has informed me of your decision." He says pulling me away from my thoughts. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"This is what I need." I tell him.

"What about your..." he tries to speak, a flicker of anger flashes in his eyes. "Your mate." My heart breaks at the mention of my mate.

"I left him a letter." I tell him feeling ashamed. Sylis looks at me a little longer before nodding his head in understanding.

"Before we leave, I want to know about my mother." I hold back my tears as hard as I can. There's a shimmer of sadness that passes in his eyes. "What happened all those years ago?"

"She was the love of my life." He begins. "I would give anything to have the life that was taken away from me all those years ago." At this point, a stray tear leaves my eyes and I don't hold any of them back as I listen to him.

"She was beautiful, kind and everything good. A part of me died when she was killed, and everything else did when you were taken away from me." He looks lost in thought, as if the memory weighed hard on his chest.

"I almost lost hope, that maybe you were dead, but Avalon called out to me and told me of a siren princess mated to a werewolf. I couldn't believe it at first, but then I saw you, and I knew you were her. You remind me so much of her, you have no idea." His voice now filled with sadness and heartbreak. His face quickly changes to resentment and anger. "Nadia has taken so much from me, She stole the happiness that once lit up my whole life, leaving me in a never-ending night of despair. She tore our family apart, like a storm ripping through the strongest of trees, leaving me scattered and broken." I watch as his eyes fill with so much hatred towards the woman I thought was once my mother.

"My dear, it's important for you to know that I did everything in my power to protect what was mine, to shield you from her wickedness. But she is relentless, and she left me with scars that run deep. As your father, I want you to understand that my love for you remains unwavering, and I will rebuild what was lost. That evil woman may have taken away much, but she can never extinguish the love and strength that binds us as a family. With your return, we'll begin the journey of healing and restoration."

I couldn't say anything after that. I knew that in this moment, I made the right decision. After a while, just soaking in the words of my father. I look at him.

"I'm ready."

Sylis gives out his hand as he waits for me to take it. With one last inner battle with myself, I take his hand, and walk into the cold midnight water.

Amidst the pain, there's a glimmer of hope, an ember of self-improvement that burns brightly. I understand that for my own personal growth, for self-discovery, I need this space, this time away. I have to embark on this journey of self-exploration, even if it means temporarily forsaking the comfort of a loved one.

Before I left the castle, I left a note for Kael in his bedroom. I hope that with this decision he will understand in time why I had to leave. I made sure to tell him that I will return, but I also left out something very important. I couldn't bring myself to tell him that I am pregnant. I couldn't tell him face to face because I knew if I saw his face, I would choose him over everything else.

I know, I am a coward. But I hope that by the time I return, he will find it in his heart to forgive me.

I give one last look at the castle behind, leaving a piece of my heart with the man I love.

In this complexity of emotions, there's a profound sense of responsibility and a belief that, in the long run, this separation will lead to a greater understanding and a more authentic version of myself.

So, while it's heartbreaking to hurt someone I care deeply for, the hope for a better, more fulfilled future is what propels me to make this difficult choice.