BONDED

Keon

No one would ever understand the amount of hatred I developed towards mermaids, it takes a lot of self control not to poke his eyes out, rip his tail and watch him try to get away while I torture him in unimaginable ways.

'You think you're funny? He speaks up, breaking my chain of thoughts. 

'I would say so but what do you think? I raise my brows at him, he grabs my hand pulling me towards him, his face inches from mine, I will get mated with you and you will bear my son, the future heir of this empire, my empire! You tell me if it's still funny then. 

His words leave me unfazed, 'look at you acting all tough, how cute, maybe use the same facade to rule the kingdom more properly? I retort.

'That's enough! His father speaks up, let her go, I trained you better than to argue with a female. He grunts as he lets go of me stepping back, 'looks like you weren't taught any manners princess' I would expect better from your parents but they've disappointed me already since the night of the red moon'. He hit right where it hurts, my mouth stays shut as I watch a smile creep unto his face.

'No retort? I guessed so, now listen up, you are going to Keon with Leo tomorrow, don't try anything you'll regret, my guards will be there, you are to listen and do as you're told, if you behave I'll treat you better, he chuckles.

'Father, why him? I still don't understand, you know how incapable he is, besides he won't be taking the throne anytime soon, what's the rush? Let me go'.

'No, I've decided already, I need you here and Leo needs training as much as you do, that decision isn't yours to take, I'll give my throne to who I feel is more deserving or maybe have you two share', he chuckles again.

I'm not sharing my empire, even if it means fighting you! He snarls. 'That's the reaction I expect from a son of mine, prove yourself and it's yours'. I heard their whole conversation but my mind was still stuck on his previous statement, he knows my weakness and he targets me every time with it, I tell myself I won't let him get to me but it's impossible, I stare into the distance, shutting my thoughts clouding my head, my head turns at the direction of my door being closed again.

What was that whole conversation about me going to Keon, I've never been there, its a small area of the kingdom where the shadiest people live, people like Aasil, I laugh at the thought, he was to be thrown in the dungeon for the rest of his life, but my father saw his potential and pardoned him. He was my first friend, he played all my silly games with me when I was younger, I wonder what happened to him, I hope he's alive.

Keon huh, I've never been outside the castle since, now is my opportunity to do something, I don't know what but I'll figure it out, I pace around my room thinking of something, if I had my powers I would've been able to but I don't, I wonder if I'll be in the same hydra as him, maybe use him as a hostage? I thought.

I'd made up my mind, I'm not going to return from Keon without making a difference, the maids had packed my things for me ensuring I wouldn't sneak something dangerous, I was escorted by four guards outside of the castle to the hydra, Chayon, Haison and Leo were stood there, as usual Chayon's wife was nowhere to be seen, I've never seen her nor heard much about her.

Their heads turned towards me as I approached, all three men shamelessly checking me out, the dark blue scales hugged my lower body to my tail, restricting my movement a bit, my upper body was more comfortable, the scales covered my neck to my chest exposing my stomach, two strings crossing over to my waist over my stomach meeting at my lower back. My forehead was adorned with my golden armoured gem secured in my hair, golden bracelets tightened my wrist just right. 

I scoffed, moving past them and into the hydra, I relaxed into the seat shutting my eyes, mentally preparing myself for what's to come. The door opened again, Leo settling himself opposite of me, so he's travelling with me, I guess they're too cautious to let me be alone, the engine starts as we head to our destination.

'I believe you've spoken with father, I'd like to request, princess, that you co-operate with me, I mean you no harm' He says. Should I ignore or answer? I decide to ignore as I leave my eyes shut not responding to him.

'Princess? Are you asleep? Isn't it a bit too early to be asleep? Maybe she didn't sleep at night, good for me, I don't have to keep a conversation'. He sighs. 

Wow he fell for it and he talks to himself, yeah this family is a bunch of weirdos, not long after I did drift off to sleep.

I woke up to myself curled on the seat, I wonder when I got in that position but I was feeling refreshed, I stretch my muscles seating up, looking around a bit,

'You're awake' he states not looking up from what he's up to, I don't reply making him look up at me.

'Are you ok? If you're hungry there's food, you slept for five hours, that's impressive for a princess, he smiles raising his brows at me, I blink trying to mask my confusion, where is this friendliness coming from? Do I look like his childhood friend? 

'You don't need to keep me entertained with conversations, if you haven't noticed I spend most of my time locked up alone, you and I are only here because your father made me, I have no interest in keeping any sort of communication with you, if you have something that important to say, say it and shut it', I say.

He smiles at me,' that's fine, I'll respect your wishes, but allow me to apologise to you on behalf of my people, for the way you've been treated, it was too harsh, my apology doesn't change that but just know I don't support it'. He finishes.

I keep a bland face at his words, he's probably testing me, 'I don't want anything from you or your kind, it's taking everything in me right now to prevent myself from cracking your skull, don't make it harder'. I glare at him hoping he'll just shut his mouth.

'You can't exactly do that princess, one, I won't let you, two, you're surrounded, there's guards right behind this, he taps the other end, three, you're smart enough not to try that. I don't mind your statements, they're definitely hurtful but we deserve it, I'll change this one day, don't worry, you'll change your mind about me'. He raises his arm pointing his palm towards me, it begins to glow, my skin started to tingle as well, I instinctively raise my hand, stopping myself immediately, realising what I was about to do.

He was trying to heal my wounds from later when that maniac used his spell on me, that was his ability but the last thing I'd want is help from a mermaid, unfortunately I can't prevent this. The soreness from my body had been drained and my muscles felt lighter.

'There, all better' he says. I look outside the hydra, choosing to ignore him again, there wasn't much to see, but I was definitely interested, I've never been to this part of the kingdom and what if I wanted to escape, it'll be easier if I know where I'm going. 

'If you're interested, I don't mind telling you what went down, I'm pretty sure you're dying to know, dying to know what happened on the night of the red moon.

My body moves on it own, pinning him down as I choke him, almost immediately, two guards show up, aiming their weapons at me. 'Lower them, leave her to me', he chokes out. 

They Immediately lower them, he grips my arm, that stupid smile still on his face, I immediately pull away, feeling a burning sensation where he had touched me, I move to get off him. 

'Come on princess, no need to get all violent, I was only asking a question', my elbow connects to his face making a cracking sound. 'Keep my family's name out of your mouth or next time I will kill you'. The guards move towards me but he raises his arm stopping them again, before moving it to heal himself. 

'Violent I see, you shouldn't hurt the person trying to help you, he laughs, I get the message now, I'll stop bothering you, I promise', with that he turned away from me, waving the guards away as well. 

I was at least thankful he turned away, not wanting him to see me in my pathetic state, my body was shaking, his words being repeated in my ear, I do want to know what happened, it's been killing me not knowing but the last place I wanted to hear it from was a mermaid. What happened to my parents? What happened to the kingdom? Thinking about it scares me, for I fear the worst. 

Author's note

I'm not sure about Leo 🤔, well we'll see 🤷‍♀️, I mean what are the odds a mermaid develops a good heart.