His Mermaid Princess: A Huma fanfiction

chapter 12

Ursula pov

The sea was calm, a gentle ebb of water rippling across the rocky landscape of my lair. I could feel her coming, my daughter Uma. Such a determined child, with ambition like mine, yet still so naive. She wanted what many had come to me for—transformation, power, a chance to change her life. And like all those poor, unfortunate souls before her, I knew exactly how to grant her wish.

When Uma entered my cavern, her face was hard, defiant, but I could see the flicker of doubt. Her voice trembled as she spoke. "You can really do that?" she asked, her voice edged with both hope and skepticism.

I let out a low, throaty laugh, savoring the moment. "My dear, sweet child," I crooned, my tentacles slithering across the stone floor. "That's what I do. It's what I live for. To help unfortunate merfolk, like yourself. Poor souls with no one else to turn to."

She hesitated. That was good. Hesitation was the prelude to surrender. They always faltered before they sealed their fate.

I began my song, my voice curling through the water with a hypnotic rhythm. "I admit that in the past I've been a nasty. They weren't kidding when they called me, well, a witch." I slithered closer to Uma, my magic simmering beneath the surface. "But you'll find that nowadays, I've mended all my ways. Repented, seen the light, and made a switch. True? Yes."

I smiled sweetly as Uma’s expression softened. She was already starting to believe.

"And I fortunately know a little magic," I continued, raising my arms, letting purple and pink smoke swirl around me like a cape. "It's a talent that I always have possessed." The smoke billowed around my cauldron, and a faint glow reflected off the green waters. "And here lately, please don't laugh. I use it on behalf of the miserable, lonely, and depressed." I winked at her, reveling in the power I held over her. "Pathetic."

She watched me warily, her mouth set in a firm line, but her eyes, oh her eyes, were hungry for what I could offer.

"Now," I said, suddenly shifting my tone to something more business-like. I was done playing. The real deal was about to be made. "Here's the deal." My voice dropped to a hushed tone, gripping her attention. "I will make you a potion that will turn you into a human for three days. Got that? Three days."

I held up three fingers, motioning with them, the significance of this countdown hanging between us. My tentacles slowly wrapped around her, gently pulling her closer as I outlined the contract.

"Before the sun sets on the third day, you've got to get dear ol' princey to fall in love with you. That is, he's got to kiss you. Not just any kiss, mind you—the kiss of true love." I purred, knowing full well how impossible such a thing could be in so little time.

"If he kisses you before the sun sets on the third day, you’ll remain human, permanently." I saw the flicker of hope ignite in her eyes. "But if he doesn’t, you turn back into a mermaid, and—" I grinned, leaning in for the final blow—"you belong to me!"

Uma’s face hardened again. "But I’m your daughter," she said, her voice laced with confusion. "Why would you make a deal like this with me?"

I raised a brow and let out a chuckle. "Because this is business, my dear."

Uma seemed to waver, her thoughts twisting in turmoil as she thought it over. I could almost hear the gears turning in her mind. Sebastian, ever the loyal sidekick, tried to protest. "No, Uma!" But he was quickly silenced by my faithful Flotsam and Jetsam, who slithered around him and Flounder like the obedient creatures they were.

I leaned in closer, grabbing Uma's face, forcing her to meet my eyes. "Have we got a deal?"

Her voice was shaky. "If I become human, I'll never see my sisters again." She didn’t mention her father, and I knew why. She was upset with Triton, too angry to care about him at the moment. I took advantage of that.

"That’s right," I said softly, then let my voice drop lower, "but you’ll have your man." I could almost taste her indecision, but I wasn’t done yet. "Life’s full of tough choices, isn’t it?"

Then I remembered the most important part. "Oh, and we haven’t discussed payment." I smiled wickedly. "You can’t get something for nothing, you know. Even if you are my daughter."

"I don’t have anything—" she started, but I silenced her with a tentacle. "I’m not asking for much. Just a token, really." I could feel her pulse quicken as I slid closer. "What I want from you is... your voice."

Uma froze, her hand reaching instinctively to her throat. "My voice?" she whispered.

"Exactly," I confirmed. "No more talking, no more singing. Zip."

"But without my voice, how can I—"

"You’ll have your looks!" I interrupted, shaking my hips, laughing at her naivety. "Your pretty face! And don’t underestimate the importance of body language!"

With that, the final act was set in motion. I resumed my song, the potion bubbling and swirling as I prepared it. Purple and pink smoke filled the cavern as the cauldron exploded with magical energy, casting a sinister glow on us both. I could see Harry’s image shimmer in the mist—her future with him.

"Now..." I cooed, pulling out the golden contract. "Sign the scroll."

With trembling hands, Uma took the quill and signed away her voice.

I laughed, feeling the power surge as I whispered the ancient words. "Paluga, sarruga, come winds of the Caspian Sea. Now rings us glossitis and max laryngitis, la voce to me!"

Uma’s voice was ripped from her, swirling through the water like a glowing ember, trapped within my shell necklace. I watched, triumphant, as her legs formed and her transformation was complete. She would have her chance at love, but at what cost?

Oh, poor unfortunate soul.