A Mermaid's Kiss

Chapter 1: Cannons

It's the day of my wedding.

All eyes follow me as I walk down the aisle, draped in a long, bright white gown. The corset beneath cinches my waist tightly, gripping me as though it's trying to squeeze the life out of me.

At the far end of the aisle stands my groom, waiting with a composed but unreadable expression.

Prince Nikolai Valanche.

He is handsome, of course — tall and strong, with sharp features that could belong to a marble statue. Yet for all his perfection, I barely know him. It's strange, isn't it? A bride who hardly knows her husband-to-be.

What I do know is what everyone else knows: Prince Nikolai is the only son of King Viktor and Queen Isolde.

The future king.

A prince skilled in swordplay, unmatched in horseback riding, and, according to gossip, a legend in the art of love-making. The women of the court whisper about him endlessly, their words spreading like wildfire across the kingdom.

To this day, I still wonder why he chose me. I am but a simple woman from a small village, with no royal blood in my veins. My father is a high priest who has served the royal family faithfully, dedicating his life to the kingdom.

When I turned eighteen, he formally introduced me to the young Prince. The very next day, we were engaged.

Growing up, I was always the obedient one — the perfect daughter who followed every rule, met every expectation, and never strayed from the path laid before me.

Perhaps that is why I caught the Prince's eye.

They say he is a perfectionist, a man who desires perfection as much as he desires me.

Yet as I take another step closer to him, unease gnaws at the edges of my mind. Am I truly what he desires, or am I simply what he thinks he should have?

The thought lingers, heavy and unresolved.

Then the world shatters.

Cannons.

The thunderous roar splits the air, and panic hits like a wave across the castle. Gasps and screams fill the halls while guests scatter in confusion.

A second blast follows, this one closer.

"Pirates!" someone shouts, their voice barely audible over the commotion.

Pirates.

The scourge of Valeria.

My father has spoken of them often, condemning them as sinful criminals, men who live without honor or faith. And now, they are here, disrupting the most sacred day of my life.

Before I can flee, my father emerges from the crowd, his face pale. "Come, my child! Quickly, you must stay in the guest's quarters until it's safe."

I nod, trembling, my hands gripping his arm as chaos unfolds around us. Maids dash past us like frightened deers, their cries drowned out by the relentless cannons. He pulls me into a room where two guards stand stationed by the doors, their weapons drawn, their faces grim.

"Stay inside. I'll be back, I promise."

His voice shakes slightly, but he forces a reassuring smile as he steps back into the hallway, the doors closing behind him.

I press my back against the door, my chest heaving as I try to calm the storm raging inside me. The air feels suffocating, heavy with dust and smoke.

The cannons roar again, louder this time, and I flinch. My feet carry me toward the balcony, dread clawing at my skin. When I step onto the terrace, the sight stops me in my tracks.

The sky is a murky blend of smoke and fire. Flaming cannons strike through the night, cutting arcs across the sky like falling stars — beautiful, but devastating at the same time.

They hit the castle walls, leaving gaping holes in their wake, each impact shaking the ground beneath my feet.

Beyond the shore, the pirate ship looms, its black sails rippling in the wind and the unmistakable figurehead of a siren carved at its bow.

The Black Siren.

My blood runs cold at the sight of it. The ship of misfortune. My father spoke of it as a tale to frighten children, a warning of vengeance that would return to our shores. And now, it's here, larger than life and far more terrifying than I ever imagined.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

I spin around, heart leaping to my throat. A stranger cloaked in black stands behind me. The tone of his voice alone reveals his true identity.

A pirate.

Before I can scream, he moves swiftly around my body, covering my mouth with one hand and wrapping the other around my waist. His grip is firm, trapping me.

"Quiet, little dove," he growls in my ear, his voice low and rough, sending shivers down my spine. "Or I'll make you regret it."

Little Dove?

No one has ever called me that before. His accent is foreign, his voice deep and rough. There's a mocking edge to his words, as if I amuse him.

I twist against his hold, trying to catch a glimpse of his face. His features are mostly hidden by his hood, but his cold, dark eyes meet mine for an instant — sharp and fierce, like a blade cutting through my skin.

Another cannon fires, shaking the castle walls. Anger surges within me, overcoming my fear. With all my strength, I bite his hand.

He curses, pulling back. But instead of lashing out, he laughs. "I deserved that."

"You must stop the cannons!" I shout, my voice shaking. "You're killing innocent people. You're destroying everything!"

He tilts his head, his lips curling into a slow, dangerous smile. "Ah, what a brave little dove. You're bold for someone in your position."

"This is madness!" I cry. "You have to stop this!"

His gaze lowers, studying me as though I'm some curious artifact. Then he leans closer, almost kissing my neck. "Very well, little dove," his voice drops to a whisper. "I'll stop the cannons. I'll spare your kingdom from ruin... on one condition."

"What?" I demand, desperation thick in my voice.

His smile deepens, sharp and unforgiving. "You will be my prisoner."

* * *

Author's Note:

Hello, everyone! It's been a while since I last posted a new story. This one is very special to me, and I'm incredibly passionate about it. I would greatly appreciate your support!

If you'd like to read future chapters in advance, feel free to visit my Patreon page: patreon.com/asagittarius.

The next chapter will be posted tomorrow!