Fins

Chapter 4

AN:  Sorry I was a little late, but here's the next chapter.  I'm just about caught up with what I've written so far and I hope to be able to keep up this regular posting  but I'm not sure if I will be able to do this for much longer.  But I will try my best.  Now for the chapter.  Let me know what you think so far of Echo and her adventure that has only just begun!

Chapter 4

Once my family had disappeared around the corner, a woman was called to show me to my quarters before the Emperor and his son swam up to another cave entrance on one of the surrounding walls. Prince Yuval had given me a smile and told me that he had other business to attend to, but that I should await for his call within the next day or so as there was something he needed me to do, but not quite yet.

I followed the gray scaled servant into a large room that had tufts of grass for resting in a couple areas around the perimeter and a large boulder in the center with a strange reflective piece of material sitting on top. On the boulder rested a long rope of assorted shells, and a few hair clips decorated with tiny sea stars. Next to the jewelry rested a brush of urchin quills, their sharp tips clipped to a manageable size.

If you need anything milady, I will be just outside your room. I am to be your personal attendant for the next few days at least. There will be a meal prepared for you this evening. If you would like food in the meantime, I am able to ask the meal preppers to put something together for you.

The young girl refused to meet my gaze as she rattled off her list, looking as nervous as I felt stressed.

I don't think I could eat anything at the moment, but thank you.

Of course, Your Imperialness

I stared at the girl in shock as she bowed to me.

What did you call me? I asked the girl, unable to fathom why she used such a title.

I-I'm sorry, what would you have me call you? Is Your Majesty more to your liking?

No, no. Please, my name is Echo, just call me that, I'm not – I stopped abruptly thinking it over. Technically I was to be a part of the Imperial family as first wife to the upcoming Emperor. It would be a lot to take in and I guess I had better get used to such titles and being attended to during the day and night. Looking at the girl who was still stopped over in a deep bow, I added, I guess I am actually going to be part one of the Imperials, strange enough. But please, just call me Echo.

Of course, Mistress Echo. I shall await for you outside the room until I am needed.

Unsure of what to do, I watched as the girl, younger than me by a few years it seemed, turn tail and exit the room leaving me alone for the first time since everything had come crashing down around me.

Numbed by the last hour or so, I floated over to the large boulder and looked down at the items. Taking the brush, I ran it through my mass of black curls tentatively, unsure of the last time I had been able to own anything of such value. I eyed the sea stars and decided to pin some of my newly brushed hair back with the piece of jewelry. I admired my reflection in the looking glass but couldn't help the feeling of desperation welling inside me. With a wave of anger, I threw the brush back on the boulder and darted over to one of the corners with the sea grass. Curling my tail around a clump, a sharp shudder flowed through my body and I tried all I could to not have a panic attack.

You need to be strong for your family, Echo. They will be disgraced in front of the entire kingdom and will suffer for it one way or another if you don't do as you're asked, the voice in my head reminded me. The Prince himself said you'd want for nothing, this is the life of luxury, it's what any girl would dream of, you have the chance of a lifetime and here you are freaking out over it. I slapped my cheeks furiously as though that would help reorganize my thoughts appropriately.