A Mermaid's Kiss

Chapter 10

Hey guys I am soooooo super sorry to have abandoned you all these months, I've just been so frickin busy off my ass. I promise that I will never leave you like that again. Luvs!! <3

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I sighed in content. The sun was shining, I was completely alone wandering the beach, and I didn't have a care in the world. Ever since the day William and I went on an adventure, I had come to wear mens clothes all the time.

Looking around to make sure that nobody was watching, I slipped off my boots and placed them on the sand.

I took off running for an outcropping of rocks. I did this usually every day, if there was no one on the beach. I loved the feeling of the sand between my toes, and the sun warming my hair.

When I reached the edge of the water, I stopped. Though I had been on boats many times since arriving here, I had never actually set foot in the ocean. Something inside of me screamed "JUST GO IN!!" But another part, a large part told me that going in it would be bad.

I bit my lip, debating whether or not to just stick my toe in, see what it was like. Just as I was about to do it, a voice called out my name.

I jumped away from the water's edge, and whipped my head around.

William was jogging down the length of the beach, a huge animal following closely behind him.

My eyes widened at the sight of the giant beast. It was black, with a long thin tail, and right now, its mouth was open to reveal long, sharp teeth.

I gave a little scream and started backing away.

William caught up to me and I clung to him. "William, what is that?!?"

He laughed and pryed my arms away from him. "Its just my dog, Sampson. He's really very friendly."

WIlilam took my trembling hand and guided it over to his dog. I stroked its soft fur, marvling at it.

I bit my lip, wondering whether I should just ask about the ocean. "William, what's it like under water?"

He looked at me in suprise. "Well, um, I guess you could say that it's like being isolated. When you're all alone underwater, you can't hear anything, and it's just incredible."

"Huh," I said, pondering that thought. Something was tugging and urging me to go to the ocean, feel the water completly covering my body, the complete silence enveloping me. Just as I was about to go into the ocean, William tugged on my arm, bringing me back to earth.

"Erin, we need to go. My father and mother are throwing a ball, remember?"

I furrowed my brow, trying to remember. "I don't remember you're parents saying anything about a ball."

William laughed. "Oh yeah, that's right, you were out here when they announced it yesterday."

"Why are they throwing a ball? Are we going to catch it?"

William laughed again, bending over and clutching his stomach. "Erin, not that kind of ball. This kind of ball, it's like a fancy party. The women and men get dressed in their nicest finery, and there's music, and dancing."

"Ohh," I said, understanding dawning on me. "Wait, I don't know how to dance!"

"Leave that to me."

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I stood in my room in front of the mirror. I was wearing a gown that was made of the smoothest silk, with a tulle skirt. It was gold, the color of sunshine. I lightly fingered the pearls at my neck. I would never admit it to anyone but myself, but I was nervous about the ball.

William and I had spent the rest of the day trying to teach me how to dance. Four hours and I had only learned one dance. Hopefully no one would ask me to dance.

A knock at the door brought me out of my thoughts.

“Yes?” I asked.

A male servant stood at the door. “His Highness Prince William requests your presence right away in the throne room.”

“Yes of course. One question though, how do you get to the throne room?”

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I entered the throne room silently. William was standing alone at the windows, looking out onto the ocean.

“William? You wanted to see me?”

He whipped around at the sound of my voice. “Erin! You startled me.” He strode over to me and grasped my hands. “I wanted to see you before the ball started. I wanted to tell you something. I have finally realized that I-“

“William! You are late! Come down to the ballroom this instant!” William’s mother stormed into the room. We immediately sprang apart.

“Mother I was, we were, I’m sorry.” William hung his head meekly.

His mother used one finger to lift his chin. “Don’t be darling. I’m just anxious for the ball. Your father and I just want you to find your bride today.”

William glanced at me nervously. “Mother, I told you, I already know whom I am going to marry.”

My heart fell. Though I had only been with William for a short time, I was falling for him. “Y-you do?” I asked.

He looked at me and smiled. “I do.”

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Hey so again I am so frickin sorry that this is late and short but I have been super busy so don’t hate me and I promise I’ll never leave you this long again!!!

<3 Ellie