C H A P T E R T H I R T E E N
Having a tail was unlike anything Westley had ever experienced before. It was spectacular; the way he was able to glide under the waves and swerve the currents. It was his first time learning to swim. On the Vessel there was no need for a pool or anything of that sort; the only water was for drinking.
The three of them followed Ellie into a cave before coming up for air. Gasping as he reached the surface, Nola, Bunker and Ellie remained calm. "How can you guys hold your breath that long?"
"Perks of living on the ground." Bunker answered.
"Your Grace, I apologize for the inconvenience." Ellie spoke. "But my second is about to have a marital ceremony and I am performing it. Would you all mind attending?"
Nola shrugged, "I'm down for a wedding."
Ellie's mouth widened across her face. "Great — I'll show you all how to deteriorate." Ellie turned around and lifts her body weight out of the pool and lies flat on the ground.
"I was always under the impression that undines had legs specifically to conceive." Bunker expressed.
Ellie held out her hand, hovering it above her tail and smoke began to escape from the scales. "We've changed our laws over the last couple of decades. Usually when out of the water, tails immediately deteriorate, but I'm a castor. I made the potion myself, so that I could live in Underland with my husband."
-
Underland reminded Nola of home. Tunnels within the mainland were the only source of transportation, with the exception of the ocean itself. Ellie gifted Nola with nude, fishnet dress. It was more comfortable than the dresses she was required to wear in the Westands. Her hair was held back with oyster shells and hair pins. Following behind Ellie through the tunnels, the four of them walked barefoot. Nola couldn't help but notice the fact that Bunker and Westley were both shirtless with dark trousers on and shell crowns in their hair.
The ceremony was beautiful. Inside a cave with ceiling openings to let the sky light seek through the cracks, full of people that made Nola feel envious. In that moment, the undines were the most beautiful people she'd ever seen in her life. The mainland had an aroma of sea water, but in a room full of people that lived underwater, she couldn't get enough of it.
Ellie sat the three of them in the furthest row before she scurried to the the altar.
Sitting in between her adviser and Westley, Nola grabbed Bunker's hand as the voices in her head spoke again.
Third row, second seat from the aisle. Left side.
Oh shit.
Why is she in this timeline?
Sellie told her to follow the damn butterflies.
We all pointed her in Stanley's direction. Don't blame her.
Demetra, she doesn't remember.
It's better they know now.
Westley saw her tight grip around Bunker's wrist. "Nola?"
Bunker looked at her with wide eyes. "What did they say?"
Nola licked her lips, staring off into space as the ceremony commenced. She focused on the first Queen's thick accent. "Third row," Nola echoed as the pan flute sounded and Ellie's second began her descent down the aisle. "Second seat from the aisle... left side."
Bunker and Westley's eyes darted towards the direction of the opposite aisle. Sat in the second seat, was a little girl with beautiful brown skin— couldn't have been older than the prime age of twelve. "Nerissa."
"Who is she?" Westley whispered while Ellie spoke.
"The youngest undine to master all of the traits of a mermaid." Bunker informed him, still acknowledging Nola's grip on his wrist. "She's Elysium's granddaughter."
"Why would my past lives warn me about her?"
"Beats me." Westley replied.
Bunker didn't say anything; he didn't know. "Did they say anything else?"
"Something about a timeline, and butterflies — someone named 'Stanley'." Nola recalled.
An older man sitting in front of them turned around and harshly shushed them.
Nola was taken aback. And she liked it. He didn't know who she was or what she could do. She liked being a nobody; someone without a title, a girl without a name.
She let go of Bunker and began paying her respects to ondine Ellie Gorgona and the ceremony that was taking place before her. "In the sight of the Sun God, and His Moon. I hereby seal these two souls, entwining them for eternity, always and forever. Under the stars and the minors' gaze. Look upon one another and say the words."
The newlyweds looked so in love. The way they gazed in each other's eyes and felt confident in each other's words as the spoke as one. "Father. Sun. Human. King. Mother. Moon. Undine. Queen. Entwined. I am hers/his, and s/he is mine, from this day, until the end of my days."
When the ceremony was over, the guest moved outside to begin the reception. The mainland evolved from an inactive volcano; steps and buildings carved on the sides, next to waterfalls that descended from above. The ceremony was held in Triton's Circle; a designated area for parties and ceremonies. The willow trees hovered the dance floor and tables and chairs. Nola was used to heavy drums and messy dancing, what the undines did was pure magic.
Nola was seated with Bunker at a far table in the back, while West went to find some decent food that didn't smell like the sea. She was in awe of the light movements on the dancefloor and it put her in a slight trance. She didn't wanna leave.
"Pardon me, your Grace," Nola looked up to see the young girl with blue hair and beautiful brown skin, Nerissa. She was petite yet respectable, due to her lineage. Nola quickly stood up to greet the Sun God's granddaughter, to greet a goddess. "I am Nerissa Yirth. I just wanted to make your acquaintance before I had to head back to the Fields."
Nola's eye widened in astonishment, "You've been to the Fields? What's it like?"
Nerissa was taken aback by Nola's informal curiosity, but she gave her an excited smile, "It's amazing there."
"Really? You know I've heard there's thousands of Isles specifically for each family line."
Nerissa smiled kindly, "Well I don't want to spoil anything — "
Nola put up her hands in defense, "Of course, I get it. I've gotta wait like everyone else — hopefully not anytime soon or anything."
Nerissa and Nola shared a few laughs before Nerissa said, "My grandmother would have loved to meet you, you know? She's met four of the previous reigns of Terra."
But Nola was always a little naive. "Oh, was she unable to make it?"
Nerissa's lips parted, "No... she passed on last solar cycle."
Nola's shoulders fell and her heart felt like it sank down into the pit of her chest, "My apologies — sometimes my mouth says things that my mind thinks and I say stupid shit without letting it process." After speaking she realized it didn't help her case all that well. "What was her name?"
"Evangeline," Nerissa answered with pride.
Nola nodded in condolences, "She will be in my thoughts."
