stronger than the sea | z.m

The Secret Room Holds The Secret Truth

✩ Sofia's POV ✩

What only heightened my fear was nothing other than uncertainty for I didn't know what lay in front of me. Something bright illuminated the secret, relatively dark room; as far as I could tell, a lightbulb was not the source of light.

Once I took a closer look, I realized what I saw was indeed something a bookworm could only dream of. There were shelves upon shelves lining the room that held hundreds of books; it reminded me of the library Belle from the Beauty and the Beast loved going to. A small table in the corner sparked my attention. There lay-I use lay lightly because I swear it's levitated in the air as if gravity doesn't exist-a big, blue book opened to a particular page.

I'd seen everything from glow-in-the-dark paint to glow-in-the-dark bracelets, but never had I come across a glow-in-the-dark, floating book. I knew one thing for sure; this was definitely not a supply closet. If Harry could lie to my face, why couldn't I disobey his demand for me to stay away?

I know what I was about to do was wrong, but my curiosity had reached its peak. I headed towards the table. The first thing I noticed was "The Prophecy" was written at the very top in medieval times font.

Hmm, it seems Haz failed to mention something about a prophecy; it's not like a prophecy is anything of importance. It may have just been a thought, but the sarcasm still left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I don't care how wrong my actions is at this point. As princess, I think it's fair that I have a look at this so called prophecy-especially if it may directly involve me. I have a right to know what awaits me in the near future.

"Here goes nothing." I voice out a whisper of encouragement to myself.

The Prophecy

For now, peace has settled amongst Paradise Sea. A couple centuries away, tremendous chaos shall raise the stakes for potential utter destruction to the seven seas. The rulers of the land won't be able to lift a finger as this isn't about the king or queen. It will involve their pride and joy; their most precious pearl. The second in command will be taken away from the safety of her palace and loved ones. At the ripe age of fourteen, she shall come back after miraculously being found. It's her destiny to calm the destruction in its wake to inflict harm upon Paradise Sea. She must go to Calm Depths if she truly desires salvation for her kingdom. Her other half awaits there and will help her every step of the way. With dark locks, eyes the color of honey, a sharper than glass jaw line, and perfectly tan skin, he is key to aid her in successfully accomplishing her journey. Trouble will arise as soon as she turns seventeen. The starfish necklace she's worn around her neck for years shall help her in combat. That is all. Prepare for what is to come and remember. Keep your loved ones close but your enemies closer.

If I was some comical persona in a cartoon or even in a sitcom, this is where I'd either stumble back in surprise or do a spluttering spit take out of shock. Alas I don't lead a second, fictional life with events planned out strategically to fit the vision of a creative mastermind.

I settled for an audible gasp before freezing in my tracks. It's crystal clear that I'm the girl this book speaks of; there's no way it's all a coincidence.

Although by the looks of it my soulmate's beauty surpasses that of Prince Eric-my ultimate man crush for the past decade-, this immense sense of fear has spurred inside me.

How is a seventeen-year-old girl supposed to risk her short-lived life for a kingdom-up until three years before-she didn't even know existed much less that she'd someday take the throne of? Three years is hardly any time at all to adjust.

My mind didn't register the tears running down my face until I felt the moisture repeatedly hit my chest. Finding your soulmate should be the most serene, magical time of your life. Instead, I'll be too busy worrying about rounding up as much help as I can for the sake of my people.

I should've listened to Harry and stayed away. Damn you curiosity.

While the thought of getting caught frightens me to no end, it's the last thing on my mind right now. If my body didn't feel numb all over, I'd take the opportunity to sneak back into my room.

Before I could move a muscle, I heard the doorknob jiggle. Oh dear god, please don't be too harsh on me. I was rooted on the spot, awaiting my doom.

Closing my puffy, red eyes mentally preparing myself, I sucked in my breath as I heard the door open. "Sofia, what are you doing in here? I told you it was nothing." I heard Harry's voice shift from tired and careless to alarmed and full of authority.

Praise the almighty lord. I had never felt such relief to hear that familiar voice in my stay here so far. It was only little Haz, I wasn't in the doghouse.

"Excuse you, little? I am not little!" he whined childishly. A devious smirk appeared on his face. "Who said you were off the hook babe?"

"I was kidding dear Harold, you're not little. Please don't tell my parents anything." I rushed out my plea.

"On two conditions." At this point, I was desperate. I really couldn't get in trouble my first day here. I refuse to get a bad reputation so soon.

"You name it." I'm going to regret this aren't I? I can feel it in my gut. Wait, do I have human or fish guts? I felt a disgusted expression take over my face.

"Hey, Sofia snap out of it." Harry waved his hand in my face.

"Sorry, zoned out for a minute there. Anyway, what do you want in return for not ratting me out?" I honestly feared what his conditions were. He could practically blackmail me with anything right now.

"It's simple really. First off, promise to not call me Haz or Hazza or any childish nickname ever again." After receiving a nod, he continued.

"You have noticeably red and puffy eyes which tells me you were crying. You don't have to tell me what happened, but my arms are open. C'mere."

I forced myself to avoid getting watery eyes that'd just start the waterworks all over again. Harry's arms provided this sense of comfort and warmth I'd never experienced before, so I basked in the new found sensation while I could; I never wanted to walk away from his loving arms.

"We'll talk about this tomorrow. Just because your parents won't find out about this, doesn't mean you won't get lectured for what you did. C'mon, let's head back. It's late." He mumbled sleepily after he'd sadly let go.

I realized he wasn't the only exhausted one. I lazily followed him through the maze-like halls until we reached my room.

"Sorry for what I did Harry. Curiosity just got the best of me. I'm really tired, but I promise we'll talk in the morning. Goodnight." I smiled half heartedly.

"That we will Sof. Goodnight." he gave me a lazy smile before swimming away in the direction his room was.

I shut the door as softly as I could then swam towards my dresser. Just because I'm a mermaid who wears sparkly bras now doesn't mean I've outgrown human customs.

I changed into the oversized t-shirt I had wore when I was brought here since my dresser lacked them. Mermaids must be like Rapunzel and have magical hair because mine feels free of knots and soft as a wooly blanket.

This wouldn't have ever happened to Sofia Harper; she would've battled with never-ending knots for ten minutes give or take. Regardless, I threw it up into my usual messy bun before climbing into the sparkly pink seashell-which turned out to be comfier than I'd expected. One last thought ran through my mind before I knocked out like a light.

Keep your loved ones close but your enemies closer.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

Hope you liked it leave a comment below and vote pretty please with a sparkly seashell on top. Follow me on twitter @Zany_for_Zaynie x -Mari