Beneath the Waves (Ocean Song Book 1)

*UPDATED* Chapter 7: Lullabies

Prince Oceanus's brow arcs ever so slightly in curiosity at the sudden change in demeanor.

She glides through the water as if she's been a mermaid all her life. It's a strange occurrence considering he hasn't a clue as to what has changed.

That fearful expression that had been fixed onto her face has dissolved into one of calm. A new confidence exudes from her to take the place of her previous uncertainty.

And, before he knows it, he's frowning. Surely this cannot be the same girl that had been so unnerved before?

He hears the relieved exhalation of breath from his sister standing behind him. Why she insists on befriending a human of all things is beyond him, but the fact of the matter is that she simply doesn't belong here.

And perhaps that's why her sudden ability to move through the water aggravates him so.

Even the Great White seems to grow increasingly frustrated with its fleeing dinner. Its movements become more frenzied as it picks up speed in an effort to catch up. Each time it gets close enough to bite down, Serena darts away like a playful dolphin.

Prince Oceanus's frown deepens into a scowl. Enough of this foolishness...

"...Enough." Everything seems to become still at the authoritative command. The shark's eyes, having been rolled back to reveal the whites in preparation for the attack, have returned to that soulless dark color.

It swims in a circle, consistently moving to maintain the oxygen passing through its gills.

Serena comes to a stop as well, lightly panting as she tries to recover her breath. All at once, she had regained full control of her body while also experiencing a sudden bout of fatigue.

Abruptly, she turns an irate glare on the prince—swimming up to him rather quickly for someone so tired.

"This is how you teach a person to swim?" She cries out as she jabs a finger into his chest. "You're honestly insane! What were you trying to do? Kill me?" Although her voice goes quieter, her anger is no less obvious.

Prince Oceanus simply crosses his arms whilst giving her a dispassionate look. "You are alive, are you not?" Serena says nothing as her continues, "If I had been trying to kill you then you would be dead now instead of pestering me."

Serena grits her teeth in annoyance as she lowers her hands to her sides. She clenches them into fists, forcing her body to calm down as Princess Arcelia slowly swims up to them.

"Are you alright?" She asks quietly, giving Serena a once-over to check for injuries.

Serena breathes a tired sigh as she nods her head. "Physically, yes. Mentally...well that's another story." But she doesn't elaborate, nor does Princess Arcelia press her to. It's obvious by Serena's guarded stance that she has no desire to speak of her current feelings.

Prince Oceanus, either oblivious or apathetic, gives Serena a look and begins to swim off.

"Come, we have more important matters to attend to." It's not even a request, that much is clear. But Serena hardly has the energy to fight with him about it. So, she follows after him.

"Why the hell couldn't this have just been a bad dream?" She mutters quietly as she swims along a few paces behind Prince Oceanus. "He was honestly going to let that thing eat me!" Her murmured grievances don't go unnoticed by the prince, but he doesn't care for them in the least—simply choosing to ignore them instead.

Princess Arcelia remains behind and when Serena questioningly turns back to her, she shakes her head. Serena lingers for only a moment before hurrying after the prince after noticing that he had no intention of waiting for her.