Gem of the Sea (Mertalia SpaMano AU)

23

Lovi sat idle for days, letting the witches coo over him, dress him up, do his hair, and sometimes, if it took their fancy, they even made his tail different colours, of course they always turned it back the second he asked them too, and he played along because he had their word that Toni was safe, so he had to hold his end of the bargain.

He'd been there a week before he began to grow tired of their company, they were all sweetness and poetic speech and charms, but he felt nothing for them, and their cave remained cold and alien to him, he still wanted to go back home, he missed the warmth and the simplicity, he missed hugs, proper hugs where he was safe, he even missed arguing with his brothers, it occurred to him at one point that his last conversation with them had been yelling at them and calling them traitors the day he left, he'd hardly said two words when he came back and left in the dead of night. He wondered quietly how furious they were at him as the witches painted his nails the same pearly colour as their eyes, it didn't suit his tastes, but they were happy, so what did he care.

He let another day or two pass before he mentioned it "I think I should go home soon" he said calmly as they were eating, their tails all twisted under the table "only for a little, I didn't tell my family where I was going" three fists slammed down, scattering three oystershell plates, three pairs of pearl eyes fixed on him, he didn't look up "I wouldn't be abandoning you, I just want them to know I'm safe, maybe even get a bottle message to Toni?" Now he dared look up and flinched immediately, their expressions were blank but their eyes were so wide he was worried they might fall out, it was almost a full, uncomfortable minute before Cerce broke the silence.

"But my Prince," she laughed nervously, resting her hands in her lap "you swore that you would Remain as our prince Forever, we could deliver any letters you chose to write, and we swear you'd never lack for anything" the others nodded, each reaching a hand across the table to rest on Lovi's

He plastered on a smile, though it made him uneasy "I know, and I will remain, but I mean, what's two hours? I'd be back in no time"

"No time indeed," Sycorax's voice was not as gentle as Cerce's as she grabbed his wrist "because you're going no where" he pulled free as Calypso reached for his other hand, untwisting his tail and backing away "don't be ridiculous, I'm not a prisoner here, I should be allowed such a small outing, heck, you could come with me if it bothers you that much" he looked at the three "besides, I'm faster than any of you, and I know you won't hurt me, so how could you stop me if I decided to just go?" Calypso's expression was suddenly terrifyingly calm as she rose to face him.

"My prince, sweet foolish prince, where in the seven seas did you get the idea that we wouldn't hurt you?" She laughed lightly and he felt pain shoot up his spine like fire as her nails pierced the fins at his hips, tearing the soft membrane "we'll do whatever we have to to keep you, even if it means killing the pirate, your blessing wouldn't protect him this time" she hissed.