The Cursed Mermaid

Chapter 11: chocker and genus | Nam

In the end, it was only Kam and I who demonstrated our power. Justina's magic was worn down, and so was Cailyn's from being a catalyst for the grey eyed girl. Kameron neatly swept the broken shards of pearl into a neat pile in the corner of the throne room (which King Rohan ordered the Captain of the Guard to clean up), and as for me, it had taken a while for King Rohan to allow me to use my magic on him.

I'd been nervous that my magic wouldn't work, since the potion had taken away what was Dorlae away from me, but surely enough, I felt the familiar coldness as my magic swept from me into the King's body, relaxing his muscles and bringing a healthier colour to his face.

He pulled away quickly, his eyes trained on me. "You are an exceptional healer," he finally said. He still looked cross, but his tone held approval for me. "What was your name?"

"Nam," I replied, warily, but I felt something warm inside.

The happy feeling was soon wiped away when Brendan discovered that he'd lost his magic. Being able to feel and manipulate emotions was his domain of power. It wasn't much, but it was a part of who Brendan was. But as I noted the lack of expression in his face, I couldn't help but wonder if his own emotions had been affected by the potion too.

"I apologise," Brendan told the King stiffly. "This is a side effect of the potion your son made for us." The King's brows rose at the mention of Bob, but didn't say anything.

When it came to Penny's turn, Kameron said, "She doesn't have any magic of her own, Your Highness. But she is adept at shooting." I had never seen Penny shoot, save for the times when I'd seen her practicing with handguns in the training room of Ullanyth HQ, back when Queen Jennifer was still in power. She wasn't the best, but she did have surprisingly good aim for someone who had never held a gun in her life. She'd been the one who had shot the Queen of Diamonds right through the head, after all.

I noticed Penny shudder slightly out of the corner of my eye, as if she too were remembering the same memory.

"Father," Arya began, "They really could help us. I've seen what they can do, and it's amazing. Give them a chance."

King Rohan levelled his gaze at her, and the young princess flinched. "Victoria," he said curtly, and the older girl swam forward. "Give our guests a description of our...situation." Arya looked pleasantly surprised, but she covered it up by beaming at both her father and Princess Victoria as the latter cleared her throat. I glanced away, not able to stare at her fake, practiced smile.

Emotions hidden under fakeness - everyone seemed to be like that here. Even Joanna, who was so friendly. Even Tiago, who'd grinned with pride when Penny complimented his food. Even Tristan, who now was so tense and alert, ready to die for the King under any means necessary. It was different to the atmosphere I'd become accustomed to at Jendilya ever since Kameron became Queen.

This place, the kingdom of Narmia, reminded me of the old days, back when Queen Lucy was alive.

"We have kept the worst of it hidden from the public," Princess Victoria began, gazing directly at Kameron, and smirking slightly when Kameron couldn't directly look at her back. She was mocking her, I realised. How were Arya and her sister so different? Nevertheless, Victoria continued speaking in a passive tone. "Creatures that we have come to call demons have been lurking outside the edges of Narmia. They have infected many innocents...with some dark magic that even we do not understand."

Kameron audibly sucked in a breath. I reached out and squeezed her arm gently.

"The lucky ones..." Here Victoria's voice wavered. "...have passed away. The unlucky ones become corrupted and possessed. They are no longer themselves."