Oceans Call

Epilogue

A flower petal twisted in the water, boasting it's vibrant pink underside. I reached out, letting my finger brush it's silky smooth surface. Daisy came up behind me, giving me a melancholy smile and a brief embrace. Silence didn't suit the pleasant, amiable woman. Nor I, for that matter, but my throat was suddenly dry and my eyes wet and when my lips parted to speak, I found that not a single word was bold enough to emerge. Daisy swiped her thumb across my cheek, something I imagine my mother would do. My mind conjured memories of my adoptive family and I wondered what they would say to me if they could see me now. What would they have told me had they known what lay in my near future? For it had been near, nearer than it had ever felt. 

The ivory door before me opened to reveal a man, concern etched into every line of his face. He surveyed me briskly before beckoning me forward. As the door closed, I cast one final glance at Daisy. She lent me a comforting smile, which I shakily returned, then the door slammed shut, concealing her from view. 

I was greeted by a chorus of cheers. The crowd had gathered in a circle around me, onlookers peering at me from bubbles floating above. Their eyes were like a cushion of hot air, suffocating me. But as I turned, my eyes looking for him, only him, the cushion evaporates. My heart leapt in my throat as our eyes locked, his softening with a look of absolute adoration. I could imagine mine looked the same. 

The ceremony opened with several acts performed by varying species. A Wave Glider - a shimmering dragon that appeared to be carved from the very waves above us, dipped and soared above the audience, receiving exclamations of approval. The Wave Glider's scales shoes with every color of the spectrum, capturing the sunlight. The creature opened its jaws to release a haunting song then, as soon as it had appeared, it was gone, dissolving into the water it had just flown through. Several Sea Fairies took it's place. One of the most mysterious ocean-dwellers, Sea Fairies disguised themselves as jellyfish. Opalescent, translucent bells hooded the upper half of their white faces. The rim of the bell glowed liquid sunlight, pulsating in time with the fairies breath. It was rumored that they couldn't speak, and it certainly seemed true as the Sea Fairies floated through the clearing in eerie silence. Their pearly legs fused into a long, twisting tail. Several thin alabaster tendrils followed them, streaming from their bells. 

The fairies continued through the parted clearing before seeking shelter in the palace. The audience almost seemed frightened to applaud, but they did after several moment's indecision. It took me only moments to realize that our audience has taken on a state of silent expectation. Running through the procedure in my head one last time, I stepped forward, coming to a stop at the center of the circle, where Connor now stood. Two pairs of cuffs had appeared - suspended in the water before us, catching the sunlight as they spun enchantingly. 

Connor reached out as if to touch me but, remembering himself, dropped his hand to his side. He inhaled sharply then spoke, his deep voice filling the space around us. The ancient words rolled off his tongue and I understood then just how beautiful the Undine language is with its silky, long words and graceful pronunciation and sound. My mind understood each word he said as if I'd known the language all my life. 

"On this day, a kingdom is united through the fusion of a queen and her love. Our people have seen horror." His eyes settled on each Undine watching before he continued. "Our people have seen terrible misdeeds... but we have also seen the beauty that can result from this malevolence. We have watched love and compassion surge throughout the kingdom as the obstacles we have not only faced but overcame bring us together - unite us as a nation. And today, as I and your queen fulfill our vows, we also give you a promise. Firstly, we agree to produce an heir - that the kingdom may flourish after we have passed."

I stepped in as practiced, the ancient words gliding between my lips. "Secondly," all eyes turned to me, "We promise to serve our kingdom as they have served us. Lovingly and unbreakably. We vow to give our lives to you - our people - and to do everything within our power to nurture this kingdom until our very last breaths."

The watchers erupted into cheers and applause only to be brought to silence as Connor reached forward, fingers closing around one of the cuffs. With his other hand, he held out my left arm, cupping it gently. The metal was smooth and cool against my skin as Connor closed it around my left wrist with a small click. I broke eye contact to study it, almost breathless. The thin gold brace covered most of my forearm, coming to a rounded point about halfway on top of my hand. Delicate loops spelled out our names in the native Undine tongue. A single, microscopic emerald studded the point of the cuff and at the base, inches from my elbow, was a graceful, simple drawing of a wave. 

Connor released me and I came back to my senses. Reaching out, I plucked the silver cuff from the air and closed it around Connor's left wrist. It was nearly identical to mine, engraved with both our names and an image of a wave. At the brace's tip, a miniature cobalt was set inside. A gentle melody began, signaling us to start the ceremonial dance. The song of the reed flute and several other instruments filled the area. I blinked and, hesitating only a moment, sprang to life. My dress spun in the water as I began the traditional opening dance. I could feel Connor's eyes on me and prayed that I didn't mess up the ceremony. My bare feet sank into the sand as I stepped across it. I'd added my own flare to the tradition, including a sequence of water tricks. As I dipped backwards, spine curving until my fingers almost touched the sand, I thrust my hands forward, sending a flurry of spiraling currents through the water. I straightened, bouncing an inch into the air. As soon as my feet met the sand, I kicked off again and spun, sending out several large, gleaming bubbles that burst releasing a storm of smaller bubbles. This time, when my feet touched sand, I stayed there.

On cue, Connor positioned himself before me, bowing low. After he'd straightened, I sank into a low curtsy then offered him my hand. His other hand took my waist and we restarted together. By the end of the dance we were both out of breath, though the water kept us cool.  

We gazed into each other's eyes, blissfully unaware of the roaring crowd keen to our every move. My heart beat rapidly in my chest, one of my hands brushing the silk and lace of my dress. As one, we faced the crowd and bowed. When we stood tall once more, we raised our twined fingers above our heads, signaling the end of the ceremony and completion of the engagement.

˜ 

The feast almost felt like a chore, Connor and I sharing significant glances throughout the proceedings. Daisy patted my hand as she set a platter before me. The council sat alongside me and Connor, the rest of the kingdom sent home with complimentary food to share with their families. As soon as the council had concluded their lengthy speech of congratulations, Connor and I were dismissed. The palace loomed over us, almost frightening. I tightened my grip on Connor's hand. 

"Hey," he murmured, coming to stand in front of me. He cupped my chin, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. "I know all this seems scary - it's not just you. But... We're going to be okay. We'll make it. Together. Because that's the way it's always been, and that's the way it always will be."

I smiled softly, kissing him briefly before stepping inside the palace. And that single step felt just like the first all over again. 

A/N (1396)

The End!