A World No One Knows (bxb) [editing and rewriting]

Chapter 3

"So why me?" I ask after a few hours. My shaking has finally stopped, and I don't feel the snakes' beady eyes on me anymore.

"So why you what?"

"You said that your father said that I could help in your mer war. So what's so special about me? Why can't other mers help? Why me? I'm human."

"You are no human."

"Yes, I am."

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I am."

"Fine. You're a human who just-so-happens to breath underwater and has powers that only someone of mer descent can have. Sure." He sighs. "You're not yet twenty, are you?"

"No," I say. "I'm seventeen. Why?"

"Because mers have mates--"

"Like soul mates?"

"Yes." He pauses, like he's afraid of something. "And you're mine."

Even from his back I can tell how nervous he is. "I'm your soulmate?" I smile. "I like the sound of that."

"I'm glad."

"So what does this mean exactly? How do I know that we're mates?"

"You'll feel it, but that's why I asked you how old you are. The mating pull doesn't start until you're of age, which means twenty, so you won't feel it now."

"Then how do you know I'm your mate?"

"I'm already twenty, so I can feel it."

"Oh. What does it feel like?"

"It feels like everything is right in the world. Your mind and soul are at peace, and there's an aura of safety and passion. It feels like the sun and the stars collided. There's no other feeling to it in the world."

"Woah. That sounds beautiful." I blink sleep from my eyes.

"It is. All mers grow up waiting to find their mate. And when you don't, there's this hole in your heart that nothing can fill. More and more mers are losing battles to the sadness."

"Why?"

"Because they can't take it anymore. Divided souls are meant to find each other."

"So why don't they? What's stopping them from going out and looking?"

"Because our kingdoms have been divided for some time now. It's dangerous for mers to travel to other kingdoms now. Still, some have tried, but none have come back."

"That's so sad. Why are they divided?"

"Years ago, the heir to the throne of Meridian was born, but the child ended up only being half mer and half human. Only pure mers can rule, but the child was the true heir. The Royals couldn't come to a decision about whether the child should rule or not. Then the fighting started. Small battles broke out here and there, but then a group tried to kill the royal family. Some mers even said that the Royals of other kingdoms orchestrated the attacks. The Royal family fled, and no one has seen them since. Another royal has stepped in for the time being, but he's a tyrant. Things keep getting worse, and no one is doing anything to try to stop it. I'm sorry I have to bring you into this."

"Don't worry. It's not your fault. I'm just sad I can't be of help. I'm useless when it comes to this world."

"You're not useless. From what I've seen, you're the opposite of useless."

I look at the bracelet on my wrist. The burning has lessened, but it's still there. "But I can't even control my powers. Not without the bracelet."