The Mermaid Prophecy (On Hiatus)

Chapter 3

Arsulu

Once I swim back up to the surface, I twirl around look in small circles searching the water.

"Proteus?"

I feel a strong tap from behind and jump out of the water, unintentionally splashing my dear brother with my fin. He wipes his face and strokes his hair back into place, glaring me down.

A giggle bubbles up in my throat but i try my hardest to suppress it knowing that Proteus is not amused.

Swimming back to his side, I huddle closer to his long webbed ear that now extends to his shoulder. My own web-like hand cups around the edge of my mouth as I lower my voice.

"You won't tell anyone, will you?"

"What? Tell everyone that you are going to the surface to party with humans? And three years before you're even allowed to go to the surface?" Proteus waggles his eyebrows. My lips purse together. I can't even enjoy his uncharacteristic attempt at humor.

"Two years as of today brother."

We stare into each other's eyes for several moments. His black eyes drill into mine, assessing my commitment I suppose.

Too bad it's not a test I will fail.

Eventually he sighs and blinks first losing our battle of wills.

"How about you promise me not to end up in a situation where I would need to tell anyone. If you can do that, then I will keep your secret from mother and father," he promises. I feel the muscles in my neck relax. "You have to tell Triton though."

And then I feel my eyes pop out of my head. Proteus must read my thoughts on my face because before I can muster up a round two for my expert crying skills, he dives back into the water and swims away.

* * *

Darting back and forth around my shell, I stop every so often to pick something else up and stuff it in my satchel.

I worry that I have packed far too much for the long journey but then I remember my last trip with Morgana and know that I have packed significantly light for this trip.

Once I'm sure that I have everything, I wrap the mirror from Proteus in seaweed and carefully place it on top.

Alright, let's go.

The water on my back shifts in temperature and a chill runs down my spine. Sucking in a big gulp of salt water and blowing it back out, I turn around to find my favorite brother lurking at the entrance to my shell.

His long honey-brown hair fans out around his head like a lion's mane. A matching beard extends past his lower abdomen. This man has always been more doting on me than our own father and much more over-protective.

He's a dangerous combination of short-tempered and lethal with his ability to control lightning, but there has never been a better brother than Triton. Nor has there been someone so stubborn and stuck in his ways.

His face is hard to read. It has a mix of surprise, curiosity, and a twinge of anger.

No wait. All anger now.

He pushes past the seaweed that cloaks the entrance to my living quarters and passes through the threshold. He is much too large for the room and normally I would joke about his size but something about the way the veins in Triton's neck pop out for display makes me believe that now isn't the right time.

"Where are you going," he whispers. Triton's lips clamp back together after his statement. It isn't a question.

Here we go.