A Mermaid's Kiss

Chapter 17

So yes, I realize that I've been gone for like, EVER, and I'm sorry. I was so busy, then there was the hurricane, and then I was busy again. So here it is the long awaited chapter 17!

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The ocean was turning against me. Waves were slamming me up and down, and I couldn't keep myself straight. Eventually, I found a break in the current and fought my way to the surface.

It was chaos. People were swimming everywhere, clinging to any piece of driftwood they could reach. I swam among them, looking for either Aaron or William.

Thankfully, Aaron was on the dingy. I swam over to him.

"Aaron! Thank Poseidon you're ok. Where's William?"

He looked down at me worriedly. "I don't know Adrienne. You were thrown over board and I was tossed into the boat. I didn't see where William went. I'm sorry."

Without answering him, I dove back underwater, looking for William. After swimming around for a while, I finally spotted him. He was unconscious, falling through the water.

I dove back under the waves and grabbed his arms. I tried to swim up to the surface, but he was too heavy for me. I couldn't support both of our weights.

Suddenly, another set of hands grabbed William's body, helping me save William.

We heaved his body up out of the churning depths and headed to the lifeboat.

I pushed his body onto the boat, and dove back down into the water. I couldn't let anyone else see what I was. But it broke my heart having to leave William like that.

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I took a deep breath, this is what I had been dreading since I left, seeing my mother again.

I knew that I had to do it, but I was terrified of what she would do to me and Aaron. I almost turned around and swam away.

"No Adrienne, you have to do this. I just wish that Aaron was here for moral support."

I steeled my nerves and swam over the wall.

As I swam through the streets, my mind was overwrought with memories. This is where I grew up, where I got into trouble, and where I tricked my way OUT of getting in trouble.

Everywhere I went, people were staring at me in awe.

Finally, I reached the palace. Guards were posted at the doors, more than there had ever been before.

"Princess!" one of them shouted. "Go get the queen and tell her that we found the princess," he said to his companion.

"That won't be necessary Gerard." My mother came swimming out the door. "When I heard all the commotion in the streets, I came to investigate. " She reached me warily. "Adrienne, my darling, I trust that you are unharmed?"

"Yes mother, though I can't say the same for Aaron."

She took in a sharp breath. "Aaron? Where is he? His father has been looking for him for some time."

"Well, I'm sorry to say but you won't be able to find him. He turned himself human somehow."

"Human! Adrienne, how could you let him do this!?!? You two were supposed to look out for each other, not let yourselves be turned into monsters!"

"Mother, you don't understand. I didn't 'let' him be turned human. I had left before then, turned myself human. And they aren't monsters, not all of them anyways. Some of them are actually very kind, and thoughtful, and romantic."

She suddenly grasped my shoulders. "Adrienne, you have to promise me that you didn't do anything with any human. They will always end up hurting you, or worse."

I jerked back out of her grasp. "Mother, that isn't true. William would never do anything to hurt me; in fact, he helped me more than anyone. William was the one who got me out of prison-"

"PRISON!!!! Adrienne, why were you in prison!"

"Look mother, that isn't important. What is important is finding out how we can get Aaron back."

"No, what's important is keeping you safe and sound. Guards, please escort Her Highness to her room, and make sure that this time, she doesn't get out."

My mouth dropped open. She was imprisoning me in my room again! "No mother, you can't keep me locked up like a prisoner. I won't let you."

"I'm sorry darling, but I have no choice, I have to do this. It's for your own protection."

Next thing I knew, I was dragged into my room and the door was locked. I was back where I had started, only this time, there was a guard outside my window. This was not good.

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Wow, again, I'm so sorry that this took so long to update, but I finally did it. I hope you like it!!

<3 Ellie