To Tell a Tail

Lucky for me work wasn't as difficult today as it was yesterday. My stack of papers I had finished was sitting neatly in a pile next to me. I sighed and then promptly yawned remembering the chaos that was my office the other day. I was so tired. I had gone home yesterday evening and collapsed on my futon. As soon as my head hit that pillow I was out like a light. I looked over at my coworkers and grumbled. They were so nosey and rude. I could hardly stand any of them. The girl next to me had some crayons and I asked to borrow them. She of course said sure because she was the most generous in the room. I began drawing a mermaid...my favorite mystical creature. The phone rang loudly and I picked it up, pausing in my doodling. I listened to the patient and then picked up my crayon again. The bitch of the room stood right next to me. She was in charge this week because my boss was on vacation. "You know, you shouldn't be coloring," she said callously, "And you should ask before you use something that's not yours." I sighed and put up the crayon; my beautiful mermaid half-finished, floating there on the page. I put the box of crayons back on my coworker's desk and finished listening to the old man on the other line. After I hung up the phone, I stared at my mermaid. If only I could be a mermaid and never worry about working in a white-walled office. I'd be surrounded in blue and the colors from the coral would be blinding like the sun. I could swim all day long and not worry what I looked like or who was telling me what to do.

All of a sudden, the smell of saltwater flooded my nose. The walls in the office began to drip, water pouring down them. No one else was in the room and I screamed for help. Where had everyone gone? The walls broke loose and wave upon wave splashed in. I held my breath and closed my eyes, waiting for the waters to calm. Did we have a hurricane? This was far too real to be a dream. Was I dreaming? The current died down, but I was floating in water. I opened my eyes hoping to see what had happened. I expected to see the office, only filled with water. I slowly opened my eyes and saw open water. Fish lazily swam past me and I looked up to see the surface. I was smart enough to know that this wasn't my office anymore; I was in the ocean. The water was so clear and warm I knew in an instant that this was the Gulf of Mexico waters. I felt different too, more fluid and, wait, I was breathing underwater! What the heck was going on? I squeezed my hands into fists and felt a squish between my fingers. I opened up my hands and looked at them in amazement. My skin was pale sea foam green and webbing sat between my digits. Scales adorned my skin in little patches. I glittered from the sun that was cast from above me. My hair was a fiery red, floating around me, and my tail was a darker shade of sea foam, hold on...my tail? I gazed down in disbelief. No way! I was the mermaid in my unfinished drawing? I made it a question in my mind. I ran my hands over the smooth scales. I shivered from the sensation of it. This was incredible! I was day-dreaming, I was sure of it. The lazy fish that I had first seen darted past me in quite a hurry. I swore I could have heard: "Escape, swim for it!" Fish didn't talk. I reminded myself. But as the school of fish passed me I looked from where they were coming. A pack of three reef sharks were torpedoing towards me. I let out a quick yelp of bubbles before I high-tailed it to the bottom of the ocean floor, hiding behind some coral. I watched the sharks take off after the school into the deeper waters. I hoped they had a good lunch. I was grateful I wasn't going to be the main dish. I sighed, bubbles floating upward to the surface. I decided to swim up there and see if land was nearby.

I surfaced and gasped in wonder at the beauty of the open gulf. In the distance I could make out a shore. I swam at a leisurely pace, enjoying the sunshine and water lapping on my tail as I flapped it. I was a beautiful mermaid swimming freely. I felt a tug on my flipper just before I was drug down into the water. I swallowed some sea water and coughed as my attacker tied my hands together. I fought and slapped my tail into whoever was capturing me. There was such a commotion of bubbles in the water I couldn't see what was going on. Finally, I gave up the fight and let whoever it was win. When the bubbles cleared, I was looking at a handsome merman. Just because I was being tied up by him didn't mean I couldn't admire his looks. His head was shaved and his eyes were the color of the water around us...aqua blue. His skin was silvery and his tail was the same color of his eyes. "Why are you tying me up?"

"You are an outsider. You do not belong in the Cayo Cove region." His voice was sharp and clear. I could tell he was probably one of the guards in this area. I was curious about meeting more merpeople, so, I nodded my head.

"You don't have to tie me up, you know." He smirked and it was adorable. The smile lines in his face showed me the real him. Scowling and being mean wasn't this man's natural expression.

"I know that line all too well." He gazed at me with those aqua eyes. It was like he was looking inside my soul. He reminded me of someone, someone I held dear. "As soon as I untie you, you'll swim for it. Not that I wouldn't catch you and tie you back up again. I am pretty fast with my fins." He smiled again as he flipped his tail. I blew bubbles...a new way to sigh underwater. Then I noticed we were talking to each other with no problems underwater. We were moving our lips and it was like we were communicating like we would humans. Whatever, I couldn't let him know I was a human magically transformed into a mermaid. "Well, let's get going." He followed behind me with the rope in his hands. I swam forward and had no idea where we were going. I just kept swimming in silence. Up ahead I finally saw an entrance of some sort. It was an arch-like structure with coral and fish swimming around it. It was beautiful. We swam underneath it and surfaced in an open cove. "This is our home. We try to protect it from outsiders." He stated seriously. I wonder what kind of punishment I would receive for trespassing. He had barely given me any time to state why I was where I was. He wouldn't believe me anyway. We swam to a rock that had metal hooks jutting out of it. He tied my rope to it. I was being held captive by a rock, yay. I noticed there wasn't anyone in the cove. Where were all the merpeople? The merman then called out and one by one they emerged from the water. They were all beautiful. All the colors of the sea reflected in their eyes, hair and fins. I tried not to show my amazement. One thing I did notice was that no one had my fiery red hair. Then the merman announced to everyone what was going on. "This merwoman was found near our protected region. She is an outsider. King Versailles what shall we do with her?" An older more distinguished merman with a crown of coral atop his head came forward. He came up to me, face to face. I was enthralled as well as a little scared. His expression was serious, but kind.

"Prince Johan, did she say a word in her defense when you came upon her?"

"No, sir...she willingly came with me."

"Are you lost, my child?" I blinked a couple times, trying to come up with what to say.

"I guess you could say that." He untied the ropes and everyone gasped. I was thinking what to say. I was never good with words at the right moment. He raised his eyebrow at me, waiting for a response. "I am no threat to your kingdom." The King laughed melodiously.

"Kingdom? I haven't ruled my Kingdom in years." I guess I must have given him a questioning look because he started to tell me a story. His merpeople left the area and attended to other matters. I'm sure they knew this story far too well. They had lived it more than likely. "We are the only ones to escape from our Kingdom. The others are held captive inside the prisons there." I listened intently, waiting for him to go on. He noticed I was patiently waiting and continued. "It was taken over. The Costa Clan is run by my brother, Prince Malzor. He took in outcasts and evil hearted merfolk who had the desire to kill and plunder. He wants me destroyed so he can be the King. I am the eldest son and rightful heir to the throne. If I pass away he takes leadership. My Kingdom will be doomed if that happens. With all the many warriors he has and all of my troops and people imprisoned, we cannot defeat him." I could see the sadness and sorrow the King felt. The feeling of betrayal was written all over his face. Prince Johan patted his back. "Prince Johan here is the last of his Kingdom. The Kingdom of Ylloria. From what we know my brother has taken over several Kingdoms in the gulf, killing all that inhabit them." He shook his head in dismay.

"Either killing them or having them join his army. He wanted me, but I escaped with a few others before he caught up with me." The Prince added. I was shocked by the story. I had never been so close to such turmoil. My instinct to help kicked in. Was I brave enough? I had never gone straight into danger for anyone before. Johan looked at me. "You can't hope to help us, you know. You might even be one of his spies." I glared at him, angered that he would accuse me.

"How can you say that?! If I told you the truth about where I originate from....you wouldn't believe me." They both looked at me warily and then looked at each other.

"It's hard to trust when everyone is out to kill you." The prince stated. "We would like to know what Kingdom you are from. Many in this cove are war refugees. We are a mix of Kingdoms now...trying to survive by staying together." His aqua eyes glowed with an unusual sadness. I wanted to hold him, comfort him....tell him everything would work out alright. But I had no right to say such things.

"Like I said...you wouldn't believe me." I decided to get out of the water for a quick sunbathe. As I hit the sand and my tail was out of water...my legs formed. My eyes widened and I almost screamed. In place of my new tail were my legs...fortunately, I was wearing a light white scarf around my waist. Thank God for small miracles. Hell, this was a miracle in itself. My skin even changed back to its pale peach complexion. The Prince and King gazed at me as I stood up. "Ok...I can explain...well not really."

"Well, that explains some things." Johan smirked as he curiously looked at my human form. His eyes lingered in areas. I tore a little bit of material from the skirt to cover my breasts. My hair would dry and then blow in the breeze, thus letting everyone see my boobs. No thanks...I wasn't a mermaid with any modesty. The prince smiled again, nearly laughing. "Regular merfolk can only change into human form by the light of the full moon. But here you are...changing in the middle of the day. You're not a mermaid, no. You're a human with a spell on you. You haven't even told us your name, human." Johan crossed his arms against his chest. I searched inside my mind to find my name and it didn't come to me. I sat back on the beach, my hands on my head, trying to remember.

"I can't remember." Johan beached himself next to me, taking his hand in mine. He closed his eyes, concentrating. He opened them quickly like waking from a nightmare.

"Someone doesn't want me in your mind. I can't see any of your past or any thoughts."

"Gee thanks." I said, bewildered. "I can't believe it. I have amnesia." I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples, a headache was forming there.

"Well, then choose a name for yourself." He smiled again. God he was handsome. Anyways, I racked my brain for a name that would suit a mermaid. Neiren, that sounded good. It had a nice ring to it. I smiled to myself. "Got one?" I nodded.

"Neiren."

"Interesting. I suppose it suits you."

"You suppose."

"I think it works just fine." King Versailles smiled. "Well, it is good to have you here. You can stay as long as you like, my dear. Like Prince Johan said: We are refugees trying to survive by being together." And with a grin he swam underwater, his golden tail swishing and glittering in the crystal clear pool. I really hadn't looked around the cove yet. It was a large cove...at least 4 football fields wide. It was surrounded by monstrous cliffs and within those cliffs towards the bottom, where the water lapped at them, there were little caves or caverns. I saw merfolk swimming in and out of them freely. Those must have been their homes. Johan saw me studying my surroundings.

"Do you want me to show you the make-shift palace? I need to assign you a room too."

"The palace?"

"It's nothing spectacular." He shrugged. "Nothing like what we used to live in. This cove is great though. It has plenty of living room in its caverns. The smaller caverns are where our people stay. Our palace is the largest in the cove. The few royals that survived live within its walls. There aren't that many of us. Over there," he said pointing to the far end, "is where we eat. We don't have enough food to distribute to everyone, so, we have a few really good cooks that make up dinner with what we catch for the week. That's our dinner hall." We started to swim to it and my stomach gurgled. He looked at me funny and smirked. "Hungry are we?" I knew I was starting to blush from the little embarrassment. "Don't worry about it. My gut likes to tell me everything that crosses its mind too." I smiled and then as we entered the hall my eyes scanned the lit cavern. We were completely immersed underwater and a long flat surface of rock sat on the cavern floor. Little fish were fluorescent and lit the room brightly in different pastels. There had to have been over 200 of them swimming around in there. The lights played across the walls; like a light show. "Lunch should be coming out soon. How about we wait here for now?" I nodded and continued to be fascinated with the glowfish. "Sparkling objects distract you, Neiren?"

"Huh?" I glanced at him and smiled, "Yeah I guess you could say that." Johan then made a face like he was whistling. A couple of the fish floated down towards me and played in my hair. I laughed. I shooed them away. They swam back up where the rest of the others were. Johan was smiling at me and yet again my face flushed pink. He was so charming. How could a mergirl resist? I was shocked he didn't have a wife or something the way it was. I noticed a few more merpeople swim in and sit or hover by the table. There were no chairs, probably because they wouldn't be able to find enough for all the merfolk. I looked to the corner of the room where there was an archway into another cavern. It was glowing in the dim light of the cavern.

"That's the kitchen." Johan commented when he saw me staring that direction. All at once sea turtles and manta rays carried out trays of food on there backs and slid them onto the table. The sheer numbers of all these marine creatures helping the merfolk amazed me. One turtle and manta ray floated on past me and slid a dish in from of me. I had no idea what was in that bowl, but it didn't look too appetizing. I didn't like seafood all that much and I preferred mine cooked. I must have made a face because Johan asked, "What's wrong? Don't you like mashed sea cucumber?" I put my hand to my mouth and coughed, bubbles flying outward. "Ah, you like your food cooked?" I nodded, my hand still covering my mouth. He laughed and then went into the kitchen. I waited for a few minutes and he returned holding a fish of some sort. "C'mon...let's go to the surface." I looked at him funny and followed. He headed for the shore and we beached ourselves. My legs came into view and I stood and stretched. The Prince's eyes never strayed from me.

"So?" He threw the fish at me. I jumped back and he full out laughed his fins off. "What'd you do that for?"

"Go ahead and cook it, human."

"Oh, so I'm 'human' and not Neiren now?" I picked up the fish and grimaced. I had never had to clean a fish or anything before and I needed to make a fire. There was some shrubbery behind us and I grabbed some, making a small fire pit. I gathered some stones and set them down there and then layered the shrubs on top. I tried to start a fire. I grabbed the two driest rocks I could find and began to try and create a spark. Johan watched me intently. I tried and tried. Johan motioned to hand them over. I did and sighed. Of course when he did it....a spark flew and caught the brush on fire. "Show-off."

"I was trying to let you do it on your own, but the fish would have been rotten before you got that fire going." I stuck my tongue out at him and put the fish on a stick, roasting it over the small flame.

"So, how are you planning on getting King Versailles's kingdom back?" I asked him.

"What makes you think I have a plan of any sort?" I sat there and stared at the fish while I spoke, trying not to meet those gorgeous aqua eyes.

"For some reason I know you always have a plan. Most of the time you don't share your ideas with anyone, afraid of what they might say. You're a very proud merman, but you're insecure. I don't know why I know all this, but I just do. You remind me of someone I hold very dear to my heart. I just can't place where I know you from or who that might be and now I'm not making any sense at all, am I?" I looked at him and he was listening to my every word.

"You're making perfect sense...because I feel like I know you too and I don't know how or why. You're an artist; I can tell just by looking at your delicate hands. And you love the ocean even though you weren't born of the sea. You are very insecure too and don't have confidence in yourself." He side-grinned. My fish was pretty much done and I ripped a gigantic magnolia leaf from the nearest tree and laid it on that. "You also don't like to talk too much about yourself." I looked at him then. "I hit a nerve?"

"No, I'm just surprised how obvious I am to you." I began picking the scales to get to the meat. It was so fishy smelling I almost didn't want to eat it, but I had to eat something. Johan took the fish and took his coral dagger he had on his hip and started cleaning it.

"There's still a lot you hide from everyone." He said as he stripped the fish. "My plan is complicated, but that's the only way we can do it so it confuses Prince Malzor. Now that we have you, it might even work." I glared at him.

"You're going to use me? What if I don't want to?"

"Then I won't force you. I prefer that I don't use you anyways. It's a job only a merwoman can do." Why didn't I like the sound of that? "I need someone to seduce the Prince, buying us time to get in and kill the guards and let out the prisoners. Once we have our military out they can fight. Our War Whales are locked up too. They're tied down with metal chains from shipwrecks and weird eel-like ropes are in their blowholes so they can breathe air without having to go up. It's awful, Neiren." He closed his eyes and his brow began to furrow. I touched his face and he looked up at me with saddened eyes. I knew I had to help at that moment. If for nothing else, I wanted to see this merman happy. His cheek was rough with stubble, but it comforted me somehow. Without a thought more, the Prince grasped my hand and kissed it. His warm lips left a tingling sensation. I wasn't thinking clearly enough to realize what I was doing and I leaned forward and started kissing those warm lips. I pulled back in a jolt before he had time to respond.

"I'm-" And right before I had time to finish my apology he pulled me in an embrace; his lips crushing into mine. It knocked the breath out of me, but I melted into that kiss. It was oddly familiar. The smell and taste of the sea was on his lips and I wrapped my arms around him, kissing him more intensely than before. He pulled away in a rush and retreated towards the water.

"I'm so sorry!" He splashed back into the cove.

"Prince! Johan! Wait!" I cried after him. I sat in shock on the beach, watching his aqua tail disappear in the water. I slumped to the sand. "Alrighty then." I touched my lips, still feeling his there. "I guess I better eat before this fishy gets cold." I washed off the scales and began picking at the fish. I decided to leave him alone. I knew it would be a little too awkward now. I sighed and finished eating the fishy fish. I put out the fire and walked to the shoreline relishing in the feel of the water hitting my legs before they turned into my fins. I sat there for a moment and sunbathed. I was in heaven. I closed my eyes and sighed. I was a mermaid...the mythical creature I so adored.

"Well, you look at peace my dear." I jumped a little at the regal voice that spoke.

"King Versailles, Your Majesty, you startled me." I bowed my head. He laughed. I looked up at him questioningly. "Is something the matter?"

"I see you've already bewitched Johan with that charm of yours. It is said in an old prophesy of the Merfolk that a fiery red-haired mermaid, who truly isn't a mermaid, would come and save our Kingdom from danger and bewitch a Prince...taking him into her heart and giving it to him thus. I always laughed at that prophesy, thinking what an obscure kind of thing to have for one. But look at that...it is coming true." He smiled.

"What makes you think I'm that mermaid?" I asked, unsure of myself.

"Well, already two things of that prophesy are true." He smirked.

"What? Yeah right."

"Merfolk gossip just like people you know." The King laughed. "I won't spread the rumor anymore if you so desire, Neiren."

"Like I care? They can think what they want, but there's nothing going on with Johan and I." I said casually.

"Then why are you blushing so brightly?" I touched my cheeks, they were burning up.

"It's just the sun, Your Highness." I slipped into the water. It was warm and soothing. We swam into the deeper part of the cove; the water growing a little bit cooler. The merfolk all stared at me. Great, now I was even more of a freak. I wondered where Johan swam off too. "You're Highness?"

"Yes, Neiren?"

"Can you escort me to my room? I'd like to rest now, if that's not too much to ask."

"Of course my dear," He smiled and swam forward. I followed him to the palace entrance. The archway leading into the palace was adorned in golden kelp and pearls of all colors. I gawked at the sizes the pearls were. "Do you want one? Take one, my dear. They say pearls are a source of good luck; the bigger the pearl...the better the luck."

"I can have one? Really?" He nodded and I searched for the perfect one. I chose a black pearl the size of my palm. The weight of it was heavy in my hand. "Wow. I've never seen one this big."

"Humans cannot find such treasures. We cannot even find such treasures. The giant oysters of the deep bring these to us themselves and offer them to royalty. In return we make sure they stay hidden." I stared at the precious stone in my hand.

"But so many?"

"I guess they had some extras." He laughed as we entered the foyer. It was huge and the dome-like room was covered in the same decor as the arch. More pearls and golden kelp covered the walls. I gaped and blinked about a dozen times before the King placed his hand on my shoulder. The same glow fish floated lazily up at the ceiling of the room, lighting it efficiently. Doorways lined the room, all leading to bedrooms I assumed. Each little archway was adorned with different corals and shells. The King looked at me. "Are you alright my dear?"

"I'm fine, just shocked is all. I never imagined any place like this. It feels like I'm dreaming."

"Well, if you fall asleep here soon, you will be dreaming. Let me show you to your room." I followed behind him and waved back to the few merfolk that greeted us as we passed. All of them were wearing some sort of crown. Johan had said this was where all the royals slept. We entered one of the arches into a long hallway lit with a few dim fish swimming up and down the hall. I was amazed how many of these fish there were. We swam to the end of the hallway, going up at an angle, and stopped at a pair of double doors that were glittering with pearls and shells. "Here we are." The King announced as he opened the doors. I gasped...it was like a 5-star hotel room that was wet and underwater. I giggled at the thought. The bed was a huge clam shell and the mattress was made out of a giant sea sponge. A red blanket of kelp was tucked in and a pillow made out of sponge was sitting atop it. My room had a window with a curtain of seaweed for a window treatment. There was a chaise lounge chair made of coral with more sea sponge covering it for cushion. It looked mighty comfortable. The ceiling was lit with at least a dozen of those fish. The window was letting light in for the moment too. I swam over to the window and looked out. We were at least 2 stories up from the seabed. The cove was deeper than it appeared. "Is this suitable?" The King asked from the doorway.

"Oh, yes. This is perfect! Thank you."

"Then I will leave you to rest." He shut the door behind him quietly. I swam over to the bed and flopped myself onto it. It was softer than it looked. I promptly closed my eyes and willed myself to sleep.

I awoke to a light knocking on my door. "Yes? Who is it?"

"It's....uh....Johan." I sat up straight and pushed the hair flowing in front of my face out of the way. You really can't have bed-head underwater....it's always messed up anyways. "May I enter?"

"Yeah, sure." The door opened silently and a sullen merman drifted in. He came to the side of the bed and bowed to me.

"I'm deeply ashamed of myself, Neiren. I should not have done what I did. My senses took over and I couldn't-" I cut him off abruptly.

"If I remember clearly, Prince...I was the one who started it."

"But that doesn't mean I should have continued it. It was unlike me. It's just you...." He trailed off, embarrassed.

"It's just I what?" I was sure I was blushing. I wasn't used to this kind of attention. No man had ever....wait....my previous life flashed before me and I saw a glimpse of a person similar to Johan. Weird.

"No merwoman....er woman has ever made me so spontaneous before. I just...couldn't stop myself. Like right now I want to...kiss you again...these feelings are so unexpected." He had his hands clasped behind his back as he floated there. I held my hand out to him, waiting for him to take it. He did ever so slowly afraid he might do something again he wasn't supposed to. The Prince sat on the end of my bed, holding my hand. He looked up at me again about to say something.

"I know you want to ask something. Go ahead." I said quietly.

"Can I....kiss you again?" I laughed and smiled brightly, raising myself out from under the covers. I put my hands on both sides of his face and kissed him. He reached out and placed his hands on my lower back, kissing me back. It was so weird kissing underwater. The salty taste of the kiss was mixed with the sweetness of his mouth. I was getting warm as we pressed up to each other in our embrace. He broke the kiss and I sighed with happiness. The Prince looked dazed as he lazily smiled at me. He flopped onto the bed with me in his arms. "I've never felt this way before. You make me so crazy. If I could sweat like a human....I'd be doing that right now. I'm so warm." I smiled at him and embraced him again. "It's like I know you from somewhere, but I can't place it. I don't understand that."

"I know I feel the same way. Like I know you from my human world, but I can't remember." I touched his tail lightly; he shivered.

"Don't do that. I don't think I could stop myself if we..." He trailed off again, but I knew what he was saying. I wondered how merpeople did do that. I couldn't help myself now...I touched his tail again. He grabbed my hand. "We shouldn't, Neiren. We barely know each other."

"No I think we do...and I want you to..." His aqua blue eyes bore into me. I could tell his resistance was next to none. He got up and headed to the door; his face was serious again like when we first met.

"We have job to do. Instead of seducing me...we need to figure out if you can seduce Prince Malzor." Without another word he left the room. I sat on the bed in shock. Johan had just turned me down…again. Okay. I guess I got a little out of hand. It wasn't like me to do what I just did, but it just came so natural; like we had done that before...in a different time and place. I wasn't necessarily upset, just a tad disappointed. The water had turned dark outside my window. The glow of the little fish grew brighter in my room. They floated down around me...they could sense my uneasiness. I got up and looked out my window. I looked up at the surface of the water. I could see the bright moonlight shining through the cove's water. It was illuminating everything. I loved the moon; it gave me a sense of relief. I decided to head up to the little secluded beach where I had lunch earlier. I swam out my window and upward. I looked down into the deep cove. I saw lantern fish at the very bottom lighting up the cove floor so that everyone could see as they headed to their homes. I didn't know what time it was, but when I broke the surface I saw the moon was high up in the sky already. It was probably at least 10pm. I moved the mess of red hair out of my face and looked for the shoreline. A line of lantern fish led the way and I followed. It was so beautiful here. I could live my life here and never want for anything else. I truly could. There were the remains of my campfire on the beach and I made a bee-line for it. My legs formed and I walked over and sat down. I found the stones Johan used earlier to light the fire and I struck them against each other. A spark flew and lit up the brush again. I put my hands close to the fire to warm them up. The full moon was shining through the palm trees and I sighed in the calmness around me. The fire crackled and the waves lapped on the shore. I heard a splish and then a quick splash. The moonlight reflected off of his skin in the dark. He walked to me in what seemed to be slow motion. He was beautiful. The Prince kneeled before me and bowed his head. "I am sorry for how I behaved, Neiren." I smiled and replied:

"Well, next time just give in to my charm and not insult me." I joked. He remained bowed. "Oh, Johan I was only joking with you." He looked up, his aqua eyes brightly illuminated.

"You are not mad with me? I was quite callous and cold."

"I understand. I forgive you." I touched his cheek and he closed his eyes. "So, this is what the moon does to you? Turns you completely and utterly...."

"Human." He said with a distasteful tone. I lightly brushed my fingertips along his collarbone. His eyes slid shut again.

"Oh, come on now. Being human isn't that horrible is it?" I touched his leg and he shivered. Johan was having some trouble...he was naked and I could see everything and might I say; he was gorgeous.

"Woman...you are breaking down my resistance."

"Good, that's what I intended on doing." I sat myself right in front of him and continued my slow torture until he said uncle. The Prince sat there, shivering by my touches and when my mouth touched his skin he was done. He grabbed me against his chest. "So, you give?"

"My patience is through, yes." He lifted my chin up and kissed me so passionately I could barely breathe. His hands traveled up and down the sides of my body. Goosebumps played along my skin from his touch. I reached down and gently handled him. He jolted a bit, but continued to kiss me and moan. In return, he undid my make-shift bikini top. His fingertips rolled my nipples and I moaned into his mouth. After he played there....he decided to play down farther. I broke the kiss in a slight scream of pleasure as he touched me. He was hard and ready and I was wet. We collapsed to the ground and made love.

The sun broke open the morning sky. I was wrapped up in Johan's arms on the shore. I realized I was naked and I collected my sheer clothing. He stirred and smiled up at me, his tail glimmering in the sun. I immersed myself in the warm water and transformed. Johan joined me and we headed into the cove together. "So, umm..."

"That was amazing." I stated as I took his hand in mine.

"Yes, it was." He kissed me then as we swam. "Are you hungry?" I nodded, but started to say, "I know, know it has to be cooked." I laughed.

"See I told you we knew each other. Wasn't last night so....natural for the both of us?" He nodded as we entered the dining hall. The King was seated at the head of the long table with a bowlful of something slimy.

"I see the two of you finally decided to grace us with your presence this fine morning." He bellowed across the room. All of the merfolk laughed long and loud at His Majesty's casual joke that embarrassed the heck out of both of us. "Come sit, eat....young lovers." Johan approached the King's side. I followed. I wondered if he was going to tell him of his plan to invade the Kingdom. "Yes, Prince Johan? Do you have something you wish to tell me?" Johan nodded.

"Since we are all gathered here today I'd like to offer a plan I came up with to rescue your Kingdom." The King's expression changed dramatically. I couldn't figure out if he was upset or discouraged. Johan sensed this and waited for his King to let him tell him.

"I wish not to discuss that matter." King Versailles said flat out.

"Your Highness, if we do not discuss this now, when will we?"

"I lost my Queen in our last raid, Johan." He didn't use Johan's title. He was angered by the audacity of the Prince. "Do you not remember how many we lost? We used my wife as a decoy, but my brother was smarter than us. Do you think he will fall for that again?" He knew Johan's plan! Had he used it before and failed? Johan was bowed down. I backed away a bit and slightly bowed.

"If I may insist, Your Highness."

"No, you may not." And with that, the King got up and swam out of the room in a fluster. We all watched as he went. The room was silent and one by one they all left until both of us were the only ones in that large cavern. I leaned on the table and sighed.

"Well, that's not how I had imagined that going." I looked at the downtrodden Prince. "You didn't tell me the whole story, Johan. You had tried before? The same plan?"

"Sort of. He didn't even let me finish. Last time his wife was the one who came up with the plan. A lot of her family was trapped in the prisons and she wanted them free...at the very least. King Versailles agreed and listened to her request. She would seduce Prince Malzor, giving a few of the elite warriors here a chance to free the prisoners. They were found out before we even had a chance. The Prince beheaded the Queen and sent me back to tell his brother of what had happened. I was the only survivor of the last raid." The expression on his face was anguished. I could only imagine his pain and burden of being the only one left again. The last of his own Kingdom and the only one to survive the raid; it must have been a tremendous blow to him, I thought to myself. "I vowed to the King that I would try once more one day. He never responded back to me about it. He put himself in seclusion for two months before he was himself again."

"Well, he lost his queen and warriors. He must have been devastated. So, how was your plan this time different?"

"I was going to gather the Great Blue Whales and the Elite Dolphin Force to help us. Also the Portuguese Man-O-War Jellyfish Tribe agreed to use their venom to invade the Kingdom. I have thought this all through and already have it all set, if he would only hear my ideas. I could have it completed in no time." Johan said exasperated.

"How on earth did you get those creatures to help you?" I asked amazed.

"My Kingdom of Ylloria had close ties to those three forces...the dolphins always help any merfolk. The Blue Whales were a little tricky. One of them remembered the favor I had done for her family once. I also had to offer some of our land in the northern seas, a hidden place for their pod, the Great Blue Whales are dwindling down so rapidly these days they need a place to hide from humans." He said the last word with bile.

"Yes, I know my fellow humans are evil. But some of your merfolk are just as bad." I casually reminded him.

"I know that."

"So, what about the Jellyfish? How did you get them?"

"Oh they think with their stomachs....that's basically all they are." He laughed. "I offered them free reign of our new Kingdom and special hunting grounds where there is a lot of plankton for them to eat. I was going to have you go and distract the Prince and then invade the Kingdom while he's busy. We wouldn't use hardly any of our men. Only the few that would burst open the prisons and get them out and away from the Kingdom while the forces invade. It's going to tear up the Kingdom a bit, but we can easily rebuild."

"You've thought this out a lot." I said in somewhat awe.

"Well, it's been a year." He crossed his arms, leaning against the table.

"Really? A year?" I clarified.

"Yeah, he doesn't want to try anymore. After the loss of the Queen...I think he gave up. I think he'd spend the rest of his life here in this forsaken cove than take back what is rightfully his. It's cowardly and disgraceful."

"But maybe that's what has to happen. I know you miss your kingdom and family, but maybe the King wants a simpler life now. Did you ever think of that, Johan?" He rubbed his temples with his fingers.

"Maybe you're right, but the King's people need to be released and I know he wants them released, but he's too turtle-shit to try again."

"What's the full plan. Please tell me so I have a full understanding." Johan sat on the table and I sat on the ground.

"I will send you out towards the Kingdom 2 days before the invasion. You are going to pretend like you're lost and hurt. Since you are so beautiful," He paused and I ducked my head under in embarrassment, "Surely one of the guards will take you in as a prisoner. Make sure that you flaunt yourself. You are sure to cause a scene with that hair of yours."

"What do you mean, my hair?"

"The King told you of the prophesy correct? The Prince thinks he's the Prince in that story. He's looking for a red-haired mermaid. He'll take you in probably with no questions asked. Pretend you love him." The way he said that last sentence was odd, but I only continued to listen. "Anyways, once you have him in your charm...he'll be too busy with you to listen to his advisors or pay any attention to anything at all. There will be a complete stop to his tyranny for a few days. That's enough time bought to get in there and take back what is rightfully King Versailles." I felt a tad overwhelmed with what was put before me to do. Could I do all those things that Johan had asked me to do? Could I really make Prince Malzor, the most evil merman in the sea, believe that I loved him when my heart was completely elsewhere? I looked into the Prince's aqua eyes and made my resolve. I would fulfill this prophesy and give back what had been taken and then, maybe then, Johan and I could live peacefully in Cayo Kingdom. I would be a Princess. I smiled. "Are you ok?" I snapped out of my daydream.

"Yeah, sorry. Just thinking."

"Are you sure you want to do this? Because if you don't want to I can call off the whole thing." I started to shake my head, but he continued, "Neiren, I can be just as happy staying here with you for the rest of my life. I know we haven't known each other for very long...make that a day and a half." He laughed as he took my hand in his, "But I feel so connected to you somehow. No one has ever made me feel this way."

"I don't know what to say, other than I feel the same." I smiled and he hugged me close.

"I really don't want you to leave me now. At first, I'll have to admit, I knew I could ask you to do this...with no feelings attached, but now… I just...I don't want Malzor touching you." A flame burned a little in his eyes when he said that.

"I'm going to do it. To save this kingdom. To be with you in happiness forever." I kissed him then and held on tight. I didn't want to let go, but I did. "Let me talk to the King...maybe I can persuade him." I kissed Johan and swam out to find the King. I looked back at the Prince. He sat there picking at the slimy thing in the bowl. I couldn't understand how they could eat that junk. I swam to the palace to talk to King Versailles. He would surely listen to me.

I entered the foyer, still amazed by all the pearls. A mermaiden passed by and I stopped to ask her where the King's chambers were. She directed me to the far corner of the foyer where an unmarked archway was. It was unadorned with coral or pearls. It was just a regular arch made out of brown stone. Maybe the King was trying to hide where he was staying. When I thought of King Versailles' chambers, I imagined it to be elaborately decorated and a guard standing outside, but this was nothing compared to that. I entered the room quietly. It was another hall, but at the end was a golden door. I knocked and waited. It opened slowly and a tired looking merman appeared. The King wasn't glittering like his usual self nor was he wearing his crown. He had bags under his eyes like he hadn't slept for days. I then realized my place and bowed. "Your Majesty, may I have a conference with you?"

"I know, my dear, I'm old." He read my expression. I gasped as I looked up at him, still bowing. "Come in Neiren; I've been expecting you." I entered the room cautiously. "Nothing in here can hurt you. Please do sit down." He motioned towards an overstuffed or should I say over-sponged chair in the corner of the room. The room was a teeny bit bigger than mine, the color was gold...everywhere. My room was bland in that aspect. There were golden lantern fish swimming above us. They were bigger than the tiny pastel fish out in the other halls or rooms. "Now, I know why you've come. I do not want to try to invade the Kingdom anymore."

"If I may say Your Highness, you only tried once."

"And I lost the one that was most dear to me." We sat there in silence for a few moments.

"I was horrified by that story. Johan told me. I'm sorry for your loss." He nodded his head, his silver white hair flowing all around him. "But, wouldn't your Queen want you happy? Wouldn't she want her people freed?" He looked down at his golden fin and sighed. "You shot Johan down even before you heard of his plan. He has worked this entire year to try again."

"And he wants you to go in first. To do the job that my wife did. What makes you think my brother won't kill you?"

"Because I have hope and faith in what Johan's plan is. If I die it will be for your Kingdom. I will have died in honor of that promise I made to help." King Versailles closed his eyes and started to weep. He put his hands on his face and sobbed. He stopped and looked up at me.

"That's exactly what she said before she left me...forever. I tried to talk her out of it, but she wouldn't listen to me." He shook his head. "Is Johan willing to lose you?"

"We've already talked about everything. We trust each other not to get killed." I stated seriously. The King only smiled.

"Fine I will listen. Tell me the Prince's plan." I could tell he was being a little sarcastic with me with his tone. He still didn't fully buy into it, not until he listened. His eyes went wide at some parts, but mostly he just sat there, not interjecting or anything. When I was done he put his fingers on his chin and rubbed his beard. "Well, that's quite a grandiose scheme he's created. The Blue Whales huh? And the Portuguese Man-O-Wars...I have to hand it to him. He's bringing in the big guns or whatever you humans say. Hmmm."

"So, does it sound plausible?" He looked at me and sighed again. I knew he didn't want us to do this. I knew it was going take time to convince him, but frankly we didn't have any more time. We had long run out. "Please Your Majesty...do consider it? You've waited too long as it is. Who knows how many of your people are still alive in those prisons. Think about the weak and helpless...not the young and strong. We can do this."

"Okay, Neiren. Take Johan to the dining hall and wait for everyone to arrive. We're going to gather everyone together to announce this. And get some volunteers to help." I smiled and swam over and hugged him. "Ok, ok. You're welcome, but please do be careful. My brother...."

"I know. Trust me, I know." I assured him. "I can't let him hurt me. For Johan's sake." I left the room and found Johan swimming back to the palace. "Johan! Johan!"

"What did he say? Did you get to talk to him?"

"He agreed."

"What?"

"He said yes?" I made it a question to throw him off.

"He did. Great! Neiren! You did it!" He grabbed a hold of me and spun around. "That's awesome!"

"He said to meet up in the dining hall. He was going to have everyone come and then they'd have volunteers to help. Come on!" We swam quickly to the dining hall. We waited about 10 minutes for everyone to arrive. The King came swooping in to the head of the table.

"I am sure most of you have heard the news already, but let me tell you the plans. Then I will gladly let whoever wants to fight for their Kingdom back to volunteer to help." He told of all the plans and strategies. By the end of the discussion and announcing we had around 75 men to help us. After all the merfolk left, the King pulled us aside. "You really have all of this planned? All the creatures of the sea are going to help you?"

"They never go back on their promises." Johan stated firmly.

"I trust you my boy, just...you're like a son to me now. My wife and I weren't able to have merchildren. So, you're the closest thing I have. Please be careful and come back alive if nothing else." He hugged him tight. "Now you two go and rest tonight. You can head out tomorrow." We both bowed to our King and headed to my room.

"What's wrong? Are you unsure now?" I asked to a solemn faced Johan.

"My father died when I was young. My mother taught me all I know about everything. How to be a Ruler, how to eat lobster, just everything. I've never had a father figure in my life like this. It's weird and different, but I like it. I guess I do feel like he's a father to me. I don't want to let him down, you know?" I nodded.

"I can understand that completely. I kinda don't want to let him down either." We entered my room and sat down on the bed. "So, I'm a little nervous as to what I'm supposed to do in this plan."

"I already told you. You are to go two days ahead of us and try to capture the Prince's attention." It was turning dark outside and the fish illuminated the room softly.

"I know about that, but how do mermaids seduce? What do we have and how do we you know.....do that?" Johan blushed bright scarlet. It was dim in the room, but I could see it.

"Oh, well."

"I kinda need an anatomy class on the reproductive organs of our kind. Otherwise, I won't know how to distract." I pushed myself a little closer to the Prince. He gulped. I laughed and put my arms around him, flopping us onto the spongy bed.

"Well, if you insist."

"I do." He pulled me to him and began kissing my collarbone and traveled up my neck. The feel of the water and the hotness of his kiss was overwhelming.

"It's the same as when we did it before, only....think of how a dolphin looks down there. I tried not to move when a long length touched my fin. It was rather big and I wondered how my equipment would handle such a thing. He then pushed with his fingertips where my crotch would be if I were human. A slot opened up and I moaned in the sensation of his touch there. I looked down at the both of us and gasped. There was a slot in my tail with genitalia around the outside. And his was long and muscled and pink. I let my hand wander and felt him. He moaned and closed his eyes. "I think....you know what to do now." He rasped out as I slid my hand up and down him. I decided to let my tongue do its own talking. I licked him slowly and relished in the salty taste. Johan got harder and he placed his hand on my shoulders, his grip getting harder as I stroked and teased. He pushed me onto the bed and then used his tongue on me. If there had been fireworks underwater I was seeing them. It was the most incredible sensation ever. I couldn't describe it. I let the orgasm take me in its thralls and cried out. He slid his body up on top of me and he began to nudge me with his member. He looked at me with a worried expression. "Are you sure?"

"We've done this before." I said quietly. He nodded and gently pushed his length inside.

The morning came too quickly for my liking. I was wrapped up in my merlover's arms and didn't want to leave now. It dawned on me all at once what was in store for me in these next couple days. I really didn't want to think about it. "We have to get moving." Came a voice from over my shoulder.

"I know. I was just thinking."

"About what, my love?"

"About how I'm going to do this and if I'll make it out of there to get back to you." I turned to face him. He could sense my torment and took me into his arms.

"It won't be long. Survive for 2 days, for me? I don't want you leaving. I don't want you to go and do things with another merman. Do you realize how hard it is for me to hide how I feel?" I looked him in the eyes and knew the truth: He loved me. This merman had fallen for me. I had to know his feelings before I left. I had to know that this was all worth something. Sure it was worth saving a Kingdom, but what did I get out of this adventure? I didn't have the guts to tell him how I felt...not yet. "We should get going, Neiren." I nodded and got out of bed, tying my scarf around my chest. Johan only shook his head.

"What?" He came up from behind me and cupped my breasts. I squealed in surprise. "Johan!" He slipped a few fingers in a started to play with my nipple. I swatted his hand away. "As much as I love that, we can't." He only laughed and kissed my cheek. It was like we had known each other forever and had been in love for a long time.

"Ok, I'm sure the King is waiting." He placed his arms around my waist and we headed down to the cove's entrance. Everyone was waiting; all three hundred of them or so. It was a glorious sight. The colors were amazing. Dolphins played gleefully around the crowd and fish of every color swam about. Sea turtles and manta rays floated restlessly above us, making shaded spots on the covebed. The sun was shining so brightly that it bounced everywhere, illuminating the usually dim seafloor. The King was waiting at the entrance. He held out his hands to us to welcome.

"Today we will succeed in overthrowing my brother. We will win back our Kingdom and once again flourish there." He announced so effortlessly as if he had no doubts this plan would work. I immediately got cold fins about all of this. Johan sensed this and tightened his hold around my waist as we swam over to the King. "Our newest member of our family is, Neiren. She is the one who will distract Malzor while we invade." A lot of 'oooo's' and 'ah's' sounded throughout the crowd. "She is the mermaiden from the prophesy we have treasured for so long. She will bring peace back to our homeland." He took my hand and raised it. The merpeople cheered with gratitude. Johan whispered in my ear:

"You'll do just fine, my love." His soothing voice helped calm my churning stomach that was threatening me. I needed to speak to the people. I needed them to be reassured as much as I was trying to be. I unwrapped myself from Johan's embrace. He looked at me questioningly. I smiled at him. I raised myself out of the crowd and all eyes were on me. I took a big gulp and pushed my red hair out of my face.

"I promise to every single one of you....I will try my hardest to free your loved ones and open up the gates of your kingdom to you again. If I fail...I will deeply regret it, but I am letting you know now that I am going full tidal wave on this bitch!" I laughed inside my head at the crazy statement I just had made, but the merfolk cheered and shouted and raised their hands up in the water. Johan joined my side and kissed my cheek. "Let's go." I said. "The sooner we do this, the sooner I get to be back in your arms."

"Amen to that." He smiled and with that we left the safe confines of the cove. The open blue beyond was a bit intimidating. I shrunk back into Johan's embrace. "If you worry too much that beautiful red hair will start to fall out."

"It's this damn hair that's gotten me into this mess, need I remind you. Let me ask you a question."

"Hmmm?"

"If I didn't have this hair would you have still sent me off to the Kingdom to seduce the Prince?" We stopped swimming and he looked at me.

"Well, I..." he hesitated, "No, I wouldn't have."

"Why not?"

"The Prince wouldn't be interested...you'd end up getting killed or used or something unspeakable." I nodded and understood. So, it was my damn hair. I smiled at that.

"Would you have been interested in me if I didn't have red hair?" I looked at him and waited. He got an expression on his face like I had just stabbed him. He grabbed me in a tight hug, pushing whatever air I had out of my lungs.

"You are you. No matter what color your hair is. I would have fallen for you no matter what. You are an enchanting woman. Your personality is what I fell for, not your looks even though they are quite amazing." I blushed as he touched my cheek. "Stop worrying about what we have. I love you. Nothing is going to change that. Just whatever you do...don't let him have you. Tease him and taunt him, but don't let him have you. You are mine." I felt my cheeks flush an even brighter red. I was growing hot from the look in his eyes. "Are we clear on that, Neiren?" He smiled, his seriousness gone for the moment.

"Yes. I won't let him." He kissed me and it made me melt into the water surrounding us. I moaned, but then pushed him away. "We're never going to get there if we keep stopping like this. How much further is it?" He shook his head to clear his mind.

"Sorry, couldn't stop myself." He blushed red this time and I laughed.

"Pretty soon we won't have to stop." I kissed his cheek and he started to lead the way. We swam for what seemed like hours and stopped to eat some seaweed sandwiches. I gagged a little on those earning a laugh from Johan. If I was to be a mermaid I had to act like one, including eating like one. Yay for seaweed sandwiches and smooshed sea cucumbers. I got a little green just thinking about it.

"Now, this is where I need to leave you." He said regretfully. In the dark distance of the sea bed, where the sun didn't reach below the waves, sat a conglomerate of buildings and pillars stretching to the surface. Red lights glowed angrily, lighting parts of the architecture. It was once probably very beautiful, but now it looked menacing and evil...just like its inhabitants. I could see outlines of figures of sharks and merfolk swimming in and out of the buildings. I saw even farther where at least a dozen black tubes floated upward. All of a sudden my stomach belly-flopped and gurgled with butterflies. It looked like such a horrible place. "It's gotten so much worse." Johan stated sadly as he looked back and forth. Now, remember pretend like your terribly injured and you don't feel good. If you look like you ill and are perhaps asleep...they'll take you in more gently. Be on your guard the entire time. Don't let them injure you or use you in anyway." He was all business now. I had a weird feeling about this plan. Me playing dead? How did they introduce King Versailles' wife last time?

"Ummm, how did the Queen do this last time?" I interjected.

"Why does that matter?"

"Because if we do it the same way this time, won't it be suspicious?" He cocked his head to the side and rubbed his chin.

"It'll be different this time because of you. You aren't just some random mermaid. You're the mermaid of legend. Why? Do you have a better idea?" He looked at me with curiousity.

"I think I should just walk in there and pretend like Prince Malzor is my savoir and that I was told to come to him about my destiny or some shit like that. Like you said: I'm the mermaid of legend." I shrugged. I was afraid, yes, but I wanted this to work. I wanted this to be as quick as possible. "Think about it, Johan. If I'm injured or asleep or whatever those guards are going to do something to me. No questions about it. They are evil mermen, right? They don't care if they hurt me or use me. I have to act like I don't know who I am and have Malzor give me a false explanation like I know he will. He will try to get me on his side. So, that way he knows his brother has no way of invading. This mermaiden of legend won't interfere with his domination of the gulf. Make him think he's won and then we'll invade and catch him off guard." I crossed my arms over my chest, waiting for him to reply back to what I had come up with.

"That'll work."

"What?"

"I think that would work fine." He said straight-faced.

"So, you're saying to use my random plan?" I said amazed.

"Why not? I think it would work, don't you? You're the one who thought it up."

"I guess. Why are you being so nonchalant about it?"

"You have confidence I didn't foresee you having so soon. I thought you'd be scared shitless, but look at you, on the verge of doing something dangerous, you're ready to change plans at the last minute. I'm proud of you." He smiled as he hugged me tightly. I didn't quite understand confidence because I never had any. I was ready to deceive a deceiver. Let him have a taste of his own medicine. I smiled at that. I was always playing on the good side and this time I could play dumb and follow an evil man and then get rid of all that nastiness in one fell swoop. "As much as I want to hold you tightly and never let you go...I have to now if we ever want this to be done with. We'll invade midnight on the second day. Be ready to distract." Johan let go of me and his baby blues had a downcast look.

"I'll seeya soon." I said a little uneasily as I swam slowly down the seabed slope leading me down to Cayo Kingdom. I turned around and didn't look back until I was nearly at the scary gate that led inside. Johan was gone. I nearly lost it then, but kept swimming towards the guards that were there. They were grisly looking, like they hadn't shaved or brushed their hair and beards in ages. The one on the right had a beer belly (if mermen could have such things) and dirty blonde hair. The merman on the left was smaller and possibly younger and had wiry orange hair that floated in the water in clumps. They both held rusted spear-like weapons in their hands and when I went to pass they brought them down in an X shape, not letting me pass.

"What business do you have here in the Costa Kingdom? Only the evil hearted are allowed in." I gulped and decided to play my dumb blonde routine.

"I was told to come here to see Prince Malzor for my destiny. I'm only going on what was said to me. I'm lost and don't know where else to go. Please can you help me?" The beer-gutted merman started to speak.

"Our Kingdom helps no one, love. Although, a pretty young thing like you...could possibly help us." He smiled with crooked teeth in his mouth. I had to be strong and sassy. I snorted to myself. Yeah right. I sighed, bubbles flying. I put my hands in my hair and made an exasperated noise.

"Why is it every time I ask someone for help, they want my tail? I know I'm pretty or maybe even attractive of some sort, but God! Do all men have to be such perverts?" The men were taken aback from my random womanly outburst. "And how do you know if I'm not evil?" I glared at them and very quickly pulled the orange merman's beard so that he was looking at me eye to eye. He was startled by my bold action. "You got something to prove, sugar? I bet ten to one you can't please a woman....why else would you be stuck with this low job."

"Guarding the gate is very important."

"Really? Then why are there no women fawning over your greatness." I laughed in a craze and I let go of his beard. They both scooted back against the gate, their weapons on the ground. "Are one of you going to show me to my destiny or do I have to find it myself? I'm sure the Prince is waiting for me." I put my hands on my hips and flapped my fin.

"If she isn't evil, I don't know who is, man." The blonde said as he straightened himself up. "So, miss?"

"Neiren. My name is Neiren."

"Miss Neiren."

"That's more like it. A gentleman finally."

"Where did you hear of Prince Malzor?"

"A shark told me about the Great Lord of the Gulf and that he resided here in Costa Kingdom. He told me of a legend of the red-haired mermaiden that would help his Prince reign the Gulf. That's what I was told." I moved my hair from my face, looking in sheer amazment at the Kingdom I was passing through. It was dark and the red glowing fish swam everywhere. They were ugly fish with jagged teeth and rotting fins, nothing like the glow fish back in the cove. The streets were once gold; you could tell this because it shined through in some patches. Everything was grimy with rust and black algae. No wonder King Versailles was angry. His brother destroyed his Kingdom. We approached two blackened doors and I looked up and saw many towers and archways. This was the palace, King Versailles' old palace. Malzor had taken everything. I could tell it was beautiful even though it was dirty. More guards were floated by these tall doors leading into the palace. The blonde was quickly let in. The doors swung open with a groan. The inside was dark with the glow of red. It was huge. The foyer was beautiful like something out of a painting or a Renaissance castle. "How lovely this is. I cannot wait to meet the Prince." The guard led me down a long hallway. It got darker and darker. All of a sudden he grabbed my arm and twisted it back. Oh no! He was gonna try something. I wanted to scream, but that wouldn't help. "I thought you'd take me to the Prince!" I shouted.

"No one just waltzes in and has an audience with the Prince." He sneered. "Silly girl." I heard an iron door open and I was tossed in. The door slammed shut and I was locked in. I was in a dungeon. Dammit! I thought my plan would have worked. I figured I should just chill and wait; at least no one was hurting me. One of the red glow fish swam into the cell. It was as big as a decent closet. I huddled into the corner and shut my eyes. Maybe sleep would help. I knew I had two days to convince them I was on their side and distract the Prince. If I was stuck in here until then there would be no way to accomplish that. I sighed again and rested my forehead on my tail that was propped up like my knees would be bent. I closed my eyes and drifted into sleep, trying not to worry about my seemingly desperate situation.

I didn't know how long I'd been asleep when a loud rapping on my cell door sounded. It vibrated the walls. I jumped up. The door swung open and a bulky Guard swam inside. "The Prince has requested an audience with the mermaiden with red hair." He stated as he shelled my hands. They had fashioned seashells into hand cuffs. They dug sharply into my wrists. I hissed with a little pain. I had to suck it up and appear to be somewhat brave. The guard pulled me forward and out of the hallway. We entered the foyer again and headed left to a pair of golden doors. I guess they decided to keep these doors clean. It gave me an idea of how the whole kingdom should look: The Golden City, Cayo Kingdom. King Versailles would be appalled at how it looked now. Hell, I was appalled and had never even been here when it was at its original state. I hated how some people thought they owned the world and wanted everything their way. It was the same way with the people I worked with. Wait? People I worked with? My memory was coming back. I caught a glimpse of a white-walled room and a computer in front of me. I shook my head and tried to focus on what was in front of me. The golden doors flew open as if they weren't made of gold. Before my eyes, stretched a red, mossy carpet that led all the way to a massive black throne with glimpses of shimmering gold shining through. In the middle of the throne sat the Prince. He leisurely flapped his ebony tail. He looked bored, that is, until he saw me floating there at the doorway. Malzor stood up and beckoned me forward, his silver with black streaked hair whipping around him. I was shelled and was trying to swim in a straight line. The guard let me go alone. He was handsome and very similar to his older brother, but he had the eyes of a killer. I had never seen a murderer before, but I knew in an instant that was what they looked like. The Prince was much younger too, at least by 10 years. I was scared, so very scared. I tired to concentrate and look like I wasn't fazed. Yeah, that was working.

"So, Neiren. What brings you to my Kingdom?" His voice echoed throughout the room. He sat back down on his thrown and popped a shrimp from a platter next to him in his mouth. Ugh, I didn't like him already.

"I was coming to you to figure out what my destiny would be. One of your subjects directed me to your Majesty. I was lost and have no idea where I'm from. I don't know any of my past-" He held up his hand to shush me. That irritated me.

"Your destiny, huh? Do you have any idea who you are?"

"No, that's what I was trying to explain. I know I might possibly be the mermaiden of your Kingdom's legend. The shark told me so. That's why I came to you to get answers." I said, trying to sound annoyed. I was annoyed, annoyed at these damn shell-cuffs. "Can you please have your guard remove these cuffs. They are tight and hurt. I cannot escape and I don't have any desire to, sir." I bowed ever so slightly.

"You are quite bold, Neiren. I like that in a merwoman. Guards remove the shell-cuffs and have the servants prepare my chamber to accommodate Neiren." They rushed to me and released me and then bulleted out of the thrown room.

"Eager to please aren't they?" I rubbed my raw wrists, hissing at the stinging pain.

"They are very useful." He said with a twinkle of red in his eyes. I was beginning to feel afraid again. No! I had to remain strong willed. He was not going to bully me. "And yes my dear I do believe you are the mermaiden of our legend. No one has ever seen a mermaid with red hair like yours." He swam down to me and played his fingers in my hair. I pulled away, trying to make him think I was somewhat afraid. I was, but I was trying to act, keyword: trying. "Oh, do not be frightened of me. I am a minnow compared to my older brother." He got an angry look, "He is pure evil and is wanting to destroy this place. I have some of his army and people locked away for safe keeping. He will not destroy them, thus, he will not destroy this kingdom. Anyways," Malzor reached out his hand and touched my face gently, "You will keep this place safe and maybe make your home here." He almost sounded sincere, but those eyes told the truth of the man that stood before me. I could see the lust there too and it scared me and he wanted me in his room too. I could see this going very bad. I needed to know how long I was asleep and if this was the second day and tomorrow they would invade.

"I am very tired, milord. How long was I in the dungeon?" He looked at me with a little confusion. "I only want to know why I'm so sleepy and if I got enough rest." I explained.

"I believe you arrived last night and now it is evening. Do you wish to retire to my chambers?" He smiled and it was downright creepy. "I had them set up a seabed in separate room for you that is connected with my seabed room." He could sense my uneasiness about sharing a room with him.

"I would like to rest, yes Your Majesty. Thank you." I bowed again. We headed up to the ceiling in the room where a small tunnel was hidden. We went through it and entered a chamber of gold with red and black accents. There sat a large seabed with red algae for a blanket and tons of pillows. He led me into a smaller chamber that held another seabed similar to the other. "This is wonderful. Thank you." I hated thanking this merman over and over.

"You are welcome, Neiren." He said my name in a sensual whisper. I shivered in fear of it. "Are you hungry? I can have something arranged." He was trying to win me over. It wasn't working.

"No, thank you. I'm not hungry." My stomach tried to contest that, but I willed it to shut up for the time being. "I would just like to rest."

"As Milady wishes." He looked me up and down a couple times before he shut the curtain of red algae that separated the rooms. I cautiously laid on the bed. It was comfy that's for sure, but I didn't feel safe at all. I thought of Johan and how much I missed him. I shut my eyes and started to dream of him.

"Yes, yes, yeeeessssss! Omigod! Yes, your highness, more!" I jumped up in my bed, awakened by the screaming of pleasure. Great....what was he trying to prove with me in the next chamber? That he was a great lover and that I'd want a piece of that too? Ewww. I knew his good behavior wouldn't last long.

"Uh, uh....oh.....god yes, scream for me!" Malzor cried. I closed my eyes and plugged my ears, trying to not hear anymore. The screams went on through the night and finally silence. I was up for at least three hours straight. Not only was he evil, he was a sex fiend. I closed my eyes again and fell asleep.

A shuffle of my blanket awakened me. I knew what was happening. "You are the most beautiful mermaid I have ever seen, Neiren. Red is my favorite color." He toyed with my hair again. I couldn't let him take me like this. I had to be the tease. I had to make the moves and then leave him hanging, so to speak. I got out of the seabed. He looked up at me with an eagerness I didn't like.

"You amuse me, Milord. But you will not have me so easily." He got out of the bed and swam towards me.

"How dare you make commands. I am King here! I take what I want."

"Have you ever tried asking for what you want and then receiving it with their consent? It's quite nice...to be on that receiving end." I moved my hands up and down my hips and then up to my sides, letting my fingers linger over the scrap of white linen that was covering my breasts. He watched me with hunger in those terrible eyes. I was in control now and quite proud of myself. He was intrigued. "If you would have let me rest in peace in my bed, I might have had my way with you." I slinkily moved towards him. I placed a finger on his chest and pushed him back against one of the walls. His eyes were filled with excitement. Did some guys really get off on this dominatrix crap? I guess he did. Double ewww. I didn't want to touch him and nor did I want to kiss him, but I thought that would be the best way to promise something later and not now. So, I grabbed his hands and pinned them above his head. Malzor smiled and started to get very excited...I kissed him slowly and gently at first and then harder. He moaned and started to grab at me, but I nipped his lip with my teeth and let him go. The Prince slumped to the ground in a heap or silver and ebony. I was surprised that I had such a way with men. I mean I had never really tried, I don't think, until now. But here was a leader of an evil nation and I brought him down to pile of jelly at my feet, er fins.

"You are a wicked siren."

"Well, I am a red head, thank you very much." I went back to my bed. He just gave me a grin that promised sexual games. I didn't want none of that, but I had to play along to keep him at bay and distracted from more important matters....like his kingdom being overrun. "Goodnight, King Malzor. If you want me...you should wait. It's better that way. Good boys get more play." And with that I hoped he would leave me alone for the wee morning hours.

The Prince left me alone for the rest of the night and in the morning when I awoke he was gone from the bedroom chambers. I decided to sleep in and catch up on some much needed sleep. No light came into the room except for the school red glow fish that swam around the chambers.

"Yes, she's in here. She was sleeping last time I saw her."

"You snuck in?"

"Malzor let's me do whatever I please. I am a Queen and he for some odd reason respects at least that much. If I ever plan to get out of here; I know my King will rescue all of us from his brother." I pretended to still be asleep when I saw the shadow of the two merwomen outside my chamber. The silently swam in, watching me sleep. "See, she's here! The one who will save Cayo Kingdom. I'm sure the Prince has brainwashed her to think she's his to keep and to play with." I was trying my damndest not to say anything, but maybe I should. I pretended to wake up and in a flash they were gone.

"Wait! Hold on! Come back!" I sighed. Slowly swimming around the corner was the merwoman. "Please come here. I need to speak with you." I asked politely. She opened the curtain and swam in. She had golden blonde hair that went far down her back. It was held together with black and red ornaments and pins. Her breasts were covered my a black netting. The Queen's tail was the same gold as King Versailles only her fins were that of a scorpion fish or lion fish and her eyes were bright green. She was beautiful if that could describe her enough. It struck me then. She had to be King Versailles Queen. The way she was speaking about how to get out of here. But, Johan was told she was dead!

"I apologize for waking you up, Queen Neiren." She bowed. I tried to contain my joy about this news. I was sure this was her, but first...she called me Queen?

"Queen? Me?"

"King Malzor has named you his second Queen of Costa Kingdom."

"Without even asking me if I wanted such a thing?"

"He has a way with getting what he wants." She smiled sadly. "I am technically someone else's Queen, but he fails to see that." I wanted to ask her so bad if she was the Queen that King Versailles had lost. I gathered up my courage and asked, not knowing what kind of reaction I would get.

"Ummm? Besides the fact that I am now a Queen even though I'd rather die than be his Queen. Can I ask you a small question?" She gave me a huh? kind of look.

"Yes, I suppose."

"Are you King Versailles wife?" Her eyes went wide and her hand covered her mouth in a gasp.

"How did you know that?" It looked like she was about to cry in disbelief. I smiled reassuringly.

"I found their cove and they took me in." I looked around the room...I went outside my chamber to make sure no one else was around. The mermaid that was with the Queen was there on Malzor's bed. She must have been her servant or lady-in-waiting. She had dark brown hair and bright hazel eyes. Her tail was a brown-green...not much to look at compared to the Queen. That was probably on purpose. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to be alone with the Queen for a few minutes?" I asked as nicely as I could. The mermaid bowed to me and left the room out another entrance. The Queen came up from behind me and put a hand on my shoulder. I turned around.

"I know a secret place where we can chat without anyone spying. I would like to know of what you have to say." I nodded and followed her out into yet another tunnel. It was dark except for one red fish following us. The queen shooed him away as we swam swiftly through the dark. "This palace is still mine even though he thinks it's his." She said with venom. "He doesn't know of the Queen's Secret Coral Garden." She stopped in front of a rock that jutted out from the tunnel wall. She felt around for a little bit until the rock magically moved to the side. A bright glow of pastel colors eminated from inside. We swam in and I was amazed by the garden that I saw. Coral and the glowfish and other aquatic plant-life glowed and it almost looked as if moonlight was illuminating the secret place. It was all enclosed in this little bubble in the palace tunnels. The sand was powdery white on the floor and a few coral benches lined the little pathways in and out of the plant life. It was like an underwater version of the secret garden. I noticed above the water didn't touch the top of the cave. "The Prince doesn't know about this place. The only other person who knows is my Tarin." She smiled as she pet one of the kelp leaves. It glowed even brighter when she touched it. "The garden only reacts to those pure of heart. If an evil person steps one fin in here, nothing glows." I reached out and touched a piece of coral and it glowed so bright, it nearly blinded us. "Wow, I used to be able to make it glow like that." The Queen mumbled. "I've been trying to get free from here...numerous times, but he always catches me. This is the only place I can find solitude, but I cannot stay long otherwise they'll start looking for me. And to answer your question, yes, I am King Versailles' wife. I was not murdered as Malzor wanted everyone to think. Although, I times I wish I were." She smiled sadly again. "Anyways, enough about me, how's everyone doing? Is Tarin ok? Are you here to save us?" I was bombarded by all these questions.

"Prince Johan has help this time and yes, everyone is fine. It was hard to get the King to agree to another invasion, but I think he'll be overjoyed when he knows you're still alive and that it was worth it to get his Kingdom back."

"You mean, he had given up? He wasn't going to invade?" She looked devastated. I took her hands in mine and begged her to look at me.

"He didn't want to lose anyone else, my Queen. He had thought he had lost you and he didn't want his people to die. He wanted to live out his life there in the cove, but Johan and I convinced him. And I'm here, the legendary mermaiden with fiery red hair, to save Cayo Kingdom. You don't have to convince me of anything. I know what I need to do. And maybe you can help me distract the Prince. We can have threesome....or at least pretend to." I smiled. She wasn't too convinced. "Here let me show you something. What's up there?" I pointed to the surface.

"Only an airtight sandy area."

"Is it a dry area?" She nodded. "Okay, great!" I grabbed her hand and pulled her to the surface. There was a little sandy beach and it was lit up from the glowing garden down below. I loved this place. It was like out of some fantastic mermaid faerie tale. I beached myself and waited to dry off. My tail shortly vanished and my legs appeared. The Queen gasped as I pulled her out of the water to sit in the white sand. "See no hint of moonlight and I have legs. A fiery red-haired mermaid, who truly isn't a mermaid, will come and save our Kingdom from danger and bewitch a Prince...taking him into her heart and giving it to him thus. That's exactly what Tarin, er His Majesty, said to me. I have fallen for Johan and he loves me. I have already fulfilled most of that prophesy. The only thing left is to save the Kingdom." I smiled as I walked around in my see-through white scarf skirt. It felt good to walk around a bit.

"I never dreamed this would happen. We had been told that prophesy since we were little and no one ever believed it...until Malzor stole our Kingdom. We hoped for that prophesy to come true and it finally has. It finally has." She began to sob and I took her up in my arms, rocking her back and forth. She had had it the worst. She was the one who had to pretend to be in love with an evil merman and miss her lover and King every day. I had to make this a reality for her. Reunite her with her Tarin. I then told her of our new plan to save her kingdom in a shortened and to the point version. "Tomorrow will be the invasion. Johan and his multitude will be here and we must keep the Prince busy. I have an idea."

We went back to the Prince's chamber and I went back to my bed. Fortunately, Malzor wasn't there. We both sighed in unison and then laughed. "I must get out of here before he finds me speaking with you. We will initiate our plan tomorrow when we hear the first rung of discord in the Kingdom. My servant, Cherico, the one you saw earlier, I'll have her keep watch and keep her ears open for any intrusions. They usually don't tell the Prince unless it starts to get out of hand which will give us time. I will do a few preparations myself this evening. I'll see you tomorrow, Neiren." She waved as she turned around to leave. I heard a door open and Malzor walked in.

"Oh, so, this is where you've been hiding, Milora."

"I've been wandering today your Lordship and I had to see this mermaiden in person. I did not believe the rumors around the Kingdom. She's been sleeping." They came to float at the end of my bed. "She's probably exhausted." I pretended like I was waking up. Milora came to my side. "Sweet, sweet Neiren. Are you going to wake up so that I can greet you finally?" She urged me to wake up and now I had to act like nothing had happened between us earlier. I was getting better at it that was for sure.

"Who are you?" I blinked my eyes as I scanned the room. Malzor was standing right behind her, making sure she didn't try anything; I was sure of that. I still think he didn't completely trust her. He shouldn't trust me either, I thought to myself.

"I am Queen Milora and you are now Queen Neiren. His Majesty the King has us both as his Queens now." She smiled flakily. I looked at her in disbelief. "He has not told you?" I noticed Malzor had come forward and presented something to me.

"I was about to before you said anything Milora." He hissed. "Neiren, my second Queen, here is your crown. It marks you as royalty here in my Kingdom. The three of us will rule this Gulf. I have already announced this joyous news to the Kingdom."

"You did not request this title to me; you forced it." I said with slitted eyes.

"You are not pleased, my Queen?" I tried to figure out what to say that would please him and yet still let him know I wasn't too thrilled. I grabbed the black crown with rubies set into it from his hand.

"I was only thinking why you didn't have me with you when you announced such an honor. Are you holding a coronation for me or anything?" I said with venom. I was trying to act like a spoiled royal now. He kinda looked at me in astonishment, as if I couldn't act this way. I thought he got the picture from last night's arrangement that I'd be this way. I guess not.

"My dear, of course, of course." He took my hand and kissed it. Milora almost gagged. I nearly laughed. Malzor would do anything to make me happy. I knew we got him now. "I will make the arrangements at once. It will be a grand affair and only the most prestige subjects in our Kingdom will attend." I settled back into my comfy bed.

"Now that's more like it." He was leaning close enough that I was able to yank his hair and pull him to me. It startled him and Milora as well. "If you continue this good behavior, I'll reward you tonight. Just do as I say and I can be all yours....to do what is within reason, Milord." His eyes went wide and the lust creeped back into them. As soon as that happened, I let him go abruptly. Malzor just blinked a couple times and I looked over at Milora, who was about to laugh uncontrollably. "Now, I'm hungry. Can you leave me and your Queen alone for a moment and get me some food? I'd like to go over my responsibilities on being a Queen with her; to be a good Queen for Your Majesty." I bowed my head, so, he would know I respected him. Because all the things I had done thus far were not showing him that. He bowed back and headed for the door. He stopped to whisper in Milora's ear and she made a face of disconcertment, but replied:

"Yes, Your Majesty." Malzor left and she came to my side, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"What did he say to you?" I whispered.

"Not to tell anything remotely truthful to you. About who I am." She smirked. We both laughed then at the whole scheme we set up. Malzor will never guess what was about to hit him. Ahhh, the power of pussy was good. I would never use it again though. This was unfair treatment, but this merman deserved every little bit of unfair treatment we shoveled out to him. "Well, let me go and prepare before it gets too late."

"What are you going to prepare? There really isn't anything, is there?" She smiled devilishly.

"Oh, you bet there is. I have something that will be good for the Prince." There was an evil light in her eyes that I couldn't place; like that look didn't belong there at all. He had made her angry this past year and she wanted blood. She was trying to stay alive for her King and to get back into his arms. Milora had been used and hurt. "Well, I should get outta here. I'll seeya later. Are they invading tonight?"

"Yes, midnight tonight."

"Good that gives me plenty of time. Cherico should let us know when things start to happen. You should stay-" She silenced herself when Malzor walked in with a tray of something indigestible to my stomach. He swam over and sat it on my lap. It was green and black and jiggled like jelly. My stomach roared its disapproval. It would rather be empty than eat that.

"Luna Bean Snail, one of the rarest and delectable of all the sea snails. I thought you might like this, My Queen." I smiled and picked up the coral fork. I stabbed a piece. I placed it in my mouth, trying not to taste anything. The gooey snail juice exploded in my mouth and about lost it when I promptly swallowed it. I licked my lips, trying to be sexy, but nothing was sexy about Luna Bean Snail goo in my mouth. So, I just smacked my lips to swallow the rest of the slime.

"That was interesting." I took the sponge and dabbed the corners of my mouth daintily.

"Well, not too many merfolk get the chance to try such a delicious creature." Yeah and they're lucky too. I commented to myself. "I should return to my throne. I am delighted to serve you, but I am King and my Queens should serve me." I shot him a, "Are you kidding?" look, but then replied.

"Oh, in due time milord....in due time. Milora and I have discussed some ideas of how to properly serve you and have come up with something special tonight. Meet us here at midnight and you'll have a wonderful surprise." I sat the tray on the bed and Milora and I wrapped ourselves around him seductively. It startled him, but he was pleased. "Will you come to us tonight?"

"Yes, will you?" Milora added. We acted as though we were love-struck teenagers fawning over their favorite rock star. Milora then kissed his neck and I fiddled with his hair, twirling it in my fingers. He moaned his approval.

"Don't leave us waiting." We unwrapped from him and then held each other in a sexy pose.

"Oh, my beautiful Queens, you're King will not leave you lonely tonight. There's plenty of merman here to please each of you." And with that last unneeded statement he flourished out of the room. Milora and I both looked at each other and smiled, hugging each other tightly.

"We got him."

"Hook, line, and sinker." I added as we paraded around the chamber happily.

"You were incredible! How do you do that?"

"Do what?" I asked as I glared at the evil snail platter.

"Make him so compliant? I was never able to do that."

"You have your past as his brother's wife. He still doesn't trust you, but add me in the mix and the promise of a night he'll probably never forget...he's in our game. Merwomen are sirens or as our human legends often describe them. They would lead sailors to their deaths with a song."

"Only the wicked mermaids do that. I can't believe that's how humans think of all of us." The Queen crossed her arms over her chest.

"Oh, not all humans and certainly not me. I've loved the stories and faerie tales of mermaids since I was a little girl, especially the one of the little mermaid."

"Oh, yes. King Triton's daughter was quite the spirited one." Milora smiled as if remembering.

"It was real?" I asked in amazement.

"Why yes. I'm sure the human version is a little different, but yes the characters were real. It was at least a couple centuries ago though." She began to pick at the Luna Bean Snail.

"Go ahead, I don't want any of that." I said with bile. "That was disgusting."

"Oh, I love it." Milora took a bite.

"Blargh!" I turned away from the sheer grossness. She laughed after she chewed and swallowed, thankfully.

"So, you prefer human food?"

"Yes, I like my food cooked thank you very much. And I don't really like sea food. I like to look at fish, not eat them." I replied.

"A kelp-eater, huh?" She grinned.

"What is that a vegetarian mermaid?" I asked, curious about the new term.

"Well, it's someone who refuses to eat fish or other marine creatures."

"Then yes I'm a kelp-eater, although I don't like kelp either, but whatever." I laughed. "Anyways, I'm gonna take a nap and wait for you here, k?"

"Yes, I need to get swimming. Seeya at ten to midnight." I nodded and curled up in my bed, trying to calm my speeding heart rate. I was so nervous and anxious about all this. Johan would be here with his forces and tear this place up. I felt like a kid waiting for Christmas morning to come. True to her word, Milora was there at exactly ten to midnight. "All set?" The Queen smirked and nodded as she held onto a couple pieces of kelp and shell-cuffs. "What's that for?"

"Oh you'll see, just follow my lead." She swirled the kelp in the water. The door swung open and an anxious-eyed merman swam in with a dominant stance. Little did he know who was going to be dominant tonight. We both looked at the Prince and hid the cuffs and kelp behind our backs, both smiling mischievously. He smiled back, curious and excited. Milora and I approached him and wrapped ourselves around him again. The Queen moved behind him and began to tie the kelp around his eyes. He didn't resist one bit. Milora got next to his ear and whispered: "You'll never get a better night than this. We have quite a surprise for you, Milord." He sucked in some water and blew it out, shivering with pleasure. I whispered in his other ear:

"Let us lead you to a secret hideaway where all your dreams will become reality." I took his hand and Milora his other hand; we took him towards the opening of the tunnel that led to the Secret Garden. The tension that was around all of us was intense. I began to get worried that he would figure us out. We stopped at the entrance and the stone rolled. The glow of the garden was dim, not nearly as bright as when we went in before. I had a feeling it was because of Malzor being taken into the garden. Milora had said only those true of heart would make it glow. Milora took the cuffs and hooked them around one of the coral benches and then to Malzor's wrists. He couldn't escape even if he wanted to. And he didn't want to at the moment. His control of his sexual arousal diminished as he sat there hanging out, hard and ready for whatever we had in store. The Queen and I looked at each other with disgust of this merman clear on our faces.

"My Queens what will you have of me?" Milora began to kiss his neck and then lick up to his ear. "Mmm....." He moaned.

"Only what you deserve." She replied coldly. The glow in the garden grew brighter and the Queen raised her hands up, as if summoning something within it. A loud rustle of fins shuffled out of the foliage. I looked around to see at least fifty scorpion fish floating around the Queen. I shrunk back in fear. Scorpion fish had gotten their name for their potent venom in their fins. I began to wonder if Milora had the same thing because she had the same type of fins on her tail. She took the blindfold of kelp off of his face. He was smiling with excitement, until he saw the scorpion fish. Then, reality set in. He realized in the matter of seconds what his two Queens had in store for him. He pulled on the shell-cuffs.

"How dare you! You bitch!"

"Shut up you bastard! You have put me through hell! It is high time you get what you truly deserve. I will never be your Queen! I am your brother's-"

"My brother is a worthless leader. I am the true leader here!"

"Ummm, a leader who's tied up at the moment. And let me just let you know what's going on right now, while your Kingdom's leader is indisposed." I tapped his nose. He shook his head in anger. Fire lit in his eyes. A boom sounded outside of the garden. The invasion had started. I smiled with a wild grin. He looked startled for a second, but remained calm and collected. "Prince Johan is moving his forces into your Kingdom and without you leading your troops and trying to stop him...hmmm I wonder what will happen?"

"I knew you were trouble. I knew I shouldn't have trusted either one of you."

"Yup, instead you let your dick control the trust, huh? Smart."

"Shut up! You conniving sea serpent!" He spat at me. The scorpion fish started to surround the Prince, nearly touching him. Malzor remained still.

"I will have them kill you, Malzor. I have an affinity with these pretties." Milora commented as she stroked one of the fish, "You know with that many scorpion fish and their venom, you'll die. They have specific orders from me to kill you if so try to escape." I could tell he was surprised from this situation he got himself into; I could also see the wheels turning in his mind. He was thinking of ways to get out of here. "Shall we?" Milora looked over at me and smiled. "Ready to go see Johan?" I sighed with happiness.

"Yes, I am. Are you ready to be with your man?" She looked like she was about to cry, but she straightened up and nodded. "You will die here. Have fun in the dark with these guys. Sleep with the fishes, Malzor." We headed towards the entrance.

"Wait!" He screamed as the garden's glow got darker and darker.

"This is kinda poetic, isn't it Milora?" I smiled.

"What like ironic?"

"Something like that." I laughed. I had never left someone alone to die. It kinda pained me to see fear on the merman's face, but I quickly remembered what he had done. This punishment was tame compared to what he had done to others. He deserved this; I continued to repeat to myself. We left and shut the heavy stone behind us. Then we left the palace quickly. Everyone was scrambling to either get out or find shelter from the constant quakes of the palace. Malzor's men had fled like the cowards we knew they would be without a leader. The Queen told all of the servants to hide the best they could, to remain at the castle if possible. I followed her lead out into the dark and dismal kingdom. I could see outlines and shadows of creatures colliding. The red glow fish and the pastel glow fish were merged together on the battle scene, illuminating the place. Most of the fighting had stopped; the bandits and evil doers were giving up because of the futility of it. Massive shapes loomed above us and jellyfish were tangling up bodies of Malzor's men in their grasp. Dolphins rammed and attacked the few that were still fighting. Then out of the sand that was being stirred up, came a warrior with armor on that covered his chest and a golden spiked helmet adorned his head. He was holding a bright golden sword in one hand a shield in the other. It was a sight to behold. The muscles in his arms were pulled taunt, ready to move in a second. I knew who it was under that armor. I floated there as Milora tried to get me to move.

"Hey, Neiren? Come on! We need to help free all the prisoners." She pulled on my arm. I floated there firm.

"Wait Milora." She stopped as my knight in shining armor approached us. He dropped his sword and shield and threw his helmet off. Those aqua blue eyes pierced into my soul and I knew everything would be okay. The sounds of war faded into the background as I rushed him, arms wide open. I heard a faint scream from the Queen from behind me, but I paid no attention. Johan's face changed quickly from one of happiness to one of misery as I felt a sharp stab of pain shoot from the center of my back. I turned around abruptly to find myself staring straight into my attacker's fire-lit eyes. When I turned the spear pulled out and I crumpled to the ocean floor in pain, my blood mingling with the water surrounding me. I was awake long enough to feel strong arms surround me. I closed my eyes only to open them again when a bright golden light entered the area. King Versailles sat atop a shell carriage covered in gold, led by dolphins. Wherever he moved the Kingdom's dinginess of black exterior melted away into gold. I squinted from the brightness of it. The pain was overwhelming, but I wanted to see more. Johan kept telling me to stay awake anyways, so, I tried and was rewarded when I saw Tarin go after his brother in a rage so fierce it was frightening. The gold light pierced into his brother and Malzor vanished in an eruption of black bubbles. I saw dozens of merfolk all around this spectacle, but I couldn't stay awake any longer. The pain was intense and just unbearable. I closed my eyes and let the darkness take me under.

I blinked my eyes open into a softly lit room. Someone was beside me in my bed, holding my hand tightly. It was Johan, waiting patiently for me to wake up. I took his hand and kissed it gently. His eyes fluttered open and he smiled at me. "Good, you're awake. He leaned over and kissed my lips." It felt so good to be with him at last.

"How long was I out?"

"Well, we gave you some medicine that would knock you out so you would heal quicker. You were out about four days."

"What? Four days?" I jumped up, forgetting why I was laid up in bed. My back burned and itched, but that meant it was healing. "Oooh I shouldn't do that, should I?" Johan got a little worried, but then laughed quietly at me. "Hey, no making fun of someone who saved your butt, er....tail. Although, he was aiming for me now that I think about it. I tricked him good." I smirked, thinking about how Milora and I played him. Milora! "Hey, how are the King and Queen? Was he thrilled?"

"They're fine." Johan said. "The King was very happy. Needless to say we are all overjoyed with her presence. Having our Queen to match up with her King is a wonderful thing. They are very kind leaders." I sat up and looked around the room. This wasn't the cove, so it had to be the palace. I got out of bed and stretched as far as I could without hurting myself, which wasn't that much. I went over to the bright window. I peered out, my hand shielding my eyes for a few seconds while they adjusted. I gaped at the beauty of Cayo Kingdom. It was The Golden City. It glittered and shined at the bottom of the sea, like the sun pierced through the depths of the waves and only fell here. Merfolk swam about happily. Dolphins, manta rays, fish, and turtles were all at peace swimming around and in and out of the passage ways and towers. A few buildings were being rebuilt, but for the most part the invasion didn't harm the city. Johan came up from behind me and wrapped his arms loosely around my waist. I rested my head on his shoulder and sighed with contentment.

"It's beautiful. I never imagined such a fantastic place."

"It's all because of you that this happened. Our prophesy became a reality in our biggest time of need and you came to me when I needed someone the most." He held me tightly against his chest. I started to weep in happiness. "What's wrong, Neiren?"

"Oh nothing. I'm just happy." He looked into my eyes and smiled lovingly.

"I love you, Neiren." And with that he kissed me long and passionately. I closed my eyes and enveloped myself into that kiss. When we broke the kiss, I was looking into the same aqua eyes of my lover, but I was dry and he was wearing glasses. "It's good to see you too, honey." He laughed. I was in my hospital scrubs and he was decked out in his security guard uniform. "How was work?" I blinked a couple times to clear my head of the weird dream I must have had. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just, oh nevermind." He looked a little worried, but shrugged.

"Ok, let's go home. I think there's some steak and potatoes calling my name." I smiled and grabbed his hand as we headed to our car.