one takes her hand and they swim away.
Father and I now float before each other. Although he no longer carries the furious look on his face, I know he is still quite disappointed with me.
“It was just a game, Father. Am I not allowed to play with my brothers and sister?”
“You are heir to the throne. You will acquire the crown shortly. It is not befitting for you to play such silly games. Kiander or Doria are better suited to play with the little ones.”
Yes, but they do not enjoy playing with the fry. I do not say this to Father, though. Instead, I ask, “When is shortly?”
He swims over and places his hands on my shoulders. “I understand your nerves, and the royal family has agreed to postpone the mating ceremony. But I do not wish to make them wait longer than a few days. Is it your wish that the children of the sea discover your fears? You will be seen as weak.”
Is it too terrible to admit that it does not concern me if they see me as weak?
“The princess will wish to spend time with you,” Father says. “Expect an invitation from her in the near future.”
Once again, my throat feels dry. I merely nod.
He pats my shoulder. “It will be all right. Do not fret. Come, I wish to see the overjoyed expression on Mother’s face when she sees the fish.”
He and I swim toward our home.
“What fish did you capture?” I ask.
“A species she had once tasted in her younger moons. I admit I do not know their name. Mother had mentioned to me quite a few times how she desired to eat it once again.” He smiles to me, something he does not do often when only in my presence. “You will understand the need to please your mate once you and the princess are bonded.”
Yes, but will I wish to please her out of love, or out of duty because she will be my mate?
Cassie’s face once again enters my mind. I shake my head to rid my mind, body, and soul of her.
***
Children of Sapphire and Violet clans are gathered in a large open area in the sea. In the center are Neren and Pelina, their hands clutching one another’s, their eyes gazing lovingly into the other. Pelina wears beautiful colored stones and plants in her hair. Their families stand on either side of them, each with large smiles on their faces.
Neren and Pelina seem to not pay attention to the beings surrounding them. It is as though the two of them are the only ones in here.
I tear my eyes away, for an ache has taken residence in my chest.
Zarya pushes her tail and propels her body upward so that she may see over all the tall heads. The twins follow her. This is the first mating ceremony they are attending. The mating ceremony of the princess— my ceremony—will be greatly different. It shall take place in the palace, and every single creature of the sea will be invited.
Anxiety passes over me.
Neren’s father raises his hand to silence everyone. Then he nods to his son. With a slightly nervous and exhilarated expression, Neren tightens his hold on Pelina and says, “I, Neren of the Sapphire clan, declare myself to you, Pelina of the Violet clan. For all eternity.”
Pelina’s smile widens. I do not believe I have ever seen anyone look as happy as she does now. She straightens her shoulders. “I, Pelina of the Violet clan, declare myself to you, Neren of the Sapphire clan. For all eternity.”
They wrap their tails around each other and float upward, far above everyone else. We all cheer and wish them many long moons filled with happiness and love.
Violet and Sapphire children of the sea swim in with large flat stones carrying sea creatures of many species and colors. My eyes catch sight of a cluster of small octopi.
Cassie Price’s face, yet again, enters my mind. I only spent a few hours with her, but so many things remind me of our time together. Will she forever reside inside me like this?
Zarya dashes to me, a small, unfamiliar crab in her hand. “I have never tasted such a lovely delicacy,” she says. “Mating ceremonies
Father and I now float before each other. Although he no longer carries the furious look on his face, I know he is still quite disappointed with me.
“It was just a game, Father. Am I not allowed to play with my brothers and sister?”
“You are heir to the throne. You will acquire the crown shortly. It is not befitting for you to play such silly games. Kiander or Doria are better suited to play with the little ones.”
Yes, but they do not enjoy playing with the fry. I do not say this to Father, though. Instead, I ask, “When is shortly?”
He swims over and places his hands on my shoulders. “I understand your nerves, and the royal family has agreed to postpone the mating ceremony. But I do not wish to make them wait longer than a few days. Is it your wish that the children of the sea discover your fears? You will be seen as weak.”
Is it too terrible to admit that it does not concern me if they see me as weak?
“The princess will wish to spend time with you,” Father says. “Expect an invitation from her in the near future.”
Once again, my throat feels dry. I merely nod.
He pats my shoulder. “It will be all right. Do not fret. Come, I wish to see the overjoyed expression on Mother’s face when she sees the fish.”
He and I swim toward our home.
“What fish did you capture?” I ask.
“A species she had once tasted in her younger moons. I admit I do not know their name. Mother had mentioned to me quite a few times how she desired to eat it once again.” He smiles to me, something he does not do often when only in my presence. “You will understand the need to please your mate once you and the princess are bonded.”
Yes, but will I wish to please her out of love, or out of duty because she will be my mate?
Cassie’s face once again enters my mind. I shake my head to rid my mind, body, and soul of her.
***
Children of Sapphire and Violet clans are gathered in a large open area in the sea. In the center are Neren and Pelina, their hands clutching one another’s, their eyes gazing lovingly into the other. Pelina wears beautiful colored stones and plants in her hair. Their families stand on either side of them, each with large smiles on their faces.
Neren and Pelina seem to not pay attention to the beings surrounding them. It is as though the two of them are the only ones in here.
I tear my eyes away, for an ache has taken residence in my chest.
Zarya pushes her tail and propels her body upward so that she may see over all the tall heads. The twins follow her. This is the first mating ceremony they are attending. The mating ceremony of the princess— my ceremony—will be greatly different. It shall take place in the palace, and every single creature of the sea will be invited.
Anxiety passes over me.
Neren’s father raises his hand to silence everyone. Then he nods to his son. With a slightly nervous and exhilarated expression, Neren tightens his hold on Pelina and says, “I, Neren of the Sapphire clan, declare myself to you, Pelina of the Violet clan. For all eternity.”
Pelina’s smile widens. I do not believe I have ever seen anyone look as happy as she does now. She straightens her shoulders. “I, Pelina of the Violet clan, declare myself to you, Neren of the Sapphire clan. For all eternity.”
They wrap their tails around each other and float upward, far above everyone else. We all cheer and wish them many long moons filled with happiness and love.
Violet and Sapphire children of the sea swim in with large flat stones carrying sea creatures of many species and colors. My eyes catch sight of a cluster of small octopi.
Cassie Price’s face, yet again, enters my mind. I only spent a few hours with her, but so many things remind me of our time together. Will she forever reside inside me like this?
Zarya dashes to me, a small, unfamiliar crab in her hand. “I have never tasted such a lovely delicacy,” she says. “Mating ceremonies
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