are so wonderful. Will you not eat, Dammy?”
Syd and Syndin join us. “You will have far greater delicacies at your ceremony, will you not?” Syd says.
Syndin nods. “I cannot wait! And we will celebrate in the palace!”
I do not want to remain here. I wish to go home, but I do not want to cause Neren and Pelina any pain. And I promised Mother and Father I would keep a careful eye on the little ones. They attended the ceremony for a short while before Father was needed at the palace and Mother left to visit some of the elderly Sapphires who have lost mates. She had previously committed her time to them and did not wish to cancel, for they spend their moons mostly in solitude and her visits brighten their days.
“Dammy!” Zarya shoves the crab into my hand. “Why do you not respond to us?”
“Forgive me.” I force a smile onto my lips.
For the sake of Neren, Pelina, and the fry, I will attempt to enjoy myself. But deep within me, there is fear and gloom.
Chapter Ten
A Violet Guard and his shark escort me to Eteria. A few days have passed since the mating ceremony of Neren and Pelina, and I have not rested peacefully since then. The manner in which they gazed at each other. The manner in which they declared themselves to each other for all eternity…
They are mated. They are bonded. They will remain together for all eternity. The love between them is so profound I am certain every single child of the sea felt it. And now as I am escorted to my future mate, my mind is again consumed with thoughts of our impending mating ceremony. It has been quite a few years since a member of the royal family has taken a mate, and since she is their sole fry, everyone will wish to witness it.
As I watched Neren and Pelina share their first meal as bonded mates, all I thought about was my human. How absurd it is for her to constantly invade my mind. I am certain her thoughts do not include me. I am sure she will not forget me, for I am a creature thought to not exist in her world, but I am certain she has forgotten me . She does not replay the events that occurred between us constantly in her mind. She does not reflect on the sensations she felt when her body was so close to mine. When my lips rested against hers.
I shake my head. No, I must put an end to these thoughts. I must.
Neren and Pelina have decided to take residence in the Violet clan. Neren does not wish to cause his mate any discomfort by having her live in a clan she is not accustomed to. I will miss him, but the Violet colony is not such a far distance from my colony. And I know he and I will not spend many hours together as we had done in the past, for now he is mated and must care for her above everything else.
“Sapphire,” the Violet Guard says.
I did not realize we have reached the palace. The Violet has entered while I remain out here. I gather my bearings and follow him inside. He leads me to the room were the king, queen, and princess sit on their thrones.
“I announce Damarian of the Sapphire clan,” the Violet says, bowing.
I bow as well.
“Thank you, Morteran,” King Palaemon says. “Please approach us, Damarian.”
I move closer to them and bow again.
“Welcome.” The queen smiles. “I trust your journey was well?”
“Yes, thank you.” My gaze moves to Princess Flora. She presents me with a small smile. I do not understand the manner in which she studies me. It is not in the same manner Pelina gazes upon Neren, or the manner in which Mother gazes upon Father. It is not a look of love.
“And you are well?” the king asks.
“Yes. Forgive me for my lack of…for not being present these past few days. I was merely…”
He waves his hand. “Do not fret. We understand.” He takes his mate’s hand. “Queen Lamara was quite tense before she took the throne.” He kisses the back of her hand. “But perhaps it is wise for you not to divulge this secret to the children of the sea.”
“Yes,” I say.
Syd and Syndin join us. “You will have far greater delicacies at your ceremony, will you not?” Syd says.
Syndin nods. “I cannot wait! And we will celebrate in the palace!”
I do not want to remain here. I wish to go home, but I do not want to cause Neren and Pelina any pain. And I promised Mother and Father I would keep a careful eye on the little ones. They attended the ceremony for a short while before Father was needed at the palace and Mother left to visit some of the elderly Sapphires who have lost mates. She had previously committed her time to them and did not wish to cancel, for they spend their moons mostly in solitude and her visits brighten their days.
“Dammy!” Zarya shoves the crab into my hand. “Why do you not respond to us?”
“Forgive me.” I force a smile onto my lips.
For the sake of Neren, Pelina, and the fry, I will attempt to enjoy myself. But deep within me, there is fear and gloom.
Chapter Ten
A Violet Guard and his shark escort me to Eteria. A few days have passed since the mating ceremony of Neren and Pelina, and I have not rested peacefully since then. The manner in which they gazed at each other. The manner in which they declared themselves to each other for all eternity…
They are mated. They are bonded. They will remain together for all eternity. The love between them is so profound I am certain every single child of the sea felt it. And now as I am escorted to my future mate, my mind is again consumed with thoughts of our impending mating ceremony. It has been quite a few years since a member of the royal family has taken a mate, and since she is their sole fry, everyone will wish to witness it.
As I watched Neren and Pelina share their first meal as bonded mates, all I thought about was my human. How absurd it is for her to constantly invade my mind. I am certain her thoughts do not include me. I am sure she will not forget me, for I am a creature thought to not exist in her world, but I am certain she has forgotten me . She does not replay the events that occurred between us constantly in her mind. She does not reflect on the sensations she felt when her body was so close to mine. When my lips rested against hers.
I shake my head. No, I must put an end to these thoughts. I must.
Neren and Pelina have decided to take residence in the Violet clan. Neren does not wish to cause his mate any discomfort by having her live in a clan she is not accustomed to. I will miss him, but the Violet colony is not such a far distance from my colony. And I know he and I will not spend many hours together as we had done in the past, for now he is mated and must care for her above everything else.
“Sapphire,” the Violet Guard says.
I did not realize we have reached the palace. The Violet has entered while I remain out here. I gather my bearings and follow him inside. He leads me to the room were the king, queen, and princess sit on their thrones.
“I announce Damarian of the Sapphire clan,” the Violet says, bowing.
I bow as well.
“Thank you, Morteran,” King Palaemon says. “Please approach us, Damarian.”
I move closer to them and bow again.
“Welcome.” The queen smiles. “I trust your journey was well?”
“Yes, thank you.” My gaze moves to Princess Flora. She presents me with a small smile. I do not understand the manner in which she studies me. It is not in the same manner Pelina gazes upon Neren, or the manner in which Mother gazes upon Father. It is not a look of love.
“And you are well?” the king asks.
“Yes. Forgive me for my lack of…for not being present these past few days. I was merely…”
He waves his hand. “Do not fret. We understand.” He takes his mate’s hand. “Queen Lamara was quite tense before she took the throne.” He kisses the back of her hand. “But perhaps it is wise for you not to divulge this secret to the children of the sea.”
“Yes,” I say.
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