Page 5 of Sea's Secret

I rolled my eyes. “Planks are sturdy, and—”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

“We should go,” I said with a sigh.

“Mermaid things and maps! I’m ready.”

I’d learned about mermaids, first, from a book I found while at a port. It was a book of sea legends, and I began to wonder, to hope, that they could be real. And an island, which was invisible to all, unless brought to it by a magical being like a mermaid, that island would be a perfect place to hide my lost sister.

And if I ever found my sister, I could then get what I desired.

Revenge.

“Okay. Get yourself dressed, and we’ll be off. Do you think this will take more than an hour?” he asked.

“I hope not. I need to meet Veeto and The Grimm at the dock tonight.”

“Then, I’ll be quick in my thievery.”

“You always are, which is why I keep you around.”

“See, I knew there was a reason,” he said with a smirk and a chuckle.

I waved him off and walked to the dresser where I left my princely clothes. With a sigh, I began to take off the clothing I was wearing and donned a different costume, the one that was the biggest lie, and the one I resented most of all.

Prince Dominick of Walden.

Chapter Two

Meria

Isank to my bedroom floor in front of my mirrored, giant clam shell. I watched from the window of my bedroom as the nearest Marren light flickered off and on–again.

When will it go out completely? How much time do we have left?

Father had always assured us that an Ancient would someday come and cause the lights to burn brighter, but for over fifty years, no Ancient had visited us. The questions I wanted answered were: Why had they forgotten about us? Was it safe above the sea? Was the Traitor King Falcon and his followers still destroying everything? Those questions I had, I only let rattle around in my head, not within my melody that others could hear, because I was not allowed to wonder about such things. To sing them? That would be treasonous.

My father, the King of Marren, was strict with the rules that kept me, my family, and all the mer, safe. Sometimes, I thought I would explode, keeping all my feelings and thoughts inside, which was why I was so grateful for Finn, my cousin, who I could trust completely; yet, even so, I still did not share all my feelings and deep desires with him. He had concerns and worries of his own, as well as a rebellious heart, similar to mine. We could easily converse, and I enjoyed getting some of my fears and concerns off my chest from time to time.

Speaking of Finn? Where is he? I could really use him right now, I thought.

I looked at my rippling reflection. My long, white-blond hair with soft hues of pink floated around me. My eyes, a light blue, were empty of joy. I tried to ignore it, like I did my thoughts and feelings. I knew how to be a good daughter of Marren–and I was determined to do all in my power to be that–to be the opposite of what my mother had been. My soul’s melody was singing, but not loud enough to alert anyone of my unease.

As a Princess of Marren, it was required of me to never question how things were done. I needed to simply “be obedient.” My sisters were, and I could be, too. I would be. There was no place for my wild questions and imaginings.

As Father always told my sisters and me, “Silence any rebellion that rises inside of you. All is well. Silence, even when you are confused, is what the Ancients ask of us. To be silent and obey.”

Silently obey, I urged myself.

Eventually, these wild thoughts that hold me back from true obedience, will end. Perhaps, after today.

I did not often let my melody sing my words, and I only communicated in song when I needed to. I was afraid that if I openly let my melody sing like everyone else did, the wrong things would come out. So I became known as reserved and shy. So often, I had to battle within myself and against my own heart.

Silence, that was what the Ancients needed from me. No matter how difficult it was at times, I would still obey. I closed my eyes. You can do this, I sang to myself. I turned, hearing movement outside my room, along with Rina’s overly happy melody.

“Today, Meria! Edmar will ask to marry you, today!” Rina, my sister, sang, swimming into my room and placing her head on top of mine. I knew that, of course, and it was most likely the reason my heart was extra rebellious that morning.

It would be one of the happiest days of my life–the day Edmar would officially ask me to be his betrothed, although we both already knew it would happen. I’d known Edmar for my entire life. He was an outstanding mer. He was strong, brave, and loyal to Marren. He worked closely with my father, and it was no surprise to me when my father told me that he was the one chosen as my intended. I, being the youngest daughter in my family, had seen every single one of my sisters bond with their matches and begin their own families. I did not have the confidence, however, knowing my rebellious nature, to find a good match for myself, so I asked my father for help, years before.

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