Page 124 of Mermaid on Heels

Liriya placed her hand against his chest, over his white suit, and admired how beautiful the ring made her hand look.

“I love it, Luke,” she breathed in awe.

“I knew you would.” Luke kissed the crown of her head. “Now, as impatient as I am to hear everything that happened, how your father is alive, and how you figured out how to bring down Faelina,” he uttered her name with a bitter edge, “I’m certain our guests are more impatient.”

Liriya suddenly remembered their surroundings. Her cheeks burned, and she cast a shy glance around them. She saw her family huddled together watching her and Luke with adoration in their eyes. Bianca and Kitty smiled at her, hugged by Gezer on either side. Aeira smirked and Cedric winked as she glanced at them; everyone was watching the two of them—except one person.

Prince Dyran.

Liriya frowned slightly; he was staring where the guards had dragged Faelina away, a faraway look in his eyes. He sighed and averted his gaze, immediately meeting Liriya’s eyes. Dyran offered his diplomatic smile, one that he gave her since their first encounter, with a brief nod.

He loved Faelina. Liriya was sure of it; but if she asked, he would only deny it.

Liriya took her eyes from him, landing directly on King Alton and Prince Mars. Her eyes widened; she had almost forgotten they were here.

“I would like to ask for your parents’ blessing before we restart the ceremony.”

“I have a wedding gift for you,” Liriya blurted out, her gaze snapping back to Luke from his uncle and cousin.

“Oh?” Luke cocked his head curiously.

“Yes, and it sort of presented itself—still, it is my wedding gift for you since I have a part in it.” Liriya stepped out of his hold and waved King Alton and Prince Mars over. When they approached, she turned to Luke with a big smile. “I want you to meet King Alton and Crown Prince Mars of Oceantuna.”

“Oceantuna?” Luke breathed in disbelief, staring at the two men in front of him.

King Alton nodded, his damp eyes smiling at Luke full of warmth. “You have her eyes.”

Luke froze.

“I am Atlana’s brother, your uncle.” King Alton revealed. “I am greatly saddened to hear of my sister’s demise, as well as your father’s. I had never thought this was possible, but I am beyond glad to meet you, dear Luke.” He gestured towards his son and said, “This is my oldest son, Crown Prince Mars, your cousin.”

Luke seemed to struggle to find his words. He opened and closed his mouth several times before finally saying, “I cannot believe…How?”

“Yourlittlemermaid here sent me the message about you through her father when he came by for the Dolphin’s Songflute. It is our artifact and they needed it to bring down the siren.” King Alton spared Liriya a smile, and her face burned. They had all heard their sweet talk.

At the mention of the flute, Liriya reached for it from her pocket and handed it to Prince Mars who stood nearest to her. “Thank you so much for everything.”

“Anything for our friends,” Prince Mars said as he accepted the artifact from her.

King Alton placed his hand on Luke’s shoulder, a whirlwind of emotions in his eyes. Luke didn’t hesitate to give him a hug.

“Mom had told me about you. She even told me on her deathbed that, if I ever met you, I should tell you that she never forgot you and loved you until her last breath. It seems that she believed we would meet one day.”

Liriya saw tears spill from King Alton’s eyes hearing about his sister. He pulled away from the hug and touched his fingers to his cheeks, looking confused. Luke saw this and stifled a silent chuckle.

“Am I leaking water?” King Alton asked, glancing at the wetness on his fingertips. “Is that normal or does it mean I have been out of water for too long?”

Liriya met Luke’s eyes and tried not to sputter a laugh. She had almost thought the same when she first cried. “No, it is normal. They are tears, because you were emotional—crying.”

King Alton wiped his tears away and offered Luke a smile. “Well, I must admit, becoming a human is the strangest thing that has ever happened to me.”

The guests sitting nearest heard him and threw him a strange look, as if thinking he was being crazy.

“I think we have a problem here, King Luke.” Cedric’s sarcastic voice came from behind Liriya.

“And I think, Lord Cedric,” Luke spoke, his mischievous tone matching Cedric’s as he took Liriya’s hand and drew her to him. “It is time Lectoria knows they were wrong about a certainmyth.”

His eyes shone down at her.

---