Into the Deep Read online

  “I don’t have two years though.”

  Confusion clouds Mom’s features. “What are you talking about, sweetie.”

  “I’m a half breed. The change between mermaid and human can happen at will after I turn sixteen, but I have to choose before I turn seventeen.”

  “Sorry, I forgot.” Stavros runs a palm down his face. “Do you think you’ll have a decision once the year is out?”

  I nod. “It’s tough to explain. I’m fairly certain I’ll remain mer and do what it is you’re asking. What I’m afraid of is not living my life and being tied down to a title. Can you understand?”

  “Of course.” He cups my cheek and I burrow into it. “I ran off for a couple weeks when I found out, remember? Having a young queen will bring joy and fun to our people, especially once the danger is defeated. You can still live how you wish, only it’ll be in a different way. I’d never ask you to give up who you are. Being unique and not of this world is what makes you perfect for the job.”

  Another sobering realization pops in my head. “Say I accept, do I have to marry? I mean, what about Nerio? Can I do it on my own?”

  “We don’t do traditional marriages like you’re used to. It’s more complicated. But to answer your question, no, you don’t. You can rule for years on your own until choosing a mate. Personally, though, I believe having one will make you, and us, stronger.” His expression darkens. “As for Nerio, I respect him and feel he’s good for you. But it’s not up to us. He will have to decide what’s best for him, if the time comes. I agree, you’re too young for marriage, so try not to feel pressured. He will have to prove himself to the people of this kingdom, show them he is your equal. With Alexios ruling for now, it leaves an important position open. Have him assign Nerio to lead the guard.”

  I have no idea how Nerio will feel about that. It’s not the best conversation subject to bring up. We haven’t really had a chance to discuss our futures, not in any detail at least. Is he ambitious enough to agree to the life I am accepting?

  I’m terrified to find out.

  “Okay, I agree. Let’s give it a year, until my seventeenth birthday, for me to figure it out. If I do decide to accept, I won’t do it without being completely ready. I’ll do what I can in the time given. Nothing like a crash course in Mermaid Queen 101.”

  My parents laugh. Hearing their voices joined together gives me the illusion of peace, that the world is finally settling into normalcy.

  Only it isn’t. I just agreed to a future I’m not convinced I want.

  Epilogue

  Life is different in the palace without Stavros. It’s been a challenge to adapt and not catch a glimpse of his memory everywhere. A week has gone by, but everything has changed. The mer are mourning the loss of their king, but strong in their resolve to prepare for what is coming. It’s the first time I’ve seen them subdued, not flitting about as if there isn’t a care in the world. The events of that day proved how vulnerable the kingdom is.

  Alexios and I have formed a plan. Soon I’ll show the people what I’m capable of to give them hope. The secret is out, so if Calandra still has spies in the palace there’s nothing we can do. Giving our subjects a cause to rally behind takes precedence at this point.

  The only person I’ve really spoken to is Galina. Her calming wisdom soothes my frayed nerves. We rely on each other for support and to grieve the part of our lives that is missing. Xander’s also been extremely understanding, which I appreciate. Hurting him was never in the cards. I draw strength from both of them.

  The official ceremony regarding the future will be held in a week, announcing Alexios’s and my roles in it. So far there hasn’t been a lot of opposition. The mer are familiar with Alexios and they trust him. They also seem to regard me as a bright hope, exactly as I’d been told by my father and Galina, which is awkward.

  After another boring, and fruitless, meeting with various important families, I sneak out to meet Nerio. The walls of the palace are stifling and, at times, threaten to close in on me. Every day they press in a fraction more. I need freedom. Plus, we have to discuss how my decision will affect our growing bond. The worry and fretting is threatening to drive me bonkers.

  As I really stretch out and my tail muscles warm, the pall of the past week fades. All I am aware of is the motion of the currents, the rise and fall of the ocean. This new home of mine envelopes me and cradles me.

  I’m oblivious to everything else but the water rushing past me, lost in my own world, until I hear my name.

  “Zoey.”

  His voice warms my heart and I bury myself in his arms. I spend a few minutes lost in his kiss before pulling away and gathering my courage.

  “You look serious,” he says.

  “I’ve been hoping to talk to you, but it’s been a little hectic.” I play with the strap of his sword, afraid to gaze at him directly. “Have you considered what being with me entails?”

  He lifts my face so I can meet his gaze. “If you mean being incredibly happy, then yes, I have.”

  My heart sings but I continue, “That’s not what I mean. In a year I will be queen, or at the very least on the road to being queen. How do you feel about it?”

  For a while he’s quiet and I can’t gauge what’s going on inside him. I’ve spent so much time convincing myself that his mom’s warning about what would happen if I became queen was folly. I believe when the time comes, he will place being with me above his disdain for the position.

  When he finally speaks, his expression tightens and my fears are realized.

  “I won’t be your companion or consort. It’s not what I envision for myself. And I would hate holding you back, to have our people regard you as lesser because of who you love.” He sighs. “I’m not saying it won’t happen, but asking me to consider being king is the same as striving to predict the future. The idea of having to prove myself to skeptics disturbs me. It’s not how I want to live.”

  A lump clogs my airway and I can’t force my words past it. After clearing my throat, I push through the fluttering panic. “What does it mean for us? Are…are you saying goodbye?”

  I refrain from saying that I need him, that my confidence soars just having him in the room or that I’m beginning to realize I can’t do this on my own. It isn’t fair to him.

  “I’m not saying goodbye.” He cups my face. “But don’t ask me to promise something we both know I may not deliver. We can’t be certain what the future holds. I just want to enjoy today with you.”

  I nod, sick with the knowledge if we do live in the present and not worry about the future, I still can’t ignore the duty I chose as queen. How do I love him while fearing he can’t be mine in the end? Is it even worth it?

  “I understand,” I lie. “Do you mind if I have a few minutes? I just need some alone time. It’s been difficult to find any lately.”

  Regret pulses through his eyes, but he kisses my cheek and says, “Of course.”

  I watch him leave, unable to deny that, once again, everything has changed. My heart shatters, the pieces being dragged in his wake. Will the grief ever end? Moments ago I’d reveled in how deeply I loved the ocean, in being part of it, and treasured the anticipation of seeing Nerio. Now, I only feel lost.

  “Hello, Zoey.”

  The words startle me out of my reverie. The voice is familiar, but impossible. I turn only to be confronted with the sight Charlotte floating a few feet away.

  She’s a mermaid!

  And she’s magnificent. Her blonde hair flows over her shoulders and behind her in a rich, sunny cloud. She looks the same and, yet, so different…almost ethereal. I have to be hallucinating because not only is Charlotte not a mermaid, this version of her glows from within. A golden light surrounds her. If I had to explain it to someone, I’d say she’s too beautiful to behold.

  “Am I dreaming, Charlotte?” My question sounds so faint and unsure. I assume it’s one of Calandra’s tricks and tense to flee. A rushing sound bombards my ears as I scrambl
e to figure this vision out.

  Her face adapts a sad and apologetic mask. “I couldn’t tell you what I truly was.”

  Even her tone has changed. It’s musical.

  “What are you talking about? You can’t be real,” I squeak.

  “I am real, Zoey. And the girl you love is within me. You have to trust that.”

  All of a sudden, it isn’t quite so dreamy. Anxiety slams into me and I’m afraid of what I’m about to hear. Flashes of our childhood tumble through my mind. From kindergarten up until the week I left. We’d been as close as sisters. The creature floating in front of me, I don’t know. Yet, somehow, I do.

  “I’m confused. What is going on?”

  “I am a daughter of Poseidon.”

  Now I’ve absolutely got to be dreaming, or worse. I laugh at her, but it comes out as a dry croak.

  “What is it, a cult?”

  She smiles and I finally glimpse a trace of my Charlotte. “My father, Poseidon, sent me to earth in the form of a child. One who would grow and mature alongside you. I was your friend and your protection. He knew what you were and he gifted me with the task, confident you would reach your potential.”

  “Wait a minute. In the form of a child? How old are you really?”

  Leave it to me to concentrate on the most obscure tidbit and not the fact I’ve been watched by the daughter of a Greek god my entire life.

  “I’m old.” She lifts a shoulder in a shrug. “But my age is not important. You’re in danger. The kind of danger that will test you in ways you cannot imagine. My father wants his amulet and expects you to get it for him. Calandra won’t give it up easily because she’s close to discovering its true power.”

  “What do you mean?” my voice wavers.

  “The Sky Amulet has the power to destroy the world and every single living creature on it, including the mer and the gods.”

  My heart and my stomach plummet, sucking the air right out of me. The seriousness of this nearly impossible mission causes me to tremble, steals the words from my mouth. Just as I’ve begun to accept the fact I’ll be queen soon, this happens. Suddenly life as a royal doesn’t seem so terrible. Not compared to going on a scavenger hunt for one of the original Greek gods.

  About the Author

  Missy Fleming lives in beautiful Bozeman, Montana where her love of being outdoors often conflicts with her love of writing. Luckily, winter makes it a little easier. Missy contributes to multiple writing sites and Happily Never After is her first published novel in the United States. She is blessedly single, dedicating her affections to travel, writing, reading, family and her six year old Bichon Frise, Jack.

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