Chapter 12

Triton POV

"Triton," she whispered, "What's going on? I need to know what Queen Marina is talking about right now,"

Should come clean, tell her everything about the prophecy, my mate, Nakida... Everything? Not only did we build a beautiful friendship, but I felt something developing in my heart for here, something more,

"Lady Helena, can we go somewhere else to talk? I promise I will explain everything, but I think you need to sit down before you I break the news to you."

"What news? " she questioned. "Is this about my mother?"

"No... God, no... I wish I had to tell you about high council Selene, but I am sorry, I don't know anything either."

"Okay, then I don't need to sit down. Say whatever it is you wish to say."

"I— when you first came here, I thought you were my mate," I whispered staring at his confused face, she wasn't understanding a word I was saying,

"I— what are saying Triton, I don't understand,"

"Humans, they have husbands and wives, correct?"

"Yes, I don't see how that is important in this conversation," she glared at me,

"Well, it's like that... The oracle told me I would meet my mate in a moon pool, and I know I know we didn't meet in one but when I saw your necklace and what she told me..."

"What did she tell you? "

"That the one I am supposed to be with will wear the rarest ornament of the ocean..."

"My necklace..." She reached for the pendant, "That’s what you were saying,"

"Yeah, I thought you were my mate..."

"So let me get this straight, you thought that you and I were meant to be together because a witch told you so..."

"Well, when you put it like that..."

"So that's the only reason you are so nice to me?"

"No... No, that's not it, I—"

"And what Triton, you no longer want to be my friend? Is that it?"

"No, Helena... That's not it, you just need to calm down okay, it not what you think,"

"What I think," she chuckled, a laugh I was sure to be sarcastic,

"You want to know what I think?"

"No," I mumbled, swallowing hard, my gut was telling me I didn't want to know, "Helena I know you are upset," and she has every reason to be, I should have told her,

"I think you should go and fuck yourself, Triton," she hurried away,

Go fuck me? I didn't even know what that means, but I bet it was a human term used when they are upset,

"Helena wait—"

"Let her go, son, that girl has caused nothing but trouble,"

"Trouble?" I turned to face her, I was steaming from anger and I felt like I was going to explode,

"You wounded a member of the council... What is wrong with you?"

"She is no member yet, and the last time I check I was still queen. I did what I had to prevent my son from making a big mistake,"

"Mistake? Really? That's the one you're going with. You know, for a queen, one of your key factors is manipulation... Why? Huh, why?"

"You should be thanking me, I just saved your ass... Be grateful, at least..." She looked over her shoulders, "At least with Nakida by your side you will have an obedient wife, one that will listen to us— I mean... You, not question your authority,"

Staring at her I blinked a few times, I couldn't believe the words that came out of her mouth, who was this woman? Have I been blind for so long that I didn't even notice the sea monster she has evolved in,

"Who the hell are you?" I shook my head,

"I beg your pardon?"

"After father died, I— I thought it's just a phase. I hope this— obsessiveness of yours would fade, but it didn’t."

"You dare speak to your queen in such manner?"

"Queen?" I smirked, "You are not my queen,"

"You must marry Nakida..."

"I will—"

"And I am not up for a debate, so save your slick words,"

"Thank God you're only the Queen and not a high council, you don't tell me what to do, Helena is not my mate, but she is my friend, have a probably with that? Take up in a meeting, I am sure Helena will have a few kind words to say about you," I proceeded to walk away,

"You are not understanding," she called out,

"It wasn't a request, I am telling you to marry her, or they will know..." Her bitter words froze me in my tracks,

I didn’t say anything because I didn’t need to ask who will know... And what will they know,

"If you do this..." I whispered, "I will be cast out and there will be no heir to the throne,"

"True... You will be put to death my son, leaving your poor mate behind... And your dear friend Helena,"

Forcing my eyes shut, I didn’t say anything, I couldn't. For the first time in a long while, I couldn't defend myself, and what I did, I— it seemed right at the time, it did, I was just a boy, but I would do it all over again.

"You must find Nakida, I am sure she around the palace somewhere go... Apologize, make it right, I will resume with the planning of the nuptials, and the sacrifice," she mumbled, her heels clicked on marble floors, Saying nothing I marched away as well, I should have known that she wouldn't have let me off that easy, the only way out of this has gone through the door, without Helena being my mate, I was forever trapped in what is going to be a loveless union. But I did the crime, so I must serve the time, and I guess bonding with Nakida was better than death, but it will be a long life of unhappiness. With my hands tucked behind me, I began to wander around, I don't know where I was going but I was going somewhere... Anywhere but here. I was feeling a lot of things, mostly I felt guilt, I should have told her. But I wanted to be sure, and I can't be blamed for that, but still... We have grown so close and now she hates me... And I don't know how to fix it.

Taking a deep breath, I sat at the edge of the moon, thinking, did the oracle lie about me find my mate, or was she lying now? And to be frank, there is something about her that is different, but I just can't put my fingers on it. I will find out, though, I will. Why did I have such a connection with Helena? I have no idea, but I need to find out, and even if it means swimming to the bottom of the ocean and through the geysers, I will. Legend has it that the mirror of validity got lost down there so many years ago, I don't know how true that is though, because if a mermaid or merman did go down there, they never made it back to tell the tales. Closing my eyes, I sighed, but a certain flower-like fruity aroma began to tingle my nose, a familiar scent,

"I know you are here Nakida. Let's talk like adults... Stalking isn't your color," I teased, I missed us joking around like this,

"Don't be cocky," she mumbled beside me, leaping onto the moon pool's boulder, cruising the tip of her tail In the water,

"Planning on going back in?" I gazed into her green eyes, noticing how nice her wet green hair is, sticking to her face,

"No," she looked away, "Just enjoying the view,"

"You shouldn't be swimming at nights Nakida, not when the wild hunt is going on,"

"True, but you know me. I am a risktaker."

Chuckling lightly, I looked to the stars in our manufactured sky,

"You wouldn't even know they aren't real," I muttered, "The stars and the moon here... They almost look like the ones from the surface,"

"They are still beautiful though, aren't they?"

"Yeah... Yeah, they are but... It's not the same. When you have had the real deal, no counterfeit can make up for the feelings for genuine aspects,"

"Yeah, but not because they were made means it deserves less than what it gives. They compete against the real thing to fill empty voids but fail miserably, but still... They tried. I think... I think they should be appreciated."

Staring at her as she looks at the sky, my lips parted, I wasn't sure we were talking about real stars versus artificial ones anymore,

"Or maybe they should stop trying to compete and find their true purpose," I mumbled, inciting her to glance at me,

"They were made for one purpose Triton,"

Sighing, I looked away, "What happened Nakida... To us?"

"I don't know."

"I—" I stuttered, I didn’t want to do it, I didn’t want to betray my mate that was out there... Somewhere, but I had to, the queen has something over my head that no one must know... Ever, and now she uses it against me, like a puppet on a string,

"I want to apologize for my behavior recently... You know how I feel about bonding with my mate... Well, you were always there for me so... You know,"

"Yeah, that's okay... The past few weeks have been crazy, especially with Helena..." She froze,

"I am sorry... I know you wanted her to be—"

"I want to get married if you are still up to it," I cut her off, I was trying not to hear about Helena right now, I can't deal with what happened back there, "Yes... Yes, I— would love that."