Chapter 5

Triton POV

"What did you say," I stared at her as she stared at the painting of the high council, Selene, a woman who I cherished for her courage, and bravery, it's unfortunate what happened to her.

"That my mom, why is there a picture of my mother on your wall!" She wailed bursting into the tears,

Pulling her into a hug, I rested my chin on the top of her head, I could tell from the queen's glares she didn't approve, but if she could only feel what I am feeling. It's like I knew this girl my entire life, yet we have never met before, how could that be? I thought.

"What did you just say," a council member muttered, rising to their feet, it was Sarah, Elder Serene's closest friend,

"She says council Selene is her mother," my voice roared across the room, rubbing Helena back, as she sobs into my shoulders,

"And I believe her," I added "What proof do you have of this?" Elder Sarah questioned,

Pulling away, Helena’s puffy eyes met mine. I don't think it's the painting that has made her cry; it's all just bottled-up feelings that were due to be poured out, and I am glad I was here.

"This," she clung on to the pendant around her neck,

Letting it fall to her chest, my lips parted as she tried to unlatch it, I should help her, I should... But the symbol on her pendant, I reached for it, slipping my hand under the necklace, letting the pendant rest on the tip of my fingers. It's a golden starfish, that's carved into it, the rarest ornament of the ocean, and just like the oracle said, my mate, will be wearing it, was Helena my destined mate? Did this mean I can stop pretending to like Nakida more than a friend? Did this mean I didn't have to get married to her? What did it mean? I want to know.

Finally, she manages to unhook it, letting the jewelry fall into my hands,

"In there..." She spoke, "Is a picture of me and my mother, a woman that nurtured me, love me... Then one day she just disappears,"

Opening up the pendant, I stared at it for a while, then back at her,

"She is lying... This picture confirms that she is the daughter of Elder Selene and it's her birthright to the high seat... That her mother once sat In," I kept my gaze on her, listening to the whispers of the council. Taking her hand in mine, shades of blue flashed in her eyes,

"I have to ask you something—"

"What kind of trick is this," The Queen complained, "Selene... I mean Elder Selene had no daughter... And she is human... A half-blooded heir,"

"Silence!" Sarah's voice screeched, and I am sure all of Meritopia heard it too,

"As we all know Selene was good at keeping secrets, so this... This shouldn't be hard for us to believe. And Queen Marina might I add that you are queen because of this council, don't you dare think that because we are in the same room, makes our status in Meritopia the same,"

"As for you Helena, our long last heiress, stay here in Meritopia, become one of us, take your mother's place as high council," Sarah teleported from her seat and across from us, startling Helena, the sweats on her forehead were visible, and I could hear the pounding of heart, This all must be so overwhelming to her, she has been living a lie all her life, and the truth and secrets about her mother is gushing out so fast,

"With all due respect, head council Sarah, I think she needs a minute or two to gather her thoughts and process all this information,"

"You're right," she continued to approach us, "Helena must stay in our finest room, eat our most splendid delicacies..." She reached out for Helena's cheek,

"The color of a mermaid's eyes tells a lot... You miss your mother, confused about if any of this is real... And— you have hidden feelings for a special someone,"

A special someone? Did she already have a mate, a human boy? Her heart was already taken by another, then it can't be here... the one the oracle spoke about, I was wrong. Yanking my hand away, I blinked a few times, staring ahead of me. I could tell she was staring, probably the whole counsel was staring, but I didn't care... I was hurt.

"Prince Triton, the bravest young man from Meritopia, God of the Ocean," Elder Sarah continued, ambling towards me,

"You flatter me head council, But I must humbly decline those kind words. I am not the bravest from our kingdom, nor am I a God, it's just Triton... Prince Triton, born from a Queen's womb,"

"Your father would be proud," she patted my shoulder, "I am sure of it,"

"And what about my mother," Helena spoke, "She didn't just disappear did she?"

"When the time is right, you will know the story,"

"But I want to know, I— we... My father and I have been waiting for years,"

"Oh, Helena, I could tell you... But I am sure you want to hear it from me, my version or any other version might not be what you want to hear... But when the ocean speaks, you will listen,"

"I don't know what any of that means,"

"It means..." I spoke, "When you're ready, ask the ocean,"

Saying nothing further, head council Sarah stepped back, into a gust of smoke, teleporting back at her seat,

"So, what do we do?" The Queen spoke, I almost forgot that she is here,

"We just let her stay... In my— in our kingdom, our home, she is still human, a half breed,"

"It's not that you have much of a choice, Queen Marina, this girl is a half breed, yes... But a head council's blood is coursing through her veins, she might be the key to what's coming,"

"But—"

"The decision is already made Queen Marina. Helena stays, and she will keep her powers. She was born with them... It's up to us to figure what triggered it. You heard the girl, she grew with a fear of swimming, so why did the ocean call her?"

"I— I don't know,"

"Well, I guess now you have a project on your hands... This meeting has come to an end,"

Each of them disappeared in smoke, teleporting back to where they were before we called for this meeting.

Taking one final glare at Helena the Queen marched away, her eyes flickering from orange to red, why was she angry,

"I think your mother hates me,"

I shifted my gaze back to her, "She hates everyone," I took her hand, walking out the door, into the dim lights of the halls, "I don't want to be here either you know, my father... I know he must be worried,"

"I am sorry Helena, you should stay here for a few days, word is already around that a head council's daughter showed up at our door,"

"How did you... But the meeting just ended,"

"This Meritopia, word gets out fast, and— I heard them,"

"Heard them?"

"Yeah," I touched my ears, "Soon you will understand how to heighten your five sense,"

"Right. And I didn't show up at your doorstep, I was drag under and I woke up here,"

"Mmhmm. Interesting,"

"Interesting?"

"Yeah. If it was a siren, you would have been killed on spot... Probably before your transformation is completed, and for mermaids... And mermen... We are friendly but jealous, territorial,"

"I don't know what you mean,"

"It means Helena, if the one who took you here knew you were royalty, they would have killed you,"

"Oh, I see,"

"This is you," I stand in front of a door, "This is one of the finest rooms as requested madam," I taunted.

Giggling, she turned to face me, our faces were close not as close as I would want it,

"I guess this is me,"

"Yea... It is," I stepped back "I will see later,"

"You will," I mumbled, watching as the door opened before she could reach the doorknob, one of the advantages of having royalty blood, even the slabs now to our command,

"Bye," she mumbled one last time, closing the door softly behind her,

"Already drooling over the new girl," she spoke behind me, "Nakida," I whispered

"My prince,"

"What are you doing up here?"

"Had to see it for myself... Not every day Meritopia finds a missing royal,"

"Oh." I looked away unable to look her in the eye, for many nights my mother has shove Nakida into my arms, forcing me to marry a woman I only see as a friend, to distract me from finding my mate, and now it's a high possibility that we both are standing in front of her door, and the tension that thickens the air tells it all. We both knew that sooner or later this day would come, I tried to be kind to her, but I never truly courted her, all I ever did was tried to be her friend... Like before,

"I was thinking—"

"I can't marry you Nakida..." I cried out,

"I can't."