Chapter 8

Queen Marina POV

"This was supposed to be easy!" I squealed, knocking over a few items off the table, I was upset for many reasons, I didn't like this... I didn't like this at all,

"That sea slug Helena needs to leave!" I wailed, but seeing the fear in Nakida's eyes when she flinched, made me took a deep breath, she was terrified of me and that's the last thing I need,

"Oh, sweet Nakida, don't be afraid... Your queen is just tired," and I was tired, tired of everyone's sudden craze for that slimy half-blood,

"Sooner or later my queen," Nakida spoke, "The council, the prince... The human, they will know what we did,"

"Shut it," I mumbled, "Don’t speak on that unless I tell you to, do you understand?"

"Yes, my queen," she lowered her head, not meeting my gaze, I have always had the best interest for Meritopia, I knew what's best for our people, forced to make decisions even when the council doubted my plans, but I always pull through... Always will. But I was wrong this time, the plan I orchestrated so well, I played it a million times in my head, send my son away, take the girl to the council and have her stripped of our gift, our gift! send her back to the surface and get on with our lives, Nakida, and the prince would get married and I would be in total control even when I step down as Queen, but If I had known that the human had mermaid blood coursing through its veins, I would have snapped her neck with my bare hands. Her mother, Selene was nothing but a criticizing whale belly, who never liked me, not when the king took interest in me, not when I became the queen, not when I fought alongside her in a war that was meant to destroy us. I was the one who had to make a trade with the siren to save Meritopia, me! Probably that's the reason the sirens are taking our people again, maybe they found out Selene has a daughter,

"What do you want me to do... I will do it...whatever you need, I will do it,"

"This girl is going cause trouble, lots of trouble... more for me, than you,"

"But I was the one who..."

"Shh..." I dragged my fingers down her lips, "You are a loyal one, you honor your queen so well, that's how I know you deserve my son... the prince, not Helena,"

"But what if she isn't his mate, we don’t know anything as yet,"

"Don't we? " I mumbled, sliding my hand across the wall, creating a small opening,

Walking up next to me, Nakida shifted her eyes to me before staring back down at them in the garden, Triton and Helena.

"This proves nothing, I— I am sure he is just being nice, he will realize we are destined to be together... He has to," she blinked back the tears, trying to stay strong,

Stepping away, the void in the wall closed up, and I could hear Nakida's low sobs in the corner of the room, "Dry your tears," I poured the thick green fluid into one of two cocktail goblets, it was my favorite drink, seaweed shake,

"This affects me more than you,"

"How? You will still have your son and a beautiful council member as your daughter-in-law... his mate... His wife, and I-I would be left with nothing," she cried out.

But she was wrong. I have no interest in accepting Helena with open arms as a part of my family even if she is the Prince's mate. Her being here risks old secrets being dug up, and I couldn't let that happen, I will be dethroned because a silly little human decides to stick her nose where it doesn't belong, especially if she goes poking around her mother's disappearance. Selene vanished with my secrets, no doubt she is dead...and she will stay dead, and if Helena thinks she can come around and cause me trouble, she has a next guess coming, it would be tragic if what happened to Selene, happened to her only daughter too, disappearing without a trace, "From the first time I met you," I walked towards her, handing her a cup, "I liked you because you reminded me of me... The younger me, parts of me I wish I would have back,"

Staring at me with wide eyes, her lips parted, stunned by what I said but it's true, Nakida hunger for legacy, is what drives her... What drove me, and that why I need her, she is the last key for my plan to work,

"I— my queen, I don't know what you mean, I—"

"It means..." I tucked a loose curl behind her ear, "it means, I know you are right for the prince... I know you will be good to him," I glide my palms over the wall again,

I watched as green in Nakida's eyes flashed from green to black, it was dancing with passion for the prince but at the same time she was angry, an accessory she has, and I love that about her, which will soon be mine...

"Look at her Nakida," I whispered, "She doesn't fit to be his wife..."

"But you are." I cupped her cheeks. "Imagine standing by Triton's side when he becomes king. Your children will inherit his success, and I, your beloved mother-in-law, will be there to help you, guide you to become the best version of yourself." I lied through my teeth. I wasn't going to help her become queen, not when I can become her... or anybody I want to become.

"I want what best for Triton... I mean, Prince Triton..."

"And you believe that's Helena?" I turned away from her, bring the drink to my lips, gulping down the delight,

"I mean if you want to go back to your life before me, you can Nakida... I am not holding you a prisoner to stay by my side... I just think that to reward you for your bravery in Meritopia and your dedication to the prince and myself, that's the least I can do... Grant you the wish you keep dreaming of,"

"I love your son my queen, I do... But I can't force him to love me, I—"

"And you won't..." I cut her off, Nakida was the kind of person that needs a word of encouragement from time to time, and I have gotten so used to her low self-esteem episodes, I know what I need to do, what I need to tell her, "But just imagine becoming the Queen of Meritopia,"

"The Queen?"

"Yes," I reached up for my tiara, slowly removing it from my head, lying flat on top of hers,

"Isn't that what you want, the prince, the crown, power?"

"Queen Marina, I — don't know,"

"Look at them Nakida," I grip my fingers around her chin, shifting her gaze back to the opened window, staring down at my son and that foolish girl,

"Do you remember when he uses to look at you like that?"

"Ye— yes he... I loved when he looked at me like that, the exact way he is looking at her now,"

"Right. And when did it stop?"

"With her," she mumbled, her eyebrows pushed close together,

"Then you need to take him back... Take back what yours,"

"Yes— I will, what do you want me to do?"

Now that's my girl, I thought, welcome back Nakida.

"We need to get rid of her... For good," I mumbled, staring down at them watching the hole in the wall as the stones regroup, and just as the last stone came into place, we locked eyes, Helena.