Page 125 of Sea's Secret

“Let's get back to the ship. I do not want the crew to start worrying about us.”

I reached for her hand, and she took it.

“Okay, let’s head back.” I picked Meria up into my arms. “Have I ever told you that your tail is the most beautiful color? It reminds me of the sea. It suits you so perfectly.”

“Truly?” she asked, and I could see the surprise in her eyes.

“Yes, is that so hard to believe?”

“In Marren, I was forced to wear dressings over my tail to hide the color.”

“What? Why?” I asked, pausing for a moment in my walking, baffled that anyone would make her do such a thing.

“I got this tail color from my mother; she was banished years ago, and so the tail color serves as a reminder of her banishment and shame. It is a rare color. I am the only one in our kingdom with this particular shade.”

“Meria, it is beautiful. That is awful that you were made to feel bad for it.”

“Yes, thank you. I do not believe my mother was a traitor. I believe, like me, she was only trying to save my people.”

“You are like her, then.”

“I am, and while that would have at one point been an insult, I do not think that anymore.”

“I will be proud to meet her, when I help you find her.”

“I know how to save my people, even without my mother, although I do wish to see her.”

“How?”

“We must rise,” she said. “Rise from the sea and embrace what we are. I always knew but was too afraid to voice it.”

“And what are you and your people?”

“Half human,” she said with a smile, pressing her cheek against my chest. I began to walk again, enjoying her in my arms. She was safe. No one could hurt her when I held her. It was silent for a time as we slowly wove our way back through the trees and onto the beach.

Had the star I pulled from the Mirror Sea worked already? I smiled, happily, but wondered what star and desire she had chosen. I hoped that with it, she would get exactly what she desired. She deserved to receive everything. As we walked to the boat, there was a woman standing there right near the shore. We froze as we reached her.

“Princess Meria, Prince Dominick,” she said with a nod. “I am Ancient Celia. I am here to tell you, Meria, that your mother has dwelt in Walden all these years. She lives a happy but rather simple life.”

“So, she is in Walden?” Meria gasped.

“Yes, and she has been waiting for her appointed time when she will come back to her people. No matter the fool your father is, your mother is strong in the ways of the Ancients. We have blessed her for her bravery all those years ago.”

“Can I see her?” Meria asked.

“She will come to you and to your people when she is needed most, as should all magical beings. The time is near when she will return to Marren. You will know her when you see her. Listen to your soul, Meria. It will not lead you astray; your soul is strong, a gift from the Creator to help save your people.”

“My mother is needed now, I need her,” Meria whispered, and it pained me to hear the sorrow and need in her voice.

“All I can say is that you will see her soon, young princess. She will be there for you in the very moment you need her most,” the Ancient said, looking from Meria to me. “Keep her safe, and do not be afraid to speak from your heart, young prince.”

With a snap of her fingers and a shimmer of glittering smoke, she was gone.

“That was not the star I took,” Meria said, lifting up her star and looking at it to be sure.

Did I tell her that I selected that star? My star reunites her with her mother and saves her people. I thought for a moment.

“Let’s get back to the ship,” I said, taking her hand in mine. She looked at me and nodded.