Page 141 of Sea's Secret
“Her curse is broken?”
“In the process–like I said, she will be well and is being looked after. Someday, you will discover how you helped her, but for now, I cannot say more.”
“I am glad she will be well–” Dominick began.
“Of course, sometimes, humans do foolish things and mess up the course of things,” the hooded Ancient Theodore said.
“True–but I have hope for the humans of this generation. As you know, curses are breaking. Draken is slowly being stopped,” Ancient Ora smiled. “I have to go, but I wish you well.” Then with a snap, and shimmering blue smoke, Ora was gone.
“I am Ancient Teddy, and by the way, Ora likes to call me Theodore–rather endearing, really, calling me by my full name. At first, I hated it because, well, you would have to meet my father, and then you would understand. It truly is a pity that I was named after him. Wretched man.”
“So is everything alright? I am truly free of my curse?” Dominick asked. “And Meria, we are going to be speaking about what you did.”
“For the hundredth time, you told me to not just do as you say. So I made my own choice, which is mine to make, correct?” I asked.
“Well, yes, but–” he began.
“What, do you not like me without my tail?” I asked.
“Of course, I like you without it, and with it–but I–”
I touched his face. “I am truly alright. This is what I want. Please, let me have what I want.”
“But you love the sea.”
“I love you, and what we will have together in the future, even more. So much more.”
“Can I still call you, my mermaid?” he asked with a wicked grin.
“I will always be ‘your mermaid,’ even without a tail.”
“My, that is sweet!”
We both turned to see Ancient Teddy was still there.
“You know, what I would truly worry about at the moment, if I were you, is Princess Briar, Dominick.”
“Why?” Dominick asked.
“You lost her brother. Do you not remember, Prince Stephan was on your ship?"
“Prince Stephan?” Dominick asked, confused.
“Oh, did you not know that Prince Stephan is The Grimm?” he asked, looking back and forth between us. I had no idea who this ‘Grimm’ was. “No? Well then, surprise!”
“Blast it all. We can send some ships to search for him,” Dominick said.
“I should go. Do not fret; The Grimm is still alive. ”
“Can you tell us anything about where he is?” I asked the Ancient.
“No,” he said with a smile.
“Helpful,” Dominick said under his breath. I poked his side, and he smiled, leaning down to kiss my cheek, then traveling to my lips.
“See you two later, and what Ora forgot to say, but usually does, is this–” he began as he spun around in a puff of silvery smoke. His words echoed around us:
“May you both live happily ever after.”