Page 1 of Mermaid on Heels

Prologue

It was her eighteenth birthday.

As customary for the heir of a Tuna Kingdom, Princess Liriya sat on her throne, adorned in the special pearl necklace made for her that day, holding the ancient artifact in her right hand. Her father, King Magnanimous, had thrown a grand ball at their magnificent castle for the traditional event, and the entire kingdom had been invited.

It was from this day forward, that she would rise to act as the future queen and be given her first of duties. Socializing with her people was step number one.

Liriya smiled at a kind-looking, older mermaid who approached her from the line of well-wishers and blessed her, before curtseying and gliding away. One by one, each citizen she had never met before, male and female, swum forth with a bow or a curtsey and bestowed blessing upon her as custom.

Liriya couldn’t wait for the line to decrease. Today had been extremely long and she was exhausted. She just wanted to lie on her bed and close her eyes, slipping into slumber and waking up too late tomorrow. Her parents would definitely allow it.

As excited as she was to turn eighteen, Liriya had dreaded this day since the beginning of the year because of the traditional ball and thinking about greetingeverycitizen present. When she had told this to Papa, he simply told her that a ruler needed his or her people’s blessing and favor to begin with, and that her eighteenth birthday would simply be it.

Therefore, despite her exhaustion, Liriya sat straight, head high, and smiling her heart out—as Papa liked to call it.

A young merman glided forth next. He grabbed her left hand and kissed her knuckle before she could stop him politely as she did with a hundred other males before him. Liriya knew she was a winning prize in their eyes, from the way they looked at her, hoping they could charm their way into the crown princess’ heart and become the next king.

However, Princess Liriyalda of Pearltuna was hardlycharmedby mermen. Even those in Papa’s court, who tried to flirt with her or shower her with compliments, had failed throughout their attempts. Liriya even wondered that, when the time came where she would pick a husband, she would find anyone after her own heart.

Flashing a hideous smile at her that he probably thought was dazzling, the merman glided out of the line reluctantly. Approaching her next was a stunning mermaid slightly older than Liriya herself, with the lightest shade of blonde hair she had ever seen on anyone before, long and cascading around her waist. Her eyes were bright sapphire-blue as her magnificent tail—every Merfolk had their tail the same color as their eyes—and there was an exotic look about her.

Instead of curtsying like the rest, the blonde mermaid smirked.

“Greetings sister, you are sitting on my throne.”

Liriya blinked, taken aback, but kept her smile upright. “Hello, nice to meet you,” she greeted back with uncertainty.

“How lovely,” the blonde mermaid commented sarcastically, tossing her hair from her shoulder. “I wish I could say the same, but it isnotnice meeting you. I am Faelina by the way, your long lost older sister. And you are sitting on my throne.”

Liriya faked a chuckle and let her eyes sweep the spacious ballroom for her parents. She found them greeting their subjects across the room from her and spotted her younger sisters, Ellatora and Sessaletta, entertained by Liriya’s friend and royal guard, Abacus, opposite them.

“You sure are nice.” Liriya didn’t know how to respond to a joke jabbed at her and her throne, and the words escaped her lips half registered.

“You are not surprised,” Faelina pointed out, tilting her head in surprise. “So you have heard of me?”

Liriya was extremely confused now. “I am sorry but, am I supposed to know you?”

Faelina pursed her lips and shrugged. “I do not know… I just introduced myself and you happen to be deaf—Or… you are a future queen who happens to not be listening. Wow that is a great start, Liriya.”

Liriya was never addressed by her name other than by family and friends. Even Papa’s close friends at the court, whom she had known all her life and were well acquainted with, addressed her by onlyPrincess LiriyaorYour Highness. Not that Liriya minded being called by her name, she loved it, but something in the way this strange mermaid said it unsettled her.

Liriya supported her polite smile in spite of herself. “Would you mind waiting until after the well-wishing? I am sure the others behind you are waiting and we are delaying them.”

The malicious aura about the blonde mermaid placed Liriya on the edge. She stole a quick glance at her parents and saw them still invested with their subjects. The sight brought a ghost of a smile to her lips; she had always admired how humble her parents were to their people. Liriya still had a lot to learn from them.

The hum of a response from the blonde mermaid brought Liriya’s attention back to her. Faelina tapped her index finger under her chin, as though considering it for a moment, before she dropped her demeanor and her blue eyes turned cold.

“Well, I waited twenty years and Icouldwait a few more moments if I have to, but I have no such desire.”

“I have no lost sister.” Liriya’s patience thinned. “And I am the oldest daughter of my parents, there is no other. Now please—”

“Are you sure about it?” The corner of Faelina’s lips twitched into a malicious smirk. She continued before Liriya could respond, “Oh, by the way, I did not mean your parents, only ourfather.”

Liriya’s heart thundered inside her chest. This mermaid was surely out of her mind. She needed to alert her parents or the guards to take her away immediately.

As though reading her mind, Faelina continued, with a mocking laugh in her voice, “I am sure you are thinking I am crazy, but trust me sweetie, we are sisters by blood—halfblood. Now, I will be quick and easy and not ruin your special day. I did not come for your throne anyway, but I need the artifact you are holding. Just give it to me and I shall leave in peace and never interfere in your life again. Who knows, perhaps we can even create harmony between us!”

The malicious glint in the blonde mermaid’s sapphire eyes suggested anything but peace and harmony, despite the sweet mask she had suddenly conjured up.