Page 8 of Mermaid on Heels
“And what made you think like that?” Cedric looked up at him from his book and raised an eyebrow quizzically. He snapped the book closed and sat down on the trunk next to him.
Luke met his cousin’s questioning gaze and his lips tipped up at the corner slightly. “Do you really want me to answer that?”
Cedric spread his hands. “That’s why I asked.”
Luke fought the urge to roll his eyes and averted them to the sea, fixing them on the divine line where the sky and the sea supposedly kissed. “Becoming a king comes with a lot of responsibilities—”
“And you’re thinking that marrying someone who doesn’t believe in mythical creatures—that aren’ttrulymythical—would be a log in your path and would hold you back from being yourself or stop your fun or think your love for the sea is crazy? She will have to answer to me first.”
A laugh tore from Luke’s chest, but he stifled it into a chuckle and turned to his cousin. “What would I ever do without you, Ced?”
Cedric snorted in amusement. “Good thing you won’t have to find out, because I’m determined to bring you misery with my insufferable presence in your daily life.”
Luke put an arm around his cousin’s shoulders. “And that is why I call you my brother,” he repeated, like every other time Cedric made his brotherly intentions clear through his wits, and this wouldn’t be the last time Luke said that.
“You’re nervous.” That wasn’t a question.
“I’m notready,” Luke corrected, avoiding his cousin’s scrutinizing gaze and fixing his eyes on the sea arch.
“For the coronation or picking your bride?”
“You know what.”
Cedric sighed. “Man, look,” he continued after getting Luke’s attention on him, “I know what you’re thinking, but don’t.”
“There’s nothing to lose inthinkingabout what you desire for.” Luke defended. As much as he knew his fantasies could end up deceiving and disappointing him, he found peace in them, while thinking about the reality drove him insane.
“And I say it’s time you let go of that desire and embrace the reality, your true fate.”
To hear his own fear coming as his cousin’s voice frustrated Luke. He didn’t want that fate. If giving up on your heart’s desire and forcing yourself to accept the opposite was what people called reality, Luke didn’t want that.
The Creator’s will, Luke, never fight it. You should pray it will be done, and trust me, it will only bring you good.
Recalling his father’s words from his deathbed six months ago damped Luke’s eyes. His father was a great man, a wonderful ruler, and a loving father. He was an amazing husband too, but that was until his mother died seven years after their marriage. Luke was only six then, but he never forgot her love and her ethereally beautiful face.
His father’s sister, Cedric’s mother Matilda, filled in the role as Luke’s mother as he grew up. His father dearly loved him and they shared a very special bond. Therefore, it left Luke lifeless when his father passed away six months ago, leaving his blessings and throne to him.
The people of Lectoria mourned over their beloved king for the last six months while Luke acted as king. Now, it was time he was crowned as one. The coronation was only two weeks away and he dreaded every bit of it—only because he must choose six candidates to pick his future queen from, at the ball that would follow on the next night of the coronation day. It was the Lectorian tradition if the heir to the throne didn’t have a bride before their crowning.
And Luke didn’t want just any bride. He wanted a mermaid bride, exactly why his cousin was telling him to let go of his desires and face reality. He hadn’t found one in the last five years since he began his search, and he was most definitely not going to find one now.
“Come on, cheer up, brother.” Cedric clapped him on the back, nearly pushing him off the trunk. “Look on the bright side. Our dear Princess of Garbia is a beauty to behold, you have to admit that.”
Luke snorted aloud, sarcastically. “So much for the bright side, thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Cedric hopped off the trunk. “Alright then, let’s go, I’m starving. I can smell the luncheon at the castle all the way from here.”
He sniffed the air.
“Wrong direction.” Luke pivoted his cousin towards their right by grabbing his shoulder. “Home is that way mate, you’re sniffing the sea.”
They laughed and Luke hopped off the trunk, flexing his muscles. “I’m not going to give up on my hope, though.”
“I see you’re determined to give me dolphin nieces and nephews.”
Luke shoved at his witty cousin’s shoulder. “Let me get my mermaid first, and then we’ll think about your nieces and nephews.”
Cedric sighed and his face softened. “I don’t see what’s actually wrong with human girls, but I understand why you want a mermaid bride. Though in case you don’t get one and end up with a human instead, don’t let it bring you down. Do you promise me?”