Ursula's Beginning

2. But there's something about her

It was midmorning when Ephram ushered Ursula into one of the main halls of the temple. It was a beautiful space. The floors and the walls, which curved seamlessly into ceiling, were covered in complex shell mosaics. She knew the king was being treated there, and access to the room was being tightly controlled. A series of screens had been erected around his bed, and Ursula was surprised when she slipped past them and saw the entire royal family gathered around Nepp's bedsisde, waiting for her.

Everyone but the sleeping king rose and straightened their shoulders when they saw her. What they saw was bewildering: someone so peculiar and beautiful that it was disorienting to look upon her. Ursula had pale purple skin, dark amethyst eyes, and thick black hair that flowed to the middle of her back. Her face had delicate feminine features but was somehow fierce, and when she smiled at them in greeting, they saw her pair of fanglike hindteeth.

There were too many curves to account for. There was the curve of her waist and bust, both generous. The rippling curls of her obsidian tentacles, the underside of which had innumerable round suction cups in all imaginable shades of purple. The endless waves of her hair. Ursula wore a simple, close-fitting top that matched her lower half so well it appeared to be an extension of that black, glistening skin.

Overlaying all of this was a profusion of sparkling chains, lockets, vials, and charms around her neck and both wrists. This jewelry was not simply vanity: almost everything held a potion or powder or tiny magical aid of some sort. In the hidden spirals of her conch earrings were engravings of her favorite incantations. Rings flipped open to reveal tiny mirrors. Charms held telescoping magnifying glasses. One item was purely sentimental: a long, skinny vial attached to a necklace containing a needle from her Aunt Melisande. The eye didn't know where to land first, and the royal family stood in silence for a moment, taking everything in while she surveyed them in return.

The matriarch spoke first. "I'm Queen Galataye," said the regal woman with alabaster skin. She was silvery pink from the waist down. Her brown hair was adorned with a crown of white and pink pearls, and her deep brown eyes were framed by dark lashes.

"This is my eldest son, Alphon," she said, motioning to an imposing figure with black hair, curious green eyes, and still darker green scales. He was large and muscular.

 "Charmed," he said, openly studying Ursula's body. She quickly gave up on making eye contact with him.

"My next eldest, Ganeon," Galataye continued.

 "Hello," he grinned. Ursula smiled back and Ganeon quickly looked away, seemingly nervous. He was the smallest of the three brothers, with a handsome angular face, brown hair, and coppery hazel eyes that matched his fins.

"And my youngest son, Triton," the queen announced. 

"I'm pleased to meet you," said Triton. His stunning face was warm and open, and his aquamarine eyes held Ursula's gaze. He had dark blonde hair and like his brothers, his eye color was repeated below the waist. As she took in his broad shoulders and chiseled arms, her heart rate increased.

"Likewise," Ursula replied. She was relieved to turn to the two pretty girls next to him. They appeared to be younger than herself.

"My twin daughters, Psamanthe and Halimede," Galataye concluded. 

They looked exactly alike, except that Psamanthe had her mother's dark brown eyes and Halimede had hazel ones like Ganeon. Both had glossy brown hair and full lips. They bowed their heads to her at the same time, and Ursula duplicated the motion.

"I'm honored to make your acquaintance, " Ursula said, sweeping her gaze across everyone's faces. "I'm going to do everything possible to help the king." She turned to him, ashen skin and gray hair standing in stark contrast to his beautiful family.

She hovered two elegant, heavily ringed hands a few inches above his forehead, then slowly proceeded along the length of his body. At times, she would stop and become very still for a beat, taking something in. She never touched him.

As she neared the end of his tail, the Queen spoke. "Do you know what's wrong with him?" she asked anxiously.

"I don't," Ursula replied. "I can tell his energy is very low. His life force is weak, just as the others told me. But I don't know why. I'm going to stay and observe him longer. And until he is better, you will be able to find me either here or in the temple library doing research for his recovery."

"Thank you," said the queen.

"It's my honor, Your Majesty," said Ursula. She watched the royal family file quietly out of the makeshift chamber and proceed through the large hall, towards the entrance. Her eyes tracked Triton until the inverted triangle of his broad shoulders and narrow waist passed out of sight. She registered an unfamiliar fluttering, a jumpiness, as if her heart couldn't find its rhythm. 

She turned back to the king and resumed her vigil.

                                                                         **************

Ursula spent the next day in the temple library poring over medical texts. She was deep into her research when a voice jolted her back to the room.

"You're right where you said you'd be," said Triton, looking pleased. He took a seat across the table from her.

"Of course I am," Ursula replied. She sounded much calmer than she felt. The jumpiness was back. He was unnervingly beautiful.

"How's your research proceeding?" he asked pleasantly.

"I found some interesting old practices for restoring energy in this text," she said, holding up a tattered book. "But I don't know how much we can do with it when we can't figure out the root of the problem. Your father's suffering can't be attributed to old age, and yet we aren't able to identify particular organs or systems that are failing. It's very frustrating."

"And frightening," Triton added softly. He looked down at his hands.

"Yes," said Ursula. "It must be, for all of you. I'm so sorry. Frankly, I'm terrified I won't be able to heal him."

Triton studied her face. "Why would you say that?" he asked.

"Because it's the truth," she answered. "No one is sure what's wrong with him. They've brought me in not because I'm the best diagnostician, but because they know how obsessive I can be when I want something."

"When you want something?" Triton echoed questioningly. Half a smile crept across his face.

"Yes. When I want to figure something out or make something happen, I'm rather tenacious." She smiled at him broadly.

"That makes me feel better," said Triton. He smiled in return. "Thank you for all you're doing."

"I'm happy to do it. This work is what I live for."

Triton gazed at her face for a long moment, then rose from his seat. "I'll leave you to it, then." Once again, she watched him go, studying his movements.

Ursula returned to her book, but saw none of the words before her. Triton had an effect on her that she had never experienced before. She replayed every detail of their exchange in her head. They had probably chatted a minute, but his face and voice and words merited so much relishing that it seemed much longer than that.