The Mermaid That's Sweetest

31] A Red Lullaby

31] A Red Lullaby

I couldn't deny it. Eros' plan? Worked. Having the Darvs under my mate's command had stricken real fear and doubt into King Aegir. It caught Aegir so off guard, that he agreed to Eros' requirements for the abrupt treaty.

Out of all of the drama, however, I was glad for the most important thing. Peace. Temporary, but nice enough.

I leave the Ezili Castle, feeling too crowded in by a full house including the Darvs that clearly wanted to rip into my neck for having them end up as hostages to reckless creatures of the night sea.

But, I couldn't deal with their problems right now.

I needed some time to process. To rest.

I walk past the bay, I enter the Ruins and I shift into my tail, lying in the shallow rock pool, closing my eyes, resting on my stomach, my chin on my crossed arms as I doze on the edge of the rock shelf.

I hold the Orca teeth necklace in my hand lightly. Jewellery that felt like home. Power. Secrets. The power of the Rough, returns to my bones while I rest in the rock pool.

I relax, hoping Eros is also... how do I put it... I hope he is okay, with the fact that I tried to kill him. Yes, it was in a fit of rage. But, it worried me that Eros seemed to forgive me for attempted-murder so quickly after the fact.

Did I deserve that kind of forgiveness so quickly? Was it even real? I don't know.

I had truly tried to take my mate's life... and I had seen no real consequences to effect me directly... as of yet.

So far, Eros ended up calling me an equal at his side.

As King of the Ezili Clan, back in his home and his Ezili Castle, with his view of the cliffs, close access to the ocean and the island; Eros seemed happier. Perhaps he felt more settled.

It had never occurred to me, to put myself in his shoes from the beginning of his traumatic transition, from abandoned exiled young prince... to King.

Thrust out of his safety haven as a mere toddler, to be raised in the Deep. An orphan, surrounded by more orphans just as lost and confused as he. How tragic.

I guess that is why Eros was so independent, but sometimes cruel. I guess it wasn't just his nature. I myself, may have been an orphan but I had guaranteed access to food, teachers and some sense of freedom... even... a sense of belonging, at certain times.

I thought I'd miss being a nurse at the island hospital, with Doctor Iris at my side.

Instead, I didn't care.

At all.

Because I was becoming something I barely even understood.

And all I know right now, is that this kind of power and fate comes with one very important quality to survive; thick skin.

I had fucked Eros, then nearly murdered him the same day. I had saved the Darvs, and in weeks, had them change from freed Mermaids to caught as hostages. I had gone from insignificant, quiet girl, to a Queen of a Clan of violent, short tempered and mysterious Erebos. I watched Signet, Overseer of the Crest Clan, die in my arms. I had killed a Siren. I had learnt that I could control the Rough. I had met my mother.

Two fat tears of exasperation fall down my cheeks and I close my eyes, breathing quietly.

The most benefiting line of thought right now, was meditative strings of simplicity. The slow lapping water around my healing fins, my scales rippling across the sand every time I shift my tail. My wet hair soft against my breasts. My stomach full after I have eaten my fill of stored mussels.