by C C Morgen
My way of life has been secluded by the serene waters of the cove, and fish would come to visit me every now and again when my feet touched the sea. Even with the passing days, the island developed into a utopia, and no longer appeared like a prison. I never knew the woodland and the creatures had created beauty that could only describe it as heavenly when explored. This wondrous isle from corner to corner known as the Dark Queen's kingdom was indeed paradise.
Fairies and Pixies glistened in the night on the coastline of the cove. I would stroll out of my hut and watch them dance in the dark with the glowing, lustrous colors of the rainbow. At the appropriate occasion, I listened to them sing. However, their voices were too faint for me to understand what they were performing so joyfully in the midnight hour.
The water nymphs of the river danced under the full moon, bathing in the moonlight and swaying in the water to a ritual of welcoming the new moon. As the magical night revealed mystical wonders, I constantly wondered why rituals were so beautifully practiced where I had no rituals or traditions as an Oceanic Nymph. One can only confess, my kind had no customs to practice in the occurring changes. We supported the creatures of the ocean for them to flourish through the ages.
We helped protect rare species of all ocean kinds and take them into our care. The Gods left behind some extraordinary creatures by the old world such as the Kraken which was a colossal giant squid that resided in the deepest, darkest trenches below the sea. Its children were half its size and managed to sink ships and bring the sailors down to their mother to feed on. However, my family kept them secluded to one area of the ocean to prevent them from swimming to where they could potentially be hunted.
We collected rare species of sharks too that were as big as grown palm trees. Their mouths wide enough to swallow a small whale. I even discovered before I fled home, a rare giant fish with a cat-like face; its body even vaster than the rare sharks. It was the sole one of its kind, so I left him locked away in a remote bay on the other side of the world where it grew into a haven for species, nearing extinction. I’m assured they are being well-kept between my siblings. Unlike most in my family, I loved to bend water to create shapes of creatures I’ve seen in my lifetime. I craved to have an appropriate time with everybody by showing them beasts and sea creatures, splashing around in the air and I loved to devise myths for the Mermaids to enjoy and laugh during dark times.
Here on the island it’s much different from home, which was not all fun and games. I altered the current of the streams to help grow more life on parts of the terrain that had become barren. When rain hadn’t occurred in months, I would help carry the water to shower on the dry spots of the trees where the Fairies and Pixies took shelter in the forest. The trees rehydrated and produced flowers for the Pixies to camouflage in, and they could grow an abundance of food for the animals and themselves to survive.
All the creatures and Yuna had become my friends on the island and made it seem less lonesome. Although, there was something missing in the core of my soul. A flare that wasn’t there yet. I missed true connection of a companion worthy of my love.
Yuna visited me a few times a month for a brief moment, but those occasions were like a whiff of fresh air. I struggled to make the most by opening up to her about subjects that plagued my thoughts in the solitude. She was always encouraging and gave guidance about dealing with my hardships head-on, so I could recover my passion for existence once again. I would find love. My Elven friend was unquestionably as sensible as an owl with her compassionate nature and she was right. If I reside on this island forever, I’ll never discover the happiness I yearned for.
I had a lot on my mind being surrounded by sheer beauty. While living in the cove, I never grew tired of the oceans salty aroma, flowing in the breeze near the beach. Every morning, I laid out in the water just to reflect on my life. Most of the time, I used the peace to clear my mind. I lavished in the warmth of the sun, tanning my bare skin and the sounds became silent with my ears submerged under water. Just listening to the silence when there was no ocean life around made it peaceful to my racing thoughts. I felt the current shift from cold to warm and it relaxed my body as I floated on the surface like driftwood, letting myself go further into the sea.
Suddenly, within the silence, I heard Yuna calling out in my mind. I jolted upward and saw her standing on the beach in distress. I rushed back to the shore to see what was wrong, since she was panting and clasping her chest. Her face flushed pink and her skin appeared oilier than normal.
I grasped her arm to move it away from her chest. As my fingers touched her fair skin, I realized she was burning up and her heart was racing. She kept saying in my mind. “It hurts. The feeling won’t pass.” She didn't need to explain more, I already understood that she was in heat. I sent water into her body, which cooled her down. Then I remembered Wood Elves were extremely sensitive and their emotions are heightened when they are in a state of pleasure, so I dragged her into the water.
“You need to focus your mind on the water.” I wrapped my arms around her as her body shivered against mine. I placed my hand on her abdomen and sent more energy through her body to cool her down. Her heart regulated as it beat against my chest. “It will stop soon.”
Yuna gasped to get control over herself. “The smell.” She tried to tell me. “I couldn’t resist the smell of her pheromones.”
I listened to her words, wondering. “Just keep breathing and focusing on the water. What you were exposed to will be gone soon. The water is washing it away.” Her heartbeat became faint and her body relaxed in my arms. “Are you feeling more in control now?”
“Yes,” she tried to catch her breath. “I think I can handle myself now.” She stood to her feet, trying not to tip over from the passing waves. “Thank you. I feel much better.”
We walked back to my hut where she sat on my bed in her wet clothes, flushed from exhaustion.
“Sorry,” She apologized for wetting the blankets. “I’m normally not like this.”
“I can see,” I answered. “What made you react like this? Did your Queen grant asylum to a Succubus?”
Yuna’s eyes widen with shock and she kept silent.
“The only creature that can arouse a victim to this extent is an Incubus or a Succubus.” She shifted her eyes aside from mine. “I recognize the effects. Rapid pulse. Irregular oily skin. Excessive body heat. These are all symptoms of a Succubus pheromone.” She kept her silence under my suspicions that led me to conclude she fell victim to a Succubus. However, I didn’t understand the secrecy. “Well, if that was the situation, I thought your Queen didn’t harbor creatures from the Demon realm.”
“You can’t detect her, can you? You are not affected by pheromones and such smells.” Yuna responded. “Wood Elves can smell too well for our own good. Her smell is more obvious. But she is unaware, and she hasn’t matured yet. Even so, it took every ounce of energy to walk away and not go running back for more. The effects are strong.”
“A mature Succubus will cause problems in your Queen’s house. Why would she even take one in, knowing it will cause her trouble?”
“This one is special to her.” She answered vaguely. “If you can please do me a favor and null my senses, it would be an immense help. I have to be around her most of the time. So, I don’t want to end up losing my composure again and seduce that young girl.”
“Sure, I’ll help you,” I replied. “There is no way I would let you suffer like this. It must have been hard to resist the temptation but thank the ninth heavens you did. I want nothing to happen to you. A Succubus can kill its victims when they drain too much of the life force out of them. Not only that, I heard their scent can overwhelm a Wood creature like you. They easily fall prey to the smell just as the mundane. I still don’t understand what’s going on, but you will need to stay at a distance from her until I can have something made, to block the strong scent. Are the other girls doing ok?”
“They are not so affected by it yet, so they are fine for now,”
she answered.
“That’s a relief,” I huffed while trying to wipe Yuna’s face with a cloth. “They are lucky for now. Once the girl matures into a Succubus, it will be impossible to resist the temptation. They will lose their minds to the alluring pheromones. It’s fortunate for me I do not fall into such subjection.”
“You are fortunate.”
“It’s good, but it’s also bad, because I can’t sense them. They appear as ordinary beings. I never knew such creatures existed until I heard the stories of all the victims being seduced in the night and dying in the bliss. They all die in a state of ecstasy.”
Yuna giggled. “At least they were not sad when they went.”
“I guess you’re right,” I formed a devious grin. “Still, I can’t help but feel sad that all the victims will never live out their lives. Someone cuts it short based on the hunger of a creature. It must be hard on you to see another Demon again after for so long.”
“I’m not bothered by it,” she sighed. “The girl seems too innocent and helpless to be something as evil as the master I served. She shows no sign of evil within her. It makes me believe now that not all Demons have bad intentions. She is scared though and feels lonely since she arrived. The Mistress had the hound bring her here last full moon ago.”
“Sounds kind of familiar.” I was empathetic towards the girl she talked about. “She will learn to find her place on this island. It becomes less lonely when you see the beauty that exists here.”
“She will be training with Luna soon.” Yuna interrupted with agitation. “I don’t know what the beauty she will see after a day with her.”
“She hasn’t been in training yet?” I asked.
“She can’t for now,” she answered. “She’s still recovering from her injuries.”
“Well, you can bring her here.” I was curious why an injured girl wasn’t brought for healing. “What injuries did she suffer?”
“I’m sorry,” she apologized with her head bowed. “The Queen wants no one to see her for now. She is healing fine though.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, feeling like she was hiding something important about this girl. And why does the Queen not want anyone else to know about her?
“It was just a rough fall, nothing to be concerned over,” she answered vague yet again.
“I see, so she will remain in her condition until the Queen sees fit,” I had a tinge of rage in my speech.
“The Queen only wants the best for her right now,” she stated. “The girl is under my care until she’s well. I’ve made sure she is not in any severe pain. I understand after all these years, you still hate the Queen, but she will not harm this girl. She has been through so much. If only you knew what my mistress had to endure.”
“I don’t know the Queen or her secrets,” I answered. “I wish I did. Maybe I’d see her less than the cold, dark-hearted woman she is and more of someone worthy of my empathy.”
It’s not my place to talk about the Queen’s secrets and the sacrifices she had to make. But I promise you, she is good to the girl and everyone who serves under her. Someday, you'll understand that not everyone is what they seem. Someone’s judgement can cloud good intentions based on misleading information.”
“I understand," I responded with a calm tone. “I will try my best to see the Queen as you see her. Hopefully, the Succubus will become well again and not become so savagely beaten by Luna. I’m sure I’ll meet the girl, eventually.”
“Thank You,” she had a look of a relief when I didn’t pursue further.
“I will make a request to the mermaids to bring me a few things. I can make a charm for you to wear at all times, especially around the girl. But for now, just keep your distance and you should be fine.”
“Thank you so much,” she responded with appreciation. “This means a lot. I’ll pay you back one day for all of your help.”
“I will say it again,” I replied. “You don’t owe me anything. It’s my pleasure to help. Just make sure the girl is ok. Even though she’s a Demon, she deserves to be treated with care if she’s gravely injured. If her condition worsens or you see anything out of the ordinary… Any sign of illness bring her straight here or send for me. I assure you, when the object is done, I’ll have a Fairy send it right over.”
Yuna stood back onto her feet and wrapped her slender arms around me in a tight squeeze.
“You are a good friend.”
Then she left my hut to walk back to the Dark Queen’s castle, so I couldn't help but to sigh in relief when she was in the distance. The sensation of her in heat was like a rush so familiar I've forgotten what it felt like to be connected in a way where I can touch their soul and more. Unlike this... A Succubus. I'm curious about the new girl being a sex Demon. Oh, the ninth heavens, of all creatures to be brought to this island, it had to be a Succubus. I wondered what it would be like to encounter one. I’ve always known them to be irresistible, yet I’ve never met a demonic creature before. It might entice me to meet one. To touch a creature that has the ability to give pleasure beyond what my body can comprehend. What would it feel like to be touched by one? Why was I so curious about a girl I haven’t even met? Now for certain I wanted to meet this mysterious girl the Queen has kept in secrecy.
CHAPTER XVIII
Old Friends
IT HAD BEEN DAYS LATER SINCE I SENT WORD to my friends back home for their assistance. What I needed to acquire to help Yuna with her dilemma was in the collection of the Mermaids’ prized treasures. Mermaids were scavengers that collected many items from wrecked ships, and they traveled to various parts of the sea where many wouldn’t dare to wander for unique objects.
There was one particular treasure within their possession I required helping dull Yuna’s senses. The Mer-tribe that carried the specific item, I knew them well, so I sent word to an old childhood friend about two sunsets ago. It had been a long time since I delivered any messages by Dolphin, but I needed my devoted friend to help me gain the item from his family collection.
It had been days, and I awaited on the coastline of the cove at high noon, wandering in the scorched sand bare footed. The searing hot grains roasted the bottoms of my feet while I listened to the sound of the sea. I reveled in the warmth of the sunlight on my skin. The breeze swept through my hair, refreshing my body from the steam that rose from the ground.
Suddenly, the wind carried sounds of a sea creature, swimming into the confines of the cove. It was a familiar shout which turned out to be a male’s voice. Then I identified it as my old-time friend who had finally showed up.
A Merman appeared in the distance of the seashore and approached the shallow area near the beach. He paddled closer while his sapphire eyes captured mine. He differed from what I recalled. His chest had broadened and become slimmer, and his hair had become blonde and red like a fire that glimmered in the sunlight. His chin had sculpted out, which was a handsome, strong and desirable trait in the Mer community. He had a bunch of black tribal tattoos than I remembered that contrasted with his brownish skin. The designs had stretched across his rib cage and arms that appeared like a body armor on his skin.
My eyes seized his in excitement. “Manee!” I greeted him with delight. “I’ve missed you.” I enclosed my arms around him in a bear hug as our bodies collided with each other in the water; splashing the surface like children once again.
He gripped me thoroughly in his broad, slender arms. “Amphis.” Manee squeezed and boosted me in the air like I weighed nothing. “You look ravishing as ever, Ocean Goddess. How have you been all this time?”
He eventually dropped me from his powerful grip, and I could feel my lungs less constricted to exhale a response. “I’ve been well, Manatee.” I jabbed him in the arm enthusiastically. “Long time no see. When were you going to visit me?” I smacked him again. “I strictly remember you saying ‘Oh Ocean Goddess, I’ll visit you as soon as I can. I miss you. Love you,’ that kind of Merman blabber.”
“Oh my, the ninth heavens
... It has been the worst back home,” he affirmed with truthfulness. “That blunder-head of a Sea God has caused so much trouble, bothering everyone about you. I was too nervous to see you, assuming he would follow me just to find you. That God is determined. But he is nevertheless as handsome as ever.” He batted his eyes in a naughty thought.
“It’s ok.” I sympathized with him and his erotic thoughts towards Poseidon. “I understand that your mind can’t help, but to have dirty thoughts about that God who has taken away my life. But that’s ok… I still love you, anyway.”
“Praise you my dear Ocean Goddess. I love you too as well,” he countered with sarcasm by bowing his head like I was royalty. “I’ve missed you.”
“I do accept the reasons why you haven’t visited so long. But he literally can’t set foot here. This is Harpy territory, which is the reason why I’ve remained concealed from him for so long. No one is allowed on this island without acceptance from the Dark Queen.”
His mouth widens in a lively shock. “Oh my… Am I in trouble then?”
I snickered. “Well you are not on the island, silly Merman,” I played into his spirit. “Your tail is still in the water, so you’re not entirely on the isle. No harm, no foul.”
“Fantastic,” he reacted with a grin that melted my soul to look at his usual face.
“I’ve missed you so much. You have no idea how wonderful it is to see you after so long.”
“Well, my Ocean Goddess, I’ve missed you immensely,” He sobbed in depression. “When are you planning to come home? Your friends and family miss you.”
“Never,” I emitted a fierce tone from the fury erupting in my heart. “I can never come home. Not as long as he still wishes me to be his bride. I can’t escape here.”
“Ugh… I wish he would meet someone else to torment with his suave charm and rubbish,” he expressed. “He is a spike in my fin. It’s annoying as ever, and my trouble is he’s awfully damn gorgeous for me to loathe. But I condemn that he’s blocking you from us and your home. He certainly needs to find some new beautiful fair-haired creature as swiftly as possible, so he can forget about you.”
