She extended a hand to greet Esme. “It has been quite some time since someone blew into that shell!” the lady said.
Esme couldn’t help but stare at Sheba, this gracious goddess who had once roamed the seas.
“Yes. I was told that,” Esme replied.
Nixie had given Esme the shell because Nixie knew it was the only way to reach Sheba. Nixie knew Sheba would only respond to that shell’s call. Its sweet sound drew Sheba in, bringing her out of the depths of her watery prison to greet whoever would blow into it.
“Are you Sheba?”
The figure laughed, beaming a warm smile.
“Why, yes, I am!” Sheba said. “Not many of your kind come down here. You are certainly brave, my dear.”
She added that she had not seen a mermaid for a very long time. It was possibly centuries since she had caught a glimpse of one.
“You’ve risked a lot to come here. It can be deadly for your kind to come here,” Sheba said.
Nixie had warned Esme that the lagoon was a ghastly place. It had claimed the lives of many merfolk. But Nixie had said that if Esme needed counsel, Sheba was the right one to ask.
Despite Sheba’s regal appearance, she was no longer a ruler of the seas. She had gained much wisdom during her tenure in the deep and possessed great knowledge that a mermaid could only dream of attaining.
And Esme had questions she needed to answer once and for all. What had happened to her kingdom? What should she do about the mysterious Lazarus? Taking a few risks, even risking her own life by going to a land nobody dared to even speak of, seemed worth it if she could get the answers she needed.
“Yes. I was made aware of the risks,” Esme said.
Sheba studied Esme carefully. The young, blossoming mermaid would need to ready herself for the trials she would endure as she became a woman. Such a young soul should not have these heavy burdens forced upon her when she was still so young, Sheba thought.
“I see,” Sheba said. “Then tell me, dear child, why you are here?”
Esme swallowed a little. She had hoped for a little more time conversing before they got right to the point.
“My father ruled my destiny, but alas he has moved on to newer climates,” Esme said, hoping that Sheba would understand that by “newer climates” she was referencing his passing through death to the next life. “So that destiny no longer befalls me. But a mysterious merman whom I’ve just met has made me a promising offer. I am contemplating either accepting his offer, and possibly tumbling into darkness as I do so, or declining him and going into something that I do not desire with my true heart.”
Esme placed her hand on her glowing heart and felt the pressure within as it lit up from its core.
Sheba listened to Esme’s request and closed her eyes, allowing the gifts that she held inside to communicate with each to find the answers that Esme needed. Then her face lit up as a realization dawned. Her eyes popped open as her warm smile fell into a bleak frown.
Esme prepared herself for bad news.
Sheba’s lips parted, as if mechanically.
“Your destiny has not vanished! Do not believe the stories that you are told,” Sheba said. “The legacy of your father’s kingdom now rests on you.”
“But the kingdom is no more! The palace is deserted,” Esme blurted out, shocked. She felt a dull ache course down her throat. Something was choking her inside, willing her to let it out.
“That is the way it may seem, but you must not believe the illusions,” Sheba said. She sighed before she continued, “Not only is there the illusion, but you are fated to crush down a destructive curse that is lying in wake to catch you in its violent jaws.”
“A curse?” Esme asked.
“That is correct. This curse was initiated before you came to be in this world, eons before your birth, but a recent development has led to this curse’s power multiplying. A merwoman capable of many destructive elements is at the heart of it all,” Sheba said, purging out the information located in her mind’s eye, much more than she had originally intended to reveal.
Esme was puzzled. She had come to Sheba with two questions, and now questions circled her mind like sharks around their prey.
“I don’t understand. In fact, I don’t get any of this. This isn’t what I came here to ask!” Esme said, her fears now threatening to overtake her senses, and she struggled to hold back her tears.
Sheba bowed her head down, recognizing the mermaid’s frustration. She too was unable to comprehend this astounding revelation.
“I know, my child,” she said.
Sheba felt for the girl. She knew this news must be difficult to hear. This mortal child was still young and Sheba had placed a load of burdens on her shoulders, many which even she, a goddess, didn’t comprehend.
“I realize it is not easy for you to accept, but you mustn’t be distracted by this outside influence at this time. It will only deter you from what you are prophesied to do.”
Esme was caught by the warning not to be “distracted by this outside influence.” The words circled over and over in her mind, adding to the maelstrom that already existed between her and Lazarus.
Esme became stuck inside her web of thought. She had come here to seek counsel regarding Lazarus, but now it was clear that Sheba already had knowledge of Lazarus. He was the outside influence Sheba was referring to—it really couldn’t be describing anyone else in her life.
He was indeed a distraction. Just his touch had the ability to send wondrous waves of pleasure rippling through her soul, tearing out any thought that had been there before.
The thought of staring into those mysterious eyes filled with luminous yellows and warm browns seemed like an invitation into another world. A place that she could sink into with one leap and plummet into him.
Esme was hit by the impression that her time here was ending. She would soon have to make the journey back. She’d been lucky to have made it this far safely, and she really didn’t want to tempt fate by staying any longer.
“I know who you mean by outside influence. He’s attractive, but we’ve not had the time to get close yet,” Esme admitted.
Sheba smiled fondly at Esme. “I understand, dear, but ultimately it really is your choice. Decide whether you will be held by your mission or fall into chaos with his volatile mind.”
“It’s not that I want to abandon what I am supposed to do, but I have no idea where to start,” Esme said, “nor do I know the origination of this . . . message.”
“I cannot give you all the answers,” Sheba said.
“I understand,” Esme countered. “But to tell me my kingdom isn’t vanished when I saw it disappear . . . I’m shocked! Furthermore, you tell me that it’s up to me to rescue my kingdom from this ancient curse I’ve never heard of before.”
Sheba sympathized with Esme. She was such a young mermaid to be facing the battles headed her way. Revelations hit her from all sides, tearing down what she thought she knew. Sheba knew what that was like. Her own life had gone down a very similar path before when she had lost her mermaid body and become a goddess.
“It is your own job to go within and find all that you need,” she said. “The answer will come when you act from the heart, leaving behind the entrapment of the head and all it does to control you.”
Esme found this reply rather cryptic. She had no idea how she was going to destroy this curse, nevermind find it directly at its source. This was all too much to take in. Esme figured that it was best now that she kept the news of this curse to herself, and who would really believe her, anyway?
More importantly, how was she going to fight and destroy a curse when, until today, she didn’t even know it had existed?
This revelation was only the next step in Esme’s many challenges, but the real question was, what would she do with it? Because she had absolutely no idea.
9
Esme paced while Lazarus looked her up and down in amazement.
There was an energy in her that
nearly electrified the water around her.
He was puzzled. He knew she would be back in his domain in due time, but he hadn’t expected her to be anxiously awaiting some kind of doom.
He couldn’t work out what it was, but something was brewing in the very center of her mind. A vast, energized, penetrating force surged inside her, causing the waves of her mind to pitch and toss.
He wanted to embrace her. To unlock her hurting soul by pulling her into his arms. But he felt her resistance as she paced and didn’t utter a single word.
He sensed that she didn’t want his comfort, though. If he was honest with her and himself, that made him feel vulnerable, like he was on display and she was far, far away, encased in her own glass bubble protecting herself from the inhabitants of this universe.
“Are you going to talk? Say something to me. Please!” Lazarus said.
“Sorry, I seem to be a bit distracted.”
Lazarus felt distracted too. Those eyes of hers bespelled him as she remained deep in her thoughts. These thoughts he could not decipher even if he tried to. She was like Pandora’s box, dangerous yet enticing.
“I had noticed,” Lazarus ventured.
She looked so beautiful, so mesmerizing in his sight. Feeling the water warm between them, he moved closer, right in front of her.
Without warning, he pressed his body against hers, creating an electrifying surge between them. He kept her in place, not allowing her to move away, using his weight to keep her there.
His lips touched hers and his tongue slipped its way inside her mouth. Esme was unable to move or speak as she felt him near her sacred regions.
She pulled away to take a breath as the water around them swirled with heat. His energy transfixed her as she drank in his splendid body, her fingers gliding through his silver gray hair.S he laughed softly to herself as she felt the rush between them. Something strong propelled her forward, as if from her heart to his, and their hearts beat in sync.
He felt embarrassed. She could see it in his face as he lowered his voice and downturned head. Esme felt like she’d inserted a key into something that was banged up and rusted, and hadn’t been used for ages.
“I haven’t felt my heartbeat for a good few years,” he said, blushing.
Esme placed her dominant hand across his heart, holding her hand firmly as the beats got faster, almost kicking her palm off.
“It’s okay,” she whispered. “I’ve never felt someone’s heart before. This is new to me too.”
Now she felt embarrassed. Here she was, still so young. She had never allowed a merman to be near her nor had she felt the painful twinge of love. She felt naive, wondering if he would find it silly that she had never allowed herself to get close to another for fear of getting crushed.
Lazarus’s warm brown eyes smiled into her own before he enveloped her in his kiss again. He pulled away, letting her breathe as the sea’s current overwhelmed her, and she felt closer than ever to the edge.
It took her a second or two to compose herself. Malevolent waters seemed to surround her as Lazarus pulled her closer to him, drawing her near like a fisherman reeling in his catch.
She was his now. There was going to be no swimming away. She was going to stay right with him! He would see to that.
“There are so many new aspects of life you are going to experience with me! New will soon seem like an old friend,” he murmured.
Esme closed her eyes as Lazarus caressed her chest with his little finger, vigorously massaging the skin beneath. Esme grew woozy with excitement. The sensual vibrations of his touch swam across her body in surges. She yearned for him consume her fully, and to never let her go.
10
Nixie peered into the sphere that lay in front of her on the elegant seashell table. The dazzling globe radiated lines of light as it awaited her instruction.
The new widow no longer had anything she needed to prove—nor was she going to hide her old ways now.
Her marriage had kept Nixie’s truth dormant; she had hidden her true self from King Nereus and the world. Now that he was dead, the old Nixie was returning.
Her fingertips aligned across the sphere as she gazed into it.
Feeling a pull, Nixie kept both hands firmly stuck on the sides of the sphere. This energy was magnetic. Overpowering. She was stronger than the energy, though, and held on tightly.
Images began to appear in the ball like a mirage. It was hazy at first; the picture wasn’t resembling anything Nixie could recognize. But as she looked deeper, two figures appeared.
The figures were lovers. How sweet! Nixie thought. What a cute couple!
A soft waft of pink hair covered the mermaid’s face and drifted down to her bottom. Nixie would recognize that shimmery purple fishtail anywhere.
“Oh. It’s my little Esme!” Nixie gasped in delight.
Nixie studied the merman. A handsome man, his muscular arms held Esme as he looked upon her with jewel-like eyes. His scales glowed an emerald green, contrasting with the silver on his head.
“And her lover!” Nixie squealed.
The merman had brought Esme into his stronghold. She had gone to him after all!
What a sweet and endearing thought, Nixie chuckled to herself.
Nixie turned away from the glowing sphere in front of her and relaxed into her shell.
Wonderful, Nixie thought. Nothing will stop me from taking over the kingdom!
Nixie was keeping many secrets about the kingdom but there would be plenty of time for that to come out into the open. The time when she would reveal all would swiftly arrive. Then she would be strong in her power and Esme would be weak in hers.
Esme was the designated warrior, but she would not able to succeed in her task with this attractive man keeping her occupied. While she was busy being seduced by his allure, Esme wouldn’t even notice as the rest of the kingdom met its doom.
And so I will win, Nixie smiled to herself. I am a mighty sorceress and the world will fall before me!
11
A strong current pulsated as Esme lingered beyond Lazarus’s domain. She had snuck away from the merman unnoticed so she could be alone.
Esme felt like she was breaking every single rule as she had waited for Lazarus to fall asleep. It wouldn’t be long before he would be coming for her to take her back into his domain as he was possessive of her. But for a few blessed moments, she sat and stared into fragments of nothing. The calm seafloor soothed her as she wondered what had become of the kingdom she used to roam.
Lazarus’s dwelling was located far below the water, hidden at the bottom of the ocean.
No greenery or bright, beautiful coral could be found near his home. No flora could grow here, the soil having long lost the nutrients to sustain anything beyond a few musty weeds.
A large gray boulder guarded the entrance to Lazarus’s home. It had been lovingly placed there, holding the entrance secure.
Lazarus’s home was mainly dark in color, showing only gray, but in certain nooks in which shelves were hung, you could see the odd speckle of red. While his residence looked small, it boasted a wide, spacious environment in which he rested, ate, and played. Although as he was a solitary fellow, playing was not something he did much of.
Esme looked back at the foreboding gray manor and then turned her attention away. She was only moments away from his home, but she had found herself a nice quiet corner in a clearing with only mustard-yellow sand to occupy her sight.
She felt safe here as Lazarus would not be able to spot her easily. Esme knew he would find her in due time, so for now she was making the most of her solitude.
She had a perplexing task before her. Her kingdom was under a vicious curse, and according to fate, she was the one who would have to save them all.
But Esme didn’t want such a burden. She didn’t want to be responsible for every single life that swam and breathed in these seas.
She felt angry that she had been put in this position. Fear clawed at her like a
hungry demon. If she’d had the courage, she would have fought this monster head on, but instead she chose to retreat from her destiny.
By entering into this new state of mind, she was choosing to remain stagnant.
Still, some part of her knew that sooner or later, fate would awaken her sleeping mind and force her to face her destiny. The only question was when.
12
Nixie stared once again at her reflection, admiring all she was and soon would be. Esme had not sought out the crown and so Nixie was taking what was rightfully hers!
The crown fit perfectly on her head. Locks of glossy red hair peeked out from underneath it, elegantly framing her face.
She smiled to herself, knowing that an even more glamorous life awaited her once she became queen! Nobody would see this coming, especially not Esme. And even if she did, there was nothing the immature mermaid could do about it. The king was dead and so the throne was hers for the taking!
Although there was that small matter of the kingdom’s disappearance, Nixie would fix that in due time. She knew better than anyone that a little magic used in the right way could make all wrong things appear innocent and bright.
Esme could complain and fight against Nixie, but the addlepated teen did not have a chance. By the time Esme would find out about the succession, Nixie would already have been crowned.
Ruling a kingdom wasn’t easy, especially when you had destroyed it before you took it over. But Nixie would remedy that minor inconvenience soon.
Poor Esme. Such a silly girl! Soon she’d be giving up all that she held dear inside that good, pure heart!
By the time she realizes what I’ve done, Nixie thought, it will be too late, and then what? Oh, I know. Nothing! Oh, I cannot wait to see the look on her face when she sees all that I have gained!
Lazarus dashed out of his home. He’d just woken up from a deep sleep only to find that Esme was no longer by his side. The mermaid was gone.
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