The merlord sighed loudly, and Arianna briefly fantasized about stealing his charm, tossing it out the window, and watching him leap out after it into the water below. This thought threatened to make her smile, and she tried to sit up again and force herself to listen this time.
“There is nothing to be dissatisfied with . . . for the present. But, Maker forbid, should something happen to the Sea Crown—”
“Then I would see that your needs were met.” Michael’s voice was suddenly quiet and dangerous. A few of the dozing lords and ladies sat up at the sound of it.
Well, that was a rather morbid thing to be considering. Arianna frowned.
“And we have no objections to that, Your Majesty!” Lord Hatchet hastened to say. “But what happens after you die, if I am to put it bluntly? How are your progeny to know of our two peoples’ needs? Who is to act as a go-between?” The pudgy merlord pointed at Michael’s charm, Arianna’s gift that he never removed. “You’re doing well enough with the charm, yourself, but what about your children?”
Michael leaned forward, elbows on the glass table. “Just what are you suggesting?”
The merlord hesitated for a minute, his eyes flicking to Arianna several times. That didn’t at all make her feel any better.
“Have your wife . . . prepare your children for life in either realm,” the merlord said.
“Wait.” Arianna crossed her arms. “Are you truly suggesting that I alter my children’s forms in order to fit your needs?” She instinctively reached for her triton.
“You are in dangerous territory,” Michael said in a low voice. “I strongly suggest you stop there. This council is dismissed until further notice.”
Taking the hint, the other lords and ladies gave demure curtseys and bows until Michael and Arianna were the only ones left in the glass dining hall.
Arianna closed her eyes and leaned back, rubbing her belly methodically.
“Come.”
She opened her eyes to see Michael holding his hand out. “I’ve had Cook whip up a surprise for you.”
Soon Arianna, Michael, and their daughter of three years, Michaela, were walking down a pier. Michael carried their basket of food, and Michaela skipped ahead of them to watch the fish like she always did. Arianna smiled and shook her head. As usual, Michael had known exactly what would make her feel better. The further along she got in the pregnancy, the more Arianna longed for the cool water, where she could pretend for a little while that she was weightless.
“Michaela, please be careful. You’re going to fall—” But as she said it, Arianna watched in horror as her little girl fell headfirst into the ocean. “Michael!” she screamed.
But Michael was already sprinting. Arianna followed at a helplessly slower, clumsier pace, tripping over her feet as she tried to reach the end of the pier. She stumbled twice as she neared the edge, cursing her human form as she pushed herself toward the spot where her daughter had fallen. Nauseating fear froze the blood in her veins and made every step an eternal hell.
When she finally jumped in after them, she found Michael simply floating underwater, staring out with wide eyes. Anger pulsed through her. What was wrong with him? Where was she? Why hadn’t he found Michaela?
But when she tried to scream such to him, he only pointed. Turning her head, she finally spotted Michaela a little ways off. The flood of relief she felt was quickly followed by a jolt of shock. For Michaela was flitting around happily with a little pearlescent tail of her own. And like her husband, Arianna could only gape in wonder.
“Has she ever—” he began.
“No,” Arianna whispered. “She hasn’t.”
“Well then,” Michael began to smile, “I don’t think our stuffy merlord will have to worry any longer.”
Dear Reader,
I want to thank you for journeying with me through Silent Mermaid. If you like free stories or want to learn about my other books, visit BrittanyFichterFiction.com. And as a favor, if you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review on your online retailer. Reviews help readers find my books, allowing me to write more!
For the next book in The Classical Kingdoms Collection, read on
Also by Brittany Fichter
Before Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast
The Becoming Beauty Trilogy, Book 1
The Classical Kingdoms Collection, Book One
Blinding Beauty: A Retelling of The Princess and the Glass Hill
The Becoming Beauty Trilogy, Book 2
The Classical Kingdoms Collection, Book Two
Beauty Beheld: A Retelling of Hansel and Gretel
The Becoming Beauty Trilogy, Book 3
The Classical Kingdoms Collection, Book Three
Girl in the Red Hood: A Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood
The Classical Kingdoms Collection, Book Four
Coming in 2017…
Cinders, Stars, and Glass Slippers: A Retelling of Cinderella
The Classical Kingdoms Collection, Book Six
About the Author
Brittany lives with her Prince Charming and their little fairy in a sparkling (decently clean) castle in whatever kingdom the Air Force has most recently placed them. When she’s not writing, Brittany can be found enjoying her family (including their spoiled black Labrador), doing chores (she would rather be writing), going to church, belting Disney songs, exercising, or decorating cakes.
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Silent Mermaid: A Retelling of The Little Mermaid (The Classical Kingdoms Collection Book 5) Page 36
