Chapter 104
Chapter 104
14.
Two days had passed, and when Deliana had said I‘d feel far more desires, she had not been wrong. When I slept, I dreamt of Theon fucking me, and when I awoke, the thought irritated me, but I couldn‘t deny that I often had the most explicit images in my head of him. I just felt so horny, to the point I often was tempted to invite Aquarius over for some fun, but I refrained.
I tried to focus on other things instead, learning more about the sea and the issues here. Deliana, Lavina and Ariella trained me a little, giving me tips on how to use my abilities, the way it rippled through me was so natural and felt so right.
Swimming with my tail had become easy, and it was almost as if I had been born with a tail. Deliana told me that once I went ashore, I would be able to shift into any form I wished by simply thinking it.
We were now travelling towards the Obsidian Ocean, this was where the Sea Emperor resided, the supreme ruler of the seven seas. It blew my mind how fast one could travel in siren form, our strong tails never tiring. A few days ago, I never would have thought that I would be at the bottom of the ocean, swimming with the sirens.
A tale to tell one day...
From my time with Deliana and Lavina it was obvious they did not want this war, and they had hopes! would be the one to be able to change the Sea Emperor‘s mind.
The closer we got, the more restless and snappy Deliana got. I knew it was because she wasn‘t looking forward to seeing Queseidon, knowing the truth that I was her daughter was going to be revealed and his wrath would follow.
It was several hours later when we finally reached the magnificent golden undersea castle of the imperial ruler. It was breath–taking, with several turrets and towers, jewel–encrusted doors and it oozed wealth and elegance.
We were led inside, hundreds of guards armed with spears flanked the glittering magical halls as we swam through them towards the Emperor‘s throne room.
King Andres... a man who had been unfair, selfish and thoughtless... Then we have Thedeon, the man who overtook us and took the position as king, but was a true tyrant... and now I was to meet a third king… one who is also hell–bent on power and revenge.
Was this why a female was chosen? I didn‘t know, but I hoped the ruler of the oceans was different. 1
“Her royal majesty Queen Deliana of the Aethirian Ocean, the Sea Witch Lavina, Princess Ariella and...” The merman looked at us, and Deliana stepped into the grand hall.
“Allow me.” She stated haughtily as we all entered behind her, my eyes falling upon the Emperor..
He looked far younger than I had imagined he would be, with a muscular upper body and a big thick tail, which was in hues of shimmering greens and copper. His shoulder–length hair was a few shades darker than mine, with a beard.
He wore a necklace, with gold arm cuffs, and in his hand he held a trident far bigger than Deliana’s. It dazzled brightly with a silvery staff, and the three–speared head was of a pearlescent silver that seemed to glow. Upon his head was a gold band. It may not be the most extravagant, but he didn‘t need a huge headpiece to let all know he held immense power. That trident alone was enough proof of that.
They all bowed their heads to him, and I followed suit. The door slammed shut behind us and I could feel
Queseidon‘s gaze upon me.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting?” His voice was as cold as his pale grey eyes as he looked upon us from his magnificent dais, where he had sat upon his huge throne.
“Father, we all do ask for your forgiveness, but there is someone I wish for you to meet.” Deliana announced gracefully.
“And you brought her.” He said with contempt, glaring at Lavina.
She smiled gracefully at the Emperor.
“It is always a pleasure to accompany my granddaughters.” She replied, taking me by surprise.
So that meant... her daughter was the mother of Deliana, Lavina was my great grandmother! And it meant that Deliana and Ariella were not half–sisters as I had begun to assume. I had learned that the king had all his children from countless sirens, the most powerful being given titles and oceans to call their own.
The emperor didn‘t reply, turning his gaze upon me.
“Your majesty, allow me to introduce to you the heir to the Aethirian Ocean, the Alpha of the Silver Storm Pack, and Queen of the kingdom of Astalion by right. This is Yileyna, the heart of Kaeladia itself, and the first ever triform shifter as mentioned in the prophecy of the ancient Sea Witch Olaphena.” Deliana said clearly
His frown deepened as he stared at me. It felt like his eyes were going to burn two holes into me, but I steadily held his gaze, my face calm and with no hint of challenge or disrespect in my eyes, my only aim was to show him I wasn‘t afraid of him.
A light seemed to radiate from around him, it became blinding but I refused to look away, the heaviness in the air was growing, and I saw Lavina, Deliana and Ariella lower their heads, shielding their faces from the sheer brightness of the glow.
“The goddess Oshera‘s trident itself will show you who you are facing.” His voice seemed to echo from every corner of the hall, the sea was becoming darker too, he raised his silver trident and I saw the four pale blue jewels that were decorating the trident, only adding to its beauty.
When he swung it towards me, sending a huge wave of power at me, I raised my hand in a flash, creating a barrier of ice.
A glimmer of amusement was all I saw before the blinding wave of power hit the ice, just as Deliana summoned her own trident, but then the light vanished at the same time the ice shattered.
Queseidon‘s face seemed to pale as the sea water became lighter once more, his trident shook in his hold and I felt an odd pull to it.
“She holds immense power.” He remarked quietly, now clearly intrigued, his knuckles white, his hold incredibly tight.
“She does.” Deliana responded.
He looked between us and I knew he had made the connection.
“So back then you birthed a child.” It was a statement, and one that held a menacing undertone.
“Because of the prophecy, you were not told.” Lavina intervened but the emperor‘s rage was not going to be quelled.
He looked at her murderously.
“I am the ruler of the seven seas, do you think that I want anything of land down here?” He seethed.
“She is of us too.” Deliana reminded him of the obvious that he seemed to be forgetting.
“Then she must prove it by swimming with our army to land! Let‘s see how she is ready to kill them all.” He hissed.
“I don‘t wish to kill anyone. What I want, and what I‘m sure is the reason I am on Kaeladia, is to end this war between our kind. Why must the innocent suffer for the crimes of a few?” I asked.
He shook his head, slamming the bottom of his trident into the ground, making it tremble.
“There is no talk of negotiations here! You are not the one sitting on the throne of Astalion to be making talks of peace! You are a mere speck in a much bigger picture. Do you know how many of our kind are killed daily?! Do you know how many poachers take my people for their scales and blood? Tell me how many werewolves die per season!” He thundered.
I didn‘t know...
“I‘ll tell you! Not even a tenth in comparison to those sirens!” He raged, his eyes darkening as he rose from his seat.
“Then allow me to fix this.” I countered defiantly. Deliana stepped forward.
“Father, the prophecy was made for a reason... One born from land and sea! To unite us.”
“Do not disobey me, Deliana! You committed sin by copulating with a werewolf! You should be imprisoned for your crime.”
“Please consider this your majesty. Will you sacrifice your children for something that can be prevented?” Deliana asked icily, her gaze steady as she stared at her father.
He frowned, slamming his trident on the floor once more.
Goddess, this Emperor had such a temper...
“We may manage to kill many of them, but we will also lose many in the process, your majesty.” Lavina said quietly. “Shaylena would not have wanted this.”
The emperor tensely looked down at the ground, as if suddenly remembering something, making him hesitate.
“Father, mother always wished for peace... I know she is no longer here, but she would want us to at least. Is her tail not proof of her royal blood?” Deliana said quietly, taking my hand and making me do a full turn.
I didn‘t understand what exactly they were looking at but I remained silent.
“You will still be punished.” He glared at her.
“Then punish her, but can you not trust in the one sent to us? We can try to make amends, I‘m tired of not being able to sit on shore and enjoy the attention of the pretty legged men.” Ariella added, twisting a strand of her hair around her finger,
That sounded rather fun...
“Please, at least give me a chance. When I regain the city of Westerfell, I will put new laws in place and make sure they are enforced. It‘s time that we do not live in fear of one another, but cohabit in peace and without the constant threat that we may be killed. I promise I will make things better for your people and those upon land as well.” I added with determination, and I planned to.
“Very well then. I will challenge you, the triform shifter. If you fulfil the quest I bestow upon you, we will hold off our attack and give you a chance to fix things. Do you accept?”
“What is the challenge?” I asked keenly.
“Do you accept or not?” He asked dangerously, clearly wanting me to agree blindly.
Deliana frowned, giving me the slightest shake of her head.
A warning not to.
“I accept.”
I knew that he wasn‘t going to trust me easily, let‘s see what he wanted from me.
He smirked in victory. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
“Then so be it. Retrieve the Pearl of the Enchanted Waves and I will give you a chance to prove your control over those animals. Fail and we attack two moons from now.”
My heart thudded at the thought that he was only giving us two months. Only two months before an army of imperial sirens stepped ashore with the aim to kill us all...
“The pearl?” Deliana looked shocked. “Father that pearl is lost...”
He shook his head.
“No, centuries ago the Naga King of the Naran Empire stole it from us, and it is said to be in his possession until this day, passing it down to his successors. I can feel it, it hasn‘t been moved in years. Retrieve it and I will give you the chance you want.” 2
The Naran Empire was a dry area with little to no sea or ocean in it, with dense forestry. Was it hard for the sirens to retain human form for long? Why did he want me to retrieve it? Aside from the dangers of
course.
“Only a siren can hold that pearl... if anyone else tries, they will die. What if her being a triform risks her–” Ariella was cut off when Queseidon‘s burning gaze turned upon her.
“Then she is not worthy to even be an heir to the Aethirian Ocean! If she is truly a siren, then this will be the proof I need.” He replied. “Remember Deliana, if your child is not strong enough, I can give the title to someone else.
“She is far more powerful than us all!” Deliana hissed, her eyes flashing.
“What is this pearl?” I asked quietly, trying to calm the tension between the daughter and father.
“You need not know.” Queseidon responded coldly.
“She must know to understand.” Deliana retorted.
Silence fell upon the room and the emperor sat down once more, before Deliana sighed and pointed towards Queseidon‘s trident.
“The trident of our goddess Oshera... Can you see where the head joins the staff? The pearl is meant to stay there. It had the power of healing... a power that if we had had it in our possession, my mother and the first queen of his majesty would still be alive...” She said quietly, “A pearl that can heal the deadliest of injuries and illnesses.” 2
“The pearl is in the driest place in Kaeladia, a place that sirens cannot venture.” Lavina explained, confirming my thoughts.
T’m sorry about her loss... I will do this, and I will retrieve it.” I promised, making up my mind despite the fact it was spinning with the high risk of this quest and the time limit 1 had.
“Then may Oshera be with you.” The king said with a cold smile, before he looked at me with a challenge in his eyes. “Time‘s ticking, you should really be going. I don‘t trust you, no matter how much power you hold... This will prove if all you want is power, or if you truly wish to help.”
His grip tightened on his trident. I realised that he didn‘t trust me, and if I wanted to win him over, then / needed to hurry up and retrieve the pearl to prove that I could do this.