Prologue
Nerina stared at the beautiful creatures as they swam around, calling her. “Come on! The water is fine! You will love it here, I promise!” One of them, with golden blonde hair said.
“Don’t you want to be like us?” The red haired one asked. “Don’t you?”
Nerina nodded. “Yes!”
She’s always wanted to be a mermaid.
“Then come! We will take you to our king, he will change you into one of us!” The brunette said.
This dark, stary night seemed enchanting and the large, full moon made the mermaids look more beautiful then they already were. They looked up at her and smiled.
Nerina got up onto the edge of the ship and stepped onto the plank. She seemed confused, but at the same time, she seemed so sure of what she wanted. If she were to become a mermaid, she could hide from her demanding mother forever. She could explore the sea and enjoy life.
And maybe he would like her more. He seemed to adore mermaids, which is what she assumed because he always walked around saying Aina’s name. And from what Nerina had seen, Aina was indeed a mermaid.
“Yes, come, come!” The blonde cooed. “You are a beautiful princess, and becoming a mermaid will make you even more beautiful!”
“Really?” Nerina asked. Now she was sure he would like her more.
She could hear his voice, calling her already. This made her more confident.
She lifted her leg, preparing herself to fall over, and the mermaids began to clap. “Come! Come!”
She wasn’t listening to them though. She was listening to the distant voice that called her name.
But then his distant voice got closer, and her name was replaced with curses. As she tipped over the edge of the ship, she felt someone grab her waist. The next thing she knew, she was thrown hard onto the ships deck…
And he was on top of her, cursing her for her clumsiness.
She stared at him, confused. What had she done wrong?
And she listened, she listened as the mermaids laughed and soon, their laughing became muffled as the ocean engulfed them and they returned to their homes.
