Moonlit Waters: His Mermaid Luna

OCEANA I dashed toward the window, the ocean breeze ruffling my hair as I slammed it shut with a sly grin. Dorian stood outside, his expression changing from surprise to amusement as he watched me. He gently knocked on the glass while I leaned against the window frame, arms folded, enjoying our playful interaction. "We are getting married in six months," he shrugged, a hint of amusement in his tone, and I shrugged in return. “Doesn’t matter. We’re not married yet,” I replied, causing him to sigh in defeat as he pressed his face against the glass. “Pretty please?” his voice was muffled as he pleaded. But I did not respond; instead, I pulled the curtain closed with a mischievous twinkle in my eye, just as the door to my room swung open. My sister, Nerissa, walked in with a knowing smile on her lips, and I raised an eyebrow at her, silently questioning her amused expression, even though I knew what it was about. “Why don’t you just let the poor guy take you to the festival?” She teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief, and I scoffed playfully in return. “You know why,” I replied, and she chuckled, proceeding inside the room. “Our parents won’t stay long at the festival,” she reminded me gently, her smile widening. "You could still go with Dorian," she said, but I interrupted before she could finish, narrowing my eyes at her. “What’s wrong with you?” I asked, unable to contain the grin spreading across my face, and she laughed, shaking her head as she acted clueless. “You’re the older sister. You are supposed to discourage me from doing things that I should not be doing, not encourage me. You know Dorian and I can't do couple things until he's been officially given my hand,” I chided playfully, nudging her shoulder before snatching the package she held in her hand. “But that’s why you love me, right?” she teased. “Because I’m the cool older sister who lets you get away with everything.” She laughed, and she was right. She was the best, and I wouldn’t have her any other way. I turned the package I had just taken from her over in my hands, my curiosity piqued as I examined the neatly wrapped box. "What is this?" I asked, settling onto the bed beside my sister. She grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement, as she told me to open it and see. Carefully untying the ribbon, I lifted the lid, revealing the contents inside, and my breath caught in my throat as I saw the shimmering fabric nestled within. Gold and beautiful, just as Nerissa had described. “It’s... it’s my wedding dress fabric,” I whispered, my fingers tracing the delicate embroidery, and Nerissa nodded eagerly. “It’s perfect, isn’t it? Just how you wanted it,” she said, and I couldn’t deny the beauty of the dress—the way it seemed to glow with its inner light. Yet, as I gazed at it, a swirl of conflicting emotions churned within me. “So, this is it then,” I murmured, looking up at her as the reality of my impending marriage washed over me, stirring a mix of feelings I couldn’t dare tell anyone. I had known Dorian for years; our kingdoms were intertwined in friendship and alliance. He was a good guy, kind, brave, handsome, and honorable, and I had no doubt he would make a devoted husband. But as the days drew closer to our wedding, I couldn’t shake the feeling of something missing. I scoured my heart for the elusive spark—the intangible magic that should have united us. But try as I might, I couldn’t find it. And the more I searched, the more uncertain I became. I wanted that magic that everyone talked about, that indescribable connection between soulmates–the look in their eyes, the way they spoke, the touch that sent shivers down one's spine. Wasn't I supposed to feel that way with Dorian? My parents had it—the love, the spark that lit up their eyes whenever they glanced at each other. Was I being naive in hoping for the same? I wanted to look at Dorian and feel my heart soar—to know without a doubt that he was the one for me. However, all I felt was persistent doubt and a persistent sense of unease. There was also the prospect of leaving my home, my family, and everything I had ever known to embark on this new chapter—it was daunting. Becoming a wife, leaving behind my freedom—it was a responsibility I wasn’t sure I was ready for. Nerissa must have sensed my internal turmoil, as the next thing I felt was her reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Oceana, you’ll make a stunning bride,” she said softly. “And Dorian is a good man. He’ll make you happy. You are lucky. At least you are marrying someone you know,” she added. She was right; I was lucky. She met her prince for the first time three days before their wedding day. I managed a weak smile, leaning more into her touch, and we embraced in a hug. “Now get ready, so we can go check out what this festival has for us this year,” Nerissa said as we pulled back from the hug. She gathered the fabric and put it back in the box, saying she would drop it off at the seamstress. I thanked her, and, with a deep breath, I got up and headed to my vanity to get ready. Maybe the magic would reveal itself after we said our vows. Just then, another thought brought a sparkle of hope to my heart. Not only would I join Dorian in matrimony in six months, but I would also receive a gift I had long dreamed of: my legs. All merpeople received legs on their eighteenth birthday, a rite of passage that opened up a new world beyond the sea, and a gift from the sea gods. We never used to get legs in the beginning, but thanks to King Aquarius and human savagery, our species evolved. Merpeople and humans once coexisted in a delicate balance on and off the shores, until humans became greedy, and with that greed came an insatiable desire for dominion over the oceans. They scavenged the seas for fish and other marine life, profiting from them until there was almost nothing left. This led to them waging ruthless campaigns against our people, seeking to exploit our mystical abilities to summon and command the creatures of the sea and subjugate us to their will. By us, I mean Mermaids. They had no use for our men. When we sang, our voices resonated through the water, imbued with a captivating power that reached the ears of all who dwell beneath the waves. The ethereal harmony drew all creatures, from majestic whales to shimmering schools of fish, irresistibly toward its source. This was what humans wanted from us. They captured and enslaved us to serve their greedy whims. They kept us in chains infused with magic and forced us to use our siren voices to unwittingly summon fish. Until King Aquarius stepped in and won the battle, humans had almost wiped out our species. King Aquarius ruled the last bastion of the sea people, and as the human threat loomed closer, he and his daughters beseeched the sea gods for protection. All the other kings had done the same before their kingdoms perished, but they gave up when the sea gods didn’t answer. King Aquarius didn’t; he stood in faith, and for a hundred days and nights, he prayed fervently, begging the sea gods until the humans found him. In a merciless onslaught, the humans attacked, slaughtering King Aquarius and his sons and capturing the princesses. They bound them in chains and loaded them onto the ships. But fate, stirred by the king’s unwavering prayers, would not have it this time and unleashed its fury upon the oppressors. As the human vessels whisked away the captured princesses, a storm of divine wrath brewed in the skies above. Thunder cracked, and lightning split the heavens, illuminating the dark waters with its fury. In that electrifying moment, the chains that bound the princesses shattered, and their tails transformed into legs. With newfound strength and freedom, they ran and leaped back into the roiling sea, their legs reverting as they vanished beneath the waves. The humans, in their desperation to recapture their prized captives, pursued the princesses into the tempestuous depths. But a miraculous barrier, unseen and impenetrable, rose from the sea, encircling the remnants of King Aquarius’s kingdom. Those who dared to breach the barrier were sliced in half by the invisible barrier and those who tried to get away drowned. Legend had it that was the reason humans needed to put on suits and other gadgets when entering the ocean or drown if they didn't. The sea gods cursed them. Before that day, they could swim freely like sea people. They could even breathe underwater. We were one. My family and all the kingdoms traced our lineage back to King Aquarius’s daughters. We all thrived on the invisible barrier that hid our kingdoms in plain sight, shielding our world. Humans were still hunting us, but as long as we didn't dare cross the barrier, we were safe. Also, if by some chance we found ourselves in human territory, we could get out of the water, and our fins would become legs, helping disguise us from humans. Humans didn't know about our legs since all the humans who were on those ships never made it out of the sea. We discovered that after capturing a human who somehow managed to make it inside the barrier in one piece. From time to time, a human or two made it inside. It was rare, but it happened. However, they didn't stand a chance once they were inside, as the guards ensured that they never made it far. Sea guards stationed at the perimeter of the kingdom were vigilant in their duty. Swift and merciless, they intercepted any intruders who dared to breach the barrier, vanishing them from sight before they possed a threat to our peaceful existence. •••• I finished tying my hair back, anticipation coursing through me as I headed out. I found Nerissa waiting for me just outside my door, and together, we made our way through the bustling streets, the distant sounds of celebration growing louder with each passing moment. “Wow,” I whispered in awe as the festival finally came into view—the vibrant decorations and throngs of merfolk filling me with excitement. But just then, a loud sound pierced the air—the dreadful siren and my heart instantly clenched in fear, knowing what it meant: danger. Nerissa and I shared a wide-eyed glance, understanding passing between us as someone shouted that there had been a breach. A breach: years had passed since the last one, and since it had happened before I was born, I had never seen it. I froze in place, but Nerissa grabbed my hand, her voice urgent as she told me we had to go back home, pulling me along. Just then, soldiers rushed past us, reassurances flowing from their lips as they promised to handle the threat swiftly. “Come on, let’s go,” Nerissa repeated, and just then, our father appeared, echoing Nerissa’s sentiments. He insisted we return home, promising to send for us once the danger had passed. Reluctantly, we swam away, but curiosity tugged at me like a relentless tide. I had never seen a human in real life. “You’ve seen a human,” I said to Nerissa, who shook her head before I could finish. “We’re going home,” she replied firmly. “Please, just a quick look,” I begged, promising to stay at a safe distance. She refused at first, but after some persuasion, she relented, and we stealthily followed behind the soldiers. She would deny it, but I knew she was curious, too. Chaos greeted us as we emerged from the water. Smoke filled the air, and distant screams echoed around us. Swimming toward the source of the commotion, we crested the water’s edge but paused, our eyes widening in confusion. Before us, creatures unlike anything I had ever seen were in battle with the soldiers. Fierce and wild, their fur bristled as they moved with predatory grace, not on two but four legs. “What are they?” I murmured, my voice barely audible over the chaos, and Nerissa’s expression mirrored my confusion as we exchanged glances. “I don’t know. I've never seen anything like them before." ............................................................... ⚠️ Before you start with the story, please be aware of a few things: • The werewolves and Merfolk in this book might not behave exactly like others in other books. For instance, the werewolves are born in their wolf form and live that way until their eighteenth birthday. Then they get their human form and can shift back and forth between the forms. The Merfolk also get legs on their eighth birthday. • This is not a fluff romance but a romantic suspense book, and it's going to be DARK. It will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, so if you know your heart can't take it, be warned. • The story has multiple POVs. They don't repeat they same thing, but if you don't like multiple POVs, this story is not for you. ...............................................................