Our Fated Tail

They left me here to die. Chained to a huge rock, dressed in a thin red dress that flowed around my feet. I had tried to pull off these chains so much, my fingers had started to bleed. The longer I held my breath, the more my lungs burned. Tiny black dots decorated my vision. I was only two or three miles out in a shallow area. Slowly, I watched to blood from my fingers mix with the water. We were in the Atlantic Ocean. Sharks were in these waters! I curled my fingers into my dress to stop it but it was too late. A bull shark was swimming around about half a mile away and turned towards me. The chains around my ankles restrained me as it moved forward. All I could see were those teeth. Huge, sharp, white teeth ready to sink into my flesh. Then I saw scales. They were and iridescent black, like the feathers on a rooster. I followed the scales up to see skin. Bronze, smooth skin pulled over taunt, slim muscles. The softest looking hair I had ever seen. It was a marvelous shade of ebony with subtle blue highlights. As I processed this, I realized my lungs had given up and my vision was almost completely black. The creature turned around and I saw the prettiest sea green eyes. Warm calloused hands grabbed my arms as everything faded away. "How long has she been like this?" I marveled at the high notes in the woman's tone next to me but kept my eyes shut. "About a day and a half," a gentle, rough voice said. "I think you need to take her to your father, Eren. He would know what to do with her. You should have left her." There was a grumble and then someone was picking me up. Immediately, I opened my eyes and screamed. I was being carried by a man fish thing! Then I realized I was still underwater. Two people looked at me. Oh. My. Gosh. I'm being watched by two mermaids. The man who was carrying me gave me a startled look. His skin melded into scales at his waist. The woman, she was beautiful with her long white hair, smooth ivory skin, and dark brown eyes. Her scales blended with the skin at her waist and a small strip of her blue scales wrapped around her chest. The man loosened his grip on me and moved me upright. "How are you feeling?" "I'm terrified!" I flinched at the sound of my voice. High alto that rang like bells. Slowly, I looked at my legs. They weren't there! In their place, were very beautiful ivory colored scales. They glittered with different colors as it moved. It made sense why I could breathe underwater and talk. Then it all sunk in. I'm a mermaid. "What did you do to me?" He looked confused. "I turned you. You were drowning and that shark-" "You should have let me die!" I screamed viciously. "I was there for a reason! I deserved what happened to me!" Neither spoke and the man, whom I realized was Eren, started moving with me towards an opening in the room we were in. The "room" was a globe of dark grey coral that had gaps to let in the moonlight. As we exited, the woman sealed the opening with a curtain of seaweed. I looked around us in amazement. We were in a giant reef. Some parts were a vibrant orange or a dark red. Splotches of a variety of greens and blues were everywhere. But the one one that caught the eye, was the castle. It seemed to float above all of the other structures and stretch high in the blue waters. Eren picked up speed with a flick of his tail and we headed to the castle. Other mermaids looked at us as we passed and bowed their heads. Weirdos. As we continued moving, I thought about it. About how I got chained to that rock in the first place. All I could think about was how his face was so contorted in pain. I wanted to cry. But he tried to kill me first. I won. Then I got turned into a mermaid. How does this even happen? Mermaids don't exist! And why did Eren save me? He turned me half fish! Can I ever go on land again? Will I ever be able to see my family again? I don't even know how to use my tail, let alone be able to follow rules. What are the rules anyways? All of these thoughts and questions were running through my head so much, that I hadn't noticed we had entered the castle. The inside looked like a normal castle. The walls were stone and there was gold and silver everywhere. Tapestries hung from arches, depicting parts of the history of these people. Several mermaids in armor had bowed and several regular ones had as well. I didn't understand why until a little girl was suddenly racing towards us and tackled Eren. This in turn, caused me to fall to the sandy floor and blush as passing mermaids glared at me in disgust. I hated this already. The little girl looked just like Eren. With her long ebony hair and similar black tail. I loved how they even had almost the same shade of sea green eyes. I watched amused as she rolled around on the sand with Eren laughing. Until she looked up and saw me. "Eren," she whispered. "Who is that girl?" I felt like I was slapped. How could one little girl hold so much venom in her voice? "Shelby, this is someone I just met. We are going to see Father. Can you take us to him?" Eren said gently. "Okay, Prince Eren." She sneered at him in mockery as she glared at me. Sheesh, what did I do? I glanced at Eren in surprise, but kept my head down as he picked me up again. Now I was completely tense in his hold and wanted to be anywhere else than here. He followed Shelby to a large throne room where the king sat. He was a tall, proud man. I could tell by the way he held himself. His chest was pushed out and his back was straight. This man also had a black tail, which seemed to be true to almost everyone in this castle. Save, a few grays here and there. He had cropped white hair and a crown of silver resting on his large, furrowed brow. I refused to make eye contact and returned my gaze to the floor. There was a cough and I was set upright, still held by Eren. "What is this?" I flinched at the king's deep voice. Eren shifted behind me. "Father, I found her chained to a rock. She was about to be attacked by a bull shark." "Why were you chained to a rock, child?" I looked up at the king. "I had killed a man." Everyone gasped and Eren's grip on me faltered. "Why would you do that?" "He had tried to kill me first. I didn't mean to kill him. I just wanted to be free from him. He had me trapped." The king frowned in confusion. "Who was this man to you?" I took a deep breath and replied, "He was my fiance." Every single mermaid in the room froze. Eren's grip was gone and I was dropped to the sand. I sat there trying not to cry and not daring to meet the eyes of the people around me. The king rose from his throne and moved down towards me. I turned my face from him subtly, refusing to be scrutinized for the mistake that I made. Strong fingers grasped my chin and I met crystal blue eyes. I saw sympathy and caution. I saw the wisdom of a great ruler and a wonderful father. There were small crinkles at the corners of his eyes. The people were still watching us but I couldn't help but stare at the king. Would he kill me for what I'd done? Or banish me, leaving me alone and clueless in the ocean? "What is your reasons for this murder?" He asked firmly. Slowly, I pulled my long brown hair over my shoulder and twisted so he could see my back. Rough fingertips brushed over the tiny scars on my back. They were jagged lines that were an inch long each. The worst scar was the one on the back of my neck. There was an angry pink gash that ran just under my shoulder blades. "This was the reason he died. My fiance came home yelling that I wasn't worth his time anymore because I never listened to him. That I didn't love him anymore," my voice cracked. "I did love him. So much. But then he got into the wrong group of people. He came home late and was always drunk. I was getting tired of it so I packed up and went to my friend's house for a few days. When I came back, he attacked me with a pocket knife. I grabbed it from him. Had it still in my hand when I pushed him away. I didn't understand why my hands were hot and wet until I saw the knife in his chest. I-I don't even understand how it happened. I didn't m-mean it!" I sobbed helplessly into my hands. "His friends came after me about three months later. I was at a party for my cousin's baby shower. They grabbed me when I went outside to grab her gift and I was carried out here. They chained me to that rock and Eren found me. Now I'm a mermaid and sitting on the floor bawling like a baby." The hands left my body to pick me up. I didn't look to see who it was. I didn't care. People looked at me like I was a shameful little pest. Why should I care what they have to think about me. I sneered at them as I was led to the front of the throne. Some looked appalled by my behavior while a couple snickered at the others. Shelby looked like she wanted to kill me. I looked to the person and saw Eren carrying me by his side. His eyes were trained on his father, who now sat on his throne with a concentrated look on his face. The throne room itself was something entirely in itself. Large grey coral walls and more complex tapestries. There were three thrones on each side of the king and a small stool in front of him. Eren stopped before he loosened his grip, not quite letting go. It left tingles on my skin. The king folded his hands in a resolve and spoke loud and clear. "I am King Arkeanus. My son Seren has found you and turned you into one of us. So, child, I have a proposition. First, what is your name?" I licked my lips. "Anilena-Ray. People usually call me Ray." He nodded. "Well, Ray, I want you to be my royal servant." I stood shocked and insulted. He saw my face before saying, "Not like that my child. I only wish for someone to keep me company and help give me advice. I feel that you could be very successful in a role like this. Eren will be able to teach you our ways in the mornings and after lunch, you are to sit at my side." Slowly, I thought about it. I wouldn't be killed and I would be on good terms with the king. Plus, I get to spend a lot of time with Prince Seren. There were definitely some upsides to this deal. I gave Eren a look and he moved me up to Arkeanus. I reached my hand out and gave his a firm shake. With a shy smile, I slowly moved back into Eren's chest. I was given a smile and shooed away. Eren lead me down a series of brick hallways and to a large door. It was made of some sort of wood that had to be from shipwrecks. The wood was old and has several crests on it. A large brass handle was in the middle and Eren pushed against it to open it. The room was perfect. Deep red coral walls with a few gaps as windows. A large rock covered in soft moss sat in the center of the room, surrounded by a canopy of seaweed. I concentrated hard and flicked my tail. Not remembering that I was still in Eren's arms, we both went flipping through the water and slamming into the wall. I groaned and took a deep breath. Eren was doubled over in laughter and I attacked him. We rolled around laughing until I flicked my tail to get away. It was easy to use it. I just pretended I was kicking my legs. I went to a gap and stared down at the kingdom. People swam everywhere with weird things in their arms. I grinned at two dolphins nudged my hands as they passed. I looked at Eren over my shoulder. He was smiling softly and didn't seem to realize that I had turned to him. "Prince?" He blinked at me. "What?" "Well," I said. "You are the prince aren't you? It is improper for a mere servant to address you by your name, is it not?" Eren came up to me and grabbed my forearms. "Never call me that. You are part of the Royal Court now. You can address me by my name." I smirked. "Alright Seren. What does my tail color mean?" "Huh?" "The people in the castle have grey or black tails. The people outside of the castle have either green, blue, or purple tails. Why doesn't anyone else have a white tail that glitters like a rainbow?" He looked at me dumbfounded. His mouth opened and closed as he tried to answer. After a while, he sighed and shrugged. "I have no idea. I only knew one other person with a white tail and she was a very unusual creature." I wanted to ask about her, but I heard the pain in his voice. He must have knew her very well. As curious as I was, I shut my mouth and pulled him over to the bed. When I plopped down, I rolled so he could sit too. We talked about my old life. He seemed fascinated that a twenty-three year old woman could be with one man for eight years and not marry them. When that conversation got too personal, I asked him about Shelby. She was his younger sister. He was twenty-four and she was twelve. After something happened with their mother, she went crazy. Every time Eren was around another woman, she did everything she could to ruin it. As we talked, we moved to lay down. I had an open ceiling in my room and the moonlight was beautiful. I was watching Eren draw shapes in the water with his finger. he would freeze the water as he drew the picture. It shattered as it hit the rock bed or one of us. A yawn escaped me and I curled up against his side as he drew a picture of a seahorse. It was beautiful in the moonlight. As it shattered on his stomach, my eyes examined his skin. He was perfect. But I knew he was off limits. So as he continued to stroke my hair with one hand, and draw with the other, I closed my eyes and went into a deep sleep.