“Will he be able to see me, too?”
“Of course, for that will make the pain all the greater.” The witch gave her a horrible smile. “Since your pain prolongs my life, I welcome it.”
Muireen did not like to think she was helping the Sea Witch in any way. And yet, to be able to see Eiric and her daughter once a year, however briefly, was a chance she could not refuse.
“Very well.”
“Good! And luckily you’ll be out of the palace dungeons next year, just in time. Now go, back to your foolish father and worthless siblings, and give them my regards.”
Again the dark current bore Muireen through the reaches of the sea, depositing her where the indigo water faded into greeny blue. Tiredly, she swam toward the pearly towers of the palace, ready to bear whatever punishment her father thought just.
Some day, though, she vowed she would make the Sea Witch reunite her and her mortal love.
* * *
The first time the silver scale lit with Muireen’s image, Eiric thought he was dreaming. Gods knew, he dreamt of her constantly. But to his surprise, he could hear her, too.
“I have not much time, love,” she said. “It is only through the magic of the Sea Witch that I may look upon you. Tell me, how do you fare? And our child?”
He showed her Brea, sleeping in her crib, told her all was well. Too soon, the light of the scale began to dim.
“When shall I see you again?” he cried.
“Next year.” Her voice faded, and the cool silvery blue scale reflected back the light of his candle.
Ah, the pain was worse after seeing her face. And yet, knowing that she still lived, that she cared for him and their child, was enough to soothe the worst of the ache.
Every year, for a brief time, magic imbued the scale and Eiric was able to tell Muireann he loved her still. For he did, the flame of that love still burning fresh within him. He showed her how their daughter grew, and shared her milestones—first steps, first words, first swim in the sea which, thankfully, had not manifested any fins or tail.
“She is not a mer,” Muireann said, “for never have our kind bred true with humans.”
“I’m not certain she’s entirely human, though,” Eiric replied. “There is an odd touch of magic about her.”
“Then perhaps she’s a fey water creature of some kind. But she must find her own destiny.”
Then the scale went quiet, and their conversation ended for another year.
It was not a pleasant thing, to wait so long, but it was enough. Eiric replayed their brief conversations in his head, traced her beloved features in memory, over and over. Their daughter grew into a lonely, quiet girl, and his heart ached within him for her solitude. He never spoke of her mother. That burden he would bear alone.
* * *
Many years passed in this way until one day while Eiric was out on his boat, the sky darkened with a sudden storm. He’d weathered storms aplenty but this one felt different—full of menace. He quickly stowed his nets, the memory of the violent weather that had nearly taken his life shivering through him.
This storm tasted the same, the air heavy and metallic with the rising wind.
Then it was upon him, waves churning, spray blinding his eyes. This time, he was too far from land, fishing over the deep waters. There would be no escape from the ocean’s wrath.
Still, he tried, fighting to keep his boat upon the waves and not under them, bailing when he could. Although Brea was nearly grown, he did not want to leave her an orphan, both parents lost to the sea.
But he was given no choice in the matter. A great, black wave rose over his boat, then crashed down, punching him to the depths.
Eiric floated, blinking against the salt water burning his eyes. Here, beneath the waves, it was strangely peaceful. The last of his breath left his body in a silver strand of bubbles, racing away toward the roiling surface. He let them go.
Then Muireann was there, floating before him. She pressed a bottle to his lips and he drank, then gagged on the foul secretion.
“Swallow it,” she said, tears in her voice. “I cannot you save you, otherwise.”
Coldness all about him, Eiric swallowed. Then screamed as the cold burned away. Something terrible was happening to him, yet his sea maiden held him close.
Finally, shuddering, the pain passed. He looked up at his beloved.
“Are we dead?” he asked, amazed to find he could form the words.
“No, my love.” She smiled at him. “You are no longer human, however. There is no return to the surface for you.”
“As long as I might remain here, beneath the sea with you, I care not. Wherever you go—”
“There my heart also goes,” she finished the words for him.
Together, webbed hands clasped, they swam, tails flashing through the water. Away from the storm and darkness, away from the cold, to an enchanted palace in the far south, made of shining coral.
There they rule to this day, wearing crowns of pearl and mantles of kelp, the Sea Queen and her once-mortal love.
* * *
Author’s Note
* * *
The Little Mermaid is my inspiration for this story. While I wanted to incorporate some of the tragic elements from Hans Christian Andersen’s original tale, I still wanted a fairytale happy ending for Muireen and her fisherman, no matter the sorrow it took them to get there.
* * *
To find out what happens to Brea, Muireen and Eiric’s daughter, pick up Brea’s Tale and discover the magic of Feyland. Discover more at https://antheasharp.com
Romeo and Juliet: The Afterlife - Julia Crane
In the darkness, Juliet gripped the dagger firmly in her hands. A life without Romeo was not a life she wanted to live. She couldn’t bear the thought of taking one more breath without him. Without the slightest hesitation, she plunged the dagger deep into her chest.
Hot agony tore through her as the blade punctured her heart. She screamed out before she dropped to her knees.
What have I done? The single thought pierced her pain, followed by panic at the sight of her own blood.
Dizzy. In a vain attempt to stop both the pain and blood, she drew a ragged breath. She yanked the knife out with what was left of her strength.
More blood.
More pain.
The dagger slid from her hand, clattered on the floor. While it felt like a lifetime, it was probably mere moments before her life force began to rise from her body. Her vision blurred, and then the pain— vanished.
But she was not dead. She smelled the mustiness of the catacombs and heard the unmistakable scurrying of rats. However, what she noticed most was Romeo’s lifeless body. Even in death he was beautiful.
Her thoughts were coherent, yet her mind scrambled to make sense of what was going on.
She tried to move – and that’s when she realized she was hovering over her body. Death had come for her, and yet she felt quite alive. She’d never given death much thought, but if she had, she wouldn’t have expected to remain aware of herself. A sense of calm filled her as the scenery around her transformed from the catacombs to a foggy whiteness. She was lifted higher, as if she was floating into a cloud. It was not the blinding light that they spoke of in church. This was soft, comforting.
Solidness coalesced beneath her feet. She stood on a surface that seemed to ebb and flow beneath her.
How wondrous, she thought. The panic from her death faded quickly.
But where was everyone else? Where was Romeo? Paris? What about her late relatives? Why was she alone? She was so disconcerted she didn’t know what to do or where to go.
Fear crept into Juliet as she took in her surroundings, nothing more than a misty white fog. Would she be alone in death? That did not feel right to her.
Was this Hell? Had she come here because she took her own life? No, Hell was not real. Was it?
The longer she stood there, the more she worried. The fog turned a dark gray. The warm air turned
cold.
A low howl rumbled in the distance.
Juliet glanced around in confusion and desperation. Her instincts told her to run. But where?
“Help, me,” she whispered.
No sooner had the words left her mouth than she heard slow footsteps approach.
Out of the mist came a tall man with a long gray beard, wearing a white robe. He didn’t seem surprised to see her.
“No, Juliet, you are not in Hell,” he said. “But do mind your thoughts. This is a mental realm, so what you believe, you create. Hell is not a real place. It’s imaginary.”
“I don’t … I don’t understand. Who are you, and where am I?” Juliet’s voice shook in her confusion.
A warm smile spread across his weathered face. “I am your guardian. You are on the dimension of spirit, where all you think comes alive. Your thoughts could be wondrous or disasters here. It’s truly up to you.”
So many questions ran through her head, but she needed the answer to one burning inquiry first. “Where is Romeo? If he is also dead shouldn’t he be here?”
The old man’s face turned to a frown. “He is in Hell.”
Juliet became flustered. “You just told me Hell was not a real place. Why are you making me so confused? I don’t know what is going on.”
“Come with me, and we will talk.”
Juliet walked in step beside the man through a large corridor that appeared out of thin air. One minute there was nothing and the next…
Juliet’s hand flew over her mouth. They were inside a building, with no fog in sight. The building was enormous, made out of marble and had columns so high, they had to be thirty feet or more. Disoriented, Juliet felt as if she might faint. The doors lining the hall were as tall as the columns were wide.
The man did not talk as they moved through the long hallways. She had so many questions, but she was too in shock to make her mind and mouth cooperate. How was that even possible that she was dead yet she truly felt alive?
They walked through a doorway and Juliet gasped. It was not a room but an outdoor paradise inside the building. Vibrant greenery, birds chirping, rushing water. Juliet rubbed her eyes but the scene did not change. She’d never seen such beauty in her life. The colors were more vibrant than anything she’d experienced.
“Sit down.” The man nodded toward a bench that appeared before them.
Juliet reached out and touched the bench to make sure it was not going to disappear. It felt solid beneath her touch, so she sat.
The man remained standing. Disappointment was evident in his expression. He shook his head, started to speak, but closed his mouth as if he couldn’t quite find the words.
After taking a deep breath, he spoke with a hint of despair. “I don’t understand why the three of you always have to be so dramatic. Why must you always meet and kill each other? At least take time to get to know each other.”
Always? What was he talking about? “Please explain yourself,” Juliet replied.
“Yes, yes, sorry. I forget you have not received your review. Don’t mind me. You will understand it all soon enough. I’m just at my wits’ end with the three of you. This was supposed to be a simple assignment.”
Assignment? Juliet had no idea what the old man was talking about. But she was grateful she was no longer alone. He knew where Romeo was and that was all that mattered.
“You said Romeo was in Hell? How can that be? If he is, why am I not? I too killed myself.”
The old man sat down beside her. “Because you don’t believe in Hell. It’s all an illusion, Juliet. Whatever you believe, you bring to you. It’s as simple as that. Don’t try to make it more complex than it has to be. I know I’ve stated this again and again, but you have to understand this truth.”
She didn’t understand. Not fully. “Will I never see Romeo again? Please, you must help me. I need to be with him.”
The guardian leaned back on the bench. His eyes crinkled with affection. “If only it were that simple. Even Hell can’t keep the two of you separated. First you are going to have your review and then you must go retrieve Romeo.”
“You want me to go to Hell?”
His shoulder lifted and a small smile tugged on his lips. “It’s sort of your thing. You just take turns it seems. Last time he had to rescue you, now it’s your turn. One of these days, I truly hope the three of you get this right, because I am tired. I love you all dearly, but I, too, would like to move on, and I cannot do this until you find a way to learn your lessons.”
“You said the three of us. Are you talking about Paris?”
He sighed, “Yes, of course Paris, who else? Love triangle after love triangle. It’s exhausting. It truly is.”
Why did he keep talking as if they had done this before? Maybe the man was crazy. After all, he did say he wanted her to go to Hell to get Romeo.
A sharp pang entered her chest, as if a rope was tugging at her heart. In that moment Juliet realized that yes, she would go to Hell to retrieve him. Her soul ached at the thought of never seeing him again. “Just tell me what I have to do. Is Paris there, too?”
The man spoke very calmly. “No, I’m afraid Paris has not made it anywhere yet. He’s stuck in-between. But fear not. His guardian has gone to retrieve him.”
The man rose to his feet, and for the first time Juliet really looked at him. Yes, he had the appearance of an elderly man, but his stance was that of someone much younger. His body was broad and muscular, his hair full, though gray. His eyes were what really caught her attention. They were such a pale blue, they were nearly white. There was such wisdom and depth in his eyes that when his eyes locked on hers, she could feel his immense love for her. It filled her own heart and a lightness came over her. Despite her confusion Juliet found herself smiling back at him.
“What is your name?” she asked.
“I am Zeno, your ever faithful guardian. We have been together for eons. The love I feel for you knows no bounds. You will remember soon enough. You still have the veil of forgetfulness over your eyes.”
Unconsciously, Juliet reached up and wiped her eyes but nothing changed.
“We will go now to the hall of records. You will be downloaded with your memories after we go over the review of this life. I must warn you: you only have one time stream left to get this right. If you cannot learn within that lifetime, your ties to Romeo and Paris will cease to exist and they will be removed from your energy field.”
“I have no idea what any of that means, but I don’t like the sound of it.”
“No, you should not like it at all. We are at a dire crossroads.”
As they moved forward, the scenery kept changing until they stood before a large, golden doorway huge enough for a giant to pass through.
“I will leave you now and return for the next step,” Zeno said.
Juliet shook her head. “No, you cannot leave me alone. Please stay with me.”
A sad smile crossed his face. “I’m always with you. All you have to do is think of me, and I will appear. Go on in. You will be in good hands.”
The door swung open, and Juliet gasped. Everything in the room shimmered. The walls were jewels and gold, a huge throne was set in the back, and whimsical music played in the background. The fear of being alone left her. Juliet moved into the room without being aware of doing so. The door closed softly behind her. She was not afraid; she was mesmerized.
A woman appeared before a table with a huge book. Her body was translucent. She was the most beautiful woman in all creation. Her hair was long, brown, her body shapely, her face was too exquisite for words.
“Juliet, we were not expecting to see you so soon.” Her soft voice was like a caress. “But you are here, so we must commence with the process. Come here, child.”
“Who are you?” Juliet asked as she moved across the room, eager to be by this woman’s side.
“I am Sophia.”
“Are you an angel?”
The woman laughed. “Think of me as you
r mother.”
“My mother? You are not my mother?”
“Oh, but I am. Place your hand on the book and you will begin to understand.”
Juliet obeyed. Her palm warmed as she placed it on the large book. As soon as her skin hit the page, it was as if Juliet was sucked into the book. Every moment of her life flashed before her eyes in seconds.
How was that possible? How was any of this possible?
Time suddenly stood still. Certain, important moments in her life came at such a slow place, she grew impatient. And stranger yet, it was as if Juliet was not solely herself but every person in the scene. She felt what everyone else was feeling. Even witnessing her own birth, she felt the pain of her mother and the joy at seeing her for the first time, which surprised her. All her life, Juliet felt her mother had no love for her.
Many scenes from her childhood played before her eyes. Each of them she saw through a new filter. Juliet actually felt bad for her family. She had no idea they were having such internal struggles or that their love was so strong for her. If she had known that, perhaps she would have been happier. Maybe she would have tried harder to be a better daughter.
Her heart stilled as the image of Romeo appeared before her eyes. His feelings for her were as instant as her own. The scenes from her life raced rapidly, until she was back in the catacombs. When she experienced Romeo’s despair at finding her body, the emotion was intense enough to drive her to her knees. Their love was all consuming, but it was also a waste. They should have run off together without caring about what anyone else thought.
Why had they given so much power to others to the point they both killed themselves? It was truly senseless.
Juliet’s eyes snapped open. “Take me to Romeo. I need to save him.”
Sophia’s face lit up. “Not just yet. There is more to see.”
With a sigh, Juliet closed her eyes again. This time Paris came into the scene. His love for her stole her breath. How had she not known how he felt? And why was she not affected by him like she was Romeo? Paris was attractive. If she had not met Romeo, perhaps she could have grown to love him, but that was not their path. Romeo was all she thought about. The more she witnessed, a strong stirring inside of her heart awoke. She did have love for Paris. How had she not realized?
Once Upon A Kiss: Seventeen Romantic Faerie Tales Page 22