Princess of Mermaids

by A. G. Marshall

  “Well, so much for the food. We’ll have to hope the statue is an acceptable alternative. Now come here, child. You cannot seduce a man looking like that.”

  If she wasn’t able to seduce a man naked, Fiora had little faith that she could do it once Madame Isla was finished with her. But she needed the statue, and she wouldn’t put it past Madame Isla to use magic to hold her in place if necessary.

  So she sighed and slid closer to the mermaid.

  “Before I decorate your hair, we should remove all that nasty squid ink. I created a potion to remove the stains from your grandmother’s hair. It should work for yours as well.”

  Madame Isla pulled a small green bottle from the net. Fiora snatched it away before the mermaid could open it.

  “No. My hair must stay as it is.”

  “Don’t be difficult, Fiora. Changing the way you look is a very effective way to catch a human man’s attention, and your red hair is much more attractive than this dull black.”

  “The hair stays.”

  Fiora stuffed the bottle down the front of her dress. Not the most elegant hiding place, but it was the best she could do to keep it away from Madame Isla.

  The mermaid scowled but did not push the matter further.

  “Very well. I will simply add more decorations to your hair to make up for the lack of color.”

  She combed Fiora’s hair with the fork, humming as she did. The song created a fine mist that swept over Fiora and dampened her hair. Fiora felt a weight on her head as Madame Isla secured the fork into a strand of hair and let it hang loose.

  “Don’t make it too heavy. Everything is heavier on land.”

  Madame Isla ignored Fiora and tied another fork into her hair.

  Fiora sighed. Hopefully she would have time to take them out before she presented the statue to Gustave. Otherwise, she would catch his attention in all the wrong ways.

  This was maddening.

  “Most of my research has involved sailors, but Zoe and I recently discovered a human communication charm shaped like a golden sphere. It had many fascinating records of human formal events, and I will use what I have learned to aid your seduction.

  “Stop saying that it is a seduction. Gustave has to fall in love with me. It’s not the same thing at all. Besides, I’m not capable of seducing anyone.”

  Madame Isla’s eyes gleamed.

  “Perhaps not now, but you will be when I’m finished.”

  40

  Gustave surveyed the wreckage strewn about the library. Colorful paper and boxes covered the floor. Servants waded through the mess, searching for places to store the unwrapped gifts.

  The ruby pin from Gaveron still sat on Gustave’s desk. Even though Elaine’s test had found no evidence of magic, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the gift was more than it seemed.

  “I did warn you that my tests weren’t perfect,” Elaine said. “I’ve read a lot about magic, but I have very little practical experience. It’s possible I missed something.”

  They both looked at the pile of unwrapped presents and shook their heads. They hadn’t found anything, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t an enchanted object in the room responsible for nearly killing Lady Mer.

  “I still don’t understand why would someone want to cause an earthquake,” Gustave said.

  Elaine shrugged.

  “Perhaps it was a natural phenomenon after all.”

  “I have never seen so many diplomatic gifts opened so quickly,” Marquis Corbeau said. “I hope your travesties of thank you notes don’t start any wars.”

  Gustave sighed and massaged his forehead. Somehow, he had managed to open half the gifts and think of polite things to say about them in a few hours. It was amazing what you could accomplish when properly motivated.

  The door opened. Gustave looked up, hoping to see Lady Mer.

  But it was only a servant.

  “Please, Your Majesty, the Dowager Queen would like to see you.”

  Gustave looked back to the pile of gifts. What if the enchanted object was hidden in one of the unopened boxes? What if it caused another earthquake during the gala?

  “Go,” Marquis Corbeau said. “Your thank you notes are getting less and less coherent.”

  “I’ll search the library for information about magical earthquakes while you’re gone,” Elaine said. “Maybe I can find another method for testing objects for magic.”

  Gustave nodded and left the room. He hoped his grandmother didn’t want him to do anything too difficult. He didn’t have the energy for another challenging task.

  “May I have a word, Your Majesty?”

  Gustave whirled around, prepared to flee for his life if the speaker was Lady Annabelle.

  But it was Kara. She wore a travel gown, sensible hat, and determined expression.

  “I- I was just going to visit my grandmother.”

  He must have sounded nervous because Kara laughed a little.

  “I won’t take much of your time, Your Majesty. I only wanted to say goodbye.”

  Gustave blinked.

  “You aren’t staying for the gala?”

  “No. There’s no point in that now.”

  He blinked again. He was missing something.

  “It will be a good party. Marquis Corbeau is annoying, but he knows how to entertain.”

  Gustave thought the comment was funny enough to warrant a laugh, but Kara simply shook her head.

  “I didn’t travel halfway across the kingdom for a party, Your Majesty. I came here for you.”

  He stepped back, which made Kara laugh again.

  “I thought I might as well be honest before I leave. King Gustave, I have had a crush on you since you carried me through the garden when we were children. You are charming and handsome and always kind. When I heard you were searching for a bride, I thought perhaps there was a chance for me. I convinced Collette to invite me to the castle a few days before the gala so I could get to know you better.”

  She paused, and Gustave felt he should say something. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He shut it again and gave Kara an apologetic look.

  “It’s all right,” she said. “I knew I didn’t have much of a chance. I’m not clever or beautiful or exciting. But I also know my worth, and I respect myself too much to trail after a man who barely knows I exist. Especially when I suspect he’s in love with someone else.”

  Her soft tone and gentle smile took the sting out of the words. A wisp of golden fog in Gustave’s head whispered that Kara was right. He was in love with another woman.

  He swallowed.

  “Kara, I am sorry if I hurt you. I don’t plan to take a bride before I find my father. I have told my family that many times, but they don’t seem to believe me.”

  “As I said, I simply wanted to give myself a chance. And now I won’t spend my life wondering what might have happened. I hope you will be happy, King Gustave.”

  “You really should stay for the party.”

  “There will be enough young women there that my presence will not be missed. Besides, I received a letter from my brothers today asking if I could return at once. I am not needed here, but it seems I am needed at home.”

  She curtsied and walked away with her head held high. Much as Gustave hated to admit it, she was right. If she hadn’t said goodbye to him, he probably would not have noticed her absence at the gala. Perhaps he should have made more of an effort to get to know her.

  Or perhaps his family should have believed him when he said he was not looking for a bride.

  “King Gustave! There you are. I found a book of duets in your music room. Would you like to sing one with me this evening?”

  Lady Annabelle’s eyes had that familiar predatory gleam, and she watched Kara retreat down the hallway with a little too much satisfaction. Gustave swallowed.

  “I’m afraid I don’t sing well. Please excuse me. I’m late to meet my grandmother.”

  He bowed and hurried away, relieved that Lady An
nabelle didn’t follow. But he slammed the door behind him and leaned against it when he reached his grandmother’s room.

  Just in case.

  The dowager queen raised an eyebrow.

  “Thomas, perhaps you should leave us for a moment. My grandson seems to be in some sort of crisis.”

  Thomas bowed and left the room. Bernadine fixed her sharp gaze on Gustave.

  “Well? What is it?”

  Gustave hesitated. He didn’t want to admit that he had been running from Lady Annabelle. It was ungentlemanly.

  Probably unmanly, period.

  “Kara,” he signed instead. “She’s decided not to stay for the gala.”

  Dowager Queen Bernadine raised an eyebrow.

  “I didn’t think you knew that girl existed.”

  “I didn’t. Well, not really. Not until she said goodbye and admitted that she’s liked me since we were children.”

  “Well, I’m glad she found her voice at last. You said she’s not staying for the gala?”

  Gustave nodded.

  “I didn’t mean to hurt her, but I don’t feel the same way. I’m not getting married until I rescue father. And I need to find the woman from the beach first. She’s the one I love.”

  He added the last bit without meaning to. He had almost forgotten about the woman who rescued him. How could he have let her slip from his mind so easily when he loved her?

  Dowager Queen Bernadine snorted.

  “You’ll drive yourself crazy thinking like that, Gustave. The girl from the beach is perfect in your memory because you don’t know her, but a real woman will always be better than a dream.”

  Gustave turned away to hide his frustration and studied the portraits on Bernadine’s wall. Normally he would focus on his father, but today the portrait of his grandfather claimed his attention.

  “Are your memories of Grandfather perfect? You loved him.”

  Dowager Queen Bernadine laughed.

  “In my memories, he is the perfect husband, but in reality, he drove me to distraction much of the time. It’s tempting to look back and think everything was easy, but it wasn’t. It never will be. If you wait for the right time to give your heart or the perfect person to give it to, you’ll never love at all.”

  Gustave frowned.

  “Are you saying I should have given Kara a chance?”

  “I’m saying that you shouldn’t wait for things to be perfect, because even true love never will be. Don’t let your concern for your father or your daydream of a girl on the beach ruin your chance at something real.”

  “She’s real. She saved my life.”

  “And she hasn’t made any effort to contact you since. I’ve had all my spies out searching for a woman that matches your description. They haven’t found her. Whoever she is, it seems she doesn’t want to be found.”

  Gustave wasn’t sure if he should ask for more information about the search for his rescuer or his grandmother’s secret spy network.

  “A real woman can’t compete with your imagination, Gustave, and she shouldn’t have to. When you find someone and are ready to settle down, I’ll support you. Even if she isn’t a traditional choice.”

  Dowager Queen Bernadine patted her grandson’s hand. Gustave caught her fingers and raised them to his lips in a courtly kiss.

  “You are a gem, but I’m waiting until we find Father.”

  “Don’t wait too long, Gustave. Some girls aren’t willing to sit around forever. Not even for a king.”

  “Are you referring to Kara or someone else?”

  His grandmother gave him a coy smile.

  “As long as she’s real, I’m talking about whoever captures your heart.”

  Gustave wished that Lady Mer’s face didn’t appear so quickly at his grandmother’s words. There were too many mysteries around her, and he always managed to put his foot in his mouth whenever she was near. Besides, he couldn’t afford distractions right now. He needed to focus on the search for his father.

  “Find King Francois.”

  Gustave said this to his ring more out of habit than hope. He stared at the light that shone from the gem, not believing his eyes.

  “It’s moving,” he breathed. “He’s coming closer to shore.”

  “What was that?”

  Gustave signed the words, and Dowager Queen Bernadine gasped as they watched the light track a path across the wall.

  “It can’t be,” she whispered.

  Gustave stood so quickly that he knocked his chair over. He ran from the room, bumping into Thomas in the hallway in his haste.

  The light was moving. His father was moving.

  “Summon a ship!” he yelled to no one in particular.

  He heard a scuffle of activity behind him that hopefully meant he had been heard and obeyed. Gustave quickened his pace and raced through the garden as he followed the light.

  41

  Fiora’s hair rattled when she stood. Madame Isla had tied five forks to the ends, as well as an assortment of shells and bits of glass. Things that would be considered trash if they washed up on the shore.

  Madame Isla sang and smoothed out the water to create a smooth mirror on the surface. Fiora studied her reflection and tried not to grimace.

  By mermaid standards, she looked very attractive. The effect would be better if her hair could float around in the water, but the decorations were nicely placed. They sparkled in the sun, casting glints of light on the nearby rocks.

  By human standards, she looked like a garbage collector who stored everything she collected in her hair.

  “It’s-”

  Thankfully Fiora was spared answering as Zoe burst through the waves with a cheerful song. The statue followed, flying through the air and landing in the sand with a soft thud. Zoe and Madame Isla sang together, creating a wave to wash it further up the shore and set it upright.

  Fiora limped across the beach to study it. The statue had to be King Francois. Why had she not noticed the resemblance to Gustave when she saw it before?

  Probably because she had not known Gustave’s face so well then.

  “How will you summon the human man to be seduced?” Zoe asked. “Do you think he would follow the seagull?”

  “I’m not seducing him, and sending a seagull as a messenger may be the most unromantic thing I’ve ever heard.”

  Madame Isla considered this.

  “I suppose you’ll have to go fetch him yourself and bring him back. That will give us time to find more fish and build a fire. You can offer him food after all!”

  “No, please don’t-”

  But the mermaids were already gone.

  Fiora sighed and stared at the statue. There was no way she could drag it up to the castle. It was taller than her and solid stone. She could barely hold her head upright from the weight of the forks and glass tied into it. She certainly wouldn’t be able to move King Francois.

  Madame Isla was right. Fiora would have to fetch Gustave and bring him to the gift instead. Maybe she could find him and get back before the mermaids covered the beach with dead fish in a misguided effort to help.

  Seduction indeed.

  Fiora winced, remembering how quickly Gustave had pulled back from kissing her. However bad Madame Isla’s advice was, perhaps anything that distracted from her personality would be an improvement.

  She looked at her ring. The stubborn streak of pink and blue still danced across the surface of the pearl.

  Suddenly, Fiora felt too tired to stand. She slumped into the sand and leaned against the statue. If she had her voice, she would have talked to the stone king as she had talked to Gustave’s statue when she was a child.

  Instead, she leaned her head against King Francois’s leg, careful not to stab herself with the many objects tied in her hair, and stared at the sea.

  The waves rolled peacefully against the shore, never ending and never changing.

  Why couldn’t love be like that? Steady and reliable. Something that simply was. That you didn
’t earn and couldn’t lose.

  Was such a thing even possible?

  A large wave washed halfway up the beach, leaving a streak of sea foam behind it. Fiora scowled at the water and stared at the sky instead.

  One more day before the transformation charm ran out. She had one day to save her life by winning a king’s love.

  And the only thing she had to offer him was a statue pulled from the sea.

  “Lady Mer?”

  Fiora looked up, only mildly surprised to see Gustave running towards her. He seemed to find her wherever she went. She plucked a few bits of glass from her hair in a half-hearted attempt to make herself presentable.

  “Lady Mer!”

  Gustave’s voice was urgent, and he sprinted across the sand as if his life depended on it. Fiora sat up a little straighter. What was wrong? Had something happened? He held his ring aloft, and the enchanted red light shone towards her.

  No, it shone above her. Towards the statue.

  “Lady Mer, you’ve found my father!”

  42

  Gustave raced across the beach. Sand flew behind his pounding feet as he gasped for air and followed the light towards Lady Mer and his father. She had found him! Somehow, Lady Mer had found him.

  Then the sunlight shifted, and he realized she was sitting with a statue.

  An impossibly realistic statue.

  And the light from his ruby ring shone straight at it.

  Surely that was impossible.

  Gustave ran until he thought his heart would burst. He scattered a flock of seagulls pecking at a fish on the beach and slid to a halt in front of the statue.

  Lady Mer stood and brushed sand from her skirt. Gustave wondered briefly why she had forks in her hair, but he was more curious about the statue of his father.

  “Where did it come from?”

  Lady Mer swallowed, looking more nervous than the mostly rhetorical question warranted. Gustave studied her while he waited for her response.