4. Sea Foam

Betrayal overfilled Lukas's darkening heart. He fell asleep leaning against the wall, and when he woke to the silence of the house and the absence of Matthias calling him over for another day of venturing into the human world, the betrayal only poisoned his veins more. If Matthias's love had been true, which could only have been the reason Ivan appeared yet again, then why did he suddenly throw Lukas away?

Lukas didn't know what to think of it, but rage boiled over in his heart. Ivan had been exiled for a reason. He longed to apologize to his father, whom he knew was worried sick and tugging at his beard in fear for his little son. But no apology could have made up for Lukas's foolishness and ambition to have two legs.

Lukas left the room, knowing he would never see it again. He had only the day to win Matthias back over. His bare feet padded against the cool tiled floor and he slid to the stop by the stairs, looking down.

Matthias stood, enchanted, with Ivan holding his arm. Ivan looked different, not quite as heavy or masculine. He had taken on some of Lukas's features; the slim neck and dark eyelashes to be exact. Words of love and romance escaped Matthias. Little did he know that Ivan would leave him just as soon as the sun disappeared behind the horizon.

The tall halls let in warm sunlight, painting the floors white and yellow. Maids bustled around, collecting dishes and fine china from a variety of cabinets. The entire kingdom teemed with life—all crying in glee at the wedding of their fair prince!

"Ah what a queen we shall have!"

"Matthias, the fair prince, he shall rule our kingdom wisely just as his father had! I swear my name on it!"

Those were only some of the shouts outside. Maids inside spoke much of the same thing, mostly in happiness. The woman who tended to Lukas at his arrival was the most proud. She beamed constantly at the prince, untroubled by his foggy eyes. The film of enchantment on them went quite unnoticed with everyone but Lukas.

"Matthias…" He whispered, reaching over the ledge in vain.

Ivan caught sight of him and shot him a sympathetic look. "Nothing personal," he mouthed.

Glistening tear drops fell to the banister, dyeing the brown wood black. He regretted ever saving that wretched prince. More so he regretted ever falling in love with him.

Matthias took his bride to be outside, to enjoy the fresh air. Lukas tagged along behind him, trying to avert his attention back. Perhaps if that prince saw his true love he would understand. The betrayal from that morning passed and dissolved into love: glorious, passionate love. He tossed rocks, he tried to trip Ivan, but all of this came in vain.

So Lukas came to sit on a ledge of a water fountain, swinging his legs beneath him and holding what was left of that tiny red flower between his fingers. He listened to Ivan sing with his voice, sinking Matthias deeper and deeper into infatuation with the witch. Children ignored Lukas, rushing to Ivan and throwing flowers at him.

"Long live the king soon to be!"

Those words seemed to trigger a reaction in Lukas's gloomy being. He turned to stare at the couple, and realized that he had to stop it, somehow. Ivan would leave and Matthias would be forever under that spell. The kingdom could crumble in the palms of his hands and what would be left? A pile of debris that couldn't fend for itself would be in their wake.

Even if I am to die I will forever love you, Matthias. That is why I must put an end to your suffering. Lukas thought painfully, rising to his feet. The couple would share a bed for the first time that night, perhaps whispering wanton sounds to one another. In the darkest hour of the night Ivan would slip away. Lukas had to act before then.

All that was left was to wait.

Lukas did just that, trailing behind them constantly. The pain in his legs returned acutely, striking his joints as though they had done an incurable wrong. He wrapped his arms around his waist, trying not to allow tears to exit his eyes any longer.

Matthias retraced his steps with Lukas, showing the witch around the smaller parts of the kingdom, dancing with him to the playful tunes of some fiddle, and then ending the night with a boat ride. Their lips sealed in a kiss and Lukas would have cried had there been any tears left to shed.

I love you, Matthias

The wedding bells tolled, ringing out towards the sea where Lukas's father only dug himself deeper and deeper into his sorrow. Lukas sat on the pier, dangling his legs towards the sea—towards his home. He bowed his head, waiting for the ceremony to end.

In his hands he held tightly a small blade, ready to stab. He ran his finger along its edge, not drawing any blood for himself. Orange bled into the sea.

Upon a ship, ready to set sail, was the waving couple. White costumes trailed along in the wind, molding into the bruised purple sky.

Lukas climbed aboard, clambering into the newlywed couple's room. He peered in the window and found Ivan lying on the bed, raising his head towards the ceiling. Lukas waited impatiently. The day would end in a matter of minutes. He peered over his shoulder and caught Ivan looking.

Grunting, Ivan stepped off the bed and neared the window. Lukas beckoned him out. Ivan did so, going around and standing behind Lukas.

"You have no idea how difficult it is to pretend to love someone, Prince." Ivan said. "But to have my vengeance on your wretched father is completely worth the effort."

Lukas raised his hand and beseeched Ivan to come closer.

"Weak prince, what exactly do you need from me?" Ivan said, and then realized a short blade had found its way into his heart. Blood seeped from the wound and his mouth agape, he looked at Lukas.

Lukas pulled the knife out. Holding it at his side, he watched Ivan crumble to the ground. He tried to smile but the act weighed down his lips. He went into the room, stepping carelessly around Ivan.

Inside, he saw Matthias blink the enchantment out of his eyes, discombobulated. "Where is my bride…?" He whispered, coming closer towards Lukas.

"Oh, my prince, have you seen her?"

Lukas stepped closer, holding the blade out in front of him. It trembled in his grasp.

"What are you doing…?"

Lukas tried to speak, but no sound found its way out. He suspected it had perished along with Ivan. Behind him the sun's outer rim started to sink below.

"You…You're him!" Matthias cried, rushing forth, but just out of reach of the dagger which wobbled dangerously in his grasp. "I was a fool, you are him."

Lukas raised his eyebrows. Mouthing: "how"

"Something must have happened to your voice, but whoever I married looks nothing like you. I don't know, but it felt so very strange to be there. It felt like I was dreaming! And even if you aren't my savior, I fell in love with you." He began to plead, holding out his hand. "I fell in love with you and now I need you to be by my side."

Lukas dropped the knife, his vision flicking in and out of focus. He reached forwards to embrace—no, to kiss—Matthias.

But the sun had already set.

His energy slid away from him and he stepped away, moving as quickly as he could in his frail condition to the side of the boat. His foot met the dead arm of Ivan's. Something must have occurred in that transacting, because as the last light of daylight faded away, he managed to cry out in his voice, a beautiful, aquatic sound of roaming water and the life that feeds off of it:

"Once I am sea foam I will continue to love you, Matthias!" Lukas grabbed a hold of the edge and pushed himself off the boat, already feeling his body dissolve into bubbles, salty and airy.

Matthias held his hand over the edge, reaching for Lukas, but it was too late.

"No!"

Lukas watched him as he fell, plunging into the cold depth and at once becoming foamy bubbles rising to the surface and evaporating.

Matthias watched in horror, regretting every wrong decision he had made. He clutched the brink and bowed his head.

Lukas was gone and there was nothing left to do.

The king of the sea felt it, how and why he never knew. But one thing he was certain of: the gripping love that captured Lukas had brought along his doom…

… but even then…

He would love forever.

It seemed like a good idea to just finish it now. I hope you enjoyed

-fini