Maya sat in a large bath tub in the castle bath room. As Maya poured water over her naked body, she thought about how she felt when the beautiful girl she knew kissed her, and then when Lucas kissed her. As Maya thought about this, she remembered the last time she shared a bath with her mother. It was many years ago. As her mother washed the back of her nude eight year old body, Maya said, "Mommy, am I ever get meet a handsome prince like daddy and marry him?" Maya's mother smiled and said, "Maybe. But you don't have to marry a prince if you don't want to. You could choose not to marry anyone, or choose to marry a woman." Young Maya then said, "Marry a woman? But girls don't marry girls." Maya's mother then looked right at Maya and said, "No, some do in other lands. Now it's true royals usually don't. But our kingdom is one that doesn't fear change, as long as it's leaders don't." Then in the present Maya opened her eyes and said, "I miss you mom."

Later that day, Riley and Maya were walking along the beach together holding hands. As they walked, Maya was finishing up a story as she said, "And after that compliment was said, Prince Lucas kissed me and... I kissed him back." Riley's face became heart broken as Maya said, "But the thing is... I never thought I'd ever kiss a boy. In fact I always imagined kissing something not human one day." Riley made a puzzled look. Maya then said, "You see Beautiful, I've always hoped that if our kingdom expanded large enough one day, we may meet magical creatures. In particular... mermaids. Ever since I was a child, I've dreamed of falling in love with a mermaid. But the dream always turns into a nightmare with the mermaid being taken from me. Except one time. When I fell from a boat during a storm, I dreamt as I was washed to shore. And I dreamt the mermaid saved me." Riley suddenly stopped walking and had a blank expression on her face. Maya who had stopped walking too looked at Riley as she said, "The funny thing is Beautiful, you look so much like the mermaid I dreamed about. I know it's silly to think that but..." Suddnly Riley grabbed Maya's face with her two hands and smiled. Maya then placed her two hands on Riley's face and smiled too as she said, "You don't think I'm crazy, do you? Thank you Beautiful."

Later that day, Maya was walking down a stair case in her castle. Suddenly she tripped on a step and began to fall. However suddenly Lucas appeared and caught Maya. After helping Maya stand up again, Maya said, "You've saved me again Prince Lucas. Thank you." Lucas then said, "You're welcome Princess. You know, this could be a sign." Maya then said, "What? That we are destined to be together?" Lucas then said, "No. A sign of how important it is to preserve your legacy. You could've died yesterday or just now. And if you did, what would happen to your royal family? You have no sibings, and no other family. As soon as your father and you die, with no heir: the kingdom will fall into chaos. You need an heir that will carry on the kingdom's tradition of spreading kindness and compassion to the world. An heir that could be created... if we wed and consumated our love." A surprised Maya said," What!?" Lucas then said, "Please Princess Maya. I deeply respect you. We could rule well together. Do you think you would marry me?"

Riley and Maya sat in the royal bath tub naked getting clean as Maya said, "And then he asked me to marry him. Beautiful. I... I know it makes sense to accept his offer. But I can't. I... I just feel so confused." Maya then leaned her head towards Riley. Riley embraced Maya and held Maya's head close to her own breasts, As Maya felt the warmth of Riley's body touch her own, Maya said, "Sometimes I wish I could find a magical potion and turn into a mermaid and leave this kingdom behind. Or find a mermaid that's turned into a human and ask them to take me away. You know legend says a mermaid loses their voice if they turn into a human. But retains it if they find true love. Often I wish I could be a mermaid's true love." Riley began to stroke Maya's hair as she smiled. Then Maya said, "But maybe all of my fantasies were pointing me towards something real. Because Beautiful, you do look like the mermaid from my dream. So maybe it's a sign."

Riley looked confused as Maya sat up and looked into Riley's eyes. Then Maya said, "Beautiful. I... I think I've fallen in love with you." Riley and Maya then slowly moved their faces towards each other. Then the two kissed. They wrapped their arms around each other as their bodies pressed against the other. Their breasts squeezed against the others', while Riley began to run her fingers through Maya's hair. Meanwhile Maya used her hands to squeeze Riley's firm buttocks. Then suddenly the two heard a knock on the door. The two broke their kiss and looked worried as they heard a male voice say, "Princess Maya. Please come out quick. Your father is ill." Maya looked at Riley for a moment and then said, "Okay. I'm coming."

In a large bedroom, Maya's father: the king laid looking pale. Maya then entered the bedroom wearing a night gown as she said, "Father, what's wrong?" Maya's father looked at Maya as she aproached him and said, "My daughter. I have contracted the Southern Isle virus. It means... I am to die soon." A shocked Maya said, "No. Father, I..." Maya's father interrupted and said, "Listen child. This means you are to be queen soon. It will be an awesome responsibility since you will be all alone. I'm sure you will handle it well. I'm only sorry I will never see you married and see our royal line continued." Maya then looked down with a sad face. But then Maya looked up and said,"But you shall father. For very soon from now, I plan to marry Prince Lucas."

To Be Continued...

*Author's Note-Please leave comments and messages with thoughts and ideas of what should happen next.