Chapter Eleven

The day of the solstice dawned warm and humid, mountainous clouds set aflame by the sun's glory. Within the heights of the castle, a girl with pink hair stirred. Rini woke slowly, breathing in the sweet air that blew from the open balcony. Stretching languorously, she opened her ruby eyes and felt for the muscular frame of her fiancé. When she found the space empty, she frowned and sat up, looking around the room.

"Helios?"

Drawing the covers aside, she emerged from bed, her silk nightgown trailing behind her. Her search was brief, for she found him standing shirtless on the balcony, hands clasped behind his back. She sighed as she watched him, his white hair glowing in the golden light. Not wanting to disturb his meditations, she hung back, content to watch the sun play over his broad shoulders. It was for naught, however, as he felt her presence the moment she awoke, and a faint smile crossed his lips.

"Good morning, little one."

Rini blushed, as she always did when he called her that, and joined him outside. Seagulls called their morning greeting as they soared over the ocean, no doubt searching for breakfast. Rini nestled next to him, soaking up the moment for all that it was worth. Helios opened his eyes at last, looking down at her affectionately.

"Did you have sweet dreams?" he asked her.

She returned his gaze, a sweet smile lighting her young features. "I always have sweet dreams when you're around. How about you?"

His fire-orange eyes flickered away for a moment before he smiled. "Wonderful, as always."

He had answered her too quickly, and she frowned. He was always protecting her, and she could tell now that something in his demeanor was off. Suddenly pensive, he turned his gaze to the sea.

"It's so calm," he said softly, searching the horizon as if willing it to reveal its secrets. "Yet in a moment the tide can turn, its power provoked with the slightest change of wind."

He spoke the words like a prophecy, and she shivered. "What is it Helios?" she inquired. The priest seemed to recall himself. He blinked and turned to her, feigning nonchalance. "Just musing aloud, that's all."

Rini stared at him disbelievingly, and after a moment's stalemate, he sighed and shook his head.

"I can't hide things from you anymore, can I?"

Her face softened and she drew closer to him, nuzzling against his chest. "I've grown up," she said.

He laughed slightly and tilted her chin to meet his eyes. "So you have, little one. My heart is yours, and I should've known I couldn't evade you for long."

She shrugged, flashing a cheeky grin. "What can I say? I'm my father's daughter."

He smiled at her, but as he looked back towards the ocean, he sighed again.

"Something's about to happen," he said cryptically. "I don't know what it is, and for some reason it makes me uneasy."

Rini bit her lip. Helios was fearless, emanating the same stone calm her father did, and to see him anxious unnerved her. Frightened, she scrambled to find an explanation to ease his fears, and her own.

"The solstice is today," she ventured. "Two races are coming together, and there's bound to be some anxiety, and not just on our side. My uncle is hoping for a smooth transition, but there's no guarantee it'll go down that way."

He grinned at her serious tone, and the tension broke. "Spoken like a diplomat," he laughed. "If you're not careful, you'll run Darien straight out of office."

Rini scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, like that'll ever happen!"

Recovering her gay spirit, she giggled and disappeared behind the curtains. As Helios turned to follow her, he stole one last glance at the vast span of water, and despite the warm morning, he shuddered.

The rest of the day passed with rapt anticipation, and the castle was thrown into frenzy. The Merking and his court were expected at twilight, and there was still much to do. Decorations were hung and food was prepared, including some marine delicacies to suit their foreign guests. Mina and Andrew were thrust into the middle of it, torn in separate directions as the need called for them. Through it all, Darien noticed subtle changes in the queen as she flittered from place to place, taking frequent breaks and partaking of water or tea instead of wine. He grinned to himself as he changed for the party, fastening the star-shaped medallion around his collar.

"Did you happen to notice Mina acting a little different?" Serena asked casually as she pinned her hair up.

Darien's eyebrow arched, playing the idiot. "Different?"

"Yeah I mean, it was like she was walking on broken glass, always careful not to overexert herself. If I didn't know better I'd say she…"

Serena trailed off when she saw the sparkle in Darien's eye, the way he grinned like he'd just eaten the canary.

"You know something, don't you? Come on, out with it. What did she tell you?"

Darien smiled at her eagerness. "Nothing," he said honestly. "It's what she doesn't say that makes it a dead giveaway. I'm surprised Andrew hasn't noticed."

Serena smiled up at her husband. "I swear the two of you are so similar sometimes it's insane. You both have been doctors, and yet when it comes to your own spouses, you're completely oblivious."

Darien smiled at the memory. He knew he was going to be a father well before he and Serena were even engaged, and it still came as a shock.

"When do you think she'll tell him?"

"She'll probably wait until after the party's over." He smirked at her. "Until then, can I trust you to keep a secret?"

She smiled as she leaned close enough to see her reflection in his eyes.

"My lips are sealed," she said, and kissed him.

With the setting of the sun, the ocean's tide swelled, and from its glassy depths came the members of Okeanos's court. The water clung to their graceful bodies, their fins taking the form of human legs. They emerged completely dry and dressed in gowns and tunics of every shade and hue. Okeanos took the head, standing over six feet and robed in the finest garments. The maids of the court adorned their hair with pearls and seashells, their dresses shimmering in the twilight. Demara was among them, but kept the hood of her cloak up. Her face was placid and calm as she ascended the steps to the castle, but she grasped Marek's arm with white-knuckled hands. Anteaus was here; she could feel it in her very being, and in a short while she would be reunited with him.

"Patience, my sweet," Marek murmured in her ear. "Patience."

Her eyes flickered to him in annoyance, but her grip relaxed.

Beyond them, the great oak doors swung open, admitting them into a large ballroom.

"Presenting Okeanos, King of Atlantis and Sovereign of the Seas!"

At the announcement, Derek straightened from his conversation with Rose, his eyes alight as the Merking and his retinue made their entrance. The Merpeople were not called 'fair folk' for nothing, and their features, flawless and eternal, reflected that. He was immediately drawn to them, for though he was half Elysian, their blood still ran in his veins. He scanned the members of the court, as if he could spot his mother among the cloaked figures. Beside him, Rose stared in awed wonder, for she'd never seen such alien beauty and it was no surprise that her beloved shared blood with these graceful creatures. Andrew stepped to the foot of the dais as the Merking approached, smiling in welcome.

"Your highness," he said loud enough for everyone to hear. "We are honored to have you and your court join us on this most esteemed occasion."

Okeanos inclined his head. "I thank you for your invitation," he said. "It's been too long since our two kingdoms have come together, and may I be the first to congratulate you and your queen on your ascension to the throne."

"Thank you," Andrew replied, and gestured for his family to join him. Mina was a vision in a gauzy gown of midnight blue, an extravagant flower blooming at the shoulder. Crystal stood shyly beside her mother in a strapless ball gown, her platinum hair spiraling around her face. Derek and Rose remained next to Serena and Rini, but pressed into every word that was said.

"Your highness, may I present my wife Mina, and Crystal, my daughter."

Pleasantries were exchanged, and the Merking turned to one of his courtiers who held a velvet pouch.

"In honor of this occasion, please accept these gifts, as a token of our good will."

From the pouch came two pendants of iridescent stone encased in encrusted silver. Awed gasps and applause filled the hall as Okeanos presented them first to Mina, then Crystal.

The queen beamed. "Thank you, your highness," she said softly. "It is a beautiful piece of work and I will wear it proudly."

"As will I," Crystal added. "Truly you humble us with your kindness and generosity."

Okeanos bowed in response, and at Andrew's signal, joined him as they climbed the steps to where Darien stood. In front of him on a table was a long piece of parchment with an inkwell and a pair of quills on either side.

Amidst the Merking's party, Demara's lips curled in a silent snarl.

"Fool," she muttered. "I'd beach myself before I'd make peace with them, and Okeanos flatters them with gifts to adorn their wretched necks!"

She made a move, but Marek grabbed her wrist, pressing his face close to hers.

"Are you mad?" Marek hissed beside her. "Such an outburst will do nothing but get us killed. We came for Antaeus, but you won't get him back by making a scene. We'll wait until the feast begins, and then sneak him out somehow."

"Don't you understand?" she whispered vehemently. "I have not waited this long to slink in the shadows like some criminal. I've come to take what is rightfully mine, and I want to make sure Andrio knows of his grievances towards me."

Unaware of Demara's plans, the ceremony continued." Gentlemen," Darien said gravely. "Before you sign this treaty, do you come in the name of peace and friendship, and in accordance with the laws of the Neo-Silver-Millenium, so promise and swear to be courteous and respectful to each other for the duration of the summer solstice?"

In turn, the two men took the oath, and wrote their signatures on the document, so sealing their alliance. A round of applause rang out as they shook hands and Andrew turned to address the crowd.

"This is a new beginning," he said. "And may I be the first to express my deepest joy at the joining of our-"

"Liar!"

The accusation came sharp like a whiplash, and the ballroom abruptly fell silent.

Andrew's eyebrows furrowed as he stepped forward. In the center of a cluster of merfolk, Demara had let the hood of her cloak fall, and now stood pointing a finger at Andrew, trembling with rage.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

A mirthless smile graced her mulberry lips. "You don't remember me?" she purred, batting her eyes.

Confused by her penetrating gaze, it was a moment before he answered. "No," he said. "Should I?"

The smiled turned to a sneer. "I should've expected that, since your memory isn't quite as sharp as mine. It may have been a few thousand years, but you will soon find out I've forgotten nothing." She turned to the crowd "For those who don't know, allow me to regale you with the chronicles of your precious king."

In a grandiose manner, she made a wide circle, her tone falling into the cadence of a storyteller.

"Once upon a time, there was a poor, unassuming foot soldier. He was a handsome boy, full of life and virility. He desired above all things the princess of the realm, a beauty beyond compare. That is, until one night, while wandering the dark beach, he beheld a creature so provocative, so mesmerizing, that he had to possess her at that very moment." Her vivid eyes slid to Mina, who stood stalk still and pale with anger.

"And though unassuming," she whispered. "She found him to be an excellent lover."

"Demara, stop this!" Marek cried, quickly joining her and seizing her wrist. "Your Majesties, I beg your forgiveness. She doesn't know what she's talking about."

"Let go of me!" Demara shrieked, ripping her hand from his grasp. "I haven't even told them the best part! You see, months later, the young siren bore a child from that night, a son. She named him Antaeus, and he was a beautiful little boy, with hair black as night and eyes as green as his father's. But alas, they were torn apart by a terrible decree, and because he was a half-breed, an abomination, this precious boy was thrown to the beach to die."

At this, she looked to where Derek stood, her features softening. "But the siren left him a gift, a bracelet of white seashells, so that even as he lay dying, he would remember her. But, a miracle of miracles, the boy survived, and stands before you today! Look, there is my son!"

She thrust her finger at Derek, drawing a stunned response from the throng of guests. He stood trembling beside Rose, his eyes moistened with tears.

"Mom?"

Demara smiled tenderly at him. "My dear Ateaus. Look how you've grown. I have waited for this moment forever, and I never thought I'd see you with my own eyes ever again." Her face-hardened. "But it seems your father has other plans. He's poisoned you, talking all this nonsense of peace and unity, and yet he means to horde you all to himself like the selfish bastard he is!"

"Silence Demara!" Okeanos commanded, his silver eyes fierce. "At first I did not see the harm in bringing you here, but now I fervently wish I hadn't."

"You're a fool if you think to align yourself with him," she hissed. "He is nothing but a cheat and a liar, who has the audacity to first break the law, and then build a wall that will separate me from my son forever! I won't stand for it!"

Unable to be silent any longer, Mina made quick work of the steps and joined her husband.

"Madame you have overstepped your bounds," she said, her blue eyes flickering with anger. "How dare you come in here and-"

"Shut you mouth you Venusian whore!" Demara raged.

This time gasps and shouts of outrage filled the room, and every Venusian knight had their hand on their sword hilts, ready to defend their queen's honor.

Andrew drew his own sword and pointed it at the lady below him, trembling with the effort to control himself.

"Make no mistake," he growled. "No one speaks to the queen, my wife in such a manner. Derek's mother or not, I should kill you where you stand for such an insult."

Demara took a step closer, egging him on. "But you won't, will you handsome?" she whispered, running a finger along the length of the blade. "You want to know why? Because you and I both know you haven't got it in you." She paused to lick her cut finger, dying her lips crimson. "You act all bitter and hostile, but deep down you're a coward, afraid such a ballsy move will shatter my son's precious idolization of you, and you couldn't stand that blow to your pride, could you?"

That statement nearly sent Andrew over the edge, and he moved to strike her down, but before he could deliver the blow Derek made a move and stepped between them.

"Stop this, please!" he begged. "There's got to be another way to settle this! I've lived without a family for so long, and now that I've found you, I don't want to lose either of you. Mother please, if only you knew what Andrew's done, the measures he's taken to bring us together…"

"More lies," she snarled.

"I am no liar," Andrew shot back, bringing his sword up again. Derek once again stepped into the breach

"No please! Maybe…maybe there's a way we can compromise. I go with you for half the year, then come back here for the other half."

"Ridiculous," Demara scoffed. "Now that I have you back, I'm not letting you out of my sight. Come with me Anteaus, and leave this place. What could you possibly have here that I couldn't provide for you in Atlantis?"

Derek paused for a moment, and then his eyes settled on Rose.

"Her."

Demara followed his gaze as he beckoned her forward. She quivered from head to foot, but smiled at Derek as he reached for her hand.

"Mother, this is Rose. She found me on the beach when I was a boy, and has been by my side ever since. She's my best friend, my confidant and…I love her."

Rose blushed at his declaration, but tightened her hand in his, silently accepting his love and reciprocating it.

Demara looked between them, and then gave a derisive laugh.

"Clearly you've spent too much time up here that you're not thinking," she drawled. "You could have your choice of the most beautiful mermaids in Atlantis and yet you've given your heart to a Venusian? Darling, I think you can do much better than that."

Derek recoiled from her, protectively placing Rose behind him.

"Better than that?" he repeated, staring at her as though she were a stranger. "She saved my life, and you have no right to speak to her that way. I love her, Mother, and no amount of your sick persuasion is going to change that."

He backed away from his mother and stood beside Andrew, his face grim. "You've made you choice, and now I'm making mine. I'm staying here."

Demara looked as though she'd been slapped, and the face she turned to Andrew was one of murderous hatred.

"You!" she snarled. "You've twisted his mind against me, filling his head with lies and making absolutely sure I can never see him again!"

"You're mad!" Andrew protested. "If you'd just give me a moment to explain-"

"Oh, it's too late for that!" Demara chuckled, nearly hysterical. "You want to know the hell I've gone through for the past 3000 years, grieving over my son? Well here's your chance!"

Without warning, she flung her hands out, releasing a violet mist, its essence ringing with an entrancing melody. The lyrics were alien and haunting, the cadence and flow resembling that of a lullaby. Derek stiffened as it engulfed him, the spell pulling like the ocean's tide. The sea's rhythm pounded his senses, as if he were being dragged underwater. A throbbing sensation lanced up his legs and his knees buckled under him. A cry of pain burst from his lips, and as the mist receded, he could be found shuddering on the marble floor. Andrew dropped his sword and was at his side in an instant.

"Derek, what's happened? What's wrong?"

Derek looked at his father with wide, pain-filled eyes. "I…don't know," he gasped. It felt as though a thousand daggers were lodged in his legs and his lungs burned with each breath.

A surge of protectiveness swelled within Andrew, and he snapped his gaze to the woman across from him, stoic but for the triumphant gleam in her eyes.

"What did you do?"

Demara's eyes flashed. "I reminded him who he truly is," she said defiantly. "It's called Leona's Curse, bestowed upon a merman who wanted to be with the one he loved. Alas, he failed, and was caught in the transition and died of suffocation. I awakened Anteaus's true nature, and if he doesn't reach the ocean soon, he will certainly die."

"You vile witch!" Andrew roared. "Now neither of us can have him!"

"On the contrary," she sneered. "I am not as naive as this love struck fool. I learned a few tricks in my years in exile, and I found a way to reverse the spell, making my son a whole merman.

"You have a choice before you, Andrio. You can save his life and return him to me, or you can watch him suffocate. You have until sunrise."

Darien stood and outstretched his arm in front of him. There was a sudden shift in the forces as he attempted to still Demara under the force of his power. Seeing him raise his arm was enough for Demara, however, and her lithe form dissolved into a column of water, splashing uselessly to the ground.

Stone silence followed Demara's departure, pierced only by Derek's anguished cries. Okeanos approached the scene, his face grave.

"This is all my fault," he said sadly. "I was coerced into releasing her, but if I had known it would come to this…"

"What's done is done," Darien said, stone calm in the midst of the storm. "Go back to your kingdom for now, and we will send word to you when we have news."

The Merking could only nod, and exited the hall with his retinue. Darien made quick work of dismissing the awestruck crowd; all but the palace staff remained, and they scattered as well. Leon stayed behind, rushing to Derek's aid. He was still writhing on the floor, tears of pain rolling down his face.

"It…hurts so much," he cried. Leon placed himself at Derek's side, forcing the boy to look at him.

"Listen to me," he said firmly. "You have to take steady breaths, or else it'll only speed up the process."

"I…I can't," he panted, his cry turning into a violent cough. When it subsided it left him weaker than before, and when he pulled his hand back, it showed crimson. Leon shared a meaningful look with the king of Venus, shaking his head sadly.

"He doesn't have much time. I'm…so sorry."

With one final look towards the boy on the ground, he stood and left as well, leaving the family to suffer their fate alone.

It was at that time that Stefan came forward, assessing the situation with a keen eye. "We have to get him upstairs. I can treat him better there. As Leon said, there's not a moment to lose"

Seeing as Derek's legs were useless, Andrew hoisted him into his arms and nodded to the chief healer.

"Lead the way."

Without another word Stefan turned and walked ahead of them to the staircase that led to his quarters. Despite the exertion, Andrew trudged on, icy panic running through his veins. It looked for all the world like a funeral procession; he bit his lip until it bled.

No he berated himself. I won't let it come to that. It can't. If I have to slit my own wrists to save him, I'll do it.

With each burdened step, he began bargaining with the gods, willing to even exchange his soul for the life of his son.