"Have you been enjoying yourself?" Elizabeth asked John sometime after breakfast the next morning in his room.

"I keep myself entertained," John responded with a grin.

"I am very aware of your means of entertainment," Elizabeth joked, walking over to the window. She looked down at the balcony and noticed Tristan and Melody talking to each other. It seemed as if they were engaged in a personal conversation, sharing something important that they didn't want others to know. Elizabeth was curious to know what that was. "I didn't expect him to be so- ruggedly handsome." John walked over beside her and they both watched him.

"He surely is," John agreed.

"I'm surprised you haven't had your way with him," Elizabeth said to John.

"Don't be so sure I haven't," John chuckled.

"Well- have you?!" she sounded alarmed.

"No. He's nice to look at, but he's not really my type."

"I thought your requirement was strictly phallic," she laughed.

"Well, that's just one requirement."

"What's his story?"

"Not sure. No one seems to know."

"I'm sure Melody does. Does she like him?"

"Seems that way, but I wouldn't know," John said as he began to put on his boots. "We're shooting soon if you'd like to make an appearance."

"You're useless. Maybe I will," Elizabeth smiled to herself.

Elizabeth went back to her room, put on her corset and made up her face with heavy makeup.

"Mel, you have to help me get him," Elizabeth said excitedly, barging into Melody's room and closing the door behind her.

"Who?"

"That red-headed dream downstairs."

"Tristan?" Melody laughed, "Are you sure?"

"What? Yes!" Elizabeth shouted, she walked over to Melody's vanity and sat in front of the mirror.

"What do you need me to do?"

"Well, what does he like?" she asked, fixing her hair in the mirror.

"I don't know," Melody shrugged. She couldn't really picture Elizabeth with Tristan- the thought of it made her feel a little bit uncomfortable.

"What? Just tell me!"

"Are you sure you want Tristan? I mean, he's a little different than you are."

"Different how?"

"I don't know- he's nice."

"I'm nice!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

"He likes helping people and swimming and animals and nature," Melody told her.

"I like all of those things, Mel."

"He's funny and smart and kind," Melody walked over to the window and looked out into the ocean.

"He's sexy too," Elizabeth added.

"Lizzy, I'm not so sure you're right for each other."

"What?"

"I don't know, you're both just so different."

"Different? Wait a minute, you don't like him- do you?" Elizabeth asked. Melody's eyes went wide.

"No! No, no- not at all. He's my friend," Melody responded adamantly.

"Wait, so you don't think I'm good enough for him?"

"Lizzy, you're probably too good for him is what I'm trying to say," Melody lied.

"You're the one who is madly in love with a guard who hasn't even noticed you. Have you even kissed anyone yet- outside of me? It's been over a week now, have you gotten Andrew to kiss you? Or Tristan- or anyone?!" Elizabeth yelled angrily, getting up from her chair. Melody was silent and looked down at her lap. "I didn't think so. Not sure why I even came to such a baby like you." Elizabeth began to storm toward the door.

"Good luck with Tristan," Melody said before Elizabeth left the room.

"The further away you get, the harder it becomes," John explained to Tristan outside, near the target practice, not far from the stables, "You have to account for the wind."

"That's a lot," Tristan said, loading up his bow.

"Imagine shooting a moving target in the middle of a storm when you're mounted on a horse." Tristan shot the arrow and it glided smoothly across the air, landing right on the rim of the bullseye.

"Almost!" John cheered at him, "Try that again."

Elizabeth was watching from nearby and decided to finally move in.

"John here is said to be the best marksman of the land, but I challenge that," she said proudly, leaning against a post on the other side of Tristan. Tristan glanced over at her for a second and continued to shoot another arrow, getting it slightly closer than the last. "Ouch. Falling just a little short."

Tristan loaded up another arrow and shot it carelessly, missing the board completely.

"Take your time," John reminded him calmly.

"Maybe this whole marksman thing isn't for you," Elizabeth teased Tristan. Tristan looked at Elizabeth and bit his tongue. "I can show you how it's done," she said, picking up a bow herself and shooting an arrow straight across the air, landing a perfect bullseye. She smiled smugly. "But that target is too easy." Elizabeth looked around and then suddenly stopped, a large grin spread across her face. "Watch this," she said picking up her arrow and shooting it away from them, toward the stables. The arrow made a loud sound as it spiraled through the air and landed on the side of the stable wall, an inch away from Margaret's face. She was walking alongside the stable and had to stop in her tracks, panicked.

"Stop that!" Tristan told her and Elizabeth laughed and loaded another arrow. Margaret tried to look around to see where the arrow was coming from when another arrow came flying toward her, grazing her hair on the top of her head. She quickly ducked and crawled on the ground, while Elizabeth loaded another arrow filled with laughter.

"Stop!" Tristan yelled, forcefully pushing the bow out of her hand. The bow and arrow fell to the ground and Tristan stared her down angrily as if he'd hurt her.

"What?" Elizabeth said callously, "You're going to do something- to me? I was just playing around." Tristan didn't say anything and then walked over toward a frightened Margaret to make sure she wasn't harmed. John could only stare at Elizabeth disapprovingly.

"What?" she asked him as if nothing were wrong.

"Well, he really likes you now," he said sarcastically.

"Didn't think he'd be so soft."

"If I had known that the way you flirted was behaving identically to father, I would have never told you to come down here."

"Oh, please," she rolled her eyes, "It's just a maid."

"Tristan!" they heard Melody shout in the distance but couldn't readily see her. Elizabeth watched as Margaret gave Tristan a long hug and Tristan then slowly pulled away and reassured her before turning away and walking toward Melody- wherever she was.

"Ugh, you should've heard her this morning. She was being such a little brat. Losing that stupid ribbon from her hair has really gone to her head."

"Your cousin is crazy!" Tristan shouted as they walked around the gardens.

"Oh, you've met Elizabeth," Melody laughed.

"How can anyone be so- mean-spirited?"

"You haven't met my Uncle Adam yet," Melody said, "They're both good people, they're just a little abrasive at times."

"How is John even part of that family? He's so different."

"He's more different than any of us, but no one talks about it."

"Just seems a little quiet to me."

"You'll love my Aunt Belle. She's the sweetest," Melody told him.

"I still can't get over how cruel that girl is."

"She's pretty though, isn't she?"

"What? I don't know. She's alright, I guess. Her personality makes her unattractive."

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Oh, god. What now?"

"Nevermind," Melody said sadly.

"Alright," Tristan smiled and shrugged, glad he didn't have to listen to whatever Melody was about to ask him.

"Lottie!" A voice shouted in the distance behind them. Melody's eyes went wide and turned around in an instant.

"Is that… Lauren!" she beamed. A young girl began darting toward them and Melody rushed over to meet her. They hugged tightly and Melody released her and took her by the hands. "You look so grown up!" The girl blushed bashfully.

"I'm thirteen and a half now," she said shyly.

"Lauren, you look so beautiful! I haven't seen you in ages."

"Hi!" Tristan popped up from behind Melody. Lauren looked at Tristan and froze completely. "I'm Tristan," he waved. Lauren only smiled, her cheeks now a shade of bright pink.

"Lauren's my friend. Our parents have known each other for a very long time," Melody explained, "Tristan's my uh-" Melody suddenly stopped speaking as she noticed two young men carrying a heavy trunk up toward the castle. She squinted to get a better view, but the sun was in her eyes. "Who is that?" she said to herself.

"Oh, that's just Emmett and Hugh," Lauren laughed nervously, not being able to stop looking at Tristan.

"What? No way. They look so, different…" Melody's voice trailed off.

"I guess so," Lauren winced.

"Who are they?" Tristan asked.

"My older brothers," Lauren responded.

"Lauren is simply beautiful, Alice!"

"Oh, thank you, Ariel. She's growing up so fast and I just want time to slow down! I'm sure you feel the same about Melody."

"Yes, I wish she were still my little girl," Ariel said, taking Eric's hand and giving it a squeeze.

"They'll all grow up someday," he said looking at George and his now dark blonde hair streaked with gray, next to his blonde wife and his blond boys walking up behind him.

"That's the last of it father," the oldest son said to George.

"Thank you, Hugh."

"Such helpful young men," Ariel said, "Oh! Speaking of, you have to meet Tristan."

"Who?" Alice asked.

"I'll tell you all about him, let's get inside."

"Melody is around here somewhere," Eric said to the young men, before turning to join George as he followed the ladies inside.

The two young men spot Melody with their little sister down toward the gardens.

"Think you're going to tell her this time, Em?" Hugh nudged his younger brother.

"What?" Emmett was snapped out of his thoughts.

"Profess your everlasting love."

"Stop that!"

"Come on, you know I'm just teasing you. You've been in love with her ever since you were what- seven?"

"You clearly know nothing about me," Emmett rolled his eyes at his brother.

"I know you don't look at anyone else the way you look at her."

"Hugh…!" Emmett warned, shoving his brother away from him. Hugh shoved him back forcefully and then Emmett charged forward, taking Hugh down at the waist. Hugh pulled Emmett's arm behind his back roughly and twisted it while Emmett was pinned on top of him on the ground.

From inside the castle, Eric smiled to himself as he watched the two brothers rough-housing on the ground. It reminded him of he and his own brother fighting just a few hours prior. Hugh was wider and more muscular while Emmett was leaner and agile, both strong and handsome young men.

"Boys!" Alice shrieked a piercing yell through the air from inside and they immediately stopped in place. "Not here!"

"See what you did?" Hugh teased Emmett and slapped him across the head as he ran off toward the stable. Emmett clenched his fist, but then felt his heart skip when hearing voices approaching.

"Emmy?" Melody said with a smile appearing from around the bend of the castle as she approached.

"Hello, princess," Emmett bowed his head forward politely.

"Stop that!" she giggled. She couldn't believe how much he had grown over the last two years since they had last seen each other. She also couldn't help but notice how handsome and masculine he had become. "You're- you're so tall," she said.

"Just a bit," he smiled. She was more beautiful than he had remembered her. "I like your uh, hair- that way."

"Oh," Melody ran some fingers through her hair down her shoulders, "Thank you."

"Mel!" Tristan called from the distance. He seemed to be making his way toward the beach.

"I'm coming!" Melody called out to him and then turned to Emmett. "I like your, uh- pants!"

"My pants?"

"Yes. They look, well-, very comfortable."

"Thank you," Emmett said, a little confused.

"Mel!" Tristan yelled impatiently.

"I'm coming! I'm coming!" she yelled at Tristan and then turned to Emmett, "I should go."

"I'll see you later then."

"Yes, later. You're staying, right?"

"For your ball? Yes."

"Right."

"Goodbye, Princess," Emmett bowed his head again.

"I'll see you, Em," she smiled warmly before turning around and running toward Tristan.

"Who's that guy?" Hugh asked moments later as they both watched Melody disappear along the beach.

"I uh- don't know."

"I can give you a hand with that," Melody said to Franky underwater. They had just finished rehearsing through the set of songs and Franky was hauling the last of the music equipment back to their hidden storage cave.

"No, Mel. It's ok, I'll do it," Tristan tried to grab the bag of equipment off the floor, but Melody stopped him.

"Let me do it, I think he likes me!" she whispered to Tristan, eagerly. Tristan rolled his eyes.

"Melody, we should really head back," Tristan told her with his hands at his hips, almost a scold, "I told your mother we'd be back before supper."

"Come on, Mel!" Franky called out from the distance. Melody smirked at Tristan wildly and followed Franky, leaving Tristan, Bradley and Scarlett behind.

"Let her go, man," Bradley said, "She'll be fine. You like her or something?"

"What? No, it's just-"

"I don't know why you're all about this new merm anyway," Scarlett said sourly, and took Tristan's arm, "Let's go

back to our spot." Tristan looked back at Melody and Franky a few times before they were no longer in sight.

"He must really like you," Franky told Melody on the way to the cave.

"Huh? Who?"

"Tris," he told her, "Who else?"

"Oh. No, he's just my friend. We've become good friends," she explained.

"So, what about your boyfriend? Is he ok with you spending time all on your own with random merboys who are 'just friends'?"

"I don't have a boyfriend," Melody said quietly.

"Did you break up?"

"No, actually, I've never had a boyfriend."

"You probably just intimidate them because you're so beautiful," he told her smoothly. Melody's face turned bright red.

"I'm not," she laughed nervously.

"You are. You really are," he said. As they approached the cave, Franky put all of the things he had been carrying down and swam ahead a bit to push the rock covered entrance open.

"I'll help you," she said and pushed beside him, his elbow occasionally grazing her arm.

"Wow, you're strong," he told her. She wasn't entirely sure if he meant it or not, but he was sweet. Once all of the equipment was stored into the cave, the two sat at the edge of the entrance side by side, looking down at their fins. His bright yellow scales shined vibrantly in comparison to her sparkly salmon ones.

"Are you from Atlantica?"

"Haha, no. I'm from the South Seas, can't you tell?"

"I'm not sure," she said, "I don't know how merpeople from the South Seas are."

"Well," he started, "They're all friendly and loud. Everyone pretty much sounds like I do." He moved some of his brown hair out of his eyes. Melody found something about him so handsome. He didn't have the most muscular frame like Tristan or Andrew or even tall and slender like Emmett, but he was rugged in his own way.

"Do you have a big family?" she asked.

"Huge," he responded, "What about you?"

"I have a lot of Aunts," Melody said to herself, "So, sort of?"

"Aunts are great. They feed you, buy you stuff, make you stuff, give you cousins," he said, staring into the distance, lost in his own mind. Melody could tell he was close to his family. He sat more closely to her on the edge of the cave entrance, fin-to-fin, arm-to-arm. Melody felt her heart racing again. "What about you? Do you have a girlfriend?" she asked nervously.

"Yeah, I do."

"Oh," Melody's heart sank. His words were like a blow to the chest.

"She's in the South Seas," he told her.

"Oh, she lives there? How often do you see her?"

"Not very often," he told her with a smile. She wondered why he was leading her on so much if he already had a girlfriend. There was an extended silence for a few moments. "So you like music?" he asked awkwardly.

"Uhm, yeah. I do. I've grown up with music my whole life."

"Rock music?"

"Haha, no," she laughed, "Classical music. I play the Violin and the Harp."

"Ah the harp, that's like an upright piano," he laughed, "Your family must be pretty well off." Melody forgot for a moment who she was- who her family was. She figured it was best not to bring it up.

"I like Caribbean music, too," she said, trying to not seem so square.

"Oh, really?" he asked smugly, in disbelief.

"Yeah. Do you know Sebastian?"

"Haha, yes of course. Everyone knows Sebastian. He's amazing."

"He's a friend of the family's," she said proudly.

"I hear he's a complete hard-ass," he blurted. Melody had never heard that term before.

"He's, a little- different," she laughed.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have said that. Don't want to offend you or him, or your family-" he apologized.

"No, it's okay! Really. Sebastian is tough. From the South Seas," she jeered. She laughed loudly, which made Franky laugh.

"Is Mel your full name?"

"Melody," she said, "How about you?"

"I'm Francisco back home. Franky up here."

"Francisco. I like it," she told him.

"Can I kiss you?" he mumbled. Melody felt her heart skip a beat. For a moment she thought she had only imagined the words.

"What?"

"I've just had this urge to kiss you since I saw you smiling up at us while we were performing."

"Oh," she fidgeted with her hands on her lap. "What about your girlfriend?"

"Ugh. I know," he looked back down to his own lap, "You probably think I'm a bad person."

"No, I don't think that at all."

"So, would you?" his face lit up, and his dimples were one of the most adorable things she had ever seen; she wanted to touch them.

"Uhm, alright," Melody agreed. She felt more nervous now than ever. It was actually going to happen, her first kiss with a boy. A very handsome, young, yellow-tailed merman with light brown skin and dreamy brown eyes. He placed his arm around her waist and rested the other on her lap as he leaned his head into hers.

"Franky, I've never done this before," she said softly, staring at his lips.

"It's like riding a dolphin," he smirked, "Incredible." He drew small circles on her lap with his fingers. Melody grinned and closed her eyes while Franky tilted her chin upward toward him, their faces inches from each other.

"Melody!" someone yelled.

The sound made them both jump up. It was Tristan with an angry look on his face.

"Where have you been?! I've been waiting for you!"

"Tristan! I've been right here this whole time! You knew where I was going!" she shouted back at him.

"I'm sorry," Franky started, "I kept her here way long, it's my fault."

"Shut up, Frank. I'm not talking to you- and get your hands off of her," Tristan huffed, pulling Melody away from him by her arm.

"Tristan! How dare you?! You're not my dad!"

"Your father is probably going to kill me when we get back to the castle. We need to leave now!"

"No!" Melody yelled defiantly, snatching her arm away "I'm spending the day here with Franky."

"Maybe you should go," Franky told Melody, a little afraid of what Tristan might do. Melody hung her mouth wide open, feeling betrayed by the young merman she barely knew.

"Stay out of this, Frank," Tristan snapped at him, "We're going back, now!" Tristan took a hold of Melody's arm and very forcefully pulled her along with him, dragging her across the ocean all the way back to the castle.

Back at the castle, Ariel was waiting anxiously by the window in the study that overlooked the long staircase to the beach.

"Eric! Eric, they're back!" she called out to Eric who was having a drink by the fire. Eric got up to join her at the window.

"See, I told you they'd be fine. Tristan is a level-headed young man," Eric told her.

"Oh, so you've changed your mind? Why are they soaking wet?" Ariel wondered out loud, arming her mind with over a hundred questions. They heard as the large door opened, then closed again. Ariel could hear the faint sounds of angry voices arguing back and forth. She darted to the door of the study, but then Eric pulled her back.

"Wait! Let's listen!" he whispered to her. They both stood near the door very quietly and tried their best to overhear what Melody and Tristan were arguing about.

"You completely embarrassed me!" Melody shouted angrily.

"Quiet! I'm tired of talking about this. Just get to your room," Tristan whispered back.

"I liked him!"

"You don't even know him. I know him. I know how his kind are, not you."

"You treated me like a child. I'm tired of everyone treating me like a child!"

"Then stop behaving like one! Stop being such a brat!" he snapped, "Melody, you have everything! You have a mom and dad who love you, a huge castle- no wait, two huge castles, one is made entirely of gold, all the food you can eat, servants, horse riding, art lessons, music lessons. You can have anything you want and it's still not enough for you!"

"He knows about Atlantica?" Eric wondered aloud, followed from a loud shush from Ariel.

"I don't want any of that. I just want my freedom," Melody cried, with tears in her eyes. "You and my parents don't understand. I want to come and go as I please and see the world. I want to live life and not have to obey anyone's rules. I feel so- trapped."

Tristan felt sorry for her. He knew what she wanted, he did value his freedom but wished he could have even a fraction of the things that she had.

"Look," he put both hands on her shoulders and looked directly into her eyes, "I'm sorry I made such a big deal about everything earlier. I didn't mean to embarrass you. If you show your parents you're mature enough to not break their rules, they may start giving you a bit more freedom. They just really care a lot about you."

"I guess," she mumbled, wiping tears from her cheeks.

"I care about you a lot, too," he told her and pulled her into him. She wrapped her arms around him and he rested his cheek on her head as she cried against his chest. "Everything is fine now, ok? There is nothing in the world wrong. No need to cry, alright?"

Listening to their conversation made Ariel tear up, she didn't know Melody was as unhappy as she was. Eric wiped the tears from Ariel's cheeks and kissed her temple.

"Let's get out there," he whispered. Ariel nodded. They both made their way out of the study and to the base of the staircase where Melody and Tristan were hugging each other. When seeing Ariel and Eric, the two separated immediately.

"Mom! Dad!" Melody was alarmed, "We were uhm-"

"We've had a pretty eventful and exhausting day," Tristan interrupted assertively, "I'll tell you both about it tomorrow, but Melody should probably get upstairs and get ready before dinner."

"Uhh," Melody was afraid her parents were about to explode.

"Alright," Ariel smiled and walked over to them.

"Huh?" Melody blurted.

"As long as you both had a good time and were safe, we don't need to know," Eric added from behind Ariel.

"Yes, darlings. Get some rest if you'd like. We'll see you at dinner. And after dinner, we have a dance lesson, Tristan," Ariel said as she kissed Melody's forehead and then pulled Tristan down to kiss his cheek. Both Tristan and Melody were dumbfounded and at a loss for words.

"Okay, Mom. You've got it!" Melody said cheekily, darting up the stairs.

"Right, of course. Thank you," Tristan bowed his head politely and smiled, then followed behind Melody.

"Do you think he likes her?" Eric asked Ariel when the teens were out of earshot.

"He loves her," Ariel smiled to herself.

"Lottie?"
"Hey, Emmett," Melody said casually, brushing two strands of hair behind her ear.

"Are you busy?"

"I guess not," Melody looked solemnly over the balcony of the castle. It was after dinner and the sun was almost fully set in the sky.

"Do you want to go for a walk? You know, like we used to when we were kids?" he asked bashfully. Melody smiled and nodded. She felt a walk with Emmett could clear head.

They walked out to the gardens and past a small fountain, further away from the castle. Emmett and Melody shared memories of their youth: fights they had had, moments when they were scared together or in trouble, and moments where they both had to be brave. She was glad he had asked her to come along, it felt nice for her to be around someone her own age who actually wanted her around.

"Take my arm," he told her on their way back.

"What? No," she laughed, "Why would I ever do that?"

"Because, you're a lady- well, almost."

"I am a lady. And I'm not taking your arm."

"But it's proper."

"Since when have you been proper?" she teased. Emmett felt his face glowing red with embarrassment.

"Lottie-"

"You know, you're the only one that still calls me that. You and Lauren."

"I'm sorry. Do you prefer Melody?"

"It's ok, I don't mind it," she smiled to herself, looking at her feet as they walked across the pavement.

"Or would you rather Princess?"

"Stop that!" she laughed.

"Princess Melody. That's who you are," he said chipperly.

"Emmett!" she nudged his arm playfully. He grabbed her wrist and stopped abruptly in place, gazing deeply into her eyes. Melody noticed little Emmett was not quite so little anymore, she had to look almost all the way up to meet his stare. He stood more than a full head above her, with a masculine defined jawline and neck, green eyes and sun blonde hair. His skin on his face and neck were tanned, probably from working out in the sun all day at Meridian Manor. She felt suddenly short of breath and stared back with parted lips.

"Princess," he whispered, he brought her delicate hand to his chest and pressed it against it with his. Melody felt a warm chill rush from her center to her heart and then throat. Emmett closed his eyes and swallowed hard.

"Let's keep walking," he said happily when he opened his eyes again.

"Sure," she responded. Emmett bent his arm at the elbow and Melody reached her hand around his as they walked back. As they neared the castle, Melody saw Tristan and her father walking out toward the royal carriage, with John and King Adam not far behind. She groaned and rolled her eyes at the sight of Tristan, remembering the fight they had just had.

"Who is that?" Emmett feigned the question, Ariel had already told them all about Tristan and how wonderful he is and how much they all loved him.

"Tristan, he's- he's my friend."

"It doesn't really seem like he's your friend," Emmett said, noticing her expression.

"He just makes me so angry sometimes!"

"Why, what happened? What did he do?" Emmett sounded concerned.

"Well," Melody started, but then realized she didn't want to go on about being a mermaid and Tristan's band and Tristan catching her about to kiss another boy, "I just wish everyone would stop treating me like a little girl."

"You sound like Lauren," Emmett chuckled.

"I'm serious!" Melody shrieked.

"Ok, ok! I know you are, I'm sorry."

"It's going to be dark soon," Melody said, her mood suddenly changing as they stood outside the entrance to the castle.

"Would you like me to walk you up to your bedroom so you can get some rest before tomorrow?"

"No, it's ok," she said. Emmett suddenly looked crushed. "But, thank you," she smiled.

"Lottie?" Emmett asked before she could turn away.

"Yes?"

"Tomorrow night- when you're dancing with all of the princes and dukes and nobility."

"Uh huh...?"

"Save me a dance?" he asked with a hopeful look in his eyes. Melody felt her face warm and she chuckled.

"Of course, Em," she smiled at him, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Princess."

"Eight pints," a beer maid came by and placed a tray of beers on the table. After dinner that evening, Adam and Eric had Tristan and John join them for a drink at the local pub.

"Drink up, son," Adam told John and then nudged Eric's knee with his, motioning his head toward a curvy brunette woman with breasts overflowing her dress. Eric's jaw dropped, the woman was very attractive, but a complete mess- laughing and walking sloppily across the tavern from man to man. Eric and Adam looked at each other and chuckled.

"Hey, ginger!" Adam called out loudly to Tristan who was sitting next to Eric, "Slow down on that pint." Tristan suddenly awoke from his trance, he was too busy staring at the woman with the large breasts as well. He laughed when he realized that he hadn't touched his beer. He nodded at Adam and raised his glass slightly before taking his first sip.

"Is this your first time drinking?" Eric asked him. Tristan shook his head no.

"Are you kidding?" Adam said to Eric loudly, "He was probably born in one of these."

"Adam!" Eric snapped at his older brother's rudeness while John shook his head apologetically at Tristan.

"Right in the cellar, how did you know?" Tristan joked with a smile, "Had my first beer straight from her tit." Adam laughed loudly and Eric joined in nervously- relieved Tristan wasn't too offended.

"Did you hear that?" Adam said to Eric, "He's funny! Probably learned it in a barn."

"From a goat," Tristan added and Adam laughed even harder.

The men carried on about fighting, riding horses and women- conversation mostly dominated by Adam.

"How many girls have you had, gingy," Adam asked Tristan.

"Not counting the sheep?" Tristan asked with a wink, "I lost count at age 10."

"You hear that, brother? He's probably been with less sheep than you," Adam slapped Eric's chest with the back of his hand.

"Stop that!" Eric laughed, feeling a little looser than he had been earlier.

"John here takes after me," Adam put his arm around his son, "He's a quiet one, but he can't control himself around the ladies." John nodded and grinned, a bit bashfully. "You see that? He knows it's true! My boy!" Adam bellowed proudly, then kissed John's head before releasing him. "Eric, he's going to make a great king someday- when I'm old, not anytime soon."

John looked at Tristan and rolled his eyes- embarrassed for his father's obvious drunkenness. A pretty, young blonde woman came over and put her arms around Eric's neck from behind.

"Are you fellas having a good time?" she asked seductively.

"My son isn't having a good time," Adam said right away, "Maybe you can take him upstairs and show him one." Tristan hadn't noticed before, but John seemed distracted, looking off into the distance. When Tristan turned his head to see where John's focused attention was, he noticed a man quickly look away and turned to some friends he was with. "John, go upstairs with this nice girl," Adam nudged John, who suddenly woke from his distraction. John looked at the woman and smirked.

"Yes, father," John said, rising from his chair to escort the woman.

"Get one of your friends for this one, too," Adam said, motioning toward Tristan.

"No, really. It's ok," Tristan said with wide eyes, but before he knew it the busty brunette was pulling him up to his feet.

"Wow, you're a cutie, aren't you?" she said to him, spreading her fingers across the fabric on his chest. John and the blonde walked arm in arm up the stairs to the second level.

"How about I buy you a drink instead?" Tristan told the woman, holding up a pint of beer.

"Aww, it's your first time?" she asked a little condescendingly, before pulling him up the stairs.

When Tristan and the woman reached the hallway, Tristan noticed that the man from downstairs walked into one of the rooms and shut the door. John was in the hallway facing the blonde woman, digging into his pockets for some gold coins.

"Look, don't go downstairs until I come out," John instructed her.

"You need to pay for 2 rooms then, I'm not going to just stand here," she nagged.

"Ok," John said and handed her some coins, "Go with him." He pointed at Tristan and the brunette and Tristan's eyes grew wide. John locked eyes with Tristan, silently begging him to keep his secret. When Tristan finally nodded John joined the man inside the room and closed the door behind him

"Oh, he's so cute," the blonde giggled. The women pulled Tristan into a room and shut the door. There was a raggedy, old wooden bed and a soiled mattress as well as a single chair in the corner.

"Who do you want first?" the brunette asked him, kissing his cheek and finding her way under his shirt. Tristan felt a bit disgusted by the women, as pretty as they were, and removed her hand from his chest.

"I'd rather watch," he told them. The women looked at him surprised, but enthusiastic. "You can both put on a show for me and I'll sit here and watch- the two of you," he added nervously.

The women looked at each other and smiled.

"Are you not interested in females, like your friend?" the brunette asked.

"What? No, no! I am very interested in females- I mean, women," he explained, "I just would really like to wait- for marriage."

"Tristan," the blonde nagged, pursing her lips, "You don't have to lie."

"How do you know my name?"

"You shagged me two years ago- behind the butcher's shop, remember?"

"Oh," Tristan was dumbfounded.

"You told me that you were dying and it was your first time," she said to him.

"Hehe," Tristan's face went red, "I got better?"

"I see that," she jeered at him.

"Well, I do have some coins now."

"So, what?" she put her hands on her hips.

"So, take her clothes off," he commanded, leaning back in the chair. The blonde rolled her eyes and smiled, she walked over to the brunette who was just standing there and pulled down the white cut-off blouse she wore underneath her tavern dress revealing large floppy breasts.

"Wow," Tristan said.

"Aren't they nice?" the blonde woman said, bouncing the woman's breasts in her hands before giving each one a long, hard lick. Tristan didn't think he'd get aroused, but he did- savagely.

"I like him," Adam said to Eric as the young men walked up the stairs.

"Yes, so do I," Eric smiled to himself.

"Why is he around again?"

"Melody. There was some fight and-"

"Fight?! With who?!" Adam demanded.

"Relax, it's over now, Adam. Melody brought him to the castle, he was hurt pretty badly."

"Oh, so he's trying to," Adam made a face, "You know- with Melody."

"Huh? Oh, uh, no," Eric shook his head, "I don't think so?"

"Heh, you're too trusting. You've always been too trusting."

"He's a good kid."

"But not good enough for Melody," Adam told him, "Besides, he's not royal. It could never happen. There will be at least a dozen princes at the ball."

"Melody doesn't seem very interested in princes. She seems more distracted and distant lately. I'm not sure what is going on in her head."

"They're teenagers, Eric, remember?"

"Ha, yeah," Eric scoffed and took a swig of his beer.

"Elizabeth worries me. I tell her, 'You don't have to be so strong and tough. You're not a man.'. I think she scares most of the young men she meets. She's not very close with Belle, in fact, Belle says she's openly defiant. I tell her that she needs to lighten up and let them develop into the people they want to be. But Belle and Elizabeth are equally as stubborn."

"Elizabeth is just like you, Adam," Eric told him, "She always has been."

"Me?! She reminds me of mother, only taller and scarier," he laughed. "I see the way men look at her sometimes and it makes me want to snap their necks." Adam pounded his fist against the table.

"Sit down and talk to her, do you ever do that? Spend time with her alone?"

"We do talk, all of the time!"

"About what?"

"Well, hunting and fighting and-" Adam didn't finish his sentence and took a sip of beer, "We talk, trust me." Eric shrugged his shoulders.

"How's John doing?" Eric asked.

"That's an even bigger mystery to me," Adam admitted- it was nice for Eric to hear Adam speak so openly about his children. Most of the time he only bragged about them and their accomplishments as if they were trophies or ornaments. Also, it had been quite some time since Eric spent time with Adam alone- with drinks around. "He's just so quiet. He is so smart, possibly one of the smartest people to ever walk the earth, but he's just- I don't know. He's not like me at all. He shows very little interest in me or the things I do. He prefers to read or play his chess games. Sometimes he disappears for hours and no one has a clue where he is."

"Adam, we did that all of the time," Eric reminded him.

"No, not like that. We'd go off and explore and have adventures, get drunk, meet women. John just vanishes into thin air. No reports of him leaving the castle and when he reappears he claims to have been studying or in the library or in his room- but we look for him in all of those places."

"Some people just value their privacy and solitude."

"I don't know, Eric, it's just strange. He also doesn't seem to have any friends."

"Does Elizabeth have very many friends?" Eric asked.

"Well, no, I guess not. Does Melody?"

"Uh, I'm not sure. She goes underwater often alone- without our permission, I'm not sure if she has friends there. She does have all of those cousins in Atlantica, but her list of friends is probably small now that I think of it."

"Thus the burden of royal life," Adam told him.

"I suppose so," Eric said, counting the small amount of friends he's had in his life.

"Eric, are you and Ariel still-" Adam started to whisper, "Bedding each other?"

"Not as much as we used to, it's down to maybe only two or three times a week now."

"Oh, ONLY. Your life sure must be hard, brother," Adam joked, rolling his eyes.

"Why?"

"No, no reason."

"Are you and Belle- wait, forget it, I don't want to know," Eric said, putting his hands up in defeat.

"I don't mind," Adam reassured him.

"I do! She's my sister!"

"So what? I'm your brother," Adam laughed and Eric joined him. "We don't seem to have much to say to each other lately. We have completely different interests. Every time we talk about the twins we get in an argument."

"That happens to Ariel and I sometimes, we get so caught up with other things we forget about our relationship."

"It's been at least three months!"

"Three months since what?" Eric asked, but then it suddenly hit him, "Oh! Wow, Adam, that's not good. I mean, how can you stand it?"

"I can't! I really can't- not for much longer."

"Have you tried to-"

"Yes, I've tried. But a lot of the times it's not just her, I feel tired as well. But for the last month or so, we've been sleeping away from each other in bed."

"The longest Ariel and I have gone without it was 3 or 4 weeks around the time before and after she had Melody," Eric said.

"See, that's understandable," Adam told him, "Three months for no reason at all?"

"You need to get away together. Get away from everything and take a trip together-"

"A trip?"

"Leave the palace and go back to the castle, maybe for just a few days or a week- or even longer. As long as it takes. Take her to the place where she fell in love with you."

"Good idea."

"Or you can take her to Meridian," Eric suggested.

"God no, I hate that place."

"I know! Do you remember the Island I told you about?"

"The one you made up- about the topless women and the giant lizards. Yes, I remember," Adam mocked Eric with a snicker.

"It can only be found by merpeople if you're looking for it, but I think it would be good for the two of you. Maybe we can all go."

"Please, do not tell my father- or anyone," John begged Tristan at the top of the stairway. Tristan watched as the man walked out of the bedroom where John went into earlier and adjusted his pants before making his way downstairs. "Promise me you won't."

"I won't. I promise," Tristan said, extending his hand to John. John took it, relieved and pulled him near in gratitude. He covered Tristan's hand with his other hand and closed his eyes.

"Thank you, friend," John said with a small smile.

"Of course," Tristan told him and patted him on the shoulder. The idea of telling John's secret had never crossed his mind, it wasn't his business to tell. He felt sorry for John and his burden. He wondered if John could just stop feeling the way he did about other men- and even if he could, did he even want to? A lot of questions raced through his head, questions he didn't want to ask then and there. "Let's go see what they're up to down there so we can start heading back."

"Tristan, wait," John stopped him, "I understand if you think of me differently now."

"No, not at all!"

"I know you'll say that now, but I will understand if you do," John said solemnly.

"You're thinking too much," Tristan told him, "Everything is fine."

"How badly do you want me?"

Tristan closed the door to his room after returning from the pub to find Elizabeth laid on a chaise near the window. She wore a black silk nightgown with lace trim that ended around her mid-thigh. Her long legs were exposed to the bright moonlight that came in through the tall window. Her wavy, long, auburn hair was loosely draped over her shoulders and a big grin slowly grew across her face. Tristan swallowed hard and averted his eyes to the floor. Elizabeth rose from the chaise slowly.

"You shouldn't be here," he said, lifting his shirt over his head and letting it fall to the floor

"Mhh," she purred, admiring the long valley between his pecs. He watched as she made her way toward him. He could see the outline of her hardened nipples contoured through the thin silk fabric. He stood there, straight-faced, as Elizabeth ran her hand along her neck, down her chest and between her breasts. "Touch me," she whispered, slipping her hand down below her nighty and in between her legs. Her hazel green eyes stared intensely into his big blue ones as she rubbed herself, mouth open and chest rising and falling dramatically as she pleasured herself.

"Get out of my room," Tristan snapped sternly, watching her and suddenly feeling his body desiring her. Elizabeth pressed her free hand against his chest and slowly moved her hand down to his tight abdomen.

"You can't keep this good boy act up forever," she told him, biting her bottom lip and feeling her way down to his firm erection. She ran her hand over the pants that covered his member and grabbed it firmly. Tristan's body jumped from the shock it sent through his nerves. He grabbed her arm and turned her around, cradling her back against his chest. He held her arm tightly behind her back with one hand and used the other to wrap around her body. Elizabeth quickly submitted, collapsing her back against him and pushing her chest forward to meet his touch. He touched her roughly, tugging and squeezing her breasts over the silk and pinching at her nipples. He pushed his hips into her buttocks, rubbing himself against her backside.

"Is this what you want?" he growled against her neck, licking the flesh of her fair, soft skin. Elizabeth was caught off guard by his sudden intense desire for her- it scared her and aroused her, lighting a deep flame within her.

"Yes!" she moaned breathlessly, trembling in his arms as she felt his hand wander down her stomach and between her legs, meeting her hand that was already there and pushing it even harder against her.

Elizabeth closed her eyes while Tristan led her backward a few steps toward the door. He released her arm and opened the door with one hand.

"What are you doing?" she asked, confused and still leaning against him. He turned sharply and pushed her out the door forcefully, making her almost lose her balance.

"Stay away from me!" he shouted, breathing heavily as he tried to calm his body down from the blood rushing through his veins. It took a moment for either one of the two to notice Eric standing a few steps from the door. Elizabeth's face was red and embarrassed as she tried to cover her body with her arms.

"Uncle Eric, he tried to take advantage of me!" she cried, craving sympathy. Tristan's eyebrows furrowed as he shook his head in disgust.

"Elizabeth, go to bed," Eric told her calmly.

"But Unc-"

"Goodnight, Elizabeth," Eric cut her off. She crossed her arms and slouched her shoulders as she quietly made her way down the hallway and into her bedroom. Eric smirked to himself as she walked away. When he heard her door open and close again he turned to Tristan.

"I know it's late, but could I have a word with you?" he asked the young redheaded man.

"Oh, come on," Tristan sighed, "You don't think I really tried to-"

"Let's talk inside," Eric motioned to Tristan's bedroom. Once inside, Eric found himself hit with flashes of memories from his past. He smiled to himself and walked over to the window. "I love this room," he said as he stared out into the dark night sky.

"This room?"

"This used to be my room. When I was a young man- well, before I married Ariel," Eric looked down at his feet and smiled. "When I was a boy I used to watch the ships come in. I told my mother I wanted to be a fisherman when I got older. Of course, everyone laughed at me."

"It's a good room. Nicer than any room I've ever had," Tristan sat on the edge of the bed facing Eric. Eric walked a few steps over to his old desk, pulled out the chair and took a seat.

"Thank you," Eric said, "For not taking advantage of Elizabeth like she wanted you to."

"She's crazy!"

"I know," Eric laughed, "Don't worry too much about her."

"It's hard not to; she scares me," Tristan joked.

"She scares most people. Thank you, also, for not taking advantage of my daughter."

"Oh," Tristan started, "I'm not exactly sure what you mean."

"I'm not very certain of the kind of relationship you're having with my daughter-"

"We're just friends!" Tristan corrected him sharply, "I promise."

"Nevermind that. Whatever the nature may be, Ariel and I are glad that she has someone like you in her life, someone who will look after her and protect her," Eric told him. Eric grabbed a large golden compass from his desk- his old compass. He looked at it and smiled. "My grandfather gave this to me."

Tristan began to wonder why Eric was in the room at all. He wondered if looking at all of his old things triggered some nostalgic sadness.

"It's nice," was all Tristan could think of saying.

"Do you like it here with us?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I know you're still probably recovering a bit from your accident and it'd be good to have you here for a few more days until you're fully well again. So that you can get the proper medical attention you need."

"Thank you," Tristan said politely, the thought of being there only a few more days made him instantly sad.

"I don't know what your plans are for the future, but- as far as Ariel and I are concerned, this is your home. You're welcome to stay for as long as you'd like," Eric said warmly with a smile. Tristan's eyes widened, he wasn't sure what to say.

"And Ariel?"

"It was Ariel's idea. You can come and go as you please, you can stay a few nights, weeks or forever if you'd like."

"I've seen a lot of the world, I would like to see a lot more," Tristan told him.

"I understand completely. Ariel and I have done a lot of traveling and have been many places all over the world. It's wonderful and you'll enjoy it. But when you're here, the castle is your home."

Tristan felt a sudden lump in his throat. He had never experienced so much kindness and generosity from someone as important as Eric. He was almost too afraid to speak in fear that he may just cry from happiness. Tristan was silent.

"Just think about it," Eric said, "I know Melody likes having you here as well. We all do."

"Thank you," Tristan said and immediately looked down at his lap and wiped tears from his eyes with the back of his hand so that Eric couldn't see.

"Tristan, if you're not really interested in my daughter-"

"I'm not," Tristan blurted out.

"Is there anyone you're interested in?" Eric asked curiously, secretly hoping to catch him in a lie. He'd be perfect for Melody, he thought.

"No. Nothing too special," Tristan shook his head.

"Do you have a special someone?"

"Well," Tristan rubbed the back of his neck, jutting his elbow out to the side, "Not really. I haven't really felt that special connection with anyone. I want it to just hit me, you know?"

"Like lightning?"

"Yeah!" Tristan nodded. Eric laughed, he had felt the exact same way at one point.

"I know exactly what you mean," he told him, "When I saw Ariel the first time, something inside me just knew. She saved my life, did you know that?"

"Really?" Tristan wanted to ask how, but he did not.

"I'll tell you about it sometime, for now, I'll let you get some rest." Eric rose from the chair and pushed it in, "We have a big day tomorrow, a surprise for Melody."

"Really?" Tristan smiled, excited for Melody.

"Melody, Ariel and I will be gone after lunch for a few hours, but we'll be back in time for the ball," Eric said as he moved toward the door, "Have a good night."

"Goodnight. And thank you- for everything," Tristan said genuinely with a heartfelt smile that made Eric feel warm inside.

The Balefire

"Hi, I'm Hugh and this is Emmett."

"Are you brothers?" Margaret asked with a flirty smile.

"He's my father," Emmett joked, making them all laugh.

"We're having a balefire on the beach later tonight if you're both up to join," Helena invited the two.

"Really? Who is going?" Emmett asked.

"Just us service people as far as I know," Margaret said, moving in a little closer to the young men in the hall.

"I'll be there," Helena said coyly, looking at Hugh.

"Then I'll be there," Hugh replied and smiled back at her.

"Will you be there- Emmett, right?" Margaret asked.

"Sure," Emmett responded. Helena and Margaret walked away, while Hugh and Emmett made their way back upstairs to their bedroom.

"What about Olivia- your fiance?" Emmett asked Hugh on their way.

"What about her?" Hugh shrugged, "She's not around. Besides, we're just going to the balefire."

"Sure," Emmett shook his head disapprovingly.

"Ariel and Eric always have the most attractive people working for them. Have you ever noticed that?"

"My father is such a drunken nightmare," John said as he laid naked in bed with his hands behind his head on the pillow. "You should've seen him at the pub earlier."

"Oh, here we go. I forget how bad your father-issues are," Andrew said jokingly, getting up from the bed.

"Where are you going? I thought you said you wanted to spend the night for once."

"Balefire out on the beach."

"Balefire," John scoffed, "Common people are so silly. What's the point of that?"

"If you had friends, you'd know."

"Honestly, I just don't see the appeal."

"Come tonight if you feel like leaving your belltower."

"I doubt that will happen."

"Suit yourself, prince."

"Come back later? Well- when you're done," John asked Andrew seductively as Andrew put his guard uniform back on. Andrew walked over and kissed John tenderly on his lips.

"Give me a few hours," Andrew said, finishing the last of the buttons of his uniform as he pulled away. John watched as Andrew opened the door to the bedroom carefully and then closed it behind him. Not a moment later he could hear people talking in the hallway, which then made him nervous. He rushed out of bed and to the door to listen.

"Tonight?" John heard a male voice say.

"Yeah, come by, it will be fun," it was Andrew's voice. Who is he inviting? John wondered.

"I was going to just go to bed, but sure! I'll see you down there!" It was Tristan. John decided that if Tristan was going, he may as well attend himself. He began putting a pair of pants on when suddenly there was a knock at his door. When he opened the door, Tristan was standing there with a big smile on his face. John wasn't sure what to say.

"Hi!" Tristan beamed.

"Hello," John wasn't so sure why he was being so cold.

"There is a balefire going on tonight if you'd like to come."

"Sure," John responded almost immediately, "I'll put on a shirt and some shoes."

"You don't need shoes," Tristan told him, "Just come barefoot, see?" Tristan lifted his leg up to show John his feet. John looked a little uneasy, but then laughed at the idea of being barefoot.

"Alright."

"Why even wear a shirt?! It's nice out. Here, I'll take mine off to match you," Tristan said enthusiastically and pulled his shirt up over his head, making John laugh. "Ready?"

"Let's go," John smiled, glad Tristan didn't feel uncomfortable knowing his secret.

The summer moon was shining brighter than it normally did among the millions of stars that surrounded it. The wind from the shore made the fire dance wildly on the sand while the number of youngsters grew around it. Andrew and two other guards were chatting amongst each other while Margaret and Helena brought some more cups for the beer. Hugh and Emmett spotted the two ladies walking and lent them a hand.

"It's so nice to have such strong, helpful men!" Helena said loudly enough for the young off-duty guards to hear.

"Yes, isn't it?!" Andrew joked. He pulled out a barrel and opened its lid, "Fresh from the batch for tomorrow's celebration."

"Very nice," Hugh said, licking his lips.

"You two won't tell the royal family, will you?" one of the guards asked Hugh.

"Pftt, no! Of course not. Who cares? Let's get some more booze out here!" Hugh cheered.

"Yeah!" Andrew shouted into the night sky before taking a cup by the handle and dipping it into the barrel. "Youngins first," Andrew handed the first pint of the night to Emmett who looked surprised.

"Thanks," Emmett said, before taking a big gulp.

"Elizabeth," Belle said at the doorway to the bedroom where Elizabeth was staying.

"Mother?" Elizabeth, turned the page of her book from the bed, "Here to tell me how much more of a disappointment I am to you and to remind me to behave like a lady? I'm really not in the mood tonight."

"Why must you be so rude?" Belle asked, she stepped into the room and shut the door behind her so no one would hear.

"Why must you stifle me? You must know by now that it only makes things worse."

"What is it you want from me?" Belle asked, sitting on the side of the bed beside Elizabeth's extended legs.

"Me? I want nothing from you. I can hardly look at you."

"What did I ever do to you?"

"Mother, please, you're embarrassing yourself. You already embarrassed yourself enough with that cowardly meekness. It's weak and pathetic," Elizabeth snarled and closed her book. Belle laughed with a scoff, which made Elizabeth a little confused.

"You really believe me to be pathetic? You believe my patience and kindness is weakness?"

"You're just jealous of me. You're jealous that I'm stronger and braver than you'll ever be. You're jealous of how much more father loves me than you. And why wouldn't he? You're pitiful."

"I love you, Elizabeth. Maybe it's my mistake and I don't tell you enough, but I love you so much, I would give up my life for yours in an instant," Belle started calmly. Elizabeth sighed and rolled her eyes. "If you for a second believe that strength comes from doing and saying whatever you please, opening your legs to every disgusting man who lays eyes on you and exercising no form of self-control then you're not as mature as you believe yourself to be. You're a child, Elizabeth. You're a sad, lost child." Belle got up from the bed and looked down at Elizabeth sternly, she could see that Elizabeth was taken back by her words. She very calmly turned and began to leave the room.

"I hate you," Elizabeth muttered, with tears forming in her eyes. Belle calmly turned back to face Elizabeth.

"Just so you know, Elizabeth, your father worships me. He would fall apart without me- the kingdom would fall apart without me. He is my equal because I wished for him to be. If you're so unhappy then simply leave or get married. But I need not remind you that I am Queen and if you won't respect me as your mother, then you'll respect me as your Queen. You are flesh of my flesh, but if you defy me and betray my kingdom, Elizabeth, ensure that your death will be precise and swift and I won't even need to soil my hands with you." A cold chill raced up Elizabeth's spine and for the first time in her life, Elizabeth was terrified of her mother. "Goodnight, darling. I hope you're feeling better by morning."

As she walked down the hall back to the royal bedroom, Belle couldn't help but smile to herself.

Melody looked out her window into the ocean like she normally did on nights when she couldn't sleep. She thought of Franky and how closely she came to having her first kiss. It was nice to feel his body near hers and his hand on the lap of her flipper. She then thought of Emmett and how handsome he had become. He seemed to be the sweet, fun, quiet guy she had always known as a child. She wondered what he was doing and if he was even up at this hour. She had no idea where he or anyone else from his family were sleeping. She suddenly remembered Elizabeth was there. Whenever Elizabeth visited, no matter how terribly she was behaving, Elizabeth was always there for Melody.

Melody decided it was time to apologize to her cousin for being rude and seeing if that helped smooth things over. She was going to tell her that if she really wanted Tristan, Melody would help her like Elizabeth would have done for her. She still had her dress on from the day, but she came to her feet and went down the hall to Elizabeth's room. Once at the door, she knocked a few times before going in all of the way.

"Lizzy?" she called out quietly. She could see a dim light flickering near the bed and Elizabeth curled up in a ball with her face down into the pillow. As Melody quietly stepped inside the room, she could hear the faint sobs coming from her cousin. "Lizzy! What's wrong?"

"Go away, Mel," Elizabeth lifted her head to say, her body facing away from the door. She quickly began to dry her face with the back of her hand.

"What happened? Why are you crying?"

"I'm not," Elizabeth replied adamantly, still drying her tears and sniffling.

"I'm really sorry about earlier- the whole thing with Tristan and-"

"Just stop! I don't care about any of that."

"Yes, you do."

"No, Mel. I don't. That's a silly thing to care about, only silly little girls like you would worry about something like that."

"Then, why are you crying?"

"I wasn't!" Elizabeth yelled, "Get out."

"No," Melody smiled at her angry cousin. Elizabeth never scared her because she knew that Elizabeth would never hurt her.

"Get out, Mel!" Elizabeth screamed, she took a pillow from the bed and tossed it at Melody. Melody caught the pillow in her chest and laughed. She took the pillow and jumped into Elizabeth's bed shrieking with laughter. "Get off of me!" Elizabeth tried to push her away, but Melody placed the pillow over Elizabeth's head and held it there as if to smother her. "Mel!" Elizabeth shouted, feeling Melody straddle her.

"Quiet, you're going to wake everyone. Just let me suffocate you until you fall asleep," Melody whispered. Elizabeth burst into laughter as she tried to fight off her obnoxious little cousin. Melody began to tickle Elizabeth's sides, making her squirm and shriek with laughter.

"Stop, stop, Mel!" Elizabeth laughed. She reached her hands up and squeezed both of Melody's breasts firmly. Melody gasped and covered her chest, collapsing to the bed beside her cousin, with her leg still mounted on Elizabeth's hip.

"No fair!" Melody protested playfully.

"Hey, it got you to stop," Elizabeth smirked. Her tears were almost completely gone, but her eyes looked tired and weary. Melody giggled and just looked at her cousin, the two of them face to face.

"Lizzy, I'm sorry about ear-"

"Let's just pretend it didn't happen."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, please, Mel," Elizabeth said more seriously.

"Alright," Melody said with hopeful eyes, "What can make you feel better right now?" Elizabeth shrugged. "Want to go see what Tristan is doing?" Elizabeth shook her head.

"Anything but that. Just let me go to sleep, please."

"Want to sneak some sweets made for the ball tomorrow?" Melody asked. Elizabeth's eyes went wide.

"You're a genius!" Elizabeth leaned in and kissed Melody's nose.

"I love you, Lizzie," she said sweetly.

"Awww," Elizabeth groaned, feeling her face warm, "You know I love you, too, Mel."

"Let's go get those sweets!"

"Let's take that whole tray upstairs," Elizabeth whispered to Melody as they discovered rows and rows of food prepared for the ball the next day.

"The chocolate eclairs? Bring the marzipan!" Melody giggled, taking the tray in her hand. Walking down the hall with the trays in the dark, they almost ran completely into Helena.

"Apologies, princesses," Helena said in a hurry, she was carrying a large stack of blankets.

"What are you doing with those?!" Elizabeth asked harshly.

"Lizzy, relax," Melody said to her, "Hi, Helena. We were sneaking some sweets back up to my room."

"Oh, I see," Helena said, a little frightened of Elizabeth. Melody noticed that Elizabeth was staring Helena down and not looking away.

"Would you like to join us? They're very good," Melody told Helena.

"We're actually having a balefire outside. Everyone is a tad drunk, some are more than others. It started getting a little chilly, so I'm bringing these blankets out so we can enjoy the night some more. You both should join us. We can use more ladies out there," Helena invited the two warmly. Elizabeth scoffed.

"Is Tristan out there?" Melody asked.

"Uh huh, he's out there, alright! He was playing the guitar earlier. I didn't know he could play!"

"What do you think?" Melody asked Elizabeth and Elizabeth looked at Helena and then at Melody.

"Sure. I'll go. But I'm sure it's probably infantile anyway," Elizabeth said.

"We can bring out these sweets to the group!" Melody suggested before they all began to walk out toward the servant's entrance to the castle.

Melody could smell the flames burning as they made their way closer to the fire along the beach. She could hear the faint sounds of an acoustic guitar being strummed lightly.

"The blankets are here!" Helena announced, with Melody and Elizabeth each carrying a tray of sweets behind her.

"And we have desserts!" Elizabeth announced equally as loudly.

"Melody!" Tristan called out cheerfully. He put the guitar down on the sand and got up from the log where he sat. He rushed over to Melody and gave her a big squeeze and a kiss on the cheek.

"Woah! Careful!" Melody laughed, trying to balance the tray in one hand so it wouldn't fall. Tristan lifted her up and twirled her around before placing her back on her feet. It made her feel nice to feel so welcomed. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed that Andrew was watching and she was careful to not acknowledge him. What she wasn't aware of was that Margaret, Elizabeth and Emmett were all watching just as closely.

"I'll help you with this, Mel," Helena said, taking the tray from her hands once the blankets were handed out. Elizabeth gave Helena a piercing glare, but Helena didn't even notice.

"And in precisely one hour you'll be sixteen years old," John said, looking at his pocket watch.

"That's right! Birthday girl!" Helena cheered and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you," Melody said modestly.

"Hey, Birthday Princess, come here," Andrew called her over, standing near the barrel, "I've got something for you." Melody felt her nerves begin to shake as she tried to smile and walk over as coolly as possible.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Your very first pint," he said, scooping up some beer into the wall metal cup.

"Oh!" Melody's eyes went wide.

"You have to drink it- all in one gulp," he told her.

"No, she doesn't have to," Tristan said protectively.

"Isn't that right, Princess Elizabeth?" Andrew asked, winking at Elizabeth. He knew that if anyone was going to get Melody to break the rules, Elizabeth would be the one to push her there.

"That's right, Mel!" Elizabeth smiled sinisterly, "All in one gulp. It's tradition." John and others laughed. Emmett looked rather worried, Melody hadn't even noticed him sitting on the sand. Melody looked at the tall pint of beer, she got nauseated just by the scent of it.

"Alright, here goes," she said and took a deep breath. She put the cup to her lips and tilted her head back, taking down large gulps of beer. The people around her began hooting and cheering her on- everyone but Tristan and Emmett. Melody suddenly stopped and winced as she breathlessly wiped beer off her chin.

"Ugh!" she groaned, "This is disgusting!" Everyone around her began to laugh and clap, which made her smile and blush a bit. She wasn't used to being the natural center of attention, at least not among people her own age. "I couldn't finish it."

"I'll finish it," Tristan took the cup from her hand and downed the last of Melody's beer.

"Thanks," she smiled at him and gave him a big hug, Tristan lifted her up from her bottom and above his head. Melody shrieked with surprise.

"Happy Birthday, Mel," he looked up at her, "Thank you for everything." As Tristan brought her back down to the ground Emmett could feel his blood boiling as he watched Tristan's drunken display of affection.

"Tris," Margaret called out, "Come back to me. It's cold." Tristan smiled sheepishly and walked over to Margaret. Hugh settled down on a big rock him and Emmett had carried over earlier and Helena sat beside him.

Elizabeth found herself to be a little out of place with everyone. She avoided all eye contact with Tristan because of what had happened earlier in the evening when he pushed her out of his room. She also didn't want to be anywhere near Helena nor Hugh. She walked over to Andrew and the other guard who were standing near the beer barrel and asked for a pint.

"I'll take one," she said boldly.

"Two princesses in one night," Andrew said, "What a treat!"

"Shut up," she jeered back at him, recognizing the condescending tone.

"Hey, we kissed last week, didn't we?" the other guard said to Elizabeth. Elizabeth stared at him blankly. "Remember? At the pub?"

"Hardly," she lied. Elizabeth remembered that he was a rather good kisser. Andrew handed her a pint and she began to drink it slowly. She hated the taste of beer, but she tried her hardest not to show it.

Melody felt a pair of eyes on her while she stood and watched her cousin drink her beer. She made eye contact with Emmett, who was staring back at her. He was sitting on the sand with his legs bent and crossed in front of him at the ankles near the fire. He wore shorts and a white shirt that blew slightly in the wind. He was resting his arms over his knees and a drink was in his hand. He lifted his head in acknowledgment and gave her a small nod.

"Emmett! Hey!" she walked over, she sat down next to him and folded her legs neatly underneath her skirt. "I almost didn't realize you were here."

"That happens from time to time," he looked at her sheepishly and she felt her heart jump. She glanced over at Andrew who was laughing at something Elizabeth was saying to him and it made her a little curious. She looked to her right and saw John sitting on the sand as well, his knees were bent upward and he was leaning back, resting his weight on his hands in the sand. His back was to the waves and he was also looking at Elizabeth and Andrew.

"Hi, cousin John," Melody waved at him and John smiled back.

Melody looked around at everyone and loved how everyone seemed to be having a good time. After a few moments, Elizabeth and the guard sat together on an empty log on the right side of John and Andrew sat left of John, not too far to the right side of Melody.

"So, Tristan, it was your turn- I believe," Andrew said as he sat down. He took an eclair from the tray and passed the tray around, starting with Melody. Melody grabbed one and passed the tray to Emmett. The tray made its way from Emmett to Tristan to Margaret beside him, to Hugh and Helena to the guard and Elizabeth and ending at John.

"These are so good. What was the question this round?" Tristan asked.

"When was the last time you've-" Andrew started.

"Oh, right, right," Tristan said, remembering. "Well, actually, it was just a few hours ago," Tristan laughed and all of the young men laughed as well.

"No way!" Hugh called him out.

"Seriously!" Tristan shouted with a big grin on his face, "There were two of them!"

"I can attest to that," John raised his hand proudly. Andrew felt a bit uneasy about John knowing information about Tristan no one else did.

"Ha- yes, you can!" Tristan raised his cup in John's direction and took a drink. Margaret looked visibly upset.

"I skip this round," Margaret said, making them all look at Helena.

"I started the question, so maybe we should ask the people who just joined us," Helena said and they all looked at Elizabeth.

"That's a personal question," Elizabeth started, "That's nobody's business but mine."

"So you skip?" Andrew asked her.

"Yes, I skip."

"Alright, Melody?"

"I also skip," Melody said quietly.

"Ughh!" Andrew groaned, "Alright, new rule. No more skipping allowed. You're all taking the fun out of this."

"Ok, my turn to start," Hugh said, "Have you ever done it with more than one person at a time?" Helena leaned in and kissed Hugh's cheek while she stroked his thigh. "Yes, for me."

"Yes," the guard said.

"No," Elizabeth smiled bashfully, almost as if it were a lie.

"Of course," John said with a proud grin on his face.

"Yes, for me," Andrew said quickly and they all looked at Melody.

"Done what?" Melody asked and there was an uproar of commotion.

"That's probably a 'no', princess," Andrew said.

"Definitely a 'no'," Tristan laughed. Melody felt a little embarrassed but she didn't mind it too much. Everyone looked at Emmett and he shook his head.

"You all know my answer," Tristan laughed.

"No way!" Margaret shrieked when all eyes were on her.

"Yes," Helena said, biting her bottom lip nervously.

"Ok," the guard said, "Three part question: Is there anyone here you would kiss? If so, say who and you have to kiss them- if they agree." Some people groaned while others got excited. "I'll start. I want to kiss Elizabeth again- if she'll let me," he looked beside him at Elizabeth and she smiled. Sitting closer to him on the log, she parted her lips when his tongue met her mouth for a three-second deep, wet kiss. People cheered and howled when they were done and Elizabeth rolled her eyes as if to trivialize the kiss. Melody noticed a few moments later when the guard wrapped an arm around her and she gently rested her head against his shoulder. She was glad Elizabeth seemed to be enjoying herself.

"My sister, my cousin and two women I don't know. I will say no for this one," John said shrugging his shoulders before turning to Andrew.

"I will also have to say, no- at least not tonight," Andrew smiled. Everyone looked at Melody anxiously- at least it seemed that way to her.

"Uhm," Melody started and looked around the circle. This was her chance to kiss Andrew like she had always wanted to, but remembered how strangely he had been acting. She looked at Tristan who seemed to be looking back at her in anticipation. She then looked at Emmett beside her who looked at her for a moment and then down at his feet. "Well, no, no one here," she lied. She didn't know how to say she didn't know who to choose and how she also didn't want her first kiss to happen that way.

"No," Emmett said quickly, shaking his head.

"Hmm," Tristan looked around at all of the ladies, "I wouldn't kiss anyone I haven't already kissed here."

"Yes!" Margaret screeched and turned Tristan's head to face hers before planting a giant kiss on his lips.

"Yes," Helena said quietly after a few moments, "The princess." Almost everyone's head shot toward Melody and Melody felt a big lump in her throat.

"Well, I- I," Melody started but Helena cut her off.

"Princess Elizabeth," she clarified, giving Elizabeth a seductive look.

"Me?" Elizabeth was shocked. She had treated Helena so horribly whenever she saw her. Melody's jaw dropped open, wondering what Elizabeth would do.

"Yes," Helena got up from the rock with Hugh and sat next to Elizabeth on the log, their knees touching as she faced her.

"Alright," Elizabeth agreed and all of the young men began howling and cheering. Helena took Elizabeth's hand in hers and placed it on her lap before leaning in. Elizabeth also leaned in, her lips found Helena's quickly and her wet tongue parted her soft lips. They became more attached as their bodies came closer together. Helena's tongue was sweet and soft while Elizabeth's was strong and wet.

Melody looked down at her lap and then over at Emmett who was looking at her the entire time. She blushed nervously, embarrassed that the kissing scene turned her on and wondered if other people could tell.

"How are you feeling?" Emmett asked Melody while the group was distracted.

"A little loopy," Melody responded. She tucked her legs into her body and rested her head against her knees, hugging them tightly with her arms.

"Are you cold?"

"Just a little," she said with a small grin. She watched his face and realized how attracted she felt to him. Emmett looked around and found a single navy blue blanket folded up not far from where Tristan sat on the sand. He got to his knees and reached over, opening the blanket and ridding it of sand. He then stood and walked back over to Melody, bending down to drape the blanket over her. Tristan noticed the gesture by Emmett and so did John.

"Thank you," Melody smiled at him. When Emmett sat back down, he sat even closer to her on the sand. He spread his legs out toward the fire burning in the center and leaned back onto his arms, his right arm resting in the sand behind Melody's back. He knew that if she were to lean back, she'd end up almost cradled in his arms.

"You must've had a lot of built up tension," Andrew said, readjusting his pants around his crotch. Helena and Elizabeth were still kissing passionately. Helena's hand pulled against Elizabeth's hips and Elizabeth trailed her hand down from Helena's face to her breast. The two slowly began to slide off the log and down to the sand.

"Wow," Hugh remarked, not able to take his eyes away.

"I'm tired," Margaret said to Tristan, "Let's go to bed."

"I can walk you to your room, if you'd like," Tristan offered, "But I'm not tired yet."

"Alright," she agreed, "It's going to be such a long day tomorrow." Tristan and Margaret got up to leave.

"I'll be back everyone," Tristan said to anyone who was listening and headed off down the beach with his arm wrapped around Margaret.

Helena kissed down Elizabeth's face and to her neck while Elizabeth squeezed and rubbed her nipples over her dress.

"That's enough ladies," Hugh came over and began to pull Helena away.

"Get off of her, Hugh," Elizabeth warned him. He wrapped his arms around Helena's waist and tugged on her gently.

"Or else, what, Lizzy?"

"Or else I'll break your leg again."

"We were twelve and you didn't play fair!" Hugh shouted with a laugh, not letting Helena go. "Just like you aren't playing fair now. It's my turn!"

"Hugh, get off!" Elizabeth screamed while Helena sucked wildly on the skin of her neck.

"I kiss you, Lizzy," Hugh said leaning forward and planting a rough, forced kiss on Elizabeth's mouth. In one swift motion, he pulled away and pulled Helena up with him and off the ground. "I think you need to cool off!" he said and began running with Helena toward the ocean.

"No!" Helena shrieked, laughing wildly. Elizabeth got up quickly and chased after Hugh and Helena and the guard wasn't too far behind.

Melody watched the whole scene and giggled. She could feel the warmth radiating off of Emmett's body beside her and the tension made her anxious.

John and Andrew looked at each other and then at Emmett and Melody who seemed to be lost in their little bubble. With no one else around, Andrew blew John a small kiss and John felt his heart racing, nervous that someone would notice.

"I need to get more hay for the fire," Andrew announced loudly and got up to his feet.

"I'll give you a hand," John said and got up as well.

"Wow, thanks, prince!" Andrew winked.

"Melody," John opened up his pocket watch, "It will be midnight in five minutes." He smiled at her before heading down the beach with Andrew and toward the stable.

Melody looked out toward the laughter and excitement coming from the ocean. She watched as Helena and Elizabeth kissed some more and then Elizabeth kissed Hugh and Hugh would kiss Helena while the guard kissed Elizabeth. The rambunctiousness began to settle down as the kisses intensified and Melody smiled to herself.

"How do you feel?" Emmett asked, a little more loudly since they were the only people left by the fire.

"I feel- great!" she beamed with sleepy eyes. She looked over at Emmett and smiled, feeling an extra bit of arousal and courage. Emmett couldn't believe how much the signals she was giving him had changed. He could tell she wanted him near but had no clue what to do next.

"That's good. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."

"Aren't you cold? Would you like to share the blanket with me?" Melody asked. She took the blanket off of her shoulders and opened it in front of her. Emmett couldn't believe how easy it was now. He scooted himself behind her and spread his legs open, pulling her into his arms. Melody tossed the blanket over the two of them, creating a cocoon over their bodies. Emmett wrapped both arms around her waist and squeezed her tightly, inhaling the scent of her neck and exhaling dramatically. A soft moan escaped Melody's mouth, wanting to be as close to him as possible.

"Look at the moon," Emmett whispered. Melody tossed her head back and rested on the nook between Emmett's neck and shoulder.

"It's so beautiful."

"Like you," he said softly into her ear. She placed her hands over his hands around her waist and just rested there, completely content with everything as she stared up at the moon and the stars.

"Emmett!" Melody gasped a few moments later.

"Lottie, look!" he said, equally as excited, "A shooting star!"

"Wow!" she watched in amazement.

"It must be midnight," he said and kissed the side of her face, near her ear, "Happy Birthday, Melody."

"Thank you," she giggled, feeling his arms holding her more tightly beneath the blanket.

"Did you make a wish?"

"Oh, no! I forgot! It came and went too fast," she lamented, looking up at him, "Did you make a wish?"

"Of course," Emmett smiled. He lowered his head and brought his nose to hers, and then leaned his head against hers. Melody could feel his breath tickle her lips as she parted her own. He touched his lips to hers softly, savoring every new moment. Melody was the first to taste his lips with her tongue lightly, making her way into his mouth. The feeling of the tip of his tongue touching hers sent shivers through her body she could not contain. She spread her mouth wider, inviting him in as their tongues danced slowly together. She didn't know her body would react so intensely as she felt her womanly lips moist in arousal. She wanted him; in that moment she wanted him stronger than anything she had ever wanted. She pulled away suddenly and looked up into his sparkling dark green eyes.

"Emmett," she huffed. Emmett looked down at her, his heart pounding, his body aching and his erection raging. "Kiss me," she pleaded desperately. He knew what she wanted; a real kiss, without fear or hesitation. A true kiss. Emmett immediately covered her mouth with his and drove his tongue between her lips, embracing her tongue and exploring the warmth of her mouth. Melody kissed back eagerly, allowing his kiss to grow with his courage. They continued to kiss under the moonlight with the firelight glowing against their faces.

"Eric, look! A shooting star!" Ariel said looking out the window of their bedroom.

"Make a wish!" Eric said enthusiastically from the bed. Ariel closed her eyes. "What did you wish for?" he asked her.

"I wished for everyone's happiness," she said sweetly.

"That's a great wish, Ariel," Eric told her, "Come to bed, let's start with mine."

Tristan was getting back from walking Margaret to bed when he heard some commotion near the stables. He walked over to have a closer look to find John and Andrew kissing sloppily against the wall with their hands in each other's pants. He thought about going over and warning them to do that somewhere a little more privately, but they seemed so involved, he didn't want to embarrass them. Instead, he made his way back toward the fire.

"Wooo! Go Mel!" he heard Elizabeth cheering from the water, she was then joined in by others in the ocean. Tristan tried to look for Melody in the dark ocean, but then realized they were all looking toward the beach. As Tristan approached, he found Melody and Emmett wrapped up in a blanket near the fire and kissing each other passionately. Tristan's blood pumped rapidly through his veins and he wasn't sure why.

I can't leave her alone with anyone for one second! He thought to himself. Just as quickly as his rage built, thunder clapped in the sky and the breeze picked up some more. Rain suddenly began falling from the sky. The people in the water cheered and shouted, deep in the passions of their sexual semi-orgy. Melody and Emmett both looked up as they felt their face wet with rain.

"It's just a little rain," Tristan heard Emmett say before kissing her again.

"Mel!" Tristan called out to her, "There is a storm coming, let's get inside." Melody pulled away from Emmett's lips and smirked.

"I'll be right in," she told Tristan, focused on Emmett's face. Tristan wanted to throw something at them, to pull her away or shout. But he realized how badly it had gone when he did it earlier with Franky.

"Emmett, come," Tristan said, "You don't want to get struck by lightning." Suddenly, the winds picked up some more and lightning struck right on the log where Elizabeth and the guard were sitting earlier. Melody let out a piercing scream and then jumped up to her feet. The young women in the water screamed and then laughed as they quickly made their way back to the sand. Tristan made sure everyone started on their way back to the castle before he did, smiling sinisterly as he watched them all scurry.

"Goodnight," Emmett said to Melody at the base of the stairs, "Our room is on this floor."

"Are you sharing a room with Hugh?"

"Unfortunately," Emmett told her, holding her near. He bent his head forward and kissed her tenderly on the lips.

"Goodnight," she smiled at him.

"Come on, Mel," Tristan rushed her and pulled her away by her elbow. Emmett and Melody were too happy and perhaps a little too drunk to become upset with him. Emmett watched as Tristan pulled her up the stairs and around the corner of the hall.

"What's wrong with you?!" Melody exclaimed as Tristan pulled her into her bedroom and shut the door, releasing her roughly toward the bed. Tristan breathed heavily and felt a tightness in his chest.

"Mel, I-" he rushed, out of breath.

"You what?! What's the matter with you?!" she looked genuinely confused and concerned for Tristan. Tristan pulled her toward him roughly, spinning her around and slamming her back against the door.

"I- I don't know," he huffed, before forcefully crushing his mouth onto hers, prodding his tongue inside and sucking her tongue out of its dwelling. He pulled away and looked at her worried eyes as he panted heavily against her face. Oh no, what did I do? He thought to himself.

"Tris," she cried and pushed her lips onto his again, wrapping her arms around his neck, allowing him to completely devour her. He lifted her legs up over his hips and carried her toward the bed as they kissed, she dug her fingers into the skin of his back. He laid her down gently, before jumping into bed on top of her. Melody wrapped her legs around his body instinctively, pulling him near toward her hips. Tristan pushed and retracted his tongue from her mouth, taking her tongue into his and sucking on it roughly. Tristan continued to kiss her lips and down her chin to her neck and the tops of her chest.

"You are so sweet, Mel. You taste so sweet," he huffed against her skin. Melody buried her fingers in his thick red hair and pulled him closer to her chest. The next step in his mind would've been to rip her dress off, suck her aching nipples and then make love to her until the sun came out. Melody loved the way it felt to be kissed and touched as roughly as Tristan had, but a big part of her still had Emmett on her mind.

"Tristan," Melody said quietly, her tone changed completely.

"I know," Tristan said, looking at her and stopping, "Something feels wrong." Melody nodded. Tristan collapsed himself beside her and they both stared at the ceiling in her room. Tristan noticed that her ceiling had white fluffy clouds painted all over it and he realized what an innocent girl she really was- or was expected to be.

"What's going on with you?" she asked, turning her head to look at him.

"It's like- I don't know. Seeing you with Franky and just now seeing you with Emmett gets me so angry. I feel like I have to protect you from them, to keep you innocent and pure."

"But, you don't have to do that."

"I know! Trust me, I know. But I can't help it."

"Do you want me for yourself?"

"No," he confessed, "And I don't think you want me in that way either." Melody shook her head. "See? I don't know what's going on."

"This is so confusing," she looked up at the ceiling again.

"I love you, Mel," he told her, "I love you, but I'm not in love with you. Does that make any sense?"

"It makes perfect sense," she smiled, "I love you, too, Tristan." Tristan turned his head and she turned hers. They looked at each other lovingly and Tristan leaned in for a kiss. Melody kissed back, enjoying the feeling of kissing someone again. As the kiss died down, Tristan could only stare at her.

"Us kissing is weird, isn't it? It's not just me," he asked.

"It is weird- very weird," she agreed, with a laugh, "Let's not ever kiss anymore."

"Thank god," Tristan let out a huge sigh of relief. Melody turned her back to Tristan.

"Hold me until I fall asleep?" she asked sweetly.

"Of course," he said. He turned on his side and pulled her into him tightly, wrapping his arm around her. "Happy Birthday," he whispered before closing his eyes.

"I love you," she said softly.

"I love you, Mel."