Chapter Two- Truths Between Friends

Joey swam through the water heading for the shore where he first changed. It turned out that it led to the kingdom where his friend, Prince Yugi lived along with his grandpa and his brother, sixteen-year-old Prince Atem. Yugi was eighteen just like Joey and the two met when Joey began his second change:

Joey had pushed himself to his feet, swaying slightly to re-orient himself to standing after being without legs for a year. His legs stabilized and he had turned to head into the village to observe the humans like he had done last time. He had spent his days observing and at night, he would gaze at the stars at the shore where he slept. He had had the foresight to gather money from shipwrecks after being hungry during his first change and observing that humans traded money for food. He had managed to acquire water from a fountain in the center of the marketplace.

Joey had reached the path where one direction led to the village and the other led to the palace when a voice had called, "Hello. I'm Prince Yugi. When did you get here? I've never seen you before."

Joey had turned to see a short, spiky-haired boy dressed in the clothes of royalty like Joey. The boy had wide purple eyes and an open, friendly face. His voice sounded more mature than his looks indicated.

Joey had recovered his wits as Yugi came closer. "Uh, hi. I'm Prince Joseph, but most people call me Joey. I usually come by once a year for three days. I just got here this morning."

"I don't remember seeing you before."

"I started visiting just last year. I stuck to the village during the day and slept at the shore at night."

"What? Well, not this time. You're staying with my family at the palace."

Joey had been shocked. "Stay with you? Your family would be okay with that?"

"It's just my grandpa and my younger brother. My parents are dead." The two princes headed to the village.

"Oh. Well, my dad is dead and I just have my mother and my little sister."

"A sister?" Yugi asked, interest evident in his voice.

"Uh, she's nine."

"Oh. Well, Atem's twelve and I'm fourteen."

"I'm fourteen, too!" Joey had grinned at Yugi, certain he had found a friend.

Joey surfaced and moved to the shore, the sky still dark with night, but was starting to lighten with the coming dawn. He pulled himself out of the water and watched the horizon. His change occurred at dawn once he was out of the water and he couldn't return to the ocean until dawn of day four.

The first ray of sunlight peeked over the horizon and Joey's tail glowed softly before splitting into two legs and new prince outfit covered his entire body. He swiftly got to his feet, checked his money pouch, and started up the path toward the palace.

"Joey, welcome back," Yugi greeted when the merboy reached the front doors.

"Thanks, Yug and I've got great news," Joey replied giving his friend a hug.

"Me too. But, you first."

"I'll be able to visit more often now."

"Great! So your mother finally agreed to let you stay more than three days?"

"Actually, I can still only stay three days at a time." Joey's eyes drifted to the shore far below and hidden from sight.

"I don't understand. Why would your mother let you visit more often but only three days at a time?"

Joey licked his lips, nervously. He had known Yugi and his family for four years and he's always felt bad about lying to them when they had been so open and honest, something he prized highly. Perhaps, it's time for a little honesty. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Yug, can you keep a secret?"

"Of course I can."

"Well, see. I'm actually a merman."

"A…a merman?"

Joey nodded. "Mermen used to be able to be human for a limited time and usually around the same time of year. Mine is the first three days of summer. Once a merman changes a fifth time, he can be human more than once a year, but the time length is the same."

"Wait. You said 'used to.' What do you mean by that?"

"They resisted the urge to change and lost it. It's widely believed that that ability no longer exists. Somehow, I gained it. My mother believes humans are dangerous and evil just like the merpeople who came before us."

"Why can only mermen become human? Do mermaids have a special power?"

"I don't know why mermen are the only ones to be human. Mermaids…they have a special power, but it's…dark and sad."

"What is it?"

"They turn into sirens briefly and hypnotize humans to sink their ships and drown by singing to them."

"Yugi's eyes widened. "They do? That's awful."

"It is. My sister recently turned siren a few months ago and she turns siren three times a month. I've seen Mother leave the palace at night once a week. Over the next five years, Serenity will turn siren more than three times a month and will hit a fixed number when she's eighteen. That number will be higher than three times a month, but no one knows what that will be."

"This is incredible, Joey. You're really a merman?"

"You can follow me at the end of my visit and see me change back."

"Okay. I'll do that."

"Good. Now, what's your great news?"

"Oh, right. Prince Seto is also coming to visit. He's arriving today to choose who he will marry in a couple of months and tomorrow night there'll be a ball where he'll announce his choice. Atem and I hop one of us will be chosen as do several of the village girls. He made it clear that someone from our kingdom will be his intended."

Joey grinned. "I'll hope for you and Atem, too. The ball sounds like fun."

"Sure does. Oh and I promise not to tell anyone you're a merman."

"I appreciate that, Yugi," Joey said as they entered the village.

Joey stood with Yugi and his family as a large sailing ship pulled into a dock. He watched as sailors moved about the deck insuring the ship didn't drift away. The gangplank was lowered and a quartet of guards marched down in a square formation and in the center of the square was a tall brunette man with deep blue eyes. Joey's mouth parted slightly and he inhaled quietly. By the Seven Seas, he's gorgeous. I can see why Yugi and Atem wish to marry him. I too would wish to be chosen, but I cannot. I'm a merman and must marry within my own race.

The guards arrived on the dock and the front two parted to allow Seto to approach the royals. He bowed to the elderly man. "Greetings, King Solomon. I am Prince Seto and am honored to be here again and that you are throwing a ball in my honor."

"Greetings, Prince Seto, it is good to see you again. We are glad to have you and are pleased to hold a ball for you. Our kingdom looks forward to learning who you intend to marry by tomorrow night. May I present two of your hopefuls. My eldest grandson Yugi and his brother, Atem."

Seto nodded to the two boys who bowed back. He looked the two princes over. Yugi had wide purple eyes and a child-like face that made him look younger than eighteen. Atem, however, had sharp purple eyes and a face that looked older than sixteen. Although Yugi is older, Atem has the look of a ruler. Yes, I could see myself marrying Atem. Seto glanced off to Yugi's other side to see a handsome blonde with brown eyes that held an innocence similar to Yugi's. I wonder who he is and if he's a hopeful.

"And you are?" Seto asked the boy.

The blonde bowed. "I am Prince Joseph, but I prefer Joey. I'm a friend of Yugi's and will be visiting for three days."

A visitor and a prince like myself. Hmm, he seems to be my age nto that that matters. "So, just visiting. Will you be at the ball as well?"

Joey straightened up. "I will. It sounds like fun." He flashed a smile that Seto found charming and he felt his heart beat a little faster. I think I found my mate. Visitor or not, I believe I will marry him.

Yugi, Atem, and Joey went to the marketplace that afternoon to shop for new jewelry and fabric that the royal tailor would make into new clothes. Joey didn't think he needed clothes, but Atem would have thought it odd that a prince wouldn't want a new outfit for a special occasion, so the blonde purchased some fabric as well as a gold crown adorned with common seashells.

"I wonder who Seto's mate will be," Atem said as they continued through the market.

"I think it'll be you, Atem," Joey said. "Seto's gaze seemed to linger on you."

"I don't know. I think it might be one of the village girls. Any one of them would make a good wife and eventual queen."

"It could be you, Joey," Yugi piped in.

Joey sputtered, "Yugi! I'm not looking for a mate. I thought I made it clear to Seto that I'm just a visitor."

"Actually, I don't think you did and visitor or not, everyone at the ball has a chance of being chosen," Atem pointed out. "And you did say you would be there."

"I still say it'll be you," Joey insisted.

That would be nice, Atem thought. But, it seemed to me that Seto seemed taken by Joey. He even spoke to him. I agree with Yugi now: Seto may indeed choose Joey. Surely, his mother would approve of the engagement, so why is he adamantly against it?

Joey's thoughts were racing as the trio headed back to the palace. Yes, he thought Seto was beautiful and yes, to be chosen by Seto would be nice, but he must not be chosen. He would be going home two days after the ball and wouldn't be able to be human again for at least one day and night as was stated in the book he had read.

If Mother found out I can be human, she would be mad I lied to her. She would be furious if she learns I befriended humans, let alone be engaged to one. I'll be sure to let Seto know that I'm not one of the hopefuls from which he has to choose.