Her fangs glinted at me, "Don't tell me you want to arrive early. It's not even midday yet. Besides... I can think up plenty of things we could be doing to pass the time..."
So, I'm really really sorry for the huge delay. Unfortunately I've had a real rough few months and I really don't wanna bore you with my life story. And I'm pretty sure this chapter is crap. But please read and review, anyway. Your support is really appreciated (including you silent readers, too. I need to know your opinions!). Also, apologies for he name changes. I wanted my FanFic name to be the same as my FictionPress (please check it out) .Cytherea. Thanks. Love you guys!
A few exhausting hours later, Syrena and I lay flat out on the bed, trapped in one another's arms; slumbering soundly among the sticky sheets, we were blissfully unaware that it was almost nightfall.
Then, when this thought crept into my my mind, I woke with a start, my whole body aching. I sat up dazedly and saw Syrena stood up clutching her hair. "We're going to be late; come on!"
"What?" I mumbled, pressing my lips against her dark tresses.
"We're going to be late for Ascelina!"
"Ah, yes… that." I rubbed my eyes and rolled clumsily out of bed. Grabbing a pair of trousers and forcing them on my legs, I watched Syrena scramble hurriedly trying to find one of my shirts.
"I'm sure she won't mind too much, will she?" I asked.
"You clearly don't know Ascelina."
Fair point, really. She did sound awfully scary.
Staggering awkwardly across my floor, I caught sight of myself in the mirror, and oh, I looked horrendous.
My ever-growing hair was ruffled and my stubble was a little too thick. Because I was so pale, I looked as though I could have been a terminally ill patient and beneath my eyes lay two puffy purple bags.
Cuts across my shoulders (presumably from my beloved Syrena caused by hours of violent love-making) and bite marks decorated my torso.
My incredibly defined torso. Since when did I get that toned?
Not that I was complaining, of course...
"Philip, you can admire yourself later (if you'll still be around, later, that is)."
"That's comforting..." I grimaced, "And, I just need to quickly trim my hair. I won't be long."
"Your hair looks fine." Syrena avoided my gaze and I knew I looked terrible.
"Then at least let me shave... please!" I begged much to Syrena's irritation.
"The stubble looks fine, too."
"I can tell when you're lying, Syrena."
"Congratulations..." She replied, rolling her eyes, frustrated, "Now, let's go, please."
"You need to dress, first." I pointed to one of my shirts on the floor and took the momentary distraction to flee into my kitchen and snip a couple of inches from my hair.
Still, I looked like I had a mop on my head, but it was a slightly more stylish mop, nonetheless.
Syrena had followed me down the stairs, holding the shirt.
"Well, put it on then, darling."I grinned.
"Right, Philip I – oh. You cut your hair." She blinked at me and a tinge of pink crept slowly into her cheeks.
"What is it? What's wrong?" I asked, striding towards her.
"Nothing... You just look good that's all." Glancing towards the shirt, she pulled it over her head and I smirked.
"I feel like death-warmed up, though..."
"Yes... well... anyway, I was just going to say that we'd better hurry, anyway."
After she had dressed herself in one of my shirts (inside-out), I laughed and took her hand. "Don't worry about it. She'll understand."
"The point is, is Ascelina might be able to tell you're a new-formed Merman… What would we say to that?"
"That I've been ill with… something that I caught from a shark and… or a squid... and then I... I... oh, I don't know." Leading her down the stairs and out the door, I could hear her sighing angrily.
"This whole business is a mess. I should have changed you earlier."
"You're hardly to blame for all this. If it was Tamara who let it slip, you know. I'm pretty sure she will have at least tried to cover for you."
We broke into a run and Syrena replied, "I should hope so or I'll have her guts."
"If you're still alive." I responded, hopefully.
"It won't be me who dies. That's the problem. It would be you. Sorry to sound so harsh, but it's true."
"My legs hurt…" I complained as we approached the tide.
Syrena grasped my hand tighter, "Oh, man up, will you, Philip? Your little aches and pains should be the least of your worries."
"They're not that little. Maybe you should try changing from a human into a mermaid."
"Theoretically, I have."
We were splashing through the white surf and I felt my knees buckle underneath me, "Sure, get technical… but not like this." I was heaving for breath, but attempting to keep the conversation light.
"Come on, Phil!" She was practically dragging me through the waves and I suddenly felt a sort of wrenching at my legs.
"Phil… Ha, that's a new one." I said, a little distractedly just as my legs locked, "I – I don't think I can do this." I murmured, but Syrena really didn't seem to care whether I could or couldn't. Grabbing me by the arm, she dragged me further into the sea.
"Now isn't the time to be having second thoughts, Philip."
"Well..." I said, reasonably, "I wasn't ever too keen on this idea in the..." Trailing off as Syrena fired me a death glare, I really didn't feel like I could continue.
I could feel my legs practically melt from beneath me. Shifting my gaze to where my legs should have been, I was a little surprised to find that in their place, a magnificent silver tail had spiralled out beneath me.
My head submerged beneath the surface and I was quite surprised to discover I could see everything so much clearer. Each bubble and every fish that flashed past me was so incredibly detailed that I found myself enjoying the view that much, that I wasn't too set on carrying on.
Either that, or I really didn't want to meet Syrena's scary step-mother...
"Philip, what are you...?" She turned to face me until my new form had registered in her mind. The irritation contorting her features, vanished and in place, an impressed smile graced her lips.
I hoped that meant I looked good.
When her fangs sharpened ever so slightly, my suspicions were confirmed – Syrena did like the way I looked.
Well, that was all that mattered.
Thoughts of Ascelina plagued my mind again and I could feel the water around me begin to quake.
Good – at least, something shared my nerves...
"Philip, please. I know you're nervous – but can you at least try to refrain from making a tidal wave?"
"What? I'm not shaking that much!" I retorted, defensively.
"You know what I mean..." She paused before clamping a hand to her mouth, "I didn't tell you, did I? I knew there was something I missed!" She was shaking her head and I rolled my eyes.
"What now?" I asked, exasperated.
Taking a deep breath, Syrena tightened her grip in my hand, "Well... remember how I told you mermaids sometimes have certain... skills? Mermen all have the same skills. When you're extremely powerful, it's almost as though you can control the sea and often, my brothers turn it into a game. They'll go 'shark-fighting' or something like that and use their skills to beat a shark and take control over it. Of course, we could just take them whenever we wanted, because merpeople are rulers of the sea... and I'm deviating – every merperson has the power of seduction and mermaids discover their talents once they've gained a lot of experience and lived for along time. Claudia is a brilliant healer – I don't know mine, yet, but I hope one day, I'll find out. Royalty always gain their powers sooner than everyone else because they're more likely to need them sooner." She took a breath after conveying a fast-paced speech to me and held a hand up when I opened my mouth to speak, "Let me finish. You know how you were nervous? You caused the sea to shake. I would ask you to refrain from doing that seeing as it could give away your secret."
"Right..." I muttered, weakly, "You're a very complex species."
"No... We are a very complex species."
"Is there anything else I should know?" My faint tones were barely audible, but Syrena just smiled.
"I'll explain everything later in greater detail. But now... we go meet your doom." She grinned, cheerfully but this time, I couldn't even manage the smallest of smiles.
…
"Claudia... I'm sorry we're late. We had a couple of... teething problems." Syrena indicated to my tail and I still couldn't quite get over how shiny and powerful it was.
Claudia nodded and replied, "Ascelina decided she'd tell me to tell you to go to her, instead."
"That was polite of her." Syrena muttered, sarcastically.
"You both look shocking." She swept her appraising gaze over both of us and her eyes lingered on my cuts for a moment, "I don't even want to know how they got there."
Suddenly the spot above our heads became absolutely enthralling to Claudia and Syrena cocked her head to the side, "What is it?"
"Nothing – I just... You should go, that's all."
Syrena nodded and took my hand; I assumed she didn't intend me to see the significant glance she shot at Claudia and so, tactfully, I pretended not to notice.
Once we were well out of earshot, I asked, quietly, "What was that all about?"
"What?" Syrena wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention, "Not long now... oh, there's my brother, in fact."
"You have brothers, then?" I asked, attempting to sound indifferent in order to conceal my nerves.
What had I let myself in for?
"Oh, yes. There are loads of us. But now isn't the time to get scared, Philip." She squeezed my hand and I slowed my swimming-pace down as a merman with huge, thick, rippling muscles swam by into a grand looking cavern.
"Well, I was kind of scared to begin with."
"Be quiet a minute... I can see Ascelina." Syrena craned her neck and I saw a glamorous looking mermaid talking to another who I vaguely recognised. She had blonde hair that was haloing her head and suddenly – I felt her piercing blue eyes on me.
I clutched Syrena's hand tighter and she mumbled, "I swear – I'm going to murder Tamara if she's let something slip..."
Judging by the livid expression on Syrena's face, I knew she wasn't joking.
"Now, come on, Philip – It won't be too bad meeting Ascelina. Unless she speaks to you personally and I don't know what else to say, I need you to stay silent. Don't drop yourself into anything, alright?" I nodded, mutely, and allowed Syrena to lead me 'to my doom'.
"Syrena, I'm glad you could finally make it. Sorry about not being able to come to you – I got so caught up in several important matters concerning – well... never you mind. But I'm glad you're here."
Syrena didn't even reply, but bowed her head, respectfully.
"And you must be Philip." Her scathing gaze rested on me and I felt awfully self-conscious, "How pleasant to meet you."
I doubled over forwards in a reverent bow and Ascelina gave a patient sort of smile. "This is my daughter, Tamara; she'll be keeping you company while I have a little word with Syrena. Is that alright, darling?" She asked Tamara who nodded, giving me an evaluative once-over with her eyes.
"Syrena... don't leave me." I muttered softly into her ear and she slid an arm around my shoulders, pulling me around to face her.
"I won't be long. Just please behave... both of you." She shot a pointed glance at Tamara before kissing me lightly on the lips.
Damn.
I could feel my fangs lengthen ever so slightly as I watched her leave and believe me, it took a couple of morbid thoughts before they eventually retracted.
"So, you're Philip." Tamara tried to smile warmly at me once Ascelina had left with Syrena, but every one of her pearly teeth were exposed and I found it incredibly unnerving, "I'm so glad you finally made it."
I nodded, silently, and Tamara laughed, "Careful – you're making a whirlpool."
"Sorry, I suppose I'm just readjusting, your highness." I said stiffly.
"You know, I didn't tip my Mother off. I made a solemn promise to Syrena, who I hold in extremely high regards." Her voice changed suddenly serious, "But I must say I am impressed with your new form."
"Thank you, your highness."
"Please don't call me that. Just call me Tamara – it makes us feel more like family. Which we are, after all. I suppose you're sort of like my brother now."
I shifted and forced a smile, "Of course... Tamara."
"Please don't act like I'm about to eat you." She told me bluntly. "Anyway, I know who told the Queen about you being a human but I probably shouldn't tell you – confidentiality, and all. But I'll tell you, the mermaid who let it slip has no idea you're a merman now." Tamara said, comfortably.
"Right."
"I'm sure you'll be fine. As you probably are very aware, Syrena is an extremely persuasive individual and has most likely already convinced my Mother that you are, in fact, a very powerful and noble merman. In fact – I think they're coming back now."
Straining to see the two figures approaching, I silently thanked the heavens that they hadn't been gone too long.
Syrena smiled at me and took my hand, easily, "Philip, just tell the Queen how many lives you've saved."
I bowed my head, "I don't know what you mean."
"I told you he would try to be humble about it all." Syrena told Ascelina.
"Yes, so you did. That's a good quality to have – I hear you're a very good protector, Philip. Syrena is lucky to have you."
"Honestly, your majesty, it's I who is lucky have Syrena." I glanced up, connecting gazes with the Queen and her smile faltered.
"How noble." Turning to Tamara, she whispered something in her ear.
"Yes, he loves her very much." She repeated and I couldn't hide my grin. Syrena was a genius.
"Now you've seen us – we really do have some unfinished business to attend to..." Syrena ran a finger across my jaw, causing my teeth to sharpen a little.
"Nonsense... you can finish that later. I can imagine that your father wants to meet this famous young merman. Come, let us go in together."
Syrena pushed her hand into mine and I had to literally drag her forwards, "What's up?" I asked her, quietly.
"I'll tell you later... In fact... you'll probably find out, anyway."
Wonderful.
…
"And who is this strapping young merman?" An absolutely huge merman wrapped in thick muscle floated almost gracefully towards us – and I would have said he looked more like Syrena's brother rather than her father.
He appraised me, folding his arms across his broad chest.
Syrena's hand rested reassuringly on my arm as I tensed beside her.
"Father, this is Philip Swift."
"Swift, eh? I don't think I recognise that name. Are you from these parts?"
"Just on the borders. I try to keep a low profile, generally." I replied, forcing a courteous smile.
"I see." He tilted his head to the side and gave me a knowing glance, "So what is your connection to my daughter?"
"She is my... that is... well, we are... sort of... you know..."
"Together." Syrena finished, helpfully.
"Oh? And by 'together', I assume you mean you're in love?"
"Yes." replied Syrena, defiantly.
"What about you Philip? You're not just with her because she's the daughter of the King, are you?"
I shook my head, vigorously, "Of course not. I only found out after I had already committed to her."
"So you're definitely committed?"
I nodded again and suddenly his face cracked into a huge grin, "In time, you'll learn to take me lightly, Philip. And I'm glad to finally see you've settled down, Syrena. Although, I have no idea how Symon will take this. His heart really was set on you."
And who was Symon?
Probably some noble, dashing young suitor.
Perfect.
"Well, I'm not interested. I belong to Philip."
That was exactly what I liked to hear.
"Yes, I can see that." The King replied, evidently amused, "Well, his reaction ought to prove to be rather interesting, anyway. I look forwards to it."
"I don't want Philip to meet him." Syrena said, firmly.
"Why not?"
"You know what Symon's like. He'd probably threaten to kill him or something..." Syrena muttered.
"Philip looks more than able to take care of himself. I wouldn't fret about it, darling girl."
He pinched Syrena's cheek playfully and she swatted him away, irritably.
"Syrena? Is that you?" I could hear a voice call from behind us and as I turned, there was a merman with light brown hair and twinkling eyes.
I sincerely hoped he wasn't Symon as I saw him wave a muscular arm in Syrena's direction. I was up against a lot if it was...
"Well who else would it be?" She replied, rolling her eyes but powering towards him all the same.
"Have you missed me?"
"Of course I have!"
I watched them embrace and I turned to the King, "Who is he, your majesty?"
"Please, call me Theodore." He clamped a hand on my shoulder and lead me towards the centre of the cavern. Sitting me down on a rock beside him, he smiled, "That's Adam, Syrena's younger brother. She is six years older than him and they've been best friends since he first learnt how to swim."
As I studied his face, I could see the resemblance between the two. His hair was just a shade lighter than hers but they both shared the same smile.
"It's certainly been a long time since the young Syrena has visited."
I turned at the sound of a deep voice and saw a tall, well-built merman with blonde, sweeping hair hovering behind the King.
"Indeed it has, Symon." Theodore replied, grinning, "She's brought her mate over to meet us all."
Oh... so that was Symon.
I found myself wishing it was Adam instead as I watched his muscles flex, threateningly.
"Her 'mate'?" Symon repeated softly, his blue eye glinting, "Where is he? I'll tear him limb from limb... I'll..."
He sounded like a charming fellow.
Theodore laughed, heartily, "A weed like you? Don't be a fool, Symon."
If Symon was classed as a 'weed' in the King's opinion, I had no idea where that left me...
"You don't believe that I'd do it? Well, wherever he is, I'll kill him."
"Now, now, Symon. That's not how we treat our guests. Besides, he would easily beat you to a pulp, wouldn't you Philip?"He turned to me and clapped me on the back.
I stood up as politely as I could and couldn't help but enjoy the way Symon's smug little face faltered, "Listen, Symon, I have no desire to fight you at all." I almost told him that I hoped we would one day become good friends, but it would be a sin to lie.
After he had gotten over the initial shock (and why he was shocked, I had no idea), he seemed to brace himself and straighten up, "I'll soon change that weak desire of yours. You think you're really worthy of Syrena?"
"Of course I don't think I'm worthy! But she thinks I am – so that's good enough for me." I responded much to the approval of Theodore. When Symon appeared unable to reply with a decent comeback, I sat down.
Feeling a firm hand grab my shoulder, Symon shouted, "Sitting down are we? You are such a coward."
"That's awfully decent of you to judge me considering you've spoken to me for about twenty seconds." I felt my merman hormones kicking in a little and I squared up to him, my expression remaining indifferent but my eyes sending him a warning glare.
"Shall we settle this outside?" He folded his arms, challengingly and I just shrugged.
"There's nothing to settle."
"Clearly, you aren't properly familiar with proving who is the better merman." He growled, his eyes darkening, "Perhaps you need a teacher."
"Well, seeing as though I see nobody who would be fit to teach me, I think I'll stick with my own knowledge. And I don't really give a damn who you think is the better merman. If I wanted to, I could easily tear you apart, but seeing as though I don't deem you worthy, I'll just take satisfaction of watching you get frustrated over matters that don't really concern you."
"Why don't you say that to my face?"
"I... just did." I noticed Theodore was surveying the scene through animated eyes.
"So you have a smart mouth. Let's see if your fists and fangs are as smart."
"I wouldn't stick my fangs anywhere near you. I have no idea where you've been." No matter how hard I tried to just shake his hand and make peace, I found my anger got the better of me every time.
"Symon, can't you see Philip doesn't want to fight?" Adam smashed a hand down on his shoulder and I suddenly noticed there was a few mermen gathering around us, observing the commotion, interestedly.
Looking down, Symon set his jaw.
"Well? Don't you have a job to be getting on with anyway?" He shoved him away and Symon just growled.
"Yes, Master Adam."
So he was a servant. An impertinent servant, at that!
I watched as he made his way past Theodore who was laughing, merrily.
"So, you must be my sister's mate, then. I'm very pleased to meet you. From what I've seen and heard, you seem like a very decent man. I'm Adam, by the way, Syrena's favourite brother." He grinned as Syrena shoved his arm lightly.
"This is Syrena's mate?" Another voice piped from behind me and I turned, finding myself at a crowd of mermen. The one who spoke was smiling, "I'm Isaac, by the way." He rested an arm on Syrena's shoulder.
"Can't you tell they've mated... have you seen the bite marks all over her poor mate's shoulders?" A merman with long, dark hair was laughing.
"Wow, Syrena... I had no idea you were that bad." One of Syrena's other brothers (for she must have had approximately ten billion) edged away, uneasily and she just smirked, exposing a set of sharp fangs – which I knew better than anyone else what she was in the mood for.
"So your name is Philip, right?"
I confirmed by making a nervous mumble in the back of my throat.
"My brothers and I were just on our way to do some shark-hunting. Do you fancy joining?" The long-haired brother asked and I glanced uneasily at Syrena who drifted towards me, slipping an arm around my waist, "Of course you must go. I need to see Erin, anyway. I haven't seen her in a while." Giving me a small but forceful shove towards her brothers, she smiled, "You'll have fun."
Shark-hunting sounded a little... well... dangerous.
Not that I was a wimp of course – I was just taking my time to adjust to my new form. And I had to be honest, it took a lot of readjusting. Not to mention, Syrena and I had a few things we would have liked to have finished off... such as some serious love-making...
I was trying not to draw too much attention to myself, plus the fact I didn't want to turn completely merman in case I did something I would regret and I couldn't sin against God. Not now; not after he'd done so much for me.
"Yeah, come on, Philip. It will be fun. We'd like to get to know you properly."
"Well... alright."I strained to smile as I made my way towards Syrena's crowd of scary, over-powering brothers.
"Brilliant. We won't keep him too long, Syrena." Adam dragged her into a one-armed hug and she replied, "Yes, I know."
Turning to me, she smiled and I pulled her into my chest, kissing her cheek, softly.
"Well... see you later – that is, if I don't get eaten by a shark or something." I said, offhandedly followed by a chorus of light laughter.
What? I was being serious.
"Oh, you'll be fine." She brushed me away, "Have fun."
I highly doubted that.
…
"Well, who wants to go first?" Adam asked, as we reached a large clearing in some unknown depths of the vast ocean – where potentially anything could just pop out and enjoy me as a light snack.
"Why don't we ask the guest?" Suggested one of the mermen with red hair.
"No – that's fine, really. One of you can go first."I gestured my hands, casually to the other mermen.
"Henry, why don't you go?" Adam turned to the long-haired one and he shrugged.
"Yeah, alright. Watch and learn, boys." Smirking, he set of stealthily towards a shadow in the vague distance.
"How do you reckon he'll get this one, then?" Adam asked, folding his arms.
"He usually bubbles it, doesn't he?" Mused Isaac.
Bubble what?
"Yeah, but that's a Mako."
A what-o?
"True. They are usually too fast for bubbles..."
"But... he's trying it anyway."
I watched through the water what Henry was doing. He sort of tensed up and clenched his fists. Moving his hand in tight circles, he thrusted it towards the shark who seemed to dodge the cascade of oncoming bubbles.
How did he do that?
I watched in awe as Henry did a few weird manoeuvres and eventually caught the shark around its back and swung his tail triumphantly over it.
Hurtling back towards us on top of the shark, he looked absolutely terrified, "There's a great white near here."
Perfect.
"That'll be no problem." Isaac chortled, cracking his knuckles.
"Isaac, be careful, alright?" Adam warned.
"If you struggle, there is a beluga whale not far away from us." Henry smirked and Isaac shrugged his statement off, nonchalantly.
"Now it's your turn to watch and learn." He sped off in a completely different direction to where Henry had gone and I watched nervously as he seemed to shimmer into the distance.
The brothers drifted closer to get a better view and reluctantly, I followed, trying in vain not to draw too much attention to the small whirlpool my nerves appeared to be creating.
Then I understood.
Experimentally, I clenched my fist into a tight ball, allowing angry emotions to course through my arm but to no avail.
Aw, come on!
"You alright there, Philip?"
I looked up and saw Adam watching me curiously. Glancing down at my outstretched arm, I could only assume I looked half-mad the way my whole face was creased up in concentration and my veins were pulsing violently.
"Yeah, sorry... I was just... practising for... you know..." I gestured my hand towards Isaac and the shark he was currently trying to manipulate into his grasp.
"For shark-hunting?" Adam folded his arms and raised his eyebrows, "What technique were you using?"
"I was sort of..." I cleared my throat and tried to look intelligent, "...it was a style my... Father used to use and I was trying to master it, really." I gave a nervous chuckle as Adam nodded, reasonably.
"It looked difficult, whatever it was. Was your father good at shark-hunting?"
"Well, I guess he was."I shrugged, internally punishing myself for being dishonest – again. I strained my neck to see what commotion was happening in the distance and Isaac had managed to swing his tail over the sharks back and he punched one fist above his head, grinning widely.
As I watched each of the other brothers take it in turns to take control of a shark, I was desperately trying to form some kind of whirlpool... unfortunately, it was hopeless.
"Go on then, Philip, it's your turn." Adam nudged my arm but I bowed my head.
"I – I can't." Shrugging hopelessly, Adam just stared at me, blankly.
"By that you mean...?"
"I – don't really... feel too well."
"Philip, come on. Don't let the fact that we're practically royals put you off, alright?" Adam pushed me forwards, "Look... there's a narwhal there. Just take it easy... remember, if you want it – just take it."
I nodded as though I understood and turned to face the narwhal which was a fair few yards... metres... well, a mile or so away...
Come on, Philip, you can do this.