My eyes fluttered open as the sound of the sea drew me from my sleep. A gap in the thick dark purple curtains let in a ream of sunlight, turning my turquoise sheet luminescent. Groaning, I snuggled deeper into the blankets, not in the right frame of mind to greet the day. My eyelids grew heavy, and I had just about surrendered myself to sleep when my mothers favourite song trilled through the air, forcing sleep to evade me.

"I'm up, I'm up. Hold your trumpets," I muttered, rolling over and answering the phone without bothering to look at the caller-ID

"What?"

"Someone is in a good mood."

Despite being half asleep, my magic immediately recognised the voice. I cursed under my breath, which only made him chuckle. "What do you want, Brandon?"

"To check on you after last night. I know that your family is a sensitive topic for you, and I wanted to make sure you were doing okay. But if you are just going to growl at me…" he trailed off, amusement ringing clear through the phone.

My mood softened at his concern. Out of all the boys, I was closest to Helia and Brandon, so I wasn't surprised that her noticed my emotional turmoil. "Thank you for checking on me, and I'm sorry for being grumpy. I hate mornings."

He chuckled, and I could see him in my mind's eye as he shook his head affectionately. "it's no problem, Muse. If you want, Helia and I can pick you up later for coffee?"

I rolled back onto my back and pondered his question. It would be fun, but my day was booked. In the light of the morning, I started to rethink my plan. I gnawed on my lower lip and mulled over my options.

"I can hear you thinking and I'm not even a Music Fairy, what's up, Muse?"

I exhaled through my nose and dumped all my thoughts on him. He weas used to the way I worked and stayed quiet while I systematically went through the chaos in my mind. By the end of the conversation, he hadn't said a work, and I sat there, nibbling on my lower lip, as I tried to keep my patience.

"I think you are doing a very noble thing. And the emotion inside, they deserve the help you'll be giving anyway." I nodded, processing his words. "Do you want me to come with you? I can get Helia too."

I hummed, mulling it over. The other girls found my friendship with the two boys odd, since Helia was quiet and mellow, and Brandon was flashy and flirty. The three of us worked well together, especially after the mission I was sent on with the boys a few years ago. Since then, we usually met up when we could, and just enjoyed each other's company. One part of me longed to say yes, but the other part knew I had to do this alone. Understanding my silence, he continued.

"Heels and I will pick you after when you are done, how about that?"

My body released all the tension I didn't know I had built up. "Thanks, I'll text you guys when I'm done."

"I will, and Musa?"

"Yea?"

"You're doing the right thing."

His words eradicated the last of the doubt. We talked for a few more moments, before hanging up. I let the mattress hug me for a few more moments before forcing myself to sit up. I had big plans today, and they didn't involve sitting around in bed.

"You got this, Musa," I whispered, keeping my voice down.

Slipping out of bed, I made my way to the attached bathroom. Everywhere in the castle was spacious, and the bathroom was no exception. The entire side wall was a large shower with a cloudy light blue glass separating it from the rest of the room, and another dark blue wall separating it from the toilet tucked on the same wall. The other side had a dais with steps leading up and a one-way mirror giving whoever relaxed in the shell shaped claw foot bath a beautiful view of the ocean. A floating sink and wide, shell-framed mirror competed the space, the colours glowing as the suns light stroked it, coaxing out the colours.

Stripping off my clothes, I opened the door to the large shower and stepped in. immediately water fell from the ceiling, soaking me immediately. My shower was quick, and it took all my restraint to not marinate in the warmth for longer. The water falling was like a full body massage, rubbing out all my stress and sending it down the drain.

I stepped out and grabbed one of the green towels. With deft movements I dried myself off and made my way back into my room. I glanced at my party clothes and pulled a face, not in the mood to wear them again. Layla would've had clothes delivered for me, so I quickly checked out my door. Just as I thought, she had clothes laying there in a neat pile.

I ducked back into my room and shut the door. In quick steps, I made my may back to the bed and lay the clothes down before dropping my towel. I threw on the underwear before picking up the jeans. A smirk crossed my lips as I took in the black skinny jeans decorated with big rips covered up with red material to create a patchwork look. I threw them on and put on the red cropped tank before sliding into the oversized cropped leather jacket.

Calling on my magic, I muttered a hair drying spell that I learned from listening to Stella use it daily. My long navy hair fell to the tops of my thighs. "I really need to get it cut," I muttered, before pulling on the black cap she had delivered with the rest of the clothes.

Satisfied, I busied myself with tidying the space. I had no intention of leaving this place in any other state than how I found it. The mindless work distracted me from the knots forming in my stomach. Brandon said I was doing the right thing, but was I really? I had just finished folding my towel when my phone beeped, distracting me from my thoughts. Fishing it from my pocket, I frowned when I saw I had three messages. Clicking the first one, I read it.

Peacock: quit stressing, you're doing the right thing.

I rolled my eyes, though Brandon's words loosened some of the knots. Taking a seat on the bead, I checked the next one.

Heels in the Feels: Brandon told me what you plan to do today. I understand you will be worried and have mixed emotions, but I assure you that you are doing the right thing. You are incredibly strong and kind Musa, and I admire your sacrifice. We will be there to pick you up.

Helia's words made my eyes burn and blinked the threat of tears away. He always knew exactly what to say, and today was no exception. Noting the sender of the last message, a grin spread across my face without my permission.

The Rivenator: sorry I couldn't be there last night babe, but Brandon told me about it. Want me to sort the royal highnesses out? It'd be my pleasure.

I rolled my eyes at both the nickname he gave himself, and his words. No matter what happens, he would have my back. He was also a reason I had to go through with my plan. I quickly replied to all their messages and stood up. I folded my things and threw them in my rucksack, taking the time to get out my bright red headphones and music player, I plugged them all in and let my magic dance to the rhythm. My power grew as I walked through the halls, lending a grace to my steps that was usually less noticeable. My sensitive ears caught the sound of voices even with the music playing, and I followed the sounds to the elaborately decorated dining room where Layla and her family were.

"Ah there she is, come take a seat." Queen Niobe greeted, gesturing to a seat next to Layla.

I moved my headphones, so they hung around my neck and did as she instructed. King Teredor offered me a kind smile as I sat down, and I returned his greeting with a smile.

"Thank you for allowing me to stay the night, the ocean lulled me right to sleep," I said, reaching out to give Layla's hand a squeeze to say hello.

"Oh Musa, you never need to ask or thank us. You are family and are welcome whenever you like." Niobe said, her voice carrying an undercurrent of sternness.

"Still, I appreciate it," I said, offering her a big smile.

She sighed fondly but chose not to argue. Instead, she turned to her daughter and met her gaze. "Layla, where shall we start today? You were in the thick of the battle so understand the damage better than we do."

I reached out and squeezed Layla's hand again, hoping to give her strength. She squeezed back and held tight as she answered. "The oceans are polluted, so we should gather all magic users and try and remove most of it, so no one gets sick."

"I can use my magic to set up a speaker system for you all so you can communicate," I offered, getting a thankful smile from the family.

"Thank you, Musa, and that is extremely helpful information, my daughter." King Teredor said. He turned to me. "Would you be able to use your power to communicate to everyone, so they gather on the shoreline?"

I nodded. "Yea, that'll be easy."

"I can create platforms for them to rest on while Musa does that." Layla added.

"Wonderful. First create the platforms and boats so we can clean the water. Then, we will return the ocean to its previous level. After that, we can rebuild any damage the water caused." Niobe said, getting a nod from us all.

"Wonderful, now, lets eat. We will need our strength."

Hi everyone! I was going to continue this, but it felt like a good place to stop. Next chapter will be the part two of this and will cover Musa helping with the clean up and her leaving to go on her 'mission." People may find her closeness with Helia and Brandon strange, but I felt like they'd get along well. Helia is into poetry and Musa writes music and both are protective. Brandon and Musa are both competitive and strong, and I can see them being close.

I mentioned in the story a mission. Would you be interested in reading about it? If so, let me know in reviews and I can write that up.

I hope everyone is staying safe in the COVID times, and I'll update again soon.

TBP