Written in hopes of a collaboration with a fellow writer.
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The Promise -
An Underwater Fae Story
He summoned me!
My heart beat faster the closer I flowed down the main hall to King Dubhglas’ private chambers within our underwater palace. I barely glanced at the walls of crystallized water glowing with the colors of fish and weak sunlight; I had more important things to think on. Like the fact that I had been summoned after all these months, after that night so long ago….
Heat began to build in my cheeks and for once, I looked forward to the inner falls Doug had created to keep those he had not summoned barred from his private halls. I stood within my true mother’s arms letting Her calm my racing spirits before slipping into Doug’s antechamber. Several of the Royal Selkie roamed this outer room. Their clothes created a weaving pattern- matching the element that gave us life. I had seen this before, knew what to expect as their eyes followed me across the floor. I could see their fingers barely covering their mouths as their semi-whispered words fluttered through the air around me.
Yes, I thought darkly, the orphaned demi-princess has once again gained your King’s favor. Spread your taints and gossip through our court to the others. It’s not like I truly care how your poison keeps me captive in this glittering prison.
I stood as tall as my small stature allowed while I gathered my courage before the slime rock doors. Bracing myself, I timidly knocked- the sound vibrating in the suddenly quiet chamber to the stalactites. As I grabbed the handle of the door, a tinkling of music caught my attention. I looked up just when the door yanked open from the other side and ended up sprawled across the King’s seaweed carpet. The snorts of laughter behind me suddenly muffled as the heavy door closed once more.
It took a moment for me to get my senses under control. Fury and embarrassment fought for control as I tried to straighten myself into some more dignified position. I might just be a demi-princess, but I was a princess and I did have classes on deportment and what not. A low, deep chuckle behind me stopped my attempts. My face flushed with mortification. Had he been there the entire time?
“Seri, as beautiful a view as you are, our new guest may not appreciate it as much as I do. I would suggest over the next week you visit Madam Sereana for more help.”
Doug’s voice rushed over me like a wave upon the shore. I sat up, remembering the feel of his breath against my skin and turned another shade of red. “Yes, your majesty.” I whispered, hoping he couldn’t hear the tremor of memory in my voice.
I waited, hoping for him to continue speaking. When he continued to remain silent, I turned my head to face him and lost my breath. His rich brown eyes studied me, his perfect face cocked to the side just a little, and his lush lips twisted in a wry smile. I blinked, feeling my mouth watering as I stared at him. I looked away, the blush now covering my entire body. Trying to think of something to get my mind off the last time, I stumbled across the news he had given me.
“Guest, your majesty?”
“Yes,” Doug moved from behind me. I watched his thickly muscled legs clad in tight brown leather glide past me. “A Princess is coming in the next few weeks. I have decided that you will be her companion.”
“A Princess,” I stammered. My heart dropped into my stomach. “Have you found your new consort then, Your Majesty??”
I heard his breath hiss as he drew it in and I covered my mouth. It was for a comment like that I had suffered banishment from his side for these last months. Was I so stupid as the others claimed that I would risk that chance again after he was offering this work as a peace offering?
Rough fingers forced my face up to stare into Doug’s turbulent eyes. The wry smile had been replaced by a fierce scowl. “No, Serphia, not a consort, not yet. Do not dare to bring it up again in my presence or I will banish you from this court. Are we clear?”
I felt tears sting the back of my eyes as I realized he really would banish me from the only home I had ever known should I ever be so careless as to mention his lack of a Lady again. His fingers dug painfully into my chin.
“I will have your word, Princess.” He growled.
My eyes could no longer meet the storm behind his, they lowered to his hand as I whispered. “Your will is my command, my Majesty.”
He snorted in disdain, but he did release me. I waited until he was a safe distance away before raising my eyes again. My beloved King stood beside one of the only massive windows in the room. One of the best views of the world we both had been born to serve spread out from it. My tearing eyes studied his reflection in the water, I watched as his fingers tightened behind his stiff back into a grip that turned the skin red and white.
“Majesty,” I froze. Should I be talking this soon after pushing his anger to the fore? Though I had the same training as all the other royals and demi-royals, when Dubhglas and I were alone, the rules had always been blurred. Had that changed since my banishment?
I watched his shoulders stiffen a bit before he forced himself to take a breath and relax. “Yes, Seri?”
“Who is she?”
“She is Royal Fae.”
I felt a frown pushing back my unease. He had not bothered to turn around or to answer my question. “I understand, my lord, but what is her name? Why is she coming here?”
The stiff shoulders were back. I felt the storm before he turned back to me. I thought I saw lightening flash across the black pit his eyes had become. “It matters not Demi-Princess Serphia.” He bit the words at me. “Your only concern is that while she is within these halls, you are responsible for her care. Wherever she wanders, you are to follow. Are we clear?”
The tears riding in the back of my eyes pushed forward and I lowered my head once again. “Yes, Highness.” My voice trembled and I did my best to suppress it. “May I inquire when I should expect my new mistress?”
A low growl was my only warning before his fingers tore into my carefully prepared hair and pulled me to my feet. He pulled back and my head lifted to meet the fury and passion glittering in those two glowing black holes. I bit my inner cheek to keep a cry of pain locked in my throat.
He lowered his face to mine, his lips inches from my aching body. His breath sent shivers down my spine as he whispered. “She is not your mistress, Seri. I swear on my immortality, no one will ever be your mistress.”
Before I could answer, his lips crushed heavily against mine. I could feel the bruises starting as he forced his tongue past my teeth to caress the inner nerves of my mouth. Tremors raced through me as my passion rose to meet his. A low moan escaped and suddenly I was back to sprawling on the seaweed carpet. I lifted my head, watching his stiff form disappear behind the cascading water that lead to the inner core of his main apartments.
The tears broke free of my restraints and coursed down my cheeks, the salt carried in them stinging open wounds. I rose unsteadily to my feet, pushing the moment from my mind. I had an assignment to get ready for at my King’s command. A Royal was coming in the next week, I had rooms to prepare and people to inform. I could not afford to waste any more time lying on the floor cursing my fate for not being a Royal too.
I pulled the pins from my hair, shaking the thick mane of silver and black so it fell to the top of my legs. In a few minutes, I had it back up in the same style I had entered with more or less and grabbed the door handle. I took a deep breath, scrubbed the tears from my face with my free hand and yanked the door open.
As I re-entered the hall, facing several more Royal Selkie than before, Doug’s words penetrated my cloud of despair. I would never have a mistress. King Dubhglas gave his word, his promise.
I floated out of the antechamber and on to my duties barely registering the looks of disgust and loathing filling the females’ eyes or the deep appreciation from their male companions.
Renee 2009
