Princess master 3, p.23
Princess Master 3, page 23
I set our light down on the ground to look around at the rocks, and I realized some of them were carved with symbols in what appeared to be an archaic language. I ran my fingers over the marks in the stone, but they didn’t look like much more than random shapes to me.
“Ariana, did you see this?” I asked her. “I think it says something on these stones.”
“Let me see,” the redhead said as she swam over to where I was examining the rocks. She peered at the symbols, and I thought if anyone could decipher them, it would be her. “Wow, this is incredible, because these appear to be the marks of an ancient civilization. I have read of such things in the palace library, but I never thought I’d see anything like this for myself. I know there was a whole society that existed before our current undersea kingdom, and I wish I could read what they had to say. Let’s see, this clearly represents a fish, and wow, this even looks like a boat. I wonder if they had contact with the surface somehow…”
“Yeah, that would be pretty crazy,” I agreed, and I looked around in wonder. “I have to say this is one of my favorite places I’ve been to under the sea. It’s just so relaxing, like being in a garden at a museum.”
“I love it, too,” Jessamine remarked as she swam up behind me and looked at us with a bright smile on her full lips. “Ariana, do you know what the stones say? Who do you think used to live here?”
“Well, the books I read said there have been merpeople as long as written history has existed,” the redhead explained, and she bit her ruby lip before she continued to speak. “So, my father is really old, but I think these carvings predate even him…”
“Do you know exactly how old your father is?” I asked. Giant, blue King Liron was clearly no ordinary merman.
“No, even I don’t know his true age, because he has ruled the seas for as long as anyone can remember,” Ariana explained as she narrowed her aqua eyes in thought. “Father has been written about in many history books, and he’s often described as being immortal. I don’t think that’s actually true, but he is incredibly powerful, as I’m sure you can tell. Obviously, he keeps some secrets even from his daughters. In any case, I’d love to know who reigned before him… I wish I could read these glyphs! I hope I can return here someday to translate them.”
“Yeah, that would be really cool,” I agreed. “I’d love to know more about the history of the merpeople.”
“Jessamine, thank you so much for noticing this as we were swimming by,” Ariana thanked her sister-wife, and her smile was now wide and sparkling. “I had no idea these ruins were even here. I can’t wait to tell Marinus so he can update the palace maps.”
“Hey, everyone, come look at this!” Cienna had swum behind one of the taller slabs, and I was curious to see what she’d found. So, we swam toward her, and when we came around the corner, the blonde gestured excitedly at the wall. “Look, there are paintings!”
The huge stone was covered in primitive drawings that reminded me of cave paintings. They were drawn in shades of red and blue, and I was first able to identify a representation of a mermaid being chased by a shark.
“I wonder what the paint is made out of…” Ariana mused as she gently stroked the art. “This is so incredible.”
“And you all need to look at this,” Cienna told us as she pointed to a spot close to the seabed. “It actually seems to be a drawing of a person with legs. Ariana, do you think there’s any way humans could have been down here in ancient times?”
“Wow,” Ariana breathed with wide eyes. “That’s not what my books say, and I developed mermaid’s kiss specifically for Aaron, but there’s no reason someone else couldn’t have developed similar magic in ancient times. This is all so exciting!”
“Do you think this could be Eudora?” Jessamine peered closely at one of the drawings, and I swam next to her to take a look. The artwork depicted a giant mermaid with what appeared to be snakes coming out of her head, and I had to agree with my dark-haired wife’s assessment. There was even a drawing of a giant eel next to the witch, which I assumed represented Morgar.
“I can’t believe they were dealing with Eudora that long ago!” Ariana gasped as her mouth dropped open. “I knew the witch was old, but not that old!”
“Well, I don’t care how old she is, because it’s almost her time to die,” I said, and I poked the mermaid in the ribs. “We’re going to put a stop to her reign of terror once and for all.”
“That’s the hero for you,” Jessamine gushed with a huge smile on her face. “Joe, you always want to save everyone. That’s one of the things I love about you.”
“You’re too kind.” I grinned and waved off the raven-haired beauty’s compliment. “It’s not like I had a choice, since you brought me here specifically to save Fairyland…”
“Oh, stop,” Cienna said as she gazed at me with love in her bright blue eyes. “We all know you’re amazing.”
“Well, I may be amazing, but there’s no way I’d even be able to come close to getting Eudora without the three of you by my side.” I winked at my wives. “Anyway, this place is pretty awesome, and I wish we could stay here all day.”
“I know, but I suppose we should get back to the village,” Ariana sighed. “On the bright side, I’m hoping we released some of the residents from Eudora’s curse, and we return to a happier town.”
“Me, too, I felt so bad for Jeffrey,” Jessamine said, and a sad look flitted across her face. “But maybe things are better now! Let’s go find out!”
“Okay, if we have to,” I groaned. “It just seems so peaceful here after fighting those stingrays.”
“Come on, Joe.” Cienna grabbed my hand and pulled me out in the direction of the open sea. “At the very least, there’s the inn in the town, and maybe we can try to break the bed this time…”
“Well, when you put it that way,” I laughed. “Cienna, you really know how to talk me into things.”
“No breaking Jeffrey’s bed!” Ariana jabbed me in the side with her elbow, but she had a mischievous smile on her face.
“Hey, you aren’t even blushing,” I teased her.
“Well, I am a married woman,” the mermaid joked, but then a rosy flush ran up her cheeks. “Awww, barnacles! Joe, you made me turn red again. It’s all your fault.”
“Yeah, right,” I snickered as I pulled Ariana close and gave her a kiss on her bright pink cheek. I felt a shiver run through her body, and I grinned with satisfaction and then spoke directly into the redhead’s ear. “We could always just do it here…”
“Ahem,” Ariana cleared her throat as she elbowed me. “Should we go, then?”
“I suppose,” Jessamine sighed. “This has been a nice break.”
“It even made me forget about Callie for a few minutes, so that was good,” the mermaid said with a sad expression on her face. “Maybe we’ll be able to figure out more about my chariot once we get back to the town.”
“Hey, maybe we’ll even find the chariot in town, too,” I reassured my wife.
“Maybe, Joe.” Ariana flashed me a smile before she grabbed the lantern from the ground and began swimming up and away from the ruins, and I gave the mystical place one last look before I followed her. Jessamine and Cienna were close behind, and we picked up our pace as we headed back toward the village.
As Ariana had predicted, it didn’t seem long before we could see its glowing lights off in the distance, and when we approached, it was clear the town was much livelier than it had been the last time we’d been there. The mayor had said there were around thirty citizens, and it seemed like there were about that many merpeople swimming around outside the houses and talking excitedly.
“Alright, Ariana, prepare to be regal,” I warned the mermaid.
“Yes, if only we’d thought of a disguise before I introduced myself to Jeffrey the first time,” Ariana sighed. “I suppose it’s too late now…”
“I’d be happy to color your hair again, but I don’t think it’s going to trick him,” Jessamine giggled. “He seemed pretty sharp.”
“Just remember we always have your back,” I reminded Ariana. “It’s obvious the merpeople here are celebrating, so they’re going to be incredibly happy to see you after what you did for them.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” the redhead grumbled, but then she smiled broadly. “Still, it is a good feeling to have done something nice for our citizens.”
We swam in the direction of Jeffrey’s inn, and the first thing I noticed was the white-haired mayor was outside with two young, blond boys. He glanced up into the water and noticed us swimming in his direction, and he waved.
“Your Highness!” The mermaid had a huge, toothy grin on his face. “I can’t believe it, but it seems like you actually did it! You saved my grandsons! Everyone is back, and we’re--we’re--”
Jeffrey’s voice broke before he could finish his sentence, and as we reached the seafloor, Ariana grasped both his hands in her own.
“Jeffrey, I know exactly what you’re trying to say,” the redhead reassured him. “It’s wonderful to be reunited with family. Have all your citizens returned at this point?”
“Every last one of them,” the merman informed us, and it didn’t seem like the gigantic smile was ever going to fade from his lips. Then he turned, made eye contact with me, dropped Ariana’s hands, and reached out to me for a handshake. “Sir Joe, I’m not sure I was polite enough to you the first time we met. I believe I owe you an apology. If you had any part in saving my grandchildren and my townspeople, I don’t care whether you have a tail--what am I even saying? I should never have thought poorly of you in the first place. Rest assured, I shall be singing your praises now for the rest of my days.”
“Thank you, Jeffrey,” I said as I gripped his hand firmly in my own and shook it. “No need to apologize. You’ve clearly been through hell lately, and I would never judge a man for that.”
“Thank you, that’s big of you.” The merman nodded, and then he turned back to Ariana. “Your Highness, the people of our town are very eager to thank you. We’d like to hold a feast in your honor this evening, with your permission, of course. I can’t wait to tell everyone you’re here!”
“Yes, of course,” Ariana replied, though I saw her gulp quietly. “Where will we be meeting?”
“My son owns the only home in town large enough to host everyone, and it’s right over there,” Jeffrey said as he pointed to a rectangular structure with a peaked roof covered in gleaming shells. “May I accompany you now, or do you need a couple minutes in your room?”
“Y-Yes,” Ariana briefly stuttered, and then she recovered. “Yes, a couple minutes would be lovely.”
“Please, let yourself in,” the mayor said, and he swept an arm out toward the inn’s entrance. “My house is your house, Your Highness.”
Cienna, Jessamine, and I followed Ariana through the door of the simple white structure and into the room that had been designated as ours.
“What’s going on, Ariana?” I asked as I shut the door behind us. “Just the usual?”
“I’m a little overwhelmed,” the redhead admitted as she flopped herself down onto the sodden bed, and she shook her head. “Callie, the chariot, now all these people… I haven’t been out of the palace this much in, well, maybe ever!”
“Okay, I know there are a lot of problems right now, but I can at least tell you how to handle the people,” Cienna began, and she flipped the switch on her armor and sat down next to Ariana. “First of all, you let them kiss your hand and tell you how great you are. Let them tell you you’re beautiful, and wonderful, and kind, and all the other good things they’re going to say. As a princess, you need to learn to accept compliments. Then you’re going to eat their food, and you’re going to tell them how good it is, even if it sucks. And then they’re probably going to get drunk, and then they’ll tell you even more good things!”
“So many good things, huh?” Ariana laughed through the tears welling up in her eyes. “I get so embarrassed all the time, but I guess I need to get used to the fact that people actually like me.”
“They don’t just like you, they love you!” Jessamine assured her. “On top of being a princess, you’re one of the most lovable people I’ve ever met. Trust me, you all have only seen my nice side. I never would have let Joe marry you if I didn’t love you, too!”
“That’s not how the prophecy works, Jessamine,” Ariana reminded her sister-wife, but she had a huge smile on her face.
“Fine, then I guess we just got lucky you’re so great!” Jessamine laughed, and she swam over and threw her arms around the mermaid. “But seriously, you’re part of the prophecy that’s going to save the world, and you’re Joe’s wife, and a king’s daughter, and you need to swim in there with those, dare I say, commoners, and hold your head up high. I don’t want to hear any of this nonsense about people not liking you!”
“Tell her, Joe!” Cienna looked over at me for reinforcement.
“Ariana, first of all, I couldn’t have said that better than Cienna and Jessamine did, because you’re a fucking princess, and that’s incredible in itself,” I said as I held up one finger in the air. Then I held up a second finger. “Number two: I don’t give a shit who likes you, because I love you. I used to feel a little weird about the hero stuff, so I get it, but to be honest, it’s gotten pretty fun. I understand being nervous, but it’s time for you to own this and enjoy yourself. And then, third, you’re one of the three hottest women I’ve literally ever seen, and Cienna left out the part of the evening when we’re going to come back here and break Jeffrey’s bed. Got it?”
“Got it,” Ariana giggled with pink cheeks. “Though, I have to say this thing is already wobbling a little.”
“Jessamine can fix it,” I replied. “Now, let’s get out of here and get the other parts over with. Personally, I’m most excited about the drinking and, well--”
“We get it, Joe,” Cienna laughed. “We’re excited, too. Some of us may be a little more excited than others…”
“Why’s everyone looking at me?” Jessamine asked with a grin. “Anyway, Ariana, I want to see you swim in there with your chin up in the air. Joe’s going to punish you later if you don’t.”
Ariana looked at me, and I raised my eyebrows and made a whipping motion.
“Oh, my gods, you humans…” the mermaid laughed, and she might have broken her latest blushing record. “But I have to thank you all. I’m going to try to go in there with my head held high, and my chin up, and remind myself they’re all just there because they love me.”
“That’s exactly right.” Cienna nodded, and she flipped her switches again and rose up off the bed. “Now, let’s get out of here. I’m hungry, and I’m actually ready for a party!”
“Ain’t no party like a mermaid party…” I trailed off when I realized all of my wives were staring at me.
“Joe, I swear I have no idea what you’re talking about half the time,” Jessamine giggled. “Good thing you’re so handsome.”
“You’re sassy tonight,” I told her, and I playfully slapped her on the ass.
Despite everything that had been going on and Ariana’s worries, there was definitely a little bit of a festive vibe in the air, and I for one was grateful for it.
As we swam over to Jeffrey’s son’s home, my three wives and I all held hands. I was between Ariana and Cienna, and I swung their hands back and forth and whistled to myself. There was no doubt losing the chariot was a problem, but I’d survived a whale and some of Eudora’s stingrays, and we’d saved a whole bunch of merpeople. I wanted to have a good time, and I thought I deserved it, so we’d worry about the chariot tomorrow.
When we reached the front of the house, Jeffrey was standing outside.
“Oh, good, you’re here!” the white-haired merman said as a big smile spread across his face. “Everyone is so excited to meet you. Let me get the door for you, Your Highnesses.”
“Thank you, Jeffrey,” Ariana nodded, and when the merman pulled the door open, she swam through with her head held high just as she’d promised.
The other princesses and I flipped the switches on our legs so we could walk into the house, and then we followed behind.
I was in back of all three princesses, so I couldn’t see into the room yet, but I immediately heard the sound of loud applause and cheers. When I finally made it inside, I wasn’t surprised to see there was a huge table set up with yet another meal of fresh fish and undersea plants, and it occurred to me this would probably be the exact diet my doctor would recommend. On the other hand, half the table was covered with small bottles of what appeared to be ale, wine, and rum, and it appeared my assessment had been correct.
These merpeople were ready to party.
So, I grabbed some rum and took a huge drink as I kept my eye on Ariana, who’d already been surrounded by an adoring crowd. Then, when she caught my eye, I nodded and winked. It appeared she was easily holding her own among the merpeople, and I didn’t even see a blush on her face.
I wandered around for a while with my rum in my hand and said hi to random merpeople. Everyone was very friendly, and they were obviously in an amazing mood after their friends and family members had been rescued. The merpeople’s smiles were getting wider and their laughing louder as the bottles on the table started to disappear. I contributed by taking my own second bottle, and I didn’t mind when I started to feel a tiny bit friendlier myself.
Cienna and Jessamine were talking amongst themselves on the other side of the room, and both princesses held bottles of wine in their hands. When a young, handsome merman with wavy brown hair approached them, I decided I would take a chance to show off.
“Heyyy, wives,” I announced as I swam up behind the two princesses and threw my arms around their shoulders. I gave them each a loud kiss on the cheek, and then I looked at the young merman, who stood in front of us with his mouth hanging open.
