The ocean's wind carried a strange heaviness the day Princess Ariel of Solvarya turned eighteen.
She stood before a towering mirror, staring at the gown her maids had just fastened onto her body. White silk, stitched with pearls and flecks of silver. It shimmered like moonlight. It was beautiful, yes,but it didn't feel like hers. It felt like an offering.
"Are you ready, Your Highness?" the maid asked softly.
"No," Ariel whispered, "but I'll go anyway."
Her heart pounded as she was led through the palace halls, the whispers of servants following behind her like shadows.
The throne room was filled. Nobles lined the marble walls, curious eyes watching the girl fated to marry a monster. Ariel walked slowly down the crimson carpet, chin lifted, although her palms were sweating.
Her father, King Aldred, stood with his crown resting heavily on his head. His eyes did not meet hers.
"You know what this day means," he said, voice booming. "To end the war with the sea kingdom of Aelyros, a bond must be formed."
A hush spread through the room. No one dared speak.
The king continued, "Ariel of Solvarya will be wed to Prince Draelos of Aelyros. The Siren Prince has agreed to a sacred treaty. Peace,through marriage."
The words landed like a sword in her chest.
Ariel's fists tightened. She had grown up hearing stories of the sirens,ocean demons with voices that lured sailors to their deaths. Magic-drenched monsters who despised humans. One of them, Prince Draelos would now be her husband.
"Does the bride agree?" the high priest asked.
"I agree," Ariel replied, her voice quiet but clear.
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
A trumpet sounded.
Then, the sea prince entered.
The doors creaked open with eerie slowness. Mist poured in from behind him, unnaturally cold. Ariel's breath hitched as he stepped into view.
Draelos was not what she expected.
He was tall, dressed in sleek black robes that shimmered like oil. His golden eyes scanned the room—not glowing with warmth, but burning with quiet hatred. His skin had an otherworldly smoothness, and faint blue lines pulsed beneath the surface. His wet hair hung past his shoulders. On his bare neck, gills flexed briefly before disappearing.
He was… ethereal. Beautiful. Terrifying.
Ariel's stomach twisted, and yet she couldn't look away.
Kael stopped in front of her. His gaze locked with hers.
"You are smaller than I imagined," he said bluntly.
"And you're ruder than I expected," she shot back.
A flicker of something—amusement?—touched his golden eyes, but it was gone in a breath.
The priest began the binding ceremony. Ariel barely listened. Her focus was on the man—no, the creature—beside her. His presence felt like frost. She could feel the tension of the room shift with every breath he took.
He didn't smile. Didn't bow. Didn't offer her his hand.
At the banquet, he stood still, silent. Nobles avoided eye contact, too afraid. Ariel, however, watched him.
She found him dangerous… but she also found him fascinating.
He didn't eat. Didn't drink. Didn't speak. Just stared out the stained-glass windows at the sea beyond.When it was time for her to depart, the skies darkened.
The procession took her to the cliffs at nightfall. The sea churned violently, waves crashing against jagged rock as if it knew her fate.
Kael stood at the edge, waiting.
"You're afraid," he said without turning.
"I'm curious," she replied, stepping beside him.
He finally looked at her again. His golden eyes glinted like fire behind glass.
"Curiosity kills."
"I'd rather be curious than caged."
A long pause. Then, he raised a hand.
The sea obeyed.
Tendrils of water curled around her ankles. Her breath hitched.
"You will live in my kingdom. Obey my rules. And stay out of what doesn't concern you," he said coldly.
"Will I be safe there?"
"No," Draelos replied simply. "But you'll be alive."
Then the sea pulled her in.
As Ariel was swallowed by saltwater and magic, she took one last look at the land she'd known all her life.
And then she was gone.
In the suffocating silence of the deep, her ears rang.
Suddenly, a soft whisper echoed near her ear smooth and cold:
"You're no longer a princess of the land... you're mine now, Ariel."
Her eyes widened.
The sea claimed her.