Chapter Four: Princes with Legs
Before Nadeira could blink, the three princes stepped out of the waves.
"What is happening…?" She muttered after seeing how their long tails changed, glowing scales dissolved into skin, stretching and shaping until strong legs planted on the sand.
Her jaw nearly hit the beach…
Caspian was standing first, so tall and broad-shouldered…His deep blue eyes almost matched his long, darker hair which fell damp over his forehead, framing a face cut sharp enough to shame any noble statue.
Orrisian's transformation followed eventually too, leaner but no less striking, silver-eyed and graceful as if carved by the moon itself.
'So handsome…' Nadeira mumbled in her mind.
His pale silver hair just clung to his neck, and when he moved, he carried himself like a prince who needed no crown.
And then there was Nyxmaris. Taller than the others, his violet gaze looked full of pride.
Different from his brothers, Nyxmaris had long black hair just like seawater, dripping down his strong chest…tied loosely behind him, yet strands still fell across his cheek, making him look both wild and untamed.
Nadeira's throat went dry. She swallowed hard. "You… you have legs."
Nyxmaris smirked, lifting his head. "Disappointed?"
Her voice cracked. "I thought you'd be… scaly. Maybe slimy. But no, instead you look like…like…" She gestured weakly at them, throwing her hands up. "Like you walked out of a painting made by some lonely maiden."
Caspian's lips tugged in the smallest smile. "We take no offense."
"Good," Nadeira whispered, crossing her arms to hide how flustered she was. "Because I refuse to admit out loud how unfairly good-looking you are."
Nyxmaris' grin widened. "Ah, but you just did."
Her cheeks heated. "I hate you already."
Orrisian's deep voice broke through, sounding so calm and grounding. "Come. The land castle is near. It will give you shelter, food, and safety. You need rest."
Nadeira blinked. "You have a castle? On land?"
"Of course," Caspian replied. "The sea touches every shore. We built where the water still listens to us."
Nyxmaris gestured toward the horizon with a lazy wave. "Follow, little storm. You'll like it. We decorated with ponds just for you."
"I hate ponds," Nadeira countered.
"You'll change your mind," he promised with a grin.
The walk was shorter than Nadeira expected. By the time they reached the cliffs, her feet were aching, her wet dress felt heavy against her skin.
She opened her mouth to complain when the view stole her breath.
"What is this…?"
The castle rose from stone like a dream. Marble walls, wrapped in vines of sea-green glass that were shining as if water ran through them.
Fountains lined the entrance, spilling clear streams into pools where koi swam lazily.
"Don't think just because we obey the sea, we're poor on this land." Nyxmaris glanced at Nadeira who was too mesmerised, looking at the gates…
"It's like…" Nadeira paused. "Curved like waves frozen in time, carved with pearls and shells."
"Heh!"
Nadeira stared, her lips parting. "This looks like Poseidon's vacation home."
Nyxmaris chuckled. "He would be jealous."
When they all went inside, this crazy luxury only grew.
The halls were covered in soft blue lanterns, water trickled through glass tubes in the walls.
"Ponds are resting in corners, lilies are blooming across the surface?" Nadeira asked, but more to herself than her mates.
There was a long bath that stretched along one side, steaming gently, with stone steps leading down.
Every corner seemed alive, like it was breathing with the sound of running water.
Nadeira muttered under her breath, "I was supposed to live in a rotting manor with rats, and meanwhile you…" she waved at the glittering hall "-you live in an art gallery made of oceans and money."
Caspian walked beside her, gently as always. "This is your home now."
She froze like a snowflake during its first fall. "What?"
Orrisian's silver eyes caught hers. "We promised to protect you. That means more than swords or claws. It means roof, food, coin, and comfort. You will not struggle again."
Her mouth opened and closed like a fish…an irony was not lost on her. "Wait, you're telling me you're not only handsome sea princes, but also my landlords now?"
Nyxmaris leaned down, making sure Nadeira could really hear him. "Not landlords, mates."
She glared up at him. "That sounds worse."
"Then call us what you like," he shrugged. "As long as you call us."
Caspian gave Nyxmaris a careful look before turning back to her. "What he means is simple. You need not worry about survival. We will provide. You can eat, sleep, and heal without fear of what tomorrow costs."
Something inside her chest tightened strangely…like a knot she'd kept there for years.
Nadeira wanted to argue, to spit back her usual sarcasm. But for once, her words didn't come out.
All she could think of was the hunger she wouldn't be experiencing, no begging for coins or gold, and no more waiting for her father's next whips.
To Nadeira, this sounded almost impossible…
She swallowed hard, masking the trembling in her voice. "And what's the price? No one gives without wanting something back."
Orrisian's tone was slow, like it was such a simple thing to say. "The bond already bound us. We cannot take without giving." He made sure their eyes met.
Nyxmaris interrupted. "Besides, you're entertaining. Worth every jewel."
She rolled her eyes, thankful her sarcasm returned. "Glad to know I'm your royal clown now."
He leaned closer. "Not a clown….you're a storm."
Nadeira's shoulders stiffened, unsure what to say to that. Luckily, Caspian cut in. "You will have chambers of your own. And whatever gowns or food you ask for."
Her eyes widened. "Gowns? I'm not some pampered lady waiting to faint."
Nyxmaris glanced her up and down.
"No. You are worse. You are stubborn."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Nadeira rolled her eyes.
"Good," his lips twitched.
They led her deeper into the castle, past rooms full of strange ocean treasures.
Finally, Orrisian opened a door to a chamber…
"This is yours," Orrisian stated simply.
Nadeira stepped in, spinning slowly. Her hand brushed the fabric of the sheets, softer than anything she'd touched.
She caught herself smiling before quickly wiping it off her face. "Well, it's decent," she lowered her eyebrows.
Nyxmaris leaned against the doorframe, and brushed his hand through his hair. "She likes it."
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
She gave him one last glare, and then sank onto the bed, testing the mattress.
Her body felt like she was sucked in by waves, and for a moment, Nadeira almost melted.
"This is unfair," she grumbled. "You save me, bring me here, and expect me to suddenly feel like royalty? And sometimes, I don't even know how to sit at a noble table without spilling soup."
Caspian's voice came from the doorway. "Then we will teach you."
Her head flew up. "Teach me?" Nadeira furrowed her brows together.
"Yes," Orrisian replied. "You will stand in rooms where others wish you harm. We will not have them laugh at you."
Nadeira blinked, her chest circled again. "So you're really serious. You're… investing in me."
"Not investing," Caspian corrected softly. "Caring."
Her throat closed. She fought it down, turning her face away. "Well. If I'm going to be cared for, I at least demand dessert."
Nyxmaris looked around. "We can arrange that."
"Chocolate," Nadeira specified.
Orrisian lifted his head. "What is chocolate?"
Her jaw dropped. "You don't know chocolate?"
Caspian shook his head. "We eat fish. Fruits from sea and land. But not this word."
"Whaaaa?!" Nadeira gasped dramatically, throwing her arms wide. "You call yourselves princes and you don't even know the taste of chocolate? Unforgivable. That's it. My mission now is not survival. It's teaching you poor, deprived fish-men the glory of sweets."
Nyxmaris laughed slowly. "If that is your mission, mate, then may the seas tremble."
She smirked. "Oh, they will. They'll tremble when I feed you sugar until you regret saving me."
Trying to break this nonsense, Orrisian went straight to the point, "when will we mate?"