He led me through tunnels of coral, glowing faintly in the water. Small schools of fish with shiny bodies darted past, leaving streaks of light behind. Somehow, I could breathe here, perfectly fine, as if the ocean itself was letting me in. My chest still pounded, my heart racing faster with every step.
"Where are we going?" I asked, my voice shaking.
"To the king," he said, calm but serious. "He wants to see you."
"The king… of the sea?" I whispered, gulping.
His eyes flickered, sharp and cold. "Yes. The king. And do not think he is kind. He is not. You are not welcome here."
I shivered, even though the water was warm against my skin. "Not… welcome?"
Then why am I here…?
The tunnel opened into a huge underwater cave. Towers made of coral stretched high above, glowing faintly with silver and blue light. Lots of merpeople swam past — some humanlike, others strange and sharp, with fins and scales glittering in colors I couldn't name. Every tail color was different. I felt their eyes on me, and fear settled in my stomach.
I should have struggled.
Not listened.
Gone back to the surface.
Screamed for help.
But something intrigued me.
Being in the water made me feel… free, even when bound and with no chance of running away
At the center of the cave, a throne rose from the seabed, carved from black coral and decorated with shells and pearls. And sitting on it… was the king.
He was tall, taller than any human could be, with sharp, dark eyes that cut right through me. His hair floated around him, black with streaks of silver, and his face was pale, cold, and frighteningly beautiful. His arms rested on the throne, but even relaxed, he looked like a predator ready to strike.
"You are Hope," he said, his voice deep and low, echoing through the water like rolling thunder. "I have been waiting."
"I… I didn't mean to come here," I stammered, my chest tight.
He leaned forward, and even though he didn't move fast, his presence felt like it filled the entire cave. "You dare come here?" His voice was low, dangerous, almost a growl. "Do you know what happens to those who sit on my throne? Those who dare to touch what belongs to me?"
I shook my head, terrified. " I-I wasn't going to—"
"You do not get to speak," he cut me off, eyes flashing like lightning in stormy water. "This is my realm. My throne. My rules. And you… Little girl, you are nothing here. Nothing."
I swallowed hard, my heart hammering against my ribs. The water around us seemed to tense, the merfolk holding their positions, watching silently.
"Some think they can enter my waters, sit on my throne, take what is mine…" His hand flicked toward me, almost casually, and a wave of pressure slammed against me, pushing me back. "They die. Slowly. And painfully. They are eaten by the ocean itself, swallowed by the depths. Do you understand?"
"Yes…" I whispered, barely audible.
"No. You will repeat it," he said, his eyes locking on mine. "You are not allowed near my throne. You will never sit there. You will never command the waters. You are… insignificant."
He leaned back slowly, but his gaze never left me. "I am cruel. I am merciless. And if you disobey me… if you so much as think to defy my will… the sea will take you. And I will enjoy it. Remember this, girl: you are not even a guest here, and even guests do not touch the king's throne."
The glow of the coral seemed to dim as he spoke, as if the entire cave obeyed him. My chest tightened, fear and awe tangled in every breath. I wanted to run, but the water around me felt alive, almost holding me in place.
"You may leave… for now," he said finally, his voice soft but still sharp enough to slice through me. "But if I see you again, near my throne, near my kingdom… You will regret it. Forever."
I nodded quickly, too afraid to speak. The words stuck in my throat.
He didn't say goodbye. He didn't smile. He just leaned back, arms resting on the black coral, and let me swim away. His eyes followed me the entire way, and I felt as if his gaze would pierce my skin even once I reached the surface.
" You! Escort her back." The king said, gesturing to the mysterious man.
And as I floated back toward the lighter waters, my mind raced with one thought:
I had survived this encounter, but the king's warning was not empty. If I returned, I could die.