A long queue had formed near the registration area. The mermaids weren't just standing still, they were swaying, dancing slightly as they moved forward. Some were singing softly under their breath, their voices blending with the ocean currents like lullabies.
Children darted between their legs, giggling as they chased glowing jellyfish-like lights floating low near the ground. Every time they touched one, it burst into tiny sparkles before reforming again in the water.
It felt like the ocean itself was celebrating.
I blinked slowly, trying to take everything in at once.
"This is…" I whispered under my breath, but my words got swallowed by the atmosphere.
Thyrian's arm stayed firmly around my waist the entire time. Like he was afraid I might disappear into the crowd of water and light if he let go for even a second.
I glanced at him and noticed he wasn't even looking at the festival properly. His eyes were more on me than anything else.
