Six

I swam head first into a school of fish, their silver bodies shinning under the light from above. Bubbles escaped my small mouth as I laughed. My voice quiet and cheerful as Delmare tagged me on my shoulder, his eyes shinning brightly as he realized he had won. With a gasp, I turned to face my eldest brother, tapping his shoulder before quickly swimming to the surface to breathe in the fresh oxygen. I was only fifty-two years old now, utterly unaware of the cruelty I would become.

"Denny!" I squealed as he surfaced beside me, "Let's go over to that island!"

"Seda." Delmare had said, a warning tone in his voice, "You know we can't."

"Oh, don't be such a stonefish! I won't be gone long!" I exclaimed before swimming up onto shore. My legs carrying me most of the way as the sand squished in between my webbed toes. i felt my scales change then as my blue skin began to fall away and disappear into the sea.

"Look at her, she's a human!" I heard a girl call, a voice I recognized.

I turned towards the sound, seeing my sister smirk next to her friends who stared at me in disbelief as my blue skin changed into a dark brown. looking back at my sister, I stood unmoving as I questioned her, "Why do you hate me?"

Before I could get an answer I dove into the water just as I was pulled from my consciousness and back into my own time.

"My Queen, someone has come to see you." One of my children said, as I got out of bed.

"Who is it?" I asked as I stood and fumbled into another gown, as the one I was sleeping in just moments before wouldn't do and was entirely wrinkled.

"The Earl of Viscof, My Queen."

"Ardan Stormborn?" I asked as I can closer towards him.

"No, it is his son," He paused as I followed him through the halls of my castle, "Ronan."

Before I could respond we were in my throne room, staring at a Symari 

who looked human with his light brown skin and his hair black and curled, floating around his shoulders as he floated in the water. His red scales burned brighter as I came towards him and then he turned and my heart stopped.

I stared into his haunting blue eyes, watching him as I realized what was happening. It rarely ever happened, and when it did it was unmistakable. Why now? of all times, why now when I was filled with a desire for justice and hatred.

"Hello Sedna." Ronan said, staring me in the eyes. I didn't see fear in his eyes, but maybe it was the bond taking over. A bond that would last until we died.

I couldn't speak, I hated myself for what I have made myself into. Now Ronan is mated to a Symari who is evil. I did this.

"I came to bring you this," Ronan clipped, handing me a scroll without missing a beat, "But now, it seems that you are to be my Mate."

I didn't respond, I just unrolled the scroll and swiftly read it's contents before turning to the Symari whom I never thought I would meet. The Symari who was meant for me. But did I deserve such a privilege?

Avisa has declared war with my kingdom, and I would accept.

"Tell my sister if she want's a war, then she will get one." I turned away before feeling a hand grab my arm. The syren next to me came forward but I raised my hand and turned to the Symari Earl who dared to grab me, "What are you doing Ronan?"

"What has happened to you, you are not yourself." He said, not letting go of my arm.

"I am not the Symari you once knew Ronan." I replied coolly despite my magic beginning to surface. "Now, let go of me before-"

I couldn't finish my sentence before Ronan had his arms around my waist and pulled me into a kiss filling me with an emotion I hadn't felt in weeks.

It was familiar yet, different and I liked it.