King Ailani

I look at my daughter with a mixture of anger and disappointment. I cannot believe what I am hearing – Kalena, my daughter, consorting with a surface-dweller. As the King of Lalo'Kai, I know that my daughter's actions could have far-reaching consequences for our underwater kingdom.

I advance on Kalena, my face flushed with fury. "What is the meaning of this, Kalena?" I bellow. "Consorting with surface-dwellers? Have you lost your mind?"

Kalena looks up at me, eyes wide with fear. "Father, what are you—"

"Do not play coy with me," I interrupt, my voice booming through the room like thunder. "I want answers. No more lies!"

Kalena cowers before my anger, tears filling her eyes. She tries to reach out to me, but I step back, my eyes cold.

"Go on then. Explain why you've betrayed your people to cavort with a surface-dweller," I demand.

Kalena takes a deep breath. "Father, I never meant to hurt anyone. But when I'm with Kaimana, I feel...whole. Like I've found the missing piece of myself."

"He's a surface-dweller!" I roar. "You are the heir to the throne of Lalo'Kai. Your duty is here, not on the surface with that creature!"

"I know," Kalena says, blinking back tears. "But I love him, Father. When we're together, nothing else matters."

I cannot believe what I am hearing. I pace back and forth, my powerful tail churning the water. I can see the rage simmering beneath my stony expression. Kalena's words are like a knife to my heart. I did not raise my daughter to act so foolishly.

"I never intended to betray anyone," Kalena says evenly. "But I cannot simply turn my back on love."

I whirl to face her. "Love!? You are young and naive! This surface-dweller knows nothing of our ways! He will discard you as soon as his fascination wanes!"

"No," Kalena meets my glare. "You don't know him as I do. He loves me as I love him. We plan to be together, no matter what obstacles we face."

"Together?" I laugh derisively. "You would give up your home, your family, your very identity for this dalliance?"

"If that is the only way we can be together, then yes," Kalena says, her voice steady despite the anxious hammering of her heart.

I study her for a long moment, my anger shifting to concern. "My child, please. Be sensible."

Kalena shakes her head. "My mind is set, Father."

I sigh deeply, the fight going out of me. But as I look at my daughter's determined face, I know this battle is far from over.

I turn my back on her, hands clenched. "I forbid you from seeing this surface-dweller again," I declare. "If you persist in this foolishness, there will be consequences."

Kalena swims closer, reaching out to me. "I never wanted to hurt you," she says, her voice trembling. "But I cannot deny what my heart tells me. Please try to understand."

I whirl around, eyes blazing. "You expect me to stand by while you destroy our family for some infatuation? I will not allow it!"

Kalena flinches at my tone. But she meets my gaze evenly. "Then you give me no choice. I will follow my heart wherever it leads."

My face twists in anger and pain. For a moment, I think I will lash out. But I merely shake my head in disappointment.

"So be it," I say coldly. "But know that you are no longer my daughter if you choose this path."

I turn and swim away, leaving Kalena alone with her anguish. I know I cannot force my daughter to do what she does not want. But I also know that I cannot condone her actions, not as the King of Lalo'Kai. I only hope that Kalena will come to her senses before it's too late.