Chapter 15
He felt the waves crash against his body, their rhythmic force lapping over him, a numbing sensation spreading from his hips all the way down to his toes—or at least what he thought were toes.
His eyes fluttered open, squinting against the bright blue sky above. The salty air filled his lungs as he inhaled deeply, wet sand clinging to his skin as he pushed himself upright. His mind swam with disorientation, the world around him unfamiliar and dreamlike.
Marcus's vision blurred momentarily before it finally cleared, and what he saw left him breathless. A sleek black tail shimmered where his legs had once been, its midnight scales glinting in the sunlight like polished obsidian. He blinked, half expecting the image to dissolve, but it remained, undeniably real.
Tentatively, he flexed the muscles where his ankles used to be, and sharp black fins emerged from the water's surface. A laugh bubbled up from his lips—light, unrestrained, and filled with awe. He reached down, his fingers brushing over the smooth, cool scales, marveling at their texture.
"Such a beautiful sound," a familiar voice murmured beside him.
Marcus turned sharply, his smile widening at the sight of Caspian. The merman lounged beside him, his long black hair glistening under the sun's rays, droplets of seawater sliding down his chiseled features. His powerful black tail stretched out in the shallow water, its sleek form a mirror to Marcus's own.
"Caspian!" Marcus exclaimed, his joy spilling over as he threw his arms around him. Caspian caught him effortlessly, his embrace warm and grounding.
"How do you feel?" Caspian asked softly, his lips brushing against Marcus's temple in a tender gesture.
"I feel amazing," Marcus replied, his smile radiant. Pulling back slightly, he gazed into Caspian's dark, swirling eyes. "Will you show me the ocean now?"
Obsidian eyes glimmered with quiet amusement, and a faint smile curved Caspian's lips. "Of course."
They dove beneath the waves, Marcus trailing closely behind Caspian as they descended into the depths.
They say the ocean is a mystery, an abyss where light is devoured and shadows thrive.
They were wrong.
Beneath the surface, a vibrant civilization thrived. Creatures of every size and color darted through the water, their scales glittering under the soft green light emanating from bioluminescent stones embedded in the seabed. Towering coral formations rose like castles, their surfaces alive with the flicker of luminous marine life.
"What is this place called?" Marcus murmured, awe thick in his voice.
"The Emerald Kingdom," Caspian replied, his tone steady and reverent.
Marcus blinked, the name tugging at his memory. "This is where Atlantis is from, isn't it?"
Caspian nodded, his fingers wrapping gently around Marcus's hand, guiding him forward. The touch was steady, grounding Marcus in the surreal beauty around him. "Yes. But we must hurry. Atlantis and Morgan are waiting for us at the palace."
Marcus chuckled softly. "Must be nice to have friends in high places."
Caspian tilted his head, confusion flickering across his sharp features. "I don't understand."
Marcus stifled a laugh at the merman's innocence. "I mean, it must be convenient being friends with a prince."
Caspian glanced away, a shadow crossing his face. "I suppose," he said quietly.
The castle came into view, its emerald spires glowing faintly like beacons in the water. Ren, a kind-eyed mermaid with brown hair and green scales, greeted them warmly, her hands resting on her swollen belly. Beside her stood Atlantis's elder brother, the Emerald King, his presence commanding and his physique as unyielding as the stone he ruled.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay a few more nights?" Ren asked gently, her voice carrying a maternal warmth.
Morgan swam forward, his arms wrapping briefly around her in a fond embrace. "It's tempting," he admitted, "but I have business in the Onyx Kingdom."
Ren's gaze flicked briefly to Marcus, her green eyes soft but probing, making his cheeks flush under her scrutiny. "Safe travels, then," she said, releasing Morgan with a smile.
The Emerald King clapped Atlantis on the shoulder, pulling him into a tight embrace. "I'll miss you, brother," he said gruffly.
"I'll miss you too," Atlantis replied, his words muffled under the king's bear-like grip. Laughter rippled through the group as the king finally let go, his grin wide.
Morgan turned to the group, clapping his taloned hands together. "Alright, everyone. Ready?"
Before Marcus could answer, a sharp voice cut through the water. "Caspian!"
Marcus turned sharply, his heart sinking as his gaze landed on a dark-skinned mermaid. Her violet eyes, surrounded by intricate gold markings, locked onto Caspian with a familiarity that sent an uncomfortable chill through Marcus's spine. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Morgan's jaw tighten, his green eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
"Lilith," Caspian said, his face breaking into a wide smile.
The two collided in an embrace, their bodies pressing close. Marcus floated awkwardly nearby, the warmth he had felt earlier slipping away. Something about her—about the way Caspian held her—gnawed at him, tightening his chest.
He didn't like it. And judging by Morgan's cold, scrutinizing stare, neither did he.
*****
Caspian couldn't help the rush of elation as he saw Lilith again. Her presence stirred a familiar warmth, memories of their shared childhood bubbling to the surface like sunlight piercing through the water's depths.
"Where have you been?" Lilith exclaimed, running her slender fingers through his dark hair, her violet eyes sparkling with emotion. "I've been looking for you ever since our talk!"
Caspian chuckled, his voice deep and warm. "It's nothing," he said lightly. "I just had some business to attend to."
Lilith's smile widened, the curve of her lips as radiant as ever. "Oh goodie," she said with a playful tone. "It's a shame our meeting is so brief. I'll need to return home soon."
"Nonsense," Caspian replied, his own smile growing. "I'm heading home myself, and I have a few friends traveling with me. You should join us."
Her brow arched delicately, curiosity flashing across her features. "Oh? And who might these friends be?"
Caspian turned, motioning toward the group behind him. "This is Atlantis, Morgan, and Marcus," he said, gesturing at each in turn.
Lilith's gaze lingered on Marcus, her violet eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him. After a moment, she leaned in close to Caspian, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Is he your lover?"
Caspian nodded without hesitation. "Yes. Is something wrong?"
A faint frown tugged at her lips. "You do know," she murmured, her tone soft but pointed, "that you'll need an heir."
Caspian sighed, the weight of her words settling heavily on him. "Leave it be, Lilith. Not now."
She straightened, the frown vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. A practiced smile slid into place as she turned her attention back to the group. Brushing past Marcus, she moved toward Morgan, her curiosity now fixated on the witch.
Before she could get too close, Atlantis stepped forward, his tall frame blocking her path with quiet authority. His golden eyes flashed, their intensity unmistakable. "Too close," he murmured, his voice low and edged with warning.
Lilith froze for a beat before offering a sweet smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "That's alright," she said smoothly. "I understand. I just wanted to meet the witch everyone seems to be speaking of."
Morgan watched her silently, his green eyes unreadable, though tension radiated from his posture.
Caspian knew Atlantis's protectiveness of Morgan ran deep, even more so after the attacks on the Emerald and Diamond Kingdoms. He couldn't blame the warrior prince for his caution.
"Lilith," Caspian said, his voice low and firm, drawing her attention back to him.
Lilith pouted, her movements fluid as she shifted closer to him, slipping her arms around his bicep. "I'm sorry," she huffed softly, her tone tinged with mock contrition.
Caspian sighed inwardly, recognizing the manipulation in her actions but choosing not to call it out. He gently disentangled himself from her hold, his gaze flicking back to Marcus. His lover's expression was carefully neutral, though Caspian could sense the tension beneath the surface.
"We should get moving," Caspian said, his tone final. "There's much to do, and we can't linger."
Lilith nodded, her smile lingering but her gaze briefly darting toward Marcus once more. The unspoken tension hung heavy in the water as the group prepared to leave.
*****
Morgan didn't chastise Atlantis for his apparent overreaction. If anything, he was grateful for the intervention. There was something about Lilith that set him on edge—a subtle, creeping discomfort he couldn't shake.
Shaking his head, Morgan redirected his focus, his green eyes fixed ahead. Caspian and Lilith swam slightly ahead of the group, their interaction easy and familiar. Too familiar, Morgan thought uneasily. As the waters grew colder, the once-vivid blues darkened into muted grays. The icy daggers of submerged glaciers jutted from the ocean floor, refracting faint light in sharp, ghostly patterns.
"Morgan," Atlantis murmured, drawing his attention. The red-haired merman swam closer, his golden eyes flicking toward Marcus. The younger man trailed behind Caspian, his silver eyes heavy with longing as he watched his mate.
"He's lonely," Atlantis said softly, his voice barely carrying through the water. His expression, usually stoic, softened for a moment. "I question why Caspian doesn't accompany him more closely."
"It's her," Morgan replied quietly, his tone edged with tension.
Atlantis's jaw tightened, his fingers curling around his spear as if seeking reassurance in its weight. "I worry about Caspian," he admitted after a pause, his voice low. "And the Onyx Kingdom. It seems that around him, there are far more enemies than friends."
Morgan's gaze shifted back to Caspian and Lilith. The mermaid laughed, her violet eyes glittering as she brushed a hand over Caspian's shoulder. Caspian chuckled in response, seemingly at ease, oblivious to Marcus's silent yearning behind him.
"You're right to worry," Morgan said grimly, his eyes narrowing. "The Onyx Kingdom has always been a volatile place. Alliances shift with the currents, and enemies hide in plain sight." He paused, his green eyes darkening. "And Lilith... she's hiding something. I can feel it."
Atlantis's grip on his spear tightened further, the tension in his posture palpable. "If she's a threat to Caspian—or to Marcus—she'll regret crossing us."
Morgan glanced at him, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips despite the unease in his chest. "You sound almost protective, Atlantis."
Atlantis met his gaze, his golden eyes unwavering. "I protect those who deserve it."
Morgan's smirk faded, replaced by something softer, almost contemplative. He didn't respond, but the unspoken understanding between them lingered as they swam forward, the icy waters pressing closer around them.
Ahead, the towering obsidian spires of the Onyx Kingdom came into view, their jagged forms jutting out from the ocean floor like the teeth of some great beast. The light here was dim, filtered through thick layers of ice and shadow, casting an eerie glow over the approaching city.
Morgan's unease deepened as they neared the gates. Whatever awaited them within the Onyx Kingdom, he knew it wouldn't come without a cost.
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