WIP Wednesdays -Ocean Daughter Undone (Patreon)

Greetings here's a sneak peek at Ocean Daughter Undone -part of my fairytale retelling trilogy here on Patreon!

-Britt xo

When the time of the coronation came, Maris did herself up in her best and counted herself among the many, many well-wishers in attendance as Ecthelion was crowned King Ecthelion Marinus of Atlantica.

Much to her chagrin, she could hardly catch a good glimpse of him as he went by in his chariot pulled by six royal dolphins. He had his crown and still held his sceptre tightly as he went by. There were just so many people she was unable to push through but she caught enough to be menially satisfied.

As the coronation ball opened, Maris swam up to the front gate which entered into the ballroom of the castle behind it. However she was denied entry at the door.

“I’m sorry but you’ve not been put down for an invite,” the guard declared matter-of-factly.

“There must be some mistake,” she spoke up, “Surely I’m invited.”

“Unfortunately you’re not listed here,” he replied.

Not entirely disheartened, she spoke again, “Perhaps with all of the suddenness and becoming so busy with so many preparations all at once Ecthelion - sorry—King Ecthelion forgot to place me amongst your list.”

“I’m sorry but I cannot allow anyone in who is not listed,” he pressed looking regretful.

“We both know I would of course be welcome; of course I was meant to be invited.”

The guard looked uncomfortable. He knew what she said was true; he knew who she was and who she had been to his now sovereign.

“Surely someone can swim in there and have The King himself confirm my invitation and rectify the mistake.”

“I’m sorry but no one can be spared. Please, you’ll have to swim along now.”

“No!” her voice came out sharply. “I am not leaving. Please, I know I am invited to this revelry. Can’t we find a way to fix this?”

The merman sighed and told her to wait as he summoned for a page boy to fetch The King’s answer.

Maris waited to the side and watched as mer-folk of various statuses as well as other sea-folk  including mer-squid like herself were admitted inside. Five minutes passed, then ten. With each new fragment of time, Maris felt herself growing simultaneously impatient and anxious. Finally having enough after two quarters of an hour she asked the guard to check whether the page boy had even attempted to do as he’d been asked. She allowed herself to float to the side again as her heart began pounding in her chest.

It was only short minutes later but she finally caught a glimpse inside of His Majesty. He looked happy. He was laughing.

Her heart felt constricted. He was enjoying himself without her? He was not concerned that she wasn’t arrived? Her breath had caught in her throat and she exhaled slowly as a feeling of anger and confusion overcame her.

She had no time to really process these new emotions as not even a second later a mermaid floated into view beside Ecthelion. He turned to her with a smile and offered his arm. At once Maris stopped breathing. ‘Wh-what?’ she stammered internally at this terrible sight. The two proceeded to speak to one another briefly before she saw The King excuse himself from the group they were with and escort this— this— creature onwards with him.

At once something within Maris snapped in two. She realized with sober clarity that her lack of invitation had been no mistake. Ecthelion had not wanted her there tonight.

At once she swam away from this abhorrent palace at full speed; the guards calling out in alarm to her as they were startled by her sudden departure.