The Sea Taketh (Alex Singer) (34 page)

             
He hesitates slightly before saying, “I’ve been looking for something. My mother held a party for some close family friends. She had certain expectations that I was unwilling to fulfill.”

             
“What expectations?”

             
He avoids eye contact as he answers, “She wanted me to commit myself to her friend’s daughter. Of course I refused. In a fit of anger, I took a very important item and sent it on a wave to Maine. Sven, Henrik, and I have been searching for it every night. To keep from drawing attention to ourselves, we posed as foreign exchange students and enrolled at the local high school. This way, the residents would think nothing of us swimming in the area.”

             
“It must be a very expensive item,” I say.

             
“It’s priceless,” he agrees.

             
“Tell me what it looks like and I can help you look for it when we get back,” I say in his arms.

             
“No, it is my responsibility. Furthermore, you will be very busy with your own responsibilities. You have high school graduation to prepare for, and I would like you to learn more about my world.”

             
“Did you have to bring up homework?” I groan.

             
“Yes, I did.” He tenderly kisses my neck.

Having an epiphany, I turn over and look into his eyes. “Have you forgotten that I’m mortal? I will grow old and eventually die. Why would you want to have a relationship with me when you know that I may die in 60, 50 or even 40 years?”

              “Alexandra, you won’t ever taste of death because I will protect you, and, when the appropriate time comes, I will share my immortality with you.”

             
“That’s impossible.” I laugh at his ridiculous joke.

             
“No, it’s not.” He gently touches my face. “When merfolk choose a mate, they can join their souls together. Usually it is with another merfolk, but in the event that a merman or mermaid chooses to join themselves with a human, the joining is so powerful that the human becomes immortal.”

             
“And this is your goal for us?”

             
“Yes, I never want to be parted from you. The truth is, I would have shared my immortality with you, long ago, but at seventeen, you are too young. I’m afraid we both must wait until your next birthday.”

             
Sniffling is heard from the doorway.

             
“Kerstin, I thought you went home?” Christian grumbles.

             
“No, I quickly called Mother to inform her I would be late.” She walks into the room and sits on the bed, wiping her eyes with a lacy handkerchief.  “Beautiful, just beautiful, they’re going to make movies about your love story.”

             
“No, they’re not, because no one will know about it for a very long time,” Christian immediately says. “Do you understand, Kerstin?”

             
She nods, wiping a new wave of tears from her face. “A secret love! That’s even more romantic!”

             
“How are Mother and Father?” Christian changes the subject.

             
“Oh, I nearly forgot!” She puts down her handkerchief. “Mother asked me to inform you that she expects you and Alex for dinner this evening.”

             
“You will have to relay our regrets.” Christian sits up. “I refuse to bring Alexandra to Atlantis at present.”

             
“Mother feels badly about her behavior and wishes to make amends.”

             
“I understand and the answer is still ‘no.’ I will not bring my declared to court.” He stretches his arms above his head.

             
“You shouldn’t punish mother for her rash decision,” Kerstin tries to reason with him.

             
“First, I’m not punishing her. I will protect Alexandra from the Realm’s paparazzi, and that means keeping her away from the court. Second, we have had a trying day, and I want to make it up to Alexandra. Third, Mother really was terrible, and I’m not about to subject my declared to that, again.”

             
“Oh, but she adores Alex!”

             
“And what brought about this sudden change?  When I talked to her she was simply making the best of what she called a ‘bad situation.’” Christian raises an eyebrow.

             
Kerstin opens a tote bag at her side. She pulls out a stack of magazines and holds up a
Vogue
. “I sent her a photo of this cover, and she is thrilled by the prospect of beautiful grandchildren.”

             
“Kerstin, you are a menace!” He shakes his head, doing a double take at the magazine before shoving it back into her bag.

             
“Maybe we should try to make amends?” I say, not wanting to cause problems between Christian and his mother.

             
“There are no amends to make,” Christian says, matter-of-factly. “The way Mother behaved was exactly what I expected from her. I am refusing to go to Atlantis because it is my job to protect you, and the politics are brutal for even the most seasoned politician.”

             
“My brother is being too modest,” Kerstin interjects. “He is the shrewdest politician in the Realm. My father would be lost without him.”

             
“Yes, and that is precisely the reason I’m refusing. I know how the system works. There is no point arguing about it. I will call Father and let him know that we will not be there. He can deal with Mother.” He leans over and kisses me. “I want to give you your Christmas gift before dinner.”

             
“Since I’m staying, I want to go change into something more comfortable,” I say.

             
“I’ll go with you!” Kerstin eagerly wraps an arm around mine.

             
Christian gives Kerstin a warning glance as we leave.

             
“I still can’t believe you’re going to be my sister-in-law!” Kerstin squeals as we walk into my room.

             
“We’re not engaged, and I haven’t promised him anything.” I go to the closet.

             
“No, but being declared is as close as you can get without the formalities.” She looks through her stack of magazines. She holds up a European one. “I really like your photos in here. Are you going to continue to model?”

             
“Gramps and Christian put their feet down after the attack.” I take off my boots and put on my slippers.

             
“I understand, you will be very busy with other things, but it’s still a shame.”

             
“Can you explain your mother to me?” I ask.

             
“She’s very simple to understand.” She flips through a magazine. “She’s like a mother walrus. She will protect her children at all costs. That’s why she behaved so poorly. My mother and I are close, more like friends than mother and daughter. She is funny and thoughtful. However, her relationship with Christian is very different. She sees herself as his protector, and she takes that responsibility very seriously. My brother has shunned females for centuries, and then he suddenly announces he had declared his love to you? Any mother would take this news poorly. Don’t worry. She will come to her senses. You will be welcomed into the family like a long lost daughter.”

             
I mull this over in my mind. I don’t see how his mother will ever accept me. I change the subject, “What’s your father like?”

             
She smiles. “Just an older version of Christian,” she answers. “They are similar in appearance, and personality.  You and he will get along very well.”

             
There’s a knock on the door.

“Is she done talking your ear off?” Christian strolls back into the room. He has changed into a pair of long shorts and a fitted t-shirt. As always, he is hot.

              “I’ve just gotten started.” Kerstin puts her magazines into her bag and stands up. She wraps an arm around each of us and starts out the door. “However, I would love to see what my brother got you for Christmas.”

             
“Kerstin, could you please give us some privacy?” Christian asks. “I’m certain Mother and Father expect you home for Christmas.”

             
“You’re one to talk. Besides I have every right to be there when Alex opens her present, and you know it.  I’ll go home right afterward.”

             
“Why do I have to have such a busybody for a sister?” he says.

             
“You could have gotten someone much, much worse,” she giggles. “Don’t forget Aunt Olga.”

Christian rolls his eyes.

              “What’s wrong with Aunt Olga?” I ask.

             
“Nothing except she’s a bit of a peeping tom,” Kerstin giggles again. “She’s particularly fond of our Christian’s biceps.”

             
“Well, who isn’t?” I wink at him.

             
“He is very handsome. You should hear what all the girls in my dorm say about him.”

             
“Enough, Kerstin!” says Christian. “Behave yourself, or I will have Sven and Henrik escort you home.”

             
“I was just having a little fun, and you know that you have been named the Atlantic Realm’s most eligible bachelor five hundred years in a row.”

             
He sighs audibly as we walk into the drawing room. The Christmas lights are lit and everyone else is waiting for us.

“Do you think we’ll get through this without any major catastrophes?” Jen says when she sees us.

              “We can hope,” Christian answers. He directs Kerstin and me to our seats before standing in front of the tree. “As I said earlier, Henrik, Sonia, and Sven, you will receive your customary Christmas bonus. The money is already in your accounts. As Sven has declared his love for Jen, she will receive a bonus as well.”

             
“And how much are we talking about?” Jen asks. “Can I add it to my grandmother’s ten dollar gift card and get a pair of hockey skates?”

             
Sven chuckles and whispers in her ear. Her face pales. “Don’t tease me about money.”

             
She swats him.

             
“I would never tease you about money.” He smiles. “I think we should get your parents a new van.”

             
“How much did you give them?” I ask Christian.

             
“Imperial bodyguards are paid very well.” Kerstin pats my hand. “Their generous Christmas bonuses let them know how grateful we are to them for their friendship and protection.”

             
Christian continues, “Thomas, as you are a man who likes a simple life, I set up a fund to ensure you can live the lifestyle you want.”

             
I look at Christian and suspect that he has set of this fund to free up my modeling money.

             
“There was no need to do that, you have given me more than you know,” Gramps says while looking at me.

             
“I feel the same about you and want to make sure you want for nothing.  This will ease my mind and Alexandra’s.”

             
“Christian, you are a very welcomed addition to my small family,” Gramps chokes up slightly. “Merry Christmas!”

             
“And a very Merry Christmas to you, Thomas.”

             
Christian goes to the tree and picks up the final gift. He carefully places the package on my lap and gestures for me to open it. I cautiously remove the golden wrapping paper and find a cube shaped, black velvet box. I wrinkle my brow in bewilderment. Anticipation hangs in the air as I open the box.

             
Kerstin screams incoherently and starts to cry. In the box is a beautiful gold crown ornamented with white pearls.

             
Christian kneels on both knees and places the crown on my head before taking my hands in his. “Alexandra Singer, I, High Prince Christian Kelp, love you with all my heart and want you to rule at my side. Please say that you will be my wife.”

             
I take several deep breaths.

             
“Of course, because of your age, we would enjoy an extended engagement with no immediate expectations,” he adds when he sees my uncertainty.

             
“You’re moving very fast,” I say, quietly.

             
“No, I have demonstrated considerable restraint waiting this long. I wanted to ask you the evening I declared my love to you.” He tenderly kisses my lips.