Beneath the surface: Forbidden love

Marisela

''zua veli xjev ot puv zuast vu veli.''

I read the letters a second time trying to confirm exactly what they mean. No, I understand what the letters say, however what is written doesn't make sense. Its written in an old ancient language.

Aquan.

The language of Sirens. Confirmation that these letters are definitely a warning from Sirens.

But, what are they trying to say? That part I cant quite understand.

I look to Kael, who is already watching me, waiting for me to say something.

We are currently in his secret office in his bedroom. After I asked him to show me the letters, he immediately brought me up here. We never said a word to each other the whole way. Even after reading the letters- twenty minutes later- we haven't said a word. Kael seemed to be lost in his own thoughts–that, or he was trying not to distract me while I read the letters.

''In direct translation,'' I begin, ''blood for blood.'' Kael is quiet for a second before his face contorts into confusion.

''Blood for blood.'' he repeats lost in thought for a second. "I have never heard of any past adversaries between our kinds."

''I don't understand either. But this is definitely Sirens.'' I tell him.

''How do you know?''

''Aquan, is an ancient language that used to be spoken by the old gods,'' I tell him as I walk over to the large window, staring out into the ocean, ''not many know of this language as it is supposed to be extinct, but Sirens are the only species I know that spoke this language many years ago, however not all Sirens knew the language. Only the old ones.''

''The old ones?'' I can feel Kael's presence behind me. I turn around to look at him, his eyes fill with worry and confusion, but he was hiding it so well, one would barely notice.

''I think whoever sent these letters, is an old Siren, or one that still believes in the traditions of the old gods.''

''Why-... How do you know so much about this, Marisela?'' He asks the one question I expected him to. Taking a deep breath, I look out the large window, avoiding his gaze.

''My mother is one of the old ones, Kael. She's a very powerful Siren, but because she's lived on land for so long, her powers- well she doesn't have them anymore. At least that's what she says.'' I tell him.

Kael doesn't say a word after that and honestly it has me on edge. I also haven't looked at him but rather avoided his gaze. when I eventually turn to face him, his eyes are not on me, but are on the waters below us.

''Kael, please say something.'' I say. Finally, he turns to me, his face void of all emotion. Kael is genuinely a hard person to read, but when he's face is like this, I hate it. He is so closed off.

''Marisela, I don't know what to say.'' he says. I sigh and look away.

''But,'' he places his hand on my back, making me turn to face him again, ''whatever happens, we are in this together. And we will fight this war together.'' he says.

''You mean everything to me, Marisela, and I will do everything to make sure nothing happens to you. You may not understand why I feel the way I do with you, but in time you will. You were right earlier, '' he sighs looking down, "I should've been honest with you, I should've asked you about all of this, but I thought I was protecting you. I-I'm just afraid of losing you." His words unleashed something in me. Something warm.

He was right, I couldn't possibly understand how he was feeling, but I could understand my own feelings.

''I can't lose you either Kael.'' I admit. Kael's eyes slowly look deeply into my own, as if he couldn't believe what I had just said. "Whatever this is between us, I know it means something." It took Kael a few more seconds to comprehend all that I've just said. It took him less than a second for him to pull me closer to him. I knew what he wanted, he needed that reassurance. And I did too.

I was the first one to initiate the kiss. Kael was quick to reciprocate. Our tongues dance in unison. Our lips move in synch. I could never get tired of kissing him.

Before the kiss could get any deeper than its supposed to, I pull away, allowing us both to catch our breaths. I smile up at Kael and he returns it.

"Tomorrow I want to spend the day with you, princess." He says.

"But what about your duties?"

"Dimitri will sort it out, tomorrow I want to spend the whole day with you." I blush at that. "I want to know everything there is to know about you. And in turn I will tell you more about me, about my people, my kingdom. Tomorrow will just be about us getting to know each other."

"I would like that a lot" I give him a short quick peck on his lips. Kael's grin widens.

"Come let's get ready for dinner." He says.

*************

"Marisela, may we have a word with you, please?" Rosa asks, refering to her and Ronaldo. I nervously gulp, Kael nudges me towards them in encouragement.

"Of course your majesties." I walk towards Ronaldo and Rosa who are standing near the entrance to a balcony that leads to the view of the City.

Dinner was good. There were a lot more people at the table, all who belong to Kael's pack.

Pack... still a term I'm getting used to calling a kingdom of werewolves.

I wanted to sit with Maria and Cory as they have become people I'm most acquainted to and would actually call friends- of course however, Kael disapproved and wanted me to sit with him.

Kael was walking me to my bedroom when his parents had asked to speak with me.

When I am finally stood in front of them, I bow.

"Good evening your majesties."

"Princess Marisela." Ronaldo nods in acknowledgement. Rosa smiles warmly at me.

"We would like to know how you are doing, with everything that has happened, I- we," she gestures to her and her husband, "..haven't had a chance to speak with you." Rosa says, a look of genuine concern covers her features making me blush slightly.

"I think I'm handling it well, considering everything." I say. They both nod in understanding.

"Do Sirens–"

"Ronaldo!" Rosa scolds, making the him chuckle.

" My apologies princess, I don't mean to come off as forward" he sarcastically looks at his wife then turns to me, looking more serious, "but, we have never met your kind before, better yet, believed them to exist." He says, making me feel slightly offended... But then again I didn't believe in Lycans or werewolves before I met Kael.

"That is alright, but I'm afraid there isn't much that I can tell you about my kind as well." I tell him truthfully, ''I myself haven't met any other siren other than my mother."

They both look at each other in confusion before turning to me.

"How come you have not met any of your own kind?" Rosa asks. I actually didn't know what to say, because honestly I don't know either.

"Well, growing up my mother never really allowed me to go into the ocean, she always said that it wasn't safe. But of course being young and naive I went against her wishes and went for a swim. That was the first time I ever changed. I knew what I was but I didn't know that I could grow a tail. When my mother found out about it, she forbid me for ever going back into the water and reminded me that it wasn't safe." I tell them. From a distance I knew Kael was listening, I don't believe I ever told him that story. Rosa and Ronaldo both look surprised by this.

"I wonder why your mother would want you to hide your true self." Rosa thinks out loud. I frown at her words, but not because it offended me, but because I've also asked myself the same question for a long time.

"I'm sorry princess, I don't mean to offend you in any way, it's just-" she shakes her head in confusion, "it just doesn't make sense."

I agree with her but I couldn't tell her that. Something began to stir deep inside of me, a feeling I pushed aside and instead forced a smile.

"Perhaps it's about time I speak with her." I tell her instead. "To be fair," I add hopefully to lighten the mood, "I had no idea Lycans and werewolves were real.''

"Indeed so." Ronaldo agrees with a laugh. "At this point I wouldn't be surprised if fairies were real too." He jokes, making both Rosa and I laugh. Before he could say anything else, Rosa speaks over him.

"We've only read stories about Sirens and mermaids growing up, just like you have read about werewolves I'm sure?" She says and I nod before she continues, "a remarkable species you are, princess." I blush again.

"Thank you." I tell her and she smiles warmly at me.

"Oh princess, if you don't mind, I would like to have a moment with you when you are free to talk over the coronation coming up."

"Coronation?" I turn to Rosa hoping she would explain further. She looked completely taken aback by this.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, I thought Kael would've told you by now considering everything that has happened." Rosa says looking a little uncomfortable as if she had said something she was not supposed to. She looks to her husband for help.

"As you know, Kael is already king, but you as the future queen and Luna to the kingdom are yet to be introduced, therefore the coronation ceremony is when you will officially take that title which is rightfully yours, did Kota not mention this to you before?'' Ronaldo asks, surprised by my knowledge- well lack of, that is.

"Oh yes, he did mention a ceremony that will have to take place," I lie. However by the look they gave each other they knew I was lying but chose to not call me out on it.

"Well, we should make time to talk more of the coronation sweetheart." Rosa insists.

"Of course, that would be lovely." I tell her.

Just as I thought our conversation was done, Ronaldo catches me of guard.

"Has Kael marked you yet?"Ronaldo blurts out of the blue , making my cheeks redden out of embarrassment.

"Uh.."

"Goddess, Ronaldo can you be any more blunt!" Rosa scolds her husband once again, who in return receives a playful eyeroll.

"Apologies princess, again, has my son, marked he's beloved mate, yet?" Rosa playfully hits her husband at his question. I laugh to myself at their childish banter.

"Uh, no." I say, catching them both off guard.

"What?"

"Really?"

"Yes, he's giving me time to understand everything." I tell them, they both look stunned by my answer

"Oh." They both say in unison making me confused.

"Uhm, forgive me, but is there something wrong with that?" I ask.

"Oh no dear!" Rosa clears her throat before smiling, "it's just that, as a Lycan, when we find our mates, controling our wolf is much harder than that of a werewolf. Our instincts to mark our mates become much stronger."

"It's not a bad thing of course," Ronaldo adds, "it just took us by surprise, Kael is the first Lycan I know to have waited this long to mark his mate. He is a royal, I am surprised he has gotten this far."

"I had no idea." I tell them both truthfully. Ronaldo gives a warm understanding smile.

"To he fair, this is the first time a Lycan has ever been mated to a different species, more so, a Siren." I look at Ronaldo, hoping he could elaborate further which he so gratefully does so.

"There are very few Lycans in the world, most of which are mated to one another to produce pure off springs, like Kael for example. Both Rosa and I are Lycans, making Kael a true leader, a powerful Lycan."

"Exactly, Lycans are much stronger than werewolves by a significant amount." Rosa adds, "so the need to mark our mates is twice as strong than that of a werewolf mate bond."

I knew how much Kael fought his wolf for me, but I didn't understand how hard this whole situation is for him alone. I mean honestly, I understand- sort of- as to who he is, and his people. It's been a few days now and well, I guess I just wasn't ready for that stage yet.

"He's controlling himself for you." I blush again at this.

"Well, we better be off, Kael is on his way here and I'm pretty sure he overheard our conversation." Rosa warns us, "I told you not to medel Ronaldo." As I turn around, Kael is indeed on his way towards us and let me tell you, he doesn't seem impressed with his parents right now.

"One of these days princess , I would like to arrange a meeting with you and my dear son." Ronaldo adds, I nod my head in understanding. Given everything, I know what he wants to talk about.

"Goodnight Anna." They both bid farewell with kind smiles.

"Goodnight your majesties."

"Have tea with me tomorrow at noon in the gardens, will you princess?" Rosa quickly says before scurrying away.

"Of course." I smile after her, knowing full well she did not hear my response.

"There is still so much I don't know about you Miss Marisela, princess of Greemalia and soon to be queen of Calarrad." Kael whispers into my ear making me shiver.

"And that will definitely change by tomorrow," I tell him. He hums in agreement.

"Speaking of, how come you didn't tell me about my coronation?"

"Well, I was going to tell you about it tomorrow, but I guess my parents beat me to it." He sighs in annoyance.

I suppose that makes sense.

"Come on love, let's get you to bed." He says kissing my forehead.

As soon as we get to my bedroom, we stand by my door ready to say goodnight to each other. But I had such a great time with him today I wasn't ready to say goodnight just yet.

"Would you like to come in?" I hesitantly ask. Kael's eyebrows raise in surprise. His reaction causes my cheeks to redden in embarrassment.

"I mean you don't have to-"

"I would love nothing more princess," Kael stops me, he places his hand around my waist pulling me closer to him. The sudden touch causing goosebumps to arise on my body. "Are you sure?" He searches my face for any sign of uncertainty, but there wasn't any. I was too nervous to speak so instead I nod my head. Kael smiles and steps back leaving me flustered.

"How about this," he begins, " let me go take a quick shower, then I will come down here and we could watch a movie?" He suggests and I couldn't help but giggle.

A movie was the last thing I expected him to say.

"I am more than open to something else entirely." He flirts and I blush.

"Okay your majesty, go take your shower and we can watch a movie when you're done." I shove him in the direction to his bedroom. I hear him laugh before he turns around.

"I'll see you in a bit princess." He winks before turning around and walking off. I think I just about died and went to heaven.

Were we actually flirting just now?

I giggle to myself before opening my door. I decided then, that I too would take a much needed shower myself.

When I am done, I contemplate on what I should wear. Kael was coming over in less than a few minutes and all I had on was a towel.

I could just stay like this. No stop it!

What has gotten into me.

Pushing my thoughts aside I grabbed the first pair of pyjamas I could see without thought. When I put it on I realize what a mistake I had made and before I could change there was a knock on my door.

Ah crap!

Having no time to change, I eagerly make my way over to the door. I take a deep breath to calm my nerves, and let it out before opening the door. There in all his glory, stood before me, this god of a man, my mate.

His eyes roam over my body, from head to toe. My lips twitch into a smirk at his wandering eyes, enjoying the jolt of excitement that runs down my spine. A lustful look evident in his eyes as they finally meet my own lustful ones.

"Hey." I say breathlessly.

"Princess, you are driving me crazy. You have no idea how beautiful you are." He says, making my breath hitch in my throat. His eyes hungrily look over my body once more, and my body reacts to his heated gaze.

I step aside allowing Kael to enter.

Once inside my room I realize how much smaller the room is now that Kael is inside. His frame is way too big for this size of a bedroom.

"So now that I am here, what would you like for us to do princess?" He asks seductively and suddenly my brain stops functioning. His eyes turn a shade darker. Every ounce of will power I had till now has evaporated.

I watch as he slowly walks over to me. The hairs on my body stand to attention at the proximity of our bodies. We're only a few inches apart.

"I can smell you're arousel, love." He whispers in my ear making a shiver run down my spine, "at least I know I have the same effect on you as you do to me."

My body went rigid as he inhaled along my skin. My mind was filled with desire and lust.

"Kael-" he cuts me off by latching his lips to mine. Kael kisses me hungrily and I kiss him back with just as much hunger. Hid lips were soft and firm, melting with my own in a way that showed ferocity and experience. His hands are around my waist before slowly making their way to my hips, lifting me up, my legs immediately wrap around his waist. All my willpower disintegrated.

Before I know it, I can feel myself being lowered down on to the bed. Not once did either of us break the kiss. Our tongues danced in unison, my fingers pull at the hair at the back of his neck.

Kael slid his hand against my exposed thighs and slid it up further, the coldness of his hand against the heat of my thigh did nothing to calm me, but only further ignite the fire flowing within me. My fingers started to play with the buttons of his shirt. Kael eventually gets the hint and breaks the kiss only for him to remove his shirt, exposing his beautiful chiseled chest.

Before I could admire him a little longer his lips were on me. My night dress had lifted above my waist, exposing my black lace underwear. Kael was placed in-between my legs. His hands start to roam my body, making me moan in pleasure. His fingers grazed across my stomach and making their way up.

His hand covered my left breast, making me arch my back further into his touch. I hear him growl making me moan again. His other hand graze the inside of my thighs, sending pangs of desire rushing up my legs. His fingers travel to the aching spot between my legs, teasing me.

"Kael." I whine. But before anything could go any further, he jumps off of me in a hurry. I almost push myself further up the bed when his usual aura of dominance roared to life, washing over me like a tsunami. His eyes a complete shade of black. Looking into his eyes right now gave me all the confirmation I needed.

He wanted me just as badly as I wanted him.

A part of me didn't care and wanted him to not stop, and honestly I was so close to listening to that irrational side of me, but Kael stormed out of my room, slamming the door in the process. Leaving me alone and aroused.

Not again.