Chapter 3

Today is a momentous occasion.It's not every day that an Otherworldly male finds his mate. My brother Havek meticulously grooms his long, dark hair, striving for an impeccable appearance for his bonding ceremony, now only minutes away. The unique setting of our underwater domain does little to quench his fervor to dazzle his bride. Watching him, a sense of envy washes over me, shadowed by admiration for his luck. I'm fully aware of how long he's waited for this day, although it's much shorter than my own enduring wait.

"Your day will come soon, big brother. After centuries, I had lost hope of discovering my destined partner, but fate surprised me, presenting a mate more extraordinary than I dared dream. The divine powers surely have someone in store for you as well," Havek says with a reassuring wink, then returns to his preparations. His words, though encouraging, feel slightly condescending. Not all of us are destined to meet our mate, and I've long accepted the prospect of a solitary existence.

"Don't give me another thought, brother. Focus on your own happiness today. You and Ivy should be the center of attention. Finding a wood sprite who delights in the sea is a rarity worth celebrating," I respond with a light laugh, clapping him on the back, genuinely happy that he will experience the profound bliss of true love and companionship.

Havek isn't the first of us blessed by the gods. Our younger sisters, Serena and Azura, were fortunate to discover their mates early, and within our merfolk community. Like our mother, whose beauty is beyond compare, they share the ethereal grace and allure of mermaids. In contrast, I mirror my father, standing as the sole Kraken among my siblings, a distinction that I worry may hinder my chances of procuring my mate's affection.

As the eldest, I harbored expectations of being the first to encounter my destined partner, yet time has eroded such hopes, exposing the harsh impartiality of destiny. Sometimes, I wonder if the gods deem my Kraken essence unworthy of affection, and in quieter moments, I dread they are right.

As the reigning monarch of the Spectral Sea and the sovereign ruler of Mirinthia, home to the merfolk, my life is inundated with many responsibilities. Among these, my most cherished role is overseeing the bonding ceremonies—sacred occasions where two beings embrace the generous hand of fate, pledging to intertwine their lives as one. This rite of union isn't mandatory—indeed, some lovers forgo this tradition, perhaps a nod to the fact that divine matchmakers don't always align hearts perfectly. Rejecting one's fated mate comes with a steep price: the spurner has no second chance, although the forsaken may be favored with a new opportunity. Such a denial often leads to lifelong remorse, a bitter reminder of the folly in dismissing what is deemed the pinnacle of celestial blessings.

Havek and Ivy's bonding ceremony unfolds seamlessly, free from delays or distractions. Their love for each other is palpable, radiating hope for a future rich in shared escapades and, possibly, the laughter of children. Given Ivy's terrestrial origins, they plan to split their time between the aquatic realm and a quaint abode near the shore. Such arrangements are common among pairs hailing from different realms. Their bond allows them to survive in each other's worlds. While Ivy can breathe beneath the waves, her essence remains tied to the woodland's embrace, where wood sprites like her thrive amidst the lush, whispering foliage. This connection to the forest is intrinsic to her being, and Havek, ever the devoted partner, is fully committed to ensuring her life is woven with these cherished, earthbound pleasures.

"It's truly heartwarming to witness his joy," my sister Mariel reflects, positioning herself next to me, cradling her latest child with evident pride. "I strongly believed you would be the next to discover your soulmate, brother." Her words, akin to Havek's, are well-intentioned, yet I can't help but detect a hint of sympathy in her tone.

"Don't concern yourself over me. I firmly believe that my moment will arrive precisely when the gods consider me prepared, and not a second sooner." I utter the words with my typical confidence, hoping Mariel doesn't sense the tattered state of my heart. Before my perceptive sister can discern the truth, I hastily exit from the gathering, asserting the need to investigate a recent disturbance at the edges of the mortal realm. Although our borders remain unviolated, my sentinel sirens have noted curious activity.

Beyond Mirinthia's borders, the usually placid waters of the Spectral Sea churn with unusual ferocity. A pod of orcas, under the guidance of their matriarch, Tempest—who holds a special place in my heart as one of my closest companions—draws my gaze northward. They relay a message from their cousin Stormy's pod, reporting a disturbance—an unfamiliar melody had pierced the quiet of their night hunt, weaving an eerie tension into their usual rhythms. Compelled by curiosity and concern, they decided to investigate the source of this strange sound and promised to return with answers.

"Could it be the merfolk?" I inquire, conscious of how our breeding ceremonies can sometimes escalate into raucous affairs.

Tempest responds with a definitive sway from right to left. "No, Egon, it was different. This wasn't the usual revelry, nor was it the sirens. The sound was distinct, something extraordinary, as if it were specifically directed toward the Moonshadow Drop," she declares with concern.

"Moonshadow Drop?" My brow furrows in worry, the name echoing with unease. I'm troubled by the thought that our intensely protected secret passage might have been compromised. Such a breach would be impossible without the aid of magic, yet the annals of history are filled with tales of relentless mortals who have sought to unravel its mysteries.

As Tempest and her pod glide through the water, pursuing a fresh trail, they emphasize their earlier point with renewed urgency. "This was different, Egon," they convey with a sense of significance, their voices harmonizing through the aquatic depths. "It's something special," they reiterate, hinting at the extraordinary nature of the disturbance that now beckons me toward Moonshadow Drop.

"How special?"