THE OCEAN CROWN

gh the enormous double doors, her iridescent aquamarine tail flicking nervously behind her. The royal court had gathered in full attendance no

a pearls. Her expression was unreadable, but Ariel knew her mother well enough to detect the

ng her head as protocol demande

he sight of her daughter. "Princess Ariel,

age, she had grown accustomed to court scrutiny, but today felt different. There was

st birthday approaches in three months' time." She paused, her gaze sweeping across the assembled courtiers before r

anxiety. She had always known she would someday take the throne, but some

continued. "Each ruler must fulfill certain conditions before ascending to the throne. You

ng an ancient scroll encased in a bubble of protective magic. With a gesture

nite our world with the world above. Through marriage to a human of r

d her grow suddenly cold. Marriage? To a human? The concept was so fore

gan, but Queen Ma

sealed by true love, freely given on both sides

nd, Flounder, a young noble from the eastern provinces, shot

... human husband?" Ariel asked, s

rk forces gather at our borders, sensing the coming transition of power. Without the magic of the Ascen

?" Ariel couldn't help the note of disbelief that crept into her vo

sor who swam forward bearing a smal

k among humans." The Queen's voice softened. "I know this comes as a shock, Ariel. I wish I could have prepared you sooner, but

ling hands. The weight of it and all

an world," the Queen noted. "Your collectio

illed with objects from shipwrecks

stiny preparing you for this

r Majesty, sending the princess alone to the human world is da

l not go alone. Sebastian will accompany her, appearing as a human servant. And Flound

found this assignment less than ap

rince's return from overseas," the Queen explained. "All nobility from surrounding lan

e northern reef or the western shipwreck. Now, the fate of her kingdom rested on her a

t thing about human cu

aughter, and the blood of Oceania's rulers flows through

and the entire court bowed. She

tion on what you need to know about the human world." Her voice softened. "I have faith in you, Ariel

hell pendant cool against her palm. Three months to find true lov

e an anchor. For the first time in her life, Ariel fe

ide as the nobles dispersed. "

d looked up toward the shimmering sur

it seems I have no choice but to f

on cut through her fear. The human world a place she h

he was re