Chapter Three: Bound by the Sea
Before anyone could say anything, the water rose like a living whip, wrapping around Nadeira's waist before she could throw the last of the burning powder.
"What the-"
Her body was yanked back, her feet skidded across the marble floor as waves swallowed the candles.
"No!" she cried out, reaching for the pouch, but it slipped from her hand. In the next instant, Nadeira was dragged through the doors against her will.
The force back was merciless, dragging her out of the estate, through stone and wood, pulling her far from the laughter and plotting of the Mancinis.
"It hurts!" She struggled, choking on the icy flood, until finally the pressure eased.
Nadeira coughed, spitting water as she felt sand under her hands again. The tide rolled her onto the shore, her hair travelled to her cheeks.
When she lifted her head, the three princes were inside the water… but not deep enough, since they were standing over her, with their silhouettes framed by moonlight.
"You're welcome," Nyxmaris wrapped his hands around his chest smoothly, flicking water off his webbed fingers.
Nadeira pushed herself up, glaring. "You dragged me away like a sack of potatoes."
Nyxmaris' lips twitched. "Would you rather we left you for them to carve?"
"I could've handled it," Nadeira raised tone, brushing her wet hair from her face. "I had burning powder."
Caspian's eyes softened with patience. "And what then? You would burn them all until your own fingers blistered?"
Nadeira opened her mouth, then closed it. Her hands were shaking, and she hated that they noticed. "I… don't need you."
Orrisian leaned closer, "And yet you live because of us."
Nadeira scoffed, hugging her arms to her chest. "So what? You save me, then call me mate, then drag me around like seaweed. That's your great honor?"
Nyxmaris chuckled a little. "You have spirit. Most humans would weep in gratitude."
"Well, I'm not most humans." Her words wors were full of sarcasm.
The three exchanged a glance, but Caspian finally rolled his eyes. "We should make this clear. We do not like humans."
"Trust me, the feeling's mutual," Nadeira muttered.
Orrisian's voice rumbled calmly. "We loathe your kind. You poison the seas, kill what you cannot tame. But the sea has its own law. It bound you to us. You are our mate."
Nadeira let out a harsh laugh. "Mate? Me? Do I look like I have fins?"
Nyxmaris' grin grew sharp. "Not yet."
Her stomach gurgled, but she refused to let fear show. "You're telling me you hate humans, but suddenly because of some glowing water trick, I'm your… bride? Do I get a crown of seashells too?"
Caspian's jaw tightened, but he remained understandingly calm. "You misunderstand. It is not a trick. It is the sea's will. We are bound to protect you. To keep you from harm."
Nadeira raised a brow. "Oh yes, how wonderful. A fish army to protect me. Except, wait-" she gestured at the sand. "You can't even walk on land. How exactly are you going to fight for me? Flop at my enemies until they laugh to death?"
For a moment, silence swallowed them all harder than any tsunami could.
Nadeira waited for them to get angry, to snarl at her insolence. But none of them did.
Orrisian's eyes only blinked, while Caspian exhaled slowly. Nyxmaris smirked widened…clearly amused.
"We will take care of it," Orrisian pouted.
"We will help you hurt those who hurt you," Caspian added, sounding like waves against rock.
Nyxmaris swimmed closer, teasing but edged with a promising tone. "And you'll see that a fish can do far more than you think."
Nadeira stared at them, her lips parted but no words coming. Her heart felt weaker like it was getting crushed by them all.
She wanted to laugh again, to mock them until their perfect faces cracked. But instead, her throat burned for no reason.
"I see how it is…" No longer having nothing. No mother or family that cared for her…no crown prince to protect her. No coin, no friends. Nothing but her rage…
Breathing out and clenching her fists, Nadeira asked. "If I say yes… if I accept this… bond or whatever you call it, what happens?"
Caspian moved forward, looking serious. "Then our strength is yours. We will not only guard you…we will share our breath, our power, our life. You will not be alone again."
Orrisian's deep voice rumbled. "But we cannot cross fully onto land without your consent. You must accept us, or the bond is hollow."
Nyxmaris leaned closer too. "So, little human… will you accept us? Or do you wish to keep bleeding alone?"
Nadeira swallowed hard. Her mind were filled with pictures of Harriet's slap, Victoria's chokehold, her father's smirk cutting into her like soul.
Her voice came out hoarse. "I have nothing to lose."
The energy suddenly changed…and the sea surged closer, curling foam around her ankles. The three princes straightened, seeming more brighter.
"Then let it be done," Orrisian murmured.
Caspian touched his chest, then extended his hand. "Give us your hand."
Nadeira hesitated. "This isn't some trick, right? You're not going to turn me into a sardine?"
Nyxmaris laughed a little. "Not unless you ask nicely."
Rolling her eyes, Nadeira thrust out her trembling hand. "Fine. Let's get this over with."
Orrisian clasped her hand gently. His skin was cool, almost electric, sending a shiver up her arm.
Caspian placed his hand over hers, warm like the push of tides. Finally, Nyxmaris pressed his hand atop theirs, his touch felt light like, but somehow electric…like a blade hidden in silk.
The sea roared…
Golden light burst from their joined hands, spiraling around them.
"What is happening?" Nadeira gasped as it sank into her skin, flooding her veins with warmth and strength.
Her heartbeat thudded with theirs, three pulses merged with her own.
She stumbled, her knees turned weak. But instead of falling, strong arms stabilised her. Nadeira felt their presence inside her now, but not like some chains or cages, but threads of power tying her to them.
"What… what did you do to me?"
Orrisian closed his eyes before replying to Nadeira. "We bonded."
Caspian's lips curved in a cute smile. "Now no harm will reach you without us feeling it."
Nyxmaris wiped his lips with his tongue. "And no enemy will touch you without drowning first."
Nadeira pulled back, clutching her glowing hand to her chest. "You're insane."
"Perhaps," Nyxmaris looked almost careful.
But as the light disappeared, Nadeira felt something she hadn't in years.
It didn't feel like Nadeira was safe because she didn't trust them enough for that. But also not at peace because her rage still boiled too hot.
It was something else so fragile, almost lost in her chest…"am I hopeful?" Asking herself, Nadeira raised her brow.
She lifted her chin. "Fine. You want to protect me? Then prove it. Help me burn my father's house to the ground."
The three princes exchanged a glance. Then Caspian nodded. "As you wish."
Orrisian's eyes shone thanks to the moonlight. "We will not fail you."
Nyxmaris smiled, and made sure to relax his muscles a little. "This will be fun."
Nadeira lowered her eyebrows. "I can't believe I'm teaming up with fish."
"Princes of the ocean," Orrisian corrected.
"Fish," she repeated herself.
"Then may the fish drown your enemies, mate." Nyxmaris interrupted.
The sea surged around them… as if sealing the vow.