Let’s dance.Though surprised that Ezra suggested it, I joined him without hesitation. I was dying to dance, especially since I had much more confidence with my legs and feet.
My nerves eased a little as Ezra pulled me close to him, one hand on my waist, the other holding my hand. I looked up into his bright green eyes and smiled.
I like you better without all of this gaudy stuff,he said.I mean. You’re always beautiful, but you don’t need all of this to enhance your appearance. The people here… they do.
I laughed at that.Why thank you, Ezra. Like a guppy being complimented for swimming straight.
He smiled, and my heart raced as his words echoed in my mind:You’re always beautiful…
I stumbled around like an octopus moving across sand, stepping on the prince’s toes more than a few times. But he didn’t seem to mind. His eyes scanned the room and he drew me closer, as if protecting me.
There she is.
I followed his gaze to a young woman sitting on the throne, a tight corset accentuating her curves. Her hair was so pale it almost blended into her skin. Her icy blue eyes watched, as if she were looking for something wrong.
She looks like a jellyfish. Pretty to look at, but all sting beneath the surface.
Ezra’s stoic expression broke for a moment.She’s my betrothed, Aulani.
I know, and I don’t trust her. Who are all those men standing around her?
Ezra glanced again.Some are her guards. Others are noblemen from here… I don’t recognize all of them. They’re probably her suitors.
That made me want to gag. She looked around her like they were her loyal seadogs.
The song ended and another one started, one that was quicker than the last one. People around us started the new dance, causing Ezra and I to drift apart.
Aulani…
I’m alright.I stood to the side, watching as Ezra got looped into the dance. He kept searching for me, but I assured him.I’m fine, Ezra. And you are a fine dancer.
I did rather enjoy watching him. He moved as if he was always grounded, like every step meant something.
“Once all the troops come in, the plantation owners will arrive and things can finally get moving.”
A man’s voice drew my attention away from the prince. The voice was high pitched as he prattled away about something. I couldn’t help but move deeper into the crowd to get closer and hear more.
What troops? Plantation owners?
“I’m looking forward to it,” said another man. I could see their faces now. One man had dark hair and a mustache that curled up on the edges. The curl resembled an upside down sea horse tail. The other man had flaming red hair, something I couldn’t stop staring at. Though mermaids had hair in every color, I’d never seen anyone with ginger hair. He was a big man, so big that even his mask could not fit on his face. He reminded me of a grouper fish, all jowls and bulk, as if the ocean had sculpted him out of leftover stone.
Seahorse mustache, on the other end, was completely slim. “In just a few days, she’s going to ban the primitive festivals these people host. That, their paganhuladancing, and worship at those barbaric sites.”
They spoke as if the natives of the island were animals. I scowled, but quickly smiled and shook my head as a servant held out a tray of food, offering me to partake. He nodded and went on his way.
“Yes, she’s doing a swell job of civilizing these people and their island customs,” said grouper fish.
“And once the people here learn their place, the island will truly thrive.”
I shuddered.They’re trying to erase the soul of the island.It was the people who kept the island alive. Their respect for the land was evident in the way that Ezra treated it. Sure, I hadn’t known him for very long, but just in the short time Ididknow him, I knew that he loved his people and his home.
“Here’s a pretty face.”
I blinked, suddenly realizing that seahorse mustache had noticed me standing around and approached. “May I have the next dance?” he asked.
No thank you…But my voice was gone. I frantically looked around. Where was Ezra?
“Ah, you are a shy one.” He grinned. “What is your name, pretty little thing?”
