Authors: Sheri L. Swift
“I must say, you are very welcome
.
”
H
e smiled once more kissing her again.
“I suppose we should go back
.
”
Lana
smiled
reading his thoughts.
“Yes, I suppose we should
.
”
H
e grinned letting out a sigh. Then he took her hand and swung her onto his back.
Lana allowed herself once more to rest against his strong shoulder as she clung to his neck. She smiled to know he had just read her thoughts about how much she liked it. It made Titus swim all the faster. He felt that there was nothing he could not do with her being a part of his life. Tempest
bare
ly ke
pt
up with them.
~~~
Each day was the same; Titus would already be in the cavern when Lana woke each morning. Some days they would join Tarra, Makoa and Uly. Other days they would spend it exploring some of Titus’ favorite places, just the two of them, except for Tempest.
Titus
even showed
Lana
some of the other weapons that his brother Tarrock had made.
After two week
’
s time, Princess Tarra had been sent on an
errand from her mother
Princess Cassandra. “Hello Princess Lana and Titus
.
”
Tarra smiled at the two of them enjoying the beauty of the coral reef gardens in the city of
Torbist
.
“H
i
Princess Tarra
.
”
Lana
smiled
.
“Hello Sister, why are you bothering us?” Titus asked with a knowing glance.
“Mother has asked that I bring Princess Lana to the Hall. Many of the mermaids are gathered there and wish to get to know her. You have taken up all of her time since she has arrived and mother said it is her turn
.
”
S
miled Tarra to her brother, knowing it would be hard for him to let her go.
“That is well and good, if Princess Lana wishes to go
.
”
H
e looked into her eyes and let his thoughts tell her that he would miss her and that he did not wish to share her with anyone.
“Of course I
’
ll go Titus.
We’ve
ha
d
every day
, I can give her this one
.
”
Lana smiled, knowing it was not the answer he was hoping for.
“Alright, if you wish; however, tomorrow I shall have you the entire day,” he said with a half grin and raised brows.
“Yeah, you know I can’t refuse you,” Lana laughed and gave him a quick kiss and began to swim away. Titus grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him and he gave her a very generous kiss. He chuckled and then released her. He had read her thoughts that she nearly changed her mind.
“You two
.
”
Tarra smiled and shook her head and then led Lana to the Hall.
There were many Princesses in the Hall and it made Lana a little nervous. There were so many maidens; some of them were even of the dark ones. Lana couldn’t help but notice that Sirene was one of them and she tried to clear her thoughts and focus on Titus’ mother.
“Hello Princess Lana, I am so glad that you have joined us today. We have been most anxious to speak with you and see how you are enjoying your time here,” s
ai
d Princess Cassandra
with a smile
.
“I love it; it’s like nothing I’
ve ever experienced before. I’
m even adjusting to the foods,” said Lana as all of the mermaids giggled to read her thoughts on eating her food raw.
“We know that our ways must be different for you,” s
ai
d Princess Cassandra understandingly.
“Yeah, but I’m getting the hang of it,” said Lana again nervously.
“I understand that Prince Titus hardly ever leaves your side,” said Princess Rema, Uly’s mother.
“Yes, you should have seen the look on his face when I had to practically pull her away from him,” laughed Tarra.
Lana couldn’t help but think of Sirene and how she must feel at this moment; then all looked at Sirene as they read Lana’s thoughts. Sirene looked up in shock and glared at Lana and quickly swam away. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to think about her. How awful you must all think I am,” said Lana sadly.
“It is not your fault Princess Lana, she should never have allowed herself to form feelings for someone she could not join in union with,” said Princess Cassandra.
“Titus has ever been your intended and Sirene has known this,” said Princess Rema.
“I know, but I still can’t help but feel bad for her. I mean, it wasn’t like I was around. I can see w
hy she’d like him. He’
s that special,” said Lana sincerely.
“That is what makes you so special, because you care for others. Sirene will come to accept it in time. My son has chosen wisely in a mate
.
”
Princess Cassandra
smiled
.
“Come now, let us get back to stringing shells,” s
ai
d Princess Rema.
“Yes Lana, let us make you a top,” said Tarra.
“Wow, you mean like yours? I’d love it,” said Lana as she began to pick out shells from the many gathered in a large stone bowl.
The mermaids talked for hours as they strung shells for tops, necklaces, and crowns for their Prince mermen. Lana enjoyed getting to know each of them. Two of the mermaids were sisters and Tarra’s closest friends.
Their
names were Filene and Fianna and they had the dark hair and eyes. Th
ey were also cousins to Kitchi
, who had been Tarra’s intended. Lana found the sisters to be very much like Makoa. They were less formal than the others and had a sense of humor. It was easy to be friends with them.
~~~
When Lana returned to her cavern with Tarra, Titus was there with Tempest waiting for her. He could not help but notice her shell top and Lana couldn’t help but hear his thoughts that it pleased him very much.
“
I am so tired, I think I sha
ll retire to the pool,” s
ai
d Tarra
as she swam to the other side of the cavern
.
“Goodnight Sister,” called Titus with a smile back to her.
“Yeah, goodnight Princess Tarra,” said Lana barely g
eyying
the words out as Titus quickly pulled her to him and kissed her. “Hi, I missed you too
.
”
Lana beamed looking into his eyes.
“It has seemed an eternity since you have been gone from me,” said Titus
softly
as he held her close.
“It really wasn’t that long, but I know what you mean
.
”
S
he smiled up at him.
“It gave me time to think what it would be like if you were to go back to the island. I wish that you would stay here with me,” he said softly
once more
and Lana read his thoughts on how hard it was for him to tell her what he was thinking.
“
W
ow, I almost forgot about going back. I know I promised my father that I would in time for my birt
hday,” she said as she realized
for the first time, how very much she had come to love Titus and didn’t want to leave him.
“I love you also
Princess Lana. Will you join in union with me and live as my mate among my people?” Titus asked knowing how very important a question it was and how much depended on her answer.
“Titus, I’
d love nothing more than to do that. I’m just not sure how I go about telling my dad? I know it might break his heart,” she said s
erious
ly, not wanting to make Titus doubt her feelings for him.
“I know it will be hard for him, perhaps he has also had time to think a
bout it.”
“Yeah maybe; I know that he’s read my thoughts and he must have k
nown it was possible that I’
d choose to stay. I’m also glad that he’s had time to find love for himself. It may not be as hard for him now. I just don’t know
.
”
Lana
was
torn between the love she felt for Titus and her father.
“It is alright Lana; we will find a way togeth
er. Let us enjoy these last few
weeks and pray that Arius will help us when the time comes,” Titus
said
sincerely as he kissed the top of her head.
~~~
The next week and a half was bittersweet for Lana and Titus. They tried to enjoy the time they had, but they couldn’t help but think of the fast approaching day that Lana would have to return to the island and tell her father of her decision.
One evening, as they sat outside on the
ledge at
Gull
Island
and gazed at
the stars, Lana
noticed that Titus
was guarding his thoughts
. He seemed so distant at times and she thought
;
it must be because of my
possibly leaving
. “You know I love you Titus, don’t you?”
she
asked softly.