The End of Innocence: Book 3 of the Kinstone series
Chapter 4: Savero

I flew through the air, feeling the winds passing over my wings. With every flap, my mind swirls with new thoughts and worries. It was becoming so hard to think that I nearly lost concentration while midflight, with me almost dropping out the sky. I’m just not sure about any of what I heard.

I’m an actual princess, descended from a royal line, and now I actually have a kingdom waiting for me to rule? It just sounds way too cliché for me to accept.

Part of me really wishes that I am still on my trip in Japan. I sigh heavily, so hard in fact that fire spews from my mouth. I let out a giggle, feeling some relief from this near nightmare of a day.

I fly over the fields and towards the lake. I would’ve gone to my glen, but I want to listen to the water as it buffets against the rocks. I should be grateful that the sky is clear and weather perfect for flying. It feels good having my wings outstretched and slicing through the air.

Flying, much like running, had become a great way for me to clear my mind. I could empty out all of my thoughts and simply focus on the path ahead of me. While up here, it was just me and open sky, no one else for miles, except for a few birds flying off in the distance.

As I draw closer to the lake, I eye my favorite outcropping, already seeing the waves crashing against the rocks. My body angles downwards, diving towards it. A small gust of wind blows up from the lake surface, sending a fresh blast of cool, moist air into my face, carrying my silvery hair with it.

My wings then fling outwards, acting as parachutes, slowing my speed. My leg swing forward, landing onto the rocks. I skip a couple steps before my claws dig into the outcropping, finally coming to a stop. I hold up my necklace and roll it between my fingers and close my eyes, slowly transforming back into a human.

I plop myself onto the rock, pulling my legs into my chest, and stared out onto the lake. The sounds of water buffering against the rocks ease my swirling mind. Another gust of wind blows past me and rustles the tree behind me.

My eyes watch the water rippling with the wind.

This day has been a complete and total disaster. All I wanted to do was to spend some much needed alone-time with my mother, but that went out the window the moment I learned my lunch was poisoned and then almost killed shortly after. On top of all that…there are real knights now in my home.

I still can’t or won’t accept this idea that I’m some long-lost princess. I know lots of girls like the idea of being a princess, but the truth is that it’s all just a fairy tale. Not only that, but the princess to a fallen kingdom the world as a whole has either completely forgotten about or has suppressed all knowledge of. Apart from this “lineage” and to some degree Fenris, I had no real attachment to the old empire. So why should I really even care if I am its heir?

But then another question I have is with the name of the house I “supposedly” descend from…Shyair. It’s been a name I thought I had created years ago, using it in roleplays and even in an old, unfinished story I wrote years ago. Now I learn that it’s an actual proper name.

I give a soft smirk, holding out my hand and whisper, “Shyair.”

A few moments pass and nothing happens. In the old story, Shyair was the name of a massive sword that would appear when its name was called out. The smirk continues for a moment before it quickly fades.

My knees grow warmer as I breath into them. My mind begins to wander as the sounds of the water starts to cause the world me to slowly fade away. In this moment, I want it to stay that way. Just the lake before me, the tree at my back and the rock I was sitting on. Time slips from me as I fall into a trance of sorts.

Ripples and bubbles soon form on the surface of the water some distance from me, churning and gurgling as if boiling or something. I stare out onto it with blinking eyes as a dozen figures slowly begin to rise from the water.

A dozen armored mermen “stand” in equal rows, each holding what appears to be a trumpet or horn. I watch as they then swing the horns from under their arms and press one end against their lips. Blaring music soon erupts from the horns, echoing across the lake.

At the center of the procession stands a trio of people, the first is a merman I don’t recognize, decked-out in some sort administrative attire, possibly an official of some kind.

From my right is Tariel. I bury a smile behind my knees. I’ve missed her deeply along with the rest of the gossip. So seeing her here now makes me happy.

My eyes then narrow towards the center, and to no other than Savero himself. I grumble softly, he is the last person I want to see right now.

My frustration only mounts as the sound of the horns continues to reverberate in my ears, growing louder and louder. I grumble, feeling my magic swelling around me as two orbs of water rose from the lake below me. My hair swirls and floats over my body as I then form into blades and fire at the lines of horn blowers. They slice off the bells, ending the noise.

Both lines of guards lower the stems from their lips and stare at each other in confusion, soon turning to me. I glare at them, feeling my shirt ripple and float around my body. Tariel and Savero both emerge from the water, having apparently ducked beneath the water before I silenced the source of my growing headache.

The official looks on in confusion at me and the other two, before clearing his throat and bowing to me, holding out his hands. “Young Princess Arianna, I am pleased and honored to present the first son of their majesties, the king and queen of Nerazon, his Royal Highness. Prince Savero Gulthan Nerazon.”

The man’s voice echoes pomp and adoration, if not a certain arrogance. “We have traveled across the seas to formally introduce ourselves and to celebrate the wondrous news of your newfound royalty.”

My eyes glare at him with the water below me starting to churn violently.

Tariel sees my growing frustration at the man and turns to him, “I warned you to go easy on her, but you ignored me and went ahead with this grandiose performance. Now she’s pissed.”

The official pans to her, “Silence mermaid. We are conducting ourselves in the manner in accordance when addressing royalty. I would suggest that you hold your tongue before I put you into your place.”

My eyes flare, instantly sending shockwaves into the water. My gaze bares down at him, giving the man a cold death stare, which also freezes the water surrounding the outcropping.

The mermaid stares at him, “Now you’ve gone and pissed her off even more,” turning the Savero, “let me talk to her.”

He looks to me; his deep, sea-blue eyes soften. With a hopeful smile rising on his lips, giving a short nod, “Go ahead.”

She smiles, “Thank you,” slowly floating to me, surrounding her body in water and steadily rose out of the lake.

My anger evaporates as she draws close to me, leaning her head close to mine, “Hello Princess.”

I smile to her, feeling her head against mine, “Missed you.”

She leans in closer, holding my hands, “I’ve missed you as well and so have the girls. I can’t believe it’s nearly been three months since I last saw you. We missed having you swim with us.”

I nod, gripping her hands tightly, “I did so some swimming while in Japan as a mermaid, even swam with some of the yokai there.”

She grins, “I’m so happy that you did.”

Her breath then slows, becoming remorseful, “I am so sorry for all of this. The gossip and I were on our way home when Savero’s minister ambushed us and practically forced us to bring them here.”

I sigh, lowering my head, “So I’m guess you heard didn’t you?”

She gently strokes my hair, feeling the water dripping down, “We did, hence why were in such a hurry to get back as soon as we could.” I hit my forehead against my knees sighing even heavier, now sounding more as a growl.

I glanced out towards Savero from under my bangs, watching as he floated in the water, wearing his princely attire. My toes cross over themselves, watching him carefully. He is among the two people I really don’t want to see right now, and given my current mental state, only serves to reinforce that notion.

Granted…I am curious as to why he’s shown up unannounced. One would think they might’ve informed the Manor that they were coming, or was it that we were just so tied up that the message was delivered and no one saw it.

They’re even here without my mother present. That really took some balls on their part. Somehow I know she’s going to let me handle this. That or she really is in the dark about their visit in which case would go into orbit over this. In any case, I’m here now and so is he.

She holds my hands, stroking them gently. I smile to her. Having her here with me means a lot. It didn’t matter there aren’t any more words between us. We were conveying just as many emotions by touch. Her hands are soft and smooth against mine as her thumbs stroke the top of mine. She smells of the open ocean with salt filling my nostrils.

I giggle to myself, remembering how much Asha smelled of river water, even when she hadn’t been in the river. If Savero wasn’t here, I’d gladly toss off of my boots, climb into the water and transform, letting her cuddle me tightly into her chest as we float in the water. A dream or maybe a wish…I don’t know. What I do know is that I have to deal with the present.

I look into her eyes, which sparkled with a gentleness I had long come to cherish and adore. She smiled to me, “Ready Princess?”

I take a long, deep breath, letting it out slowly, nodding softly to her, “Ready.”

She smiles, planting a kiss onto my cheek, “I will be right here Princess, and the girls are also here,” her head knocking towards the lake. I glance up to see the gossip floating in the distance, all smiling and waving to me.

I smile, looking back to her, “Thanks Tariel.” She smiles, giving my hands another tight squeeze before letting go and turning to the entourage, motioning Savero to come forward.

As he moves closer, Tariel scoots to the side, but remains close to me. He also wraps himself in water and rises out of the lake, now standing just a few feet from where I am sitting. He is roughly eye-level with me, knowing that he is much taller than I am.

The mer-prince bears a comforting smile on his face. While I know that he was more than he presented himself as. Somehow, he being the prince just makes sense to me. I look up into his deep blue eyes, which glimmer gently against the reflecting sunlight from the water below him.

“Hello Aria,” speaking softly.

I look away, “I know why you are here Savero.”

He leans down, catching my eyes, “You do?”

My eyes catch his, “Your parents sent you here, hoping that you could propose to marry me. Sorry…not happening.”

His smile dims slightly, “That…is partially true. But I’m here in hopes that you will finally give me an answer. Surely you must know my feelings towards you?”

I sigh, again looking away, “I can’t give you what you want Savero. I just don’t share those exact feelings.”

His head tilts somewhat, “I don’t…understand. I thought you loved my gifts and the attention I was giving you. I treated you as a princess that you are, even before it became know that you truly are one.”

I pan up to him, “Did it ever occur that you being older than me ever was an issue?”

His smile grows wider, “In our world, you are old enough to be with me. Even in Nerazon, you are considered an adult.”

I curl my toes, “In your world, but that’s the problem. In mine I’m just a kid. Here, an adult pursuing a child is a major taboo.”

He stares at me, blinking a few times. I turn my gaze away, taking a few long breaths, “I don’t…or can’t share your feelings. Sorry you came all this way for nothing,” closing my eyes.

For some reason this feels harder than I ever thought it would. I knew I had to tell him eventually, like possibly if I was back in Nerazon and we had a moment alone or something. But this was an official visit from the freaking crown prince of a kingdom. Any other girl in my shoes would be going ballistic and agreeing on the spot.

I however, am not like most girls. I will admit that he is right in him saying that he did treat me like a princess, and he really is a nice guy. Overtime he became someone, if not trying anything romantic, I felt happy to be around.

He leans a little closer to me, glimpsing his glittering eyes in the corners of mine. I turn and met his gaze, my own eyes darting slightly, “Sorry.”

He continues to gently stare at me, “Don’t be.”

I sigh, but wince rubbing my neck. My throat stings and burns, causing my face to wrinkle and cringe.

Tariel moves closer, “Princess,” her eyes then catch the edges of my fingers, “let me see your throat.” I lift my chin for her. The mermaid’s eyes grow huge as she gently touches the skin, “What happened to you?”

I close my eyes, “I was nearly killed just a while ago.”

Both Tariel and Savero’s eyes grow even wider. “Oh my God what?” asks Tariel, stroking my throat.

“When did this happen?” asks Savero as he comes ever closer to me.

I lower my chin, “It was earlier today. My mom and I were out enjoying some time together and were ambushed. The guy that gave me this I incinerated, but just kept coming. He grabbed me by the throat and tried to choke me to death. I’m guessing his hand was still on fire and it burned my throat.”

Tariel quickly draws some water and placed it around my throat. The relapsed pain slowly withdraws and the burns that did remain begin to heal.

She holds my hand as she treats me, “My god Aria, we…we didn’t know.”

I smile to her, “I know. It all happened so fast. When we got back, Velhemina treated it with a salve, but I’m guessing it’s worn off.”

Savero takes my other hand and strokes it. Not in a romantic way, but more “friendly” or was it brotherly? Either way, it felt better, like it does whenever I’m with him.

He looks to me, “I could have more people come and bolster your security if you want. Or you could come to Nerazon, where I could afford you every protection possible.”

“Could you guarantee that, honestly?” asks Tariel. “Savero, I know your heart is in the right place but the truth is that she could possibly become an even greater target if she were to come to stay with you. Yes, she would be under your protection, but who knows what might happen under there. Then there’s fact that you would have to clear all of this with her mother.”

He gazes at her for a moment, gauging her words, and then back to me, nodding, “Yes…very true.” He gives me a gentle smile, which feels honest and sincere, “I still wish to protect this girl,” speaking softly.

My cheeks blush, looking away slightly, “Thank you Savero.” His thumb still caresses the top of my hand as Tariel completes her treatment.

“You dare dismiss the generosity of His Royal Highness?!?!” erupts the official. We all turn and look at him.

The brightly adorned merman draws closer to us, “Never in my long life of serving His Majesty the King I have ever heard such a blatant insult. Such irreverence to the kindness and graciousness is unheard of. Not only do you spurn the affections of His Highness, but now you belittle his offer for protection? Such an offense could be considered an act of war. If his Majesty the King were to hear of this, he would personally mount an army and tear this place asunder.”

Tariel flashes her eyes at him, “Mulkus, don’t do this.”

The official glares at her, “And then there’s you. I have grown increasing frustrated at how flippantly you speak to His Highness. You continue talk to him as though you are equals. You should know your place woman. Over the course of these events, you have shown utter contempt for the authority of His Highness, actually challenging him and even questioning him. I should have you dragged away from this place and thrown into prison for such crimes.”

Savero glares at him, “Mulkus…stop.”

The official wouldn’t relent, still flaring with anger and hatred, “I have heard this gossip is frequently seen with you my Lord, along with Her Highness. How you all interact with one another as if you are all friends or something along those lines. Such utter nonsense.”

He once more glared at Tariel, “You also call this girl ‘Princess’. Were you somehow aware that she was of royal blood long before the world knew?”

She looks to him, tightly holding my hand, “We were calling her ‘Princess’ not only because she is the daughter of our Mistress, but even before that. It was a pet name that we gave her out of love and respect.” My cheeks blush softly as I look at her.

Mulkus huffs in unacceptance, “Such drivel. You also are highly defiant towards those superior to you, again stating my point to how blatantly disrespectful you speak toward his Highness and to me,” now moving closer. “I charge you with treason and shall arrest you and your gossip. You shall be chained and removed from this place.”

Savero’s eyes flare even more, “Mulkus, I order you to stop.”

“You have some nerve to threaten us here Mulkus,” says Tariel, sounding both defiant and angry. “This isn’t Nerazon, your laws do not extend here, nor does your authority. We belong to her Ladyship, the Countess Rivenfeld and to her daughter. Their words are our law. You should really take back your threats Mulkus.”

He continues to grow more and more furious with her, “You now presume to order me mermaid?” raising his hand, “guards, arrest the gossip.”

A pulse of energy erupts onto the lake, causing it to churn and rock violently. A massive gust of wind blows over the lake as though a storm had begun to brew. The guards instantly freeze in confusion, looking to each other. The trio then looks back towards me.

Magic furiously emanates from me as I glare at the official. “Take. Back. Your. Threat,” I softly order, sitting unmoved from the rock. I have heard this kind of rant before, this same kind of threatening. I grit my teeth, eyes trained solely on him.

The official’s eyes bulge in horror as he looked upon me, “What…what are you? I was told that you were a mermaid in addition to being human. But…your aura...its shape…it’s not either.”

Tariel looks to me, seeing the spectral image of my fox ears and tails, watching the latter swirling and swaying in anger. I couldn’t fully transform, Lord knows I want to, but I still want to get my point across to him. I feel my fangs growing bigger in my mouth as torrents of blue spectral flame whirl around my body.

She turns back to him, “Mulkus take back your threat and apologize right now.”

He stands there motionless the more he stares on, then narrowing his eyes, “No.”

I slap the rock with one of the “tails”, unfurling my legs and slowly start to stand up. My eyes remain locked on the official, as more and more magic swirls around me. The lake is now beginning to toss and turn, as if a hurricane had just blown in.

“Mulkus…resend your threat now, or I will not stop her,” orders Savero. “I will let her rip you apart and won’t blame her.”

The official looks to him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. His mouth quivers, “Why…why would you allow her to do so my Lord?”

“One of the rules of the Estate is to never threaten those who live here,” explains Tariel. “You have been told repeatedly to cease with your threats, even your prince has ordered you to do so. This child now views you as an enemy. So resend your threat, or she will kill you.”

His gaze trains back onto me, now seeing my eyes turn bright gold, and now fully standing on the rock. His body trembles in outright horror, tensing up tightly and ready to snap. His hands move to his throat as if something were coiled tightly around it, constricting him.

“I…I…take back what I said. I apologize, just don’t kill me. I beg of you Your Highness.”

I stare at him, seeing him grovel. I sigh, relaxing my body, allowing my magic to settle. I didn’t like forcing anyone to do anything. Hell, I never give an order to any of the staff. I didn’t care much for having so much power, in fear that I’d let go to my head and corrupt me.

Once my magic had calmed, the official exhales loudly, panting heavily into the water, gasping for air. I look at him, but didn’t allow myself to think of him as anything but a bully and an ass. No one threatens my family.

My body then begins to wobble. The strain and exerting so much magic all at once was exhausting. My knees slowly start to give way, causing me to fall backwards. I then hit something, something soft and yet hard, watching as large, red armored arms wrap around me.

“Something going on I should know about?”

“Sil’vari!” exclaims Savero.

My sister smiles, holding me tightly to her body as she slowly sits us back down onto the outcropping. I lean back into her hearing claws clicking on the rocks as the sight of Fenris gradually comes into view. My bonded stands in his full form, staring down at the official, eyes slicing through the man more sharply than any sword.

I look up at her, “He threatened us.”

Her eyes glare at him, “Did he now? Well...seeing how you are a quivering mess, I would have to assume that you took it back. If you hadn’t,” licking her lips, “let’s just say that I was looking forward to some smoked fish.”

Mulkus stares up at her, eyes wide with horror.

I sigh with my sister’s arms around me, feeling myself calm down even more as I rest against her body. My attention then turns to back to Savero, who still was floating by the outcropping, eyes filled with remorse. I pull out Silvi’s grip and lean forward, crawling over to him.

He smiles softly, “I hope you can forgive me Aria.”

I shake my head, giving him a smile as I turn and sit onto the edge, feeling the water brushing against my boots. “It's fine,” sitting silent for a moment, “hey, can…can I tell you something?”

“Of course, tell me anything,” he replies softly.

I take a deep breath, “Even if I don’t share the same feelings of love that you do, I still consider you a really good friend not quite like a big brother but close, when you’re not laying on the charm that is,” giving a slight blushing giggle.

His eyes fill with surprise, “A…brother you say?”

My cheeks blush a little more, nodding softly, “Hope you’re not mad at me.”

“I will admit that I was a little hurt that you don’t love me the same way that I do you,” he says coming closer. “But now that I know that you still wish to have me around makes me happy.”

I giggle, pulling my hair back over my ear, “Thanks Savero. Like I said, you really are a nice guy and I do think of you as a really close friend.”

Savero then leaned in, taking my hands into his, and pressing his forehead into mine, “I will always love you Aria, if not as a lover, then as your friend.”

I nod, feeling his hands stroking mine, “I will too. And to your question from earlier, I have found someone. Just haven’t completely figured out my feelings for him.”

His grip tightens slightly, more lovingly. “I pray you success Aria. Know that the gates of Nerazon will forever welcome you, and I will be there.”

A tear runs down my cheek, “I’ll come you visit soon. I promise. Just no grand announcement or procession please.”

He smiles, “I promise. I think my mother will like to meet you. Not because you are royalty, but I think she likes you.” My cheeks blush a little more the idea of meeting the queen of Nerazon is a little unnerving.

“I might have to bring my mom along if I did, if that’s okay. And you can come visit me here whenever you wish.”

He smiles, “Of course and thank you.” His thumbs continue to stroke my hands, looking up at me, “I should go. I know my father won’t exactly be thrilled with this news, but I’m sure my mother will keep him in check.”

I nod, “Thanks Savero,” leaning in and kissing him on the cheek. He smiles and slowly pulls away from me, letting go my hands as he does.

I watch as his eyes stay locked onto mine before turning to Mulkus, “You and I are going to have a very long conversation once we return to the palace.”

The official hangs his head low. “Yes, my Prince.”

The entourage then turns, heading towards the portal. I watch off in the distance as some of the girls then dip below the surface.

Tariel swims closer, holding my hand tightly, “You did so well Aria. I know it mustn’t have been easy to admit you feelings to him.”

I lean into her, not even caring that my shirt or hair are getting wet, “I’m glad that he still wants to be around me too.” She wraps her arm around my shoulder, holding me close, and planting a kiss on my temple. I smile, staring out onto the lake.

I could hear Silvi scooting closer to me, draping her wing over me, shading me from the sun. I look up at her, smiling, “Thanks for coming sissy.”

She smiles, “Always, Little Wing.” Fenris also plops himself beside me, gazing gently into my eyes with his. I reach out and stroke his fur, ever grateful to have him with me.

A few minutes later, the rest of the gossip returns, swimming speedily towards me. I’m nearly dragged into the water as they pull me into tight hugs, passing me around from girl to girl. Tariel and Silvi both laugh as the girls hold me close. They then place me back onto the rock, smiling broadly.

“We’ve missed you so much, Princess,” says Kalie.

“It hasn’t been the same without you here,” adds Mina.

Sayla nods, “We wanted to come back sooner in hopes of seeing you when you came home, but were too tied up in the city.”

I smile to them, “It's okay. I’m just glad that y’all are here now.”

I stayed with the gossip for some time, feeling better than I did earlier. I told the girls about my time in Japan, training and living there. I shrunk when speaking of my date with Kenji, to which all the girls looked on in glee as I ran through the entire night.

They also told me that they also watched my performance, noting how much they all loved seeing me dance. I blushed, remembering all of the effort that went into preparing for that day.

When I spoke of swimming in the ocean while there, I explained how I also swam with some of the local yokai. The girls all smiled, knowing that I was really happy being there, even asking me questions about them.

My words soon begin to slur slightly the more I spoke, and then felt a sharp pain in my stomach, which made me groan softly. The girls all gathered close. “Are you all right Princess?” many of the girls ask. I nod, still holding my stomach.

Silvi sighs, “You’re hungry aren’t you?”

I blush, nodding.

She smiles, “Can’t say I blame you. You haven’t eaten anything much since breakfast, had to fight for your life, dealt with earth shattering news, transformed into a dragon and flew off, and then had to deal with the fish-prince. That’s a lot happening in a single day and only going off of one meal.”

I nod, now feeling light-headed.

She sighs, scooping me up into her arms and standing up, “I’m sure your mom will have something ready for you back at the Manor.”

I giggle, then look to the girls, “I’ll come by tomorrow, and then we spend some more time together.”

They all smile, “We can’t wait Princess.”

I giggle as Silvi then cradles me in her arms. I look to Tariel, smiling to her, “Thanks again.”

She smiles, “You’re welcome, Aria. We’ll be waiting for you in the grotto, come whenever you wish.”

I nod to her, “See you then,” looking over to Fenris who already has gotten up, stretching out his body.

Silvi smiles, readjusting me in her arms, “Ready Little Wing?”

I nod up at her, “Yeah.”

My sister then unfurls her wings, and with a mighty flap, taking us high into the air.

I look back, watching as the lake slowly grows smaller and smaller, seeing the girls all still floating in the water, waving to me. I smile, waving back to them. This really has been one hell of a day, but there still are a few things left to do. First among them is getting something to eat. I sigh, curling up into my sister, and cling to her top.

I feel her placing a kiss onto my forehead, “Rest baby sister. You deserve it.” I nod turning my attention forward as my home slowly comes into view.