Lin darted off towards the Southern Oceans, taking the messenger along with him.
" There. " Lin placed him on the ground as dust blew with the intensity, " Where did they say were keeping my Mia? "
The man pointed at the ocean bed with trembling hands.
" There? How did you get there? " Lin asked , wondering how a mortal could stay underwater for a long time.
" There's a shrub behind the palace of the mortal king. If one eats an adequate dose of it, one breathe underwater for quite a long time" the man answered.
" Really? There is? Take me there immediately. " Lin picked the man up and off they went.
Lin made a soft landing behind the palace .
" Here? " He asked the man. The man nodded his head and pointed towards a purple orchid- flower.
" These are the ones. Water Breathers. But... " The man stopped without completing.
" But what? " Lin asked.
" Nothing. Nothing important. " the man said after slyly walking off.
Lin held his collar from behind and pulled him in, " Where do you think you are going. Pick that eat. "He commanded.
" Me? " The meek human looked at him and ripped a flower and did it without any delay.
Lin picked some and kept it in his pocket and asked, " How long does it work? "
" Each flower gives you about eight hours of underwater breath. " The man said after calculating his fingers.
Lin grabbed the man's collar to carry him along just when a few shadows inside caught his . Lin strained his ears to get a few words-
"Did you think it over? " one voice asked.
" There isn't any other way. Didn't you see what happened the last time? I dare not think what happen if we disobey. " said another.
" But the manifestations of the curse have already been lifted. Why bother meddling with the world? " asked another.
" It's called leverage. We perish if we don't. " The first second one said and they marched out.
Lin had to teleport back to the shore. Though the conversation was at the back of his mind, Mia the priority here.
"You first, " Lin pushed the man in front, " Get going. "
" Why me? First the mer-witches tortured me and now this fox. Why don't you immortals solve own problems? "the man asked.
" Why you? Well you tell me what were you doing with the mer-witches in the first place? Don't me they went to your realm to drag you out of your house. Your filthy ass isn't that important
I guess. SPEAK UP. What are humans ? " Lin roared.
The man fell to his knees and bowed before Lin. "Forgive me my Lord. I was sent here by my . I don't know anything else. "
" The king huh. Ok. Let's get to Mia first. '' Lin jumped in the waters after pushing the man in .
The flowers actually worked. They could not only breathe under water but also see very clearly.
Lin took good notice of the place they crossed every time.
But unfortunately there weren't any landmarks underwater and he kept getting confused. The swam until he came to a spot where he made a weird sound with his throat. Within a few there came a fleet of armed mermaids. They asked Lin to stand back as they opened barrier acting as a gate. The effect of the force to open the gate could be seen with those ripples.
Lin's eye changed colors with the changing hue of the changing waterscape. His eyes creatures he had never seen or fathomed about before.
"This way, " One of the mer-witches, decked in armored suit instructed as they neared a entrance. Lin wondered why they were not blindfolded before being taken to the -world, unlike how the wolf king had described.
He entered the premises wondering if it was friendly territory or if it belonged to a foe. Then , they wouldn't have rescued Mia and given her a safe haven had they had any malicious . Mia was after all one of their own.
"Lin, you are finally here, " Mia's voice ripples through the waters like the highest note in a .
Every thought evaporated from Lin's mind. His legs waddled faster, as if breaking into a run.
Mia was waiting, holding onto a shell that was designed like a balcony. The leather-like dress every inch of her curve. Her hair, which usually was of a brownish hue, appeared bright today. Her eyes locked on Lin as her lips quivering.
Lin grabbed her in between his hands and swirled around in a tight embrace.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere? Lin asked, kissing her everywhere.
Mia did not answer. Lin kept kissing her around her hairline above her face. He pulled her close whispered in her eyes, " It's ok , I'm here. Everything will be fine. "
Lin picked her up in his arms and went right in.
There were seats curved with corals and cushioned with the rarest sea weeds.
Lin put Mia beside him and put his head on her lap to rest. He held her hands in his tracing her with his fingers
"You have no idea what was happening to me, " Lin said, " I thought I could never see you . "
Mia still didn't say anything. Lin flipped around with his face in her direction, " Mia, tell me did thing harm you? "
Mia still didn't answer. The corner of her eyes crystallized as tears welled up. A tiny blue teardrop fell on Lin's face. Then another. Then another. Lin sat up and looked at
Mia, his eyes full of fascinating. He lifted his index finger then softly brushed a tear off. He held crystal in his hand and showed it to Mia.
"Even your tears are rare. What would I do without you Mia? " Lin pulled her head on his and stroked her head with the back of his hand.
" You know I am here Mia. You can take it all out on me. Lin said untangling Mia's hair as he ran hands through them.
*******
Crystal's daughter
Mia had a lot going in her mind.
Escaping the harrowing experience at the tower was ignominious enough. To top it up she had revelation about her mother. It would have been alright if it stopped at that but she had to with her new found aunts. While the two were busy engaging with Mia in hope that Mia have been sent by the new queen to terminate their exile, Mia was lurching from the truth her birth. She had heard how passionately her father spoke about her mother. It was sure there was love. But never had Mia fathomed the depth of her mother's sacrifice, may her in peace rest. Every word her mother had spoken, every advice she used to give, made and more sense to her now that they were so out of reach. Mia had been desperate trying find a way to help Anjana and the mer-boy, ever since she had known about their fate. She, , had no idea her mother had been living a lost life just for the sake of them. Her mother given up her empire, her immortal self. She had been a queen in every sense. Mia couldn't been more proud, as proud as a daughter ever could be. The only regret she had for her was that she didn't get to see how loving her father was towards her and Mia, their small of three. As thoughts raced through her mind Mia heaved as her chest went up and then could see a bubble, of rainbow colors, floating out of her teeth. Mia covered her mouth with her hands.
"What was that, " Chuckled at herself.
" You probably didn't eat, " Ruby came up to her with a slice of weed. " Here, this will let your settle. "
Mia didn't understand but smiled anyway. She gobbled what felt like a slimy, cucumber flavored noodle. Jade was looking at her scars that were already starting to heal, " You really are
Crystal's with a Wolf? Your wounds heal so fast. Only the royals had this rate of self healing us mer-folks. Did they change the rules?Wolves get it for free too? " Ruby hit Jade on fin.
Just as they were having their casual conversations, trying to warm up to get to know each , a group of armed mer-witches came right up to them and then formed a protective . From behind that line, from a carriage made of Sea Foam, came out the queen , as Jade and Ruby went down in a bow.
" So this is Crystal's mischievous daughter. I see. , " The queen went straight up to Mia ignoring rest. She placed a long twig-like stick, made of pure gold, on Mia's throat. Slowly tracing , she lifted Mia's head with it and said, " You truly live your reputation. Daughter of a and the renegade mer-queen. How charming. You are beautiful, I must say. "
Jade and Ruby instantly formed a protective figure barrier in front of Mia.
The queen brushed them off with a wink and a swish. She let out a mini laught and said, " Do think I'm here to harm her? And do you think you had the power to stop me if I did? "
Jade and Ruby bowed before her and said in a chorus, " She has nothing to do with Crystal's . Please let her be. "
" Of course she doesn't. I'm not as heartless as you see me. I'm here to pardon the two of you take Mia along with me. She is a living miracle after all. Crystal did leave behind a legacy.
What's even more amazing is what's brewing inside her. An immortal encompassing all three, a , a wolf and a fox. It is none like the world has ever witnessed. How could I let this be." She walked towards Mia with poise and put her hand around Mia's hip, " A care, a motherly touch, is what every expecting daughter longs for. Since you already lost your chance, let me fill in the space for you. Let me take care of you and you. Come to mer-palace with me. It's the only place where the beast haunting you will have no access.
This is an offer, even you will not be able to not receive. " She pulled Mia along as she glided .
The queen did seem to keep her end of the promise. She let Mia stay comfortably in a house of own. She was given personal helpers and maids. She was even asked if she wanted any of family members contacted. Mia had immediately sent for her dad. Though Mia had no idea mortal would be picked for the task and that Lin would show up at that.
She couldn't deny the amount of burden that got lifted immediately when Lin stroked her head.
But the heavy boulder of her physical torment wasn't something she could share. At least not Lin.
" Lin, did they bewitch you like my dad? " Mia asked as she crossed her legs across Lin's lap.
" Bewitch? What do you mean? Lin whispered, still petting her head.
" Your breath. How long can you be like this? " She asked.
" Oh! That. I got some time. And I have some back up, " Lin showed his back. The flowers were from a pack.
"What are these? " Mia asked.
" Flowers to help one breathe, " Lin slowly pulled Mia over, so now she was sitting right over . He burrowed his face in between her breasts . Mia wrapped both her arms around him, him close as he breathed. Then softly kissed him behind his ears and pulled his lobe with lips. Mia could hear Lin mewl and feel his warm tears, dripping down her midrib to her belly and then pubis.