Chapter 14 Sworn Blood-brothers In the days leading up to the bonding ceremony, Joe and Bryan find themselves immersed in preparations. They attend lessons on merfolk customs and traditions, learning about the significance of the blood oath and the responsibilities that come with being bonded mates.Nerissa, on the other hand, is busy with her own preparations for the upcoming mating ball, a grand celebration for unmated females of age in the kingdom. She busily makes arrangements, selecting the finest seashell jewelry and adorning her tail with vibrant seaweed patterns. Her focus is on creating a mesmerizing presence for the event.The day before the bonding ceremony, after completing their studies for the day, Bryan finds himself seated at his desk in his quarters. His gaze falls upon the new scroll of parchment he has acquired from a quaint shop in the colony just outside the palace walls. This particular parchment is crafted from rare Pole Red Kelp, known for its vibrant hues an
Chapter 15: Bryan’s Love LetterWith newfound determination, Bryan swims off in search of Madissa, his heart brimming with hope and excitement. His movements through the palace corridors are fluid and graceful, his tail propelling him effortlessly through the water. His destination is a secluded alcove, a sanctuary of tranquility nestled amidst the enchanting underwater flora.Approaching Madissa, Bryan sees the surprise in her eyes, a spark of satisfaction lighting up within him. He had immersed himself in merfolk culture, meticulously researching their ways to keep his romantic intentions a secret until this very moment.In his hands, Bryan holds a beautifully crafted box made from shimmering seashells. With a flick of his tail, he surges forward and gracefully bows, presenting the box to Madissa. Intrigued, she accepts, her curiosity piqued by this unexpected turn of events.Within the secluded alcove, Bryan's eyes shimmer with anticipation as Madissa opens the box. Delicately arra
Chapter 16 The Journal As Selena glides through the underwater palace, her vibrant blue hair trailing behind her, her keen eyes scan her surroundings. The soft, ethereal glow of the bioluminescent plants casts a mesmerizing blue hue upon her mermaid form, enhancing her allure. Her tail, a gradient of majestic purples blending into mesmerizing blues, shimmers with every graceful movement.Lost in her thoughts, Selena's gaze wanders towards a secluded corner of the palace. There, her eyes widen, and her heart skips a beat as she catches sight of Bryan and Madissa locked in a passionate embrace. The scene unfolds before her, a tender moment captured in the depths of their love.Quickly recognizing the opportunity before her, Selena's mind races. Joe is occupied in the grand celebration hall, completely unaware of her presence. A mischievous smile curves her lips as she realizes she can slip into Joe and Bryan's private chamber unnoticed.With the grace of a siren, Selena swims to the ot
Chapter 17: The Rulers Convene As Selena navigates through the underwater corridors, her mind races with possibilities. She has debated all night, torn between her loyalty to her family and the potential implications of what she has discovered. Though hesitant to approach her fathers directly, she knows she needs guidance and support. She decides to seek solace and counsel from her mother, Queen Eria. Reaching the grand chamber where Queen Eria often resides, Selena pauses for a moment to collect herself. She sways gently, pushing aside her doubts and fears, and gracefully glides forward to enter the regal room. Inside, the sits upon a coral throne, her serene presence commanding respect and wisdom. Selena approaches Queen Eria, her heart swaying within her chest. She curtsies respectfully before speaking, her expression filled with a mix of trepidation and determination. "Mother, I seek your counsel and guidance. I have come across something... something that fills me with concern
Chapter 18: The ArrestAs Joe approaches Nerissa, the echoes of Queen Eria's summons begin to fade, leaving a sense of urgency in the water. Uncertainty hangs heavy in the depths, and Joe can't shake the feeling that time is slipping through their fingers. He doesn't know the purpose of the rulers' meeting, but a lingering unease fills his heart, whispering of imminent capture and upheaval.Determined to leave no words unspoken, Joe reaches out and gently takes Nerissa's hand in his own. The touch is tender, a silent reassurance of their connection amidst the turbulent currents surrounding them. He raises her hand to his lips, planting a soft, lingering kiss upon the back of it. The gesture speaks volumes, conveying his devotion and the depth of his feelings.With a gentle turn of her hand, he kisses the palm, savoring the delicate touch against his lips. He then places her hand gently against the side of his face, relishing the warmth and connection it br
Dear Readers,I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you for your continued support and for giving Merturned a chance by reading this far. Your enthusiasm and presence in this early stage of the book mean the world to me.I have some exciting news to share with you. As of June 13th, 2023, the recent edits and revisions that were in progress have been approved. This means that any inconvenience caused during this transition has now been resolved. One of the original chapters was quite long, and in order to better fit the story's flow, it had to be divided into two separate chapters. This required some reorganization, resulting in scenes being temporarily missing or repeated.However, I'm thrilled to inform you that with the approved edits, all chapters you have already accessed will now reflect the new changes. I kindly request you to revisit the chapters numbered 7 through 13, as these are the ones most affected by the recent updates. You'll find that missing scenes have been
Chapter 19 The Trial pt 1Tritan, loyal and steadfast, chooses not to take his place beside his parents but instead remains faithfully beside his friend, a symbol of unwavering support and solidarity in the face of uncertainty. Together, they brace themselves for the imminent proceedings, their hearts beating in unison, prepared to confront whatever verdict awaits them.The grand doors of the throne room burst open with a rush of water, their imposing presence giving way to the arrival of Aros, the head Merguardian, leading a group of his mermen in a synchronized procession. The echoing sound of their strokes reverberates through the vast chamber, drawing the attention of the assembled merfolk. Among them is Joe, flanked by Nerissa and Selena, their expressions a mix of curiosity, trepidation, and unwavering loyalty.As Aros guides Joe forward, the circle of six other merguardians forms a protective barrier around them, creating a corridor o
Chapter 20 The Trial Pt 2As Neptune descends and resumes his seat, his nod indicates his readiness to proceed, and Posiden lowers his hand, signifying the continuation of the trial. With a solemn expression, he signs the crucial question that now lingers in the water, demanding a response from Joe and Bryan."How do you respond to Neptune's assessment?" Posiden's signs were clear and direct, his gaze focused on the accused, awaiting their defense against Neptune's damning accusation. The fate of Joe and Bryan, as well as the delicate balance between two worlds, now hung in the balance.Bryan's expression tightens with resolve as he swallows his apprehension. Closing his eyes briefly, he meets the rulers' gaze and begins to sign his response with purpose. "On land, I serve as a marine biologist. It is my duty to study and protect the creatures and flora of Aqualearia. Yes, when I first arrived, I held those hopes, as I was in awe of the merfolk's very existence. However, as I adapt to