Chapter 110 Royally Screwed
939words
"That's because none of them have met a royal before," he replied. "Let's just say we crossed oceans with one and that's when my grandpa explained it to me. Since we didn't really grow up in merfolk society like the others, most of us are out of tune with what some of them look like or how they function, etc. The point is, I know for a fact that color is not common."
"If you're not that in tune there's a good chance things may have changed," I suggested.
"No." He paused in the doorway, turning to me. "I won't jump at assumptions when I'm not one-hundred percent sure of my facts."
"What happened now?" Hector appeared in the hallway, holding a dove inside his hand. It was beyond me how he managed to tame those birds because each time anyone would step outside they would scatter in panic.
But with Hector, they would immediately go to him as fast as their tiny wings would carry them to him.
"You're back?" I glanced questioningly at Kayn, who offered me a stiff smile.
"He went on a boating trip," Kayn said. "Without telling us, of course."
Hector grunted. "I'm a grown man. I don't have to tell you every time I leave the island."
"You never leave the island, that's the problem," Kayn retorted.
Hector rolled his eyes.
"Yo, old man," Kayn said. "What does a royal look like?"
Hector gruffed. "Why would you ask that? I already told—no, wait. You've seen one. What's this about?"
"Just answer the question," Kayn sighed, crossing his arms to his chest.
My eyes bounced between the two of them as I waited for Hector to give his answer. He glanced quizzically at us, but replied, "They have notably unique coloring. Unlike the rest of us prominent with color in our scales, they have a pearly tone to theirs. Some say they lack in color, while others say they resemble the ocean's most precious jewel, the pearl."
"But is it likely for regular merfolk to sport those scales?" I asked.
"Absolutely not," Hector glanced at me. "Whether they are half-blooded royal, or just have the color to them, there is without a doubt the pearl's color in them. So, are you going to tell me what is going on that you have a sudden interest in the color of—" Hector's eyes grew wide. "For the love of, don't tell me you went and aggravated one?"
"No." Kayn snorted. "Carly is a royal."
Hector peered at me, his face turning a sick shade of pale. "Your mother just knows how to stir the pot, doesn't she?"
"So Kayn mentioned," I breathed, unusually calm about this. Or maybe the panic have yet to set in. I was just so damn tired at this point. "My biggest concern is, what do we do about this?"
"Is she really?" Hector's eyes swiveled back to Kayn. "Are you sure?"
"I've only seen a tail like that since I was seven."
Concern marred Hector's forehead. "Just come in."
To our surprise, Ember and Rake were already sitting in the living room, paging through the stacks of evidence we've gathered from the AOUB.
"These two managed to stumble across some more problems for us," Hector groused and the two of them glanced up at us in confusion.
"Dare I even ask?" Rake quipped and Ember paled.
"Carly is a royal," Kayn shrugged, planting himself on the couch opposite of Ember and Rake. He held out a hand to me and I sighed, taking it and letting him pull me down next to him.
"You can't be serious," Rake's eyes were wide. "An actual royal?"
"Oh," Ember managed. "Wow."
"Yeah." Kayn placed an arm around my back and pulled himself closer to me. "Stating the obvious, we best hope the AOUB doesn't find out."
"It could be why they have such an interest in her," Rake supplied.
"Or it could be simply because she's easy access to our kind," Kayn retorted. "I strongly doubt they'd know that little fact if not even you or my sister know what they look like."
"They look different from us?" Ember seemed surprised. As Hector turned to explain to them, I fell with my head into the crook of Kayn's neck and sighed.
"So, are you going to explain to me why this is a problem?" I asked. "Other than the fact that my mom stole me from a royal. Well, if she took me from a royal and I didn't get lost or something."
"The chances of a baby royal is next to impossible," he said. "I'm just curious when and how she managed to take you from one. Unless..."
"Unless what?" I raised my head to look at him.
"Unless someone actually gave you to her."
"You think they are capable of doing that?' I asked.
"Just like humans, ours are inclined to scandals and other crap. It's not unlikely your birth mom—or birth parents have a secret they are trying to hide and thought your human mom was a fit choice. Could explain why she never told you. She might know it could be dangerous."
"Well, it's a danger on its own being a mermaid already," I sighed.
"True," he admitted. "I don't see your human mom as evil in this. If anything, she's trying hard to protect you. It's obvious she loves you."
"I know," I breathed, resting my head back on his shoulder.
