Sorry for the late update but I hope you enjoy it! I do have a small break now so I hope to write a bit more so I can still update regularly for you. 😉 Also I struggled with this chapter so if something isn't quite right please let me know!

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Aria shivered as Kaelen pulled her through the shimmering waters, his claws biting into her wrists with a possessive force that made her stomach churn. His grip wasn't just physical – it felt as though it reached into her very soul, tethering her to him against her will. Each pull through the water made her feel as if invisible chains tightened around her limbs, binding her to a fate she couldn't escape.

Resisting was impossible and yet, every instinct screamed at her to yank her arm free and swim for the surface. But she knew better. Here, Kaelen held all the power. This was his world, and she was as much a prisoner as the fish caught in a fisherman's net.

Her brown eyes widened at the breathtaking display of vibrant hues and architectural wonder as Neridia unfolded before her. Carved into the towering rock walls of the underwater valley, countless cave-like entrances shimmered with bioluminescent algae giving the valley a beautiful blue-green glow. Between these cave like homes, structures of dazzling beauty rose from the seafloor. Thin strands of glowing seaweed draped from archways, swaying like curtains in the currents. Small crabs and shrimp scuttled across the shady streets, their movements adding to the sense of a city alive in every corner. It was a vision of beauty and harmony that felt like it belonged in the pages of a storybook – not in the same world where shed been dragged into unwillingly.

The blue, green, and purple lights from the algae mingling with golden accents of the buildings creating a palette so otherworldly it felt like stepping into a dream. A dream Aria wanted nothing to do with.

Fish of every shape and colour darted through the 'streets', weaving between merfolk as though part of the life flow in the city. The mer folk's scales glinster like polished gemstones, their movements effortless in the gentle currents. Aria caught glimpses of sea turtles and sleek eels sliding through the deeper shadows, their presence adding to the surreal beauty of the place. It was starting to feel like a fever dream.

Aria wished desperately to wake up on the beach – perhaps with a wicked sunburn – but safe with her family where none of this ever happened. Yet no matter how she pinched herself, her fear, exhaustion, and longing for freedom were all to real.

This city was alien, its beauty sharp-edged and unwelcoming. The awe it inspired was tainted by the knowledge that she didn't belong here.

Kaelen's clawed grip didn't loosen as they entered the heart of Neridia. The Merfolk they passed were as varied and striking as the city itself. Some had tails like Kaelen's, shimmering and scaled, while others were adorned with elaborate fins that fanned out like delicate lace. They reminded her of a beta fish her best friend Holly used to have. Their skin-tones ranged from pale, pearlescent hues to deep, oceanic blues and greens. Hair flowed in long, silken strands, vibrant as coral reefs, and glowing eyes glimmered with shades that seemed to hold the very essence of the sea.

Aria couldn't ignore the stares of the merfolk. Some gazes carried curiously, wide-eyed and innocent, while others were sharp with suspicion or outright disdain. Her cheeks curled under the weight of the scrutiny. Whispers trailed in their wake, muffled by the water but still audible enough the prick her ears.

"She doesn't belong here."

"What is he thinking, bringing her?"

"She doesn't even have a tail. How difficult life must be."

Kaelen ignored the murmurs, though his tail flicked sharply, betraying his irritation. Aria kept her head down, her heart thudding painfully in her chest. She didn't need their judgement – she already agreed with them. She didn't belong here.

Kaelen pulled Aria along, passed towering kelp forests which seemed to have formed a corridor of their own, swaying gently in the current. Tiny, glowing, creatures darted through the leaves like underwater fireflies, casting dancing patterns of light across the path. The kelp forest corridor opened into a wide plaza. In the centre stood a massive coral structure that gleamed with an iridescent sheen. It was larger and more ornate than any other building she'd seen so far., with arching spires and woven seaweed curtains that swayed in the water like ceremonial banners.

"This is my family's home," Kaelen said, his voice softer now. Yet his grip on her wrist remained firm, as though he feared she might bolt at any moment.

Aria's stomach twisted. Family. That meant more people like Kaelen. Perhaps others who would share his ideals and wish her to stay, make her stay.

Two figures emerged from the arched entrance of the coral structure. Kaelen's parents. His mother's tail was a deep sapphire, glinting like the night sky scattered with stars. Her long, flowing hair was adorned with tiny shells, and she wore a woven kelp top decorated with pearls. Her gaze was sharp, assessing, as it landed on Aria. It wasn't just the intensity of her stare that unnerved Aria; it was the subtle way her eyes flicked over every inch of her, as though cataloging her every flaw.

Kaelen's father was equally imposing, his powerful frame accentuated by his dark green tail that shimmered with gold undertones. His eyes, deep-set and piercing, bore into her with an intensity that made her want to retreat.

"Kaelen," his mother said, her voice smooth yet commanding. Her gaze flicked to Aria. "So, this is her."

Kaelen's chest puffed slightly, his expression one of pride. "She is Celestara Alaria." Aria frowned and for a moment she wondered if it was worth it to interrupt their conversation to make known she was actually called Aria and not named after some goddess of theirs. But glancing at the seriousness on Kaelen's face and the judging of his parents, Aria determined it better to remain silent a moment longer.

His mother's lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "How... unusual."

Aria bit the inside of her cheek, trying not to flinch under the woman's scrutinising stare.

Kaelen's father swam closer, circling her like a predator assessing prey. "She's too thin," he said bluntly, his tone laced with disdain. "She'll break in the currents."

Aria's cheeks burned, but her exhaustion dulled her anger into a simmering ache. Even as she fought to keep her expression neutral, she couldn't stop the tremble in her fingers. If they noticed, they didn't comment. Maybe I'll start with filleting you, she thought, trying to burry her frustration beneath the surface.

Kaelen's father continued. "She'll need to learn our ways. A partner for my son must be strong, obedient, and capable of adapting. He chose you for a reason. Don't disappoint him."

Aria's jaw clenched. The urge to scream that she hadn't chosen any of this was almost overwhelming. But she swallowed her anger, reminding herself that lashing out would only make things worse.

~

While other merfolk – family, Aria supposed – mingled, Kaelen's mother gestured for him to swim closer. Aria trailed behind unsure what to do, her heart pounding as she strained to hear their conversation.

"You've brought her here. That is the first step," his mother said, her voice low and measured. "But you know what must come next."

Kaelen's expression tightened. "She needs more time. She's... adjusting."

"There is no time for delay," his mother replied sharply. "The ritual must be completed before she grows too bold. You've seen her spirit. It's dangerous. If she attempts to escape..."

Kaelen's tail flicked, a sign of his agitation. "She's not ready. I won't force her."

His mothers gaze softened – only slightly. "Kaelen, you care for her. But lose does not weaken the will; it tempers it. Do what must be done. She'll thank you in time."

The words sent a chill through Aria. Her breath hitched, her heart hammering against her ribs. What ritual? The implications were horrifying. Whatever this ritual was, it sounded irreversible – a final binding to this world she desperately wanted to escape.

Before she could process further, Kaelen's father swam up to her again, drawing her attention away.

"Come," he said, his tone commanding. "I'll show you what's expected of you."

Aria hesitated, her pulse quickening. "What do you mean?"

Kaelen's father gave her a hard look, his tail swishing in irritation. "You will observe. You will learn."

He led her to a cavern lined with smooth coral benches. Several merfolk were gathered there, weaving strands of bioluminescent seaweed into intricate patterns. Others worked with tools she couldn't identify, shaping coral and shells into delicate, ornate designs. Each piece seemed to have a purpose—ritual artifacts, ceremonial attire, or tools of unknown function.

"This is where discipline begins," Kaelen's father said, gesturing to the scene. "You'll learn our traditions, our ceremonies, and how to serve your role. If you fail, there will be consequences."

Aria swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down on her. This wasn't just about adapting to life underwater. It was about control, about molding her into something she wasn't.

~

The rest of the day passed in a haze. Kaelen led her through the city, showing her its wonders in an attempt to impress her. They swam through a glowing forest of bioluminescent kelp, the fronds stretching high like underwater trees. Tiny creatures darted through the leaves, their bodies glowing softly, casting shifting patterns of light across the seabed.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Kaelen said, his voice gentle for the first time in hours.

Aria nodded stiffly, unable to summon a response. The kelp forest was beautiful, but it did nothing to ease the ache in her chest. She thought of her family, her friends, the life she'd been torn away from. Would she ever see them again?

They passed through a cavern filled with glowing jellyfish, their translucent bodies pulsing rhythmically as they drifted in lazy circles. The soft light they emitted bathed the cavern in an ethereal glow, making the walls sparkle like they were embedded with diamonds. Kaelen reached out, taking her hand in his.

"This is our world," he said. "A world I want to share with you."

Aria didn't reply. The warmth of his hand felt like a shackle, a reminder of her captivity. She pulled her hand away gently, feigning interest in the jellyfish to avoid meeting his gaze.

As they swam back toward the city, the whispers of the "ritual" echoed in her mind. Every word she'd overheard, every hint of what Kaelen and his family planned, weighed on her like an anchor. She pressed her fingers to the wound on her neck, still tender from his earlier bite. It was a mark of his claim, a physical reminder of his possessiveness.

Aria's resolve hardened. Escape wasn't just a desire—it was a necessity. Whatever this ritual was, she couldn't let it happen. She had to find a way out.