Since last chapter was short and I'm currently home sick I thought I'd write another chapter and update for you! Enjoy the bonus chapter! Also this story is slowly reaching its end... Paperback copy anyone?

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Kaelen had eventually left the cave, leaving Aria angry and alone. As the minutes ticked by the anger slowly dissipated into complete and utter fear. She knew there would be no escaping the ritual next time. Kaelen wouldn't let her. She had no doubt he would force some other priestess into completing the ritual and as a result she would lose her legs forever.

With that thought in mind Aria had taken to sitting against the rock wall in one of the dark corners, tears leaked from her eyes as she silently wondered what to do.

Escape was the only option, an option which seemed physically impossible. She had tried several times now but never succeeded. The cave was too deep, she was growing more and more tired as the days passed. It had been months at this point since Kaelen had taken her. Walking had become somewhat of a memory. She would be able to take but a few steps in the small dark cave. The once impressive bioluminescence algae had long since lost its charm, but the light was still a welcome delight. It was something she cherished in this cave. She hated how dark the underwater world was. The depth of the ocean so deep the sunlight was unable to reach.

Neridia had glowed when he had shown her his home. It was beautiful she couldn't deny it. But still, she wanted no part of it. That was not her home and never would be. Just like how this cave was nothing but her cage.

Her eyes closed as she rubbed a hand against her eyes, brushing the tears away. What would it be like when she was finally able to escape and return home? She'd have to find the beach first. She knew Kaelen had taken her far from land, far into the ocean when he had taken her. But just how far? And what about her family? They had been at that beach for a holiday, there was no way they would still be there waiting for her return. Perhaps she was declared dead and lost at sea.

Ignoring the depressing thoughts Aria tried to picture her return to land.

She had just breached the surface of the ocean, the sun shining brightly on her face as she sucked in a deep breath. A breath of fresh air. Something other than the sale air from the cave. It was magnificent. Another deep breath as she opened her eyes. She needed to swim. Needed to reach land. And so she swam.

In her mind she was not exhausted, she had all she strength she once had. There was no chill of the ocean as she swam and there was no fear of Kaelen catching her. This was her imagination after all.

The beach had gotten closer and closer. There were people milling around the summer reaching its end. She continued to swim until her feat thought the sand and she was able to waddle out of the water. People glanced at her but were unable to recognise her. She assumed she looked like a sea ghost as she emerged from the ocean. And there, in the centre of the beach stood her father. He had been staring out into the open ocean all this time and his eyes widened as she got closer. His hand shot to his mouth in shock and a moment later he ran towards her. Aria smiled herself and sprinted towards him. They hugged tightly and she was home at last.

Another tear rolled down her cheek as her eyes remained closed. How wonderful it would be to be in his hold right now. But her moment of peace was shattered when Kaelen returned. He held out a fish, the glare in his eyes enough for her to stay quiet and accept the fish. Getting on her hands and knees she slowly crawled to the edge of the pool where he was and grabbed the creature.

There was no hesitation as she silently at the fish once she was back in her corner. She had gotten rather accustomed to the taste and texture of the raw fish. It was by no means a gourmet meal, but it had sustained her body just fine.

"Is sepiia alive?" The question escaped her lips before she even realised, she had asked the question. The mermaid had been a good friend to her, the only ally she had.

"I'm not sure." Came his reply. Her eyes shot up to meat his. Kaelen was staring at her, face blank. It took Aria a moment to realise that he didn't care weather Sepiia lived or not. She had betrayed him, and he had punished her. At least that was how he seemed to see it. Would he do the same to her?

Her head breached the ocean the warmth of the summer sun on her face as she enjoyed the fresh air. But her moment of peace was short lived when A claw wrapped around her ankle and pulled her back under. Her scream muffled by the water as she sank beneath the surface once more. Fear ceased at her heart as her eyes opened, ignoring the stinging of the salt and watched kaelen. He continued dragging her deeper and deeper and all she could do was watch. And then, just like he had done with Sepiia he attacked her. His claws ripped at her flesh, tore at her skin and his teeth sunk into her neck, the same spot her had once bit her before.

Her hand traveled to the still healing wound on her neck. It was slowly scaring over but with the limited resources the skin was still a pinkish red. Kaelen remained in the pool and silently watched her. His head tilted to the side. Freedom, even in her dreams was becoming less and less likely.

"Why did you do it?" Her voice was soft as she spoke. Empty almost. She wanted to escape she really did. But she knew there was no way out. He would catch her just like he had always done. Perhaps it was better if she just gave in and allowed him to love her. Allowed him to turn her into one of his people. She already spoke his language, she never spoke her mother tongue anymore and even her dreams she realised had transitioned to be in Alathai, the Neridian mer language. Who was she even? Was she even still Aria or was she now more Alaria, the perfect goddess of a girl in the eyes of an obsessed merman. Everything from her past was slowly drifting away and she wondered if she would ever get it back. Even some memories were too painful to remember and so she allowed those to slowly disappear.

What would her future be like if she stayed here? If she allowed him to transform her. Would she give in and let him do it willingly? Would her eyes glow just like the other mer? Would she get a brown tail to match her eyes? Sepiia's tail matched her eyes and so did Kaelen's, just different shades. Perhaps if she was lucky, she'd get a coral-coloured tail. It was in the same brown family of her eyes.

"She failed me. She stood in the way of our happiness." Aria was too numb to react to his blunt statement. He had no idea the impact his actions had on others. All he cared about was himself and what he wanted. He wanted Aria and so he took her, no matter the cost. Sepiia failed him and so he killed her.

"But do not worry, I understand your fear. I will help you and you will love being with me. There is another priestess currently learning the ritual and soon you will have a beautiful tail of your own and we can finally start out life's together." He paused as a smile formed on his tanned lips. "You'd like that now, don't you?" There was a silent thread behind the question. Aria knew that there was only one right answer, and it was not the one she was willing to accept.

"Yes." It was just one word, but that one world was enough for Kaelen. It didn't matter that it was a whisper or that Aria obviously had to force it out. All he cared about was that in his eyes she had finally consented to being at his side for the rest of their life's. It took a while, even took a sacrifice, but she finally understood and that was all he cared about.

"Rest now, my beautiful Celestara Alaria, I'll see you again in the morning." He waved at her and Aria forced herself to wave back. He would be back in the morning. Would the new priestess be with him? Would this be her final night as a human? Tomorrow morning, would she be the mermaid, Alaria? She was too exhausted to even question it further. There was no escaping Kaelen. It didn't matter any more. It had been so long since she last saw the human lands, weeks or months. But for how long she had no idea. The days had blurred together. But she assumed it to be the end of summer, perhaps winter. There was no way to know. The water was a cold as ever and the cave as damp as ever. This was her miserable life.

Aria would disappear in time. Alaria would be the one left. Perhaps she could find happiness, shed make her own friends and have a family with Kaelen. Perhaps she could be happy. But that seemed far, far away. All she saw now was misery and sadness. Her life was here in the ocean now.

~

True to his world, Kaelen return the next morning with another fish as Aria's breakfast. She ate and when Kaelen pulled her into the water, she numbly accepted it. This was to be her life. She couldn't fight forever. Kaelen seemed happy and hugged her tight. The tightness in his shoulders seemed to disappear as he took in Aria's calm expression. She was finally his, mind, body and soul. It had taken much longer than anticipated but she had finally given it. His parents had been right all along. He should have done the ritual sooner, than she would have accepted her new life sooner. But finding the ritual had taken him much longer than expected and then Sepiia had to learn it. It had shocked him when Sepiia went against him. His oldest friend who had sworn to always be at his side and do what was needed, broke his trust. She had deserved exactly what he had done to her, and he truly no longer cared weather she had lived or died. He knew the other priestess he had employed had gone to the cave to prepare; she would have found sepiia. Of course he didn't care. The priestess had no choice but the help him. Not if she wanted to live that was.

He held onto the human girl tightly as he imagined her with her very own tail. She would have so much more freedom once she was bound to their world. He smiled, his sharp teeth on full display as Aria hung limply in his arms, the cold water surrounding her, but her shivering went unnoticed by both. Aria was too numb to care, and Kaelen was too happy to realise.

"My Celestara, the priestess is ready for us, I will grab you in the afternoon and then you will gain your very own fins." Aria's heart pounded as kaelen spoke. This was it. He was going to take her human legs, and she would gain a fish tail in their place.

"But—" she tried desperately, but her voice was soft and Kaelen cut her off with a swift kiss on her paling blue lips.

"You will be beautiful. Now wait for me and be a good girl." She nodded softly. Any fight within her had completely disappeared. There was no getting out. Kaelen had won.