Chapter 8 Aulani #2
Ezra was quiet for a moment, then said, When I was younger, I always dreamed of becoming a master gardener and helping our land be self sustainable.
I wanted to find ways to sustain the native and indigenous plants while still catering to the foreigners growing their plantations and crops.
Ezra leaned forward, his face so close I could see golden flecks in his eyes.
Then Tavo died, and I became heir to the throne.
I never tucked away those dreams though…
Since learning that I was to become king, I’ve planned ways to incorporate that into my new role.
But I can’t go back to the underwater world. It’s awful…
Not all of it, right? He raised an eyebrow.
Right. I would definitely miss swimming with the dolphins, meeting the eyes of the whales, tending sea gardens, and so much more… I sighed. I just want the human world to be everything I imagined… or else… I left my old life for nothing…
Can’t both have their ups and downs? Not everything in life is perfect.
My lip twitched. Ezra reminded me of sea turtles, always full of so much wisdom, even the young ones.
Thank you. I’ve been a frog before, so we’ll add sea turtle to my list of amphibious natures.
I laughed. Ezra! I was not good at keeping my thoughts masked from him. Not one bit… and for whatever reason I kind of liked it.
When we reached the palace, I gaped again. “Masks on,” Ezra said and I quickly obeyed. True to his word, Ho‘ohuli waited for us.
“Lady Kalei Kanahele and Sir Eli Court.” Sir Eli Court was the secret name Ho‘ohuli made up for Ezra. The counselor kissed my cheek and hugged Ezra, then motioned for us to follow him. Instead of the grand entryway, he took us through a side door.
“Everyone is here tonight,” he said quietly to Ezra. “This will be the perfect opportunity to reveal yourself. I will follow your lead.” He added, “Just don’t let her see you before the moment…”
My hands grew clammy as I looked around.
Chandeliers glowed like jellyfish in a dark sea, illuminating the room with their crystals sparkling in the light. Music echoed through the spacious chambers, opulent and surreal. As we entered, masked, we blended right in with the nobles.
And Ezra was right.
Compared to others, we did look quite simple.
Diamonds, bows, sequins, lace, feathers, and flowers adorned every person around us.
They almost did not look like humans, but human bodies with bird faces.
I stood a little closer to Ezra, and, as if sensing my nervousness, he offered his arm.
I took it, probably holding it tighter than what was comfortable.
As we passed people, I couldn’t help but notice the way they spoke to each other, so different from the way Kalei or Ho‘ohuli interacted with us.
They laughed loudly, tossing their heads back.
They eyed us, looking us up and down as if our attire was not worthy of their attention.
Some ate and kept eating. Others danced, their conversations disappearing as they came and went around the floor.
Let’s dance. Though surprised that Ezra suggested it, I joined him without hesitation. I was dying to dance, especially since I had much more confidence with my legs and feet.
My nerves eased a little as Ezra pulled me close to him, one hand on my waist, the other holding my hand. I looked up into his bright green eyes and smiled.
I like you better without all of this gaudy stuff, he said. I mean. You’re always beautiful, but you don’t need all of this to enhance your appearance. The people here… they do.
I laughed at that. Why thank you, Ezra. Like a guppy being complimented for swimming straight.
He smiled, and my heart raced as his words echoed in my mind: You’re always beautiful…
I stumbled around like an octopus moving across sand, stepping on the prince’s toes more than a few times. But he didn’t seem to mind. His eyes scanned the room and he drew me closer, as if protecting me.
There she is.
I followed his gaze to a young woman sitting on the throne, a tight corset accentuating her curves. Her hair was so pale it almost blended into her skin. Her icy blue eyes watched, as if she were looking for something wrong.
She looks like a jellyfish. Pretty to look at, but all sting beneath the surface.
Ezra’s stoic expression broke for a moment. She’s my betrothed, Aulani.
I know, and I don’t trust her. Who are all those men standing around her?
Ezra glanced again. Some are her guards. Others are noblemen from here… I don’t recognize all of them. They’re probably her suitors.
That made me want to gag. She looked around her like they were her loyal seadogs.
The song ended and another one started, one that was quicker than the last one. People around us started the new dance, causing Ezra and I to drift apart.
Aulani…
I’m alright. I stood to the side, watching as Ezra got looped into the dance. He kept searching for me, but I assured him. I’m fine, Ezra. And you are a fine dancer.
I did rather enjoy watching him. He moved as if he was always grounded, like every step meant something.
“Once all the troops come in, the plantation owners will arrive and things can finally get moving.”
A man’s voice drew my attention away from the prince. The voice was high pitched as he prattled away about something. I couldn’t help but move deeper into the crowd to get closer and hear more.
What troops? Plantation owners?
“I’m looking forward to it,” said another man.
I could see their faces now. One man had dark hair and a mustache that curled up on the edges.
The curl resembled an upside down sea horse tail.
The other man had flaming red hair, something I couldn’t stop staring at.
Though mermaids had hair in every color, I’d never seen anyone with ginger hair.
He was a big man, so big that even his mask could not fit on his face.
He reminded me of a grouper fish, all jowls and bulk, as if the ocean had sculpted him out of leftover stone.
Seahorse mustache, on the other end, was completely slim. “In just a few days, she’s going to ban the primitive festivals these people host. That, their pagan hula dancing, and worship at those barbaric sites.”
They spoke as if the natives of the island were animals. I scowled, but quickly smiled and shook my head as a servant held out a tray of food, offering me to partake. He nodded and went on his way.
“Yes, she’s doing a swell job of civilizing these people and their island customs,” said grouper fish.
“And once the people here learn their place, the island will truly thrive.”
I shuddered. They’re trying to erase the soul of the island.
It was the people who kept the island alive.
Their respect for the land was evident in the way that Ezra treated it.
Sure, I hadn’t known him for very long, but just in the short time I did know him, I knew that he loved his people and his home.
“Here’s a pretty face.”
I blinked, suddenly realizing that seahorse mustache had noticed me standing around and approached. “May I have the next dance?” he asked.
No thank you… But my voice was gone. I frantically looked around. Where was Ezra?
“Ah, you are a shy one.” He grinned. “What is your name, pretty little thing?”
Little thing? I gaped before my eyebrows furrowed. I was not a thing! My fists balled and the man had the audacity to take another step.
“Don’t be shy. My name is Edward Lucillen, and I am one of the High Lady Cressida’s counselors. You can rest assured I’m honorable.”
Does he even know what honor means? I shook my head and he reached for my wrist.
“Come, just one dance.”
“Don’t touch her.” My racing heart calmed as Ezra stepped in, placing his hand on my waist, as if claiming me as his own.
Ezra! I nodded enthusiastically to the man, but he was staring at the prince.
“You look…”
“If a woman does not want to dance with you, Edward,” he said, “I suggest you leave her alone.” A circle slowly formed around us, as the man let out a scream.
“He’s… alive?”
“Who is it?” someone muttered near us.
“It’s him!” Another one burst in.
Ho‘ohuli was there in a moment. “It’s the prince!” he exclaimed loudly, his eyes sparkling because he knew it all along.
And then the music stopped as Cressida, sitting on the throne, rose, her face pale. “Ezra?”
Beside me, Ezra took off his mask and a ripple of gasps escaped around the room. “It’s the prince!”
“He’s alive!”
More than terror, like the look on Edward’s face, was the relief in the room. It felt like a gentle wave over the water’s surface, the kind that lapped on the boards of the ships, not crashed against it.
Cressida’s expression mirrored that of seahorse mustache and his grouper fish friend, but then her face broke into a smile, one that showed relief and joy.
“Prince Ezra, you’re alive and well!” Tears pooled in her eyes and I frowned.
I suppose I expected her to give him a cold welcome, but she ran down the throne and threw her arms around him, giving him a big hug.
Those in the room said soft “oohs” and “awws.” She had thrown herself so forcefully on him, he didn’t have a chance to move or recoil, and his hands fell from my waist.
Jealousy sucked the air from me like squid tentacles. I knew this was his betrothed–or was? And I would be leaving, but I felt a stinging hatred for her, something I’d never experienced before.
Ezra stood back awkwardly, giving them space. He hardly hugged her back, his eyebrows furrowed. “I am back,” he said. “I was able to break my curse, with some help.” His eyes met mine, and I nodded encouragingly. Cressida gave me a cutting look, then quickly covered it with a smile.
“But I am back,” he said, then took a step away from Cressida. “And I’ve returned to reclaim what’s mine.”
I wanted to clap my hands at the whole scene. I’d never been so proud of Ezra in my life, and that was saying something when I’d known him only a day or so.