As Long Fei plummeted, the wind cut into his scorched skin, his hair whipping across his face. His meridians were still blocked, leaving him mostly paralyzed. With a deep breath, he focused inward, recalling the techniques he'd learned to control his body's energy—his Qigong mastery.
He reached for the vital force within, sensing the energy that had become stagnant. Slowly, he began to push the energy through its channels, breaking down the blockages and regaining control. With each pulse, his strength returned. With what little power he had left, he shifted his body, angling toward a certain area of the ocean below.
How did Long Yan manage to poison him? His mind reeled, replaying the moments before Zhen Hua went berserk. He had not drunk or eaten anything suspicious at the banquet. But he had shared a cup of his brother's wine under the cherry blossoms.
It must have been then. He had noticed the slight bitterness but brushed it off when Long Yan assured him he was experimenting with his brew. Even as he was forced off, he wondered if his brother had realized he'd used the last of his strength to tousle his hair. There were no hard feelings, despite the sting of disappointment. He had even prepared the dowry for his brother's wedding, unaware of their plotting. He wished it hadn't come to this, but he wouldn't let a misunderstanding come between their bond as brothers.
As he continued to plunge, the rush of the wind roared, while the scent of seawater clung to him through the stench of burnt flesh. The ocean shimmered below, its surface stretching out like a glistening threshold.
***
The Ocean Realm was calm, sunlight filtering down in golden ribbons, illuminating the sea where fish weaved between vibrant coral gardens. Shui Yi, the mermaid princess glided by, her golden iridescent tail glistening as she twirled, searching for treasures drifting down from above. The gentle currents comfort her in this peaceful realm.
Splash! A foreign glint caught her attention. She darted toward it, heart racing, but before she could reach it, the object shot past, embedding into the ocean floor. Thunk.
She stared at the spear as bubbles rose. But before she could move, a solid weight slammed into her arms, sending her tumbling. Her tail flailed in the water, struggling against the force. Heavy. Warm. Her fingers curled around the charred figure, anchoring it tightly. Her hands immediately went to work, patting his ashen face. She squinted, surprised by the chiseled features before her: his high nose, full lips, and perfectly sculpted jawline. Her brows furrowed as she felt along his waist. No tail... He's not a merfolk.
Her heart skipped a beat as his head slumped on her shoulder. Panic surged. He's barely breathing! Instincts took over, and she tried to revive him, unaware that more than air was flowing between them. The energy inside her—her very essence—seemed to flow into him, intertwining with his in an inexplicable connection. Her lips tingled with the contact, and a soft, ethereal glow enveloped them both.
Then silver locks veiled her vision. What happened to her violet hair? Her hands trembled as she touched the silver strands, a lump in her throat. Her beautiful violet hair had discolored, and her vision swam. This… can't be right. Her mind spiraled erratically. This wasn't just an accident; it was a catastrophe.
"What did I just do?" she gasped, biting her lower lip. Her eyes darted back to the unconscious stranger. His marble complexion emerged beneath peeling ash. His aura was starting to stabilize. His body hummed with a gentle, healing energy. He was recovering, but she had no idea why.
Her heart clenched as reality jolted her. She couldn't let her father see her—he'd banish her. She leaned into the stranger, pondering about what to do with him. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat calmed her as she rested her head on his chest.
Then Long Fei's eyes fluttered open, his senses clouded. His body ached, every movement sluggish. He felt his essence begin to knit itself back together. The pulse of a strange connection hummed through him, the poison retreating like a dying tide. His lips still tingled, a taste of an exotic forbidden fruit lingered. The energy flowing through him was unlike any magic he had ever encountered. He could feel another essence, a sense of panic and fear, intertwined with his confusion.
He had never experienced anything like this before. As his vision cleared, he became aware of a warm presence against his chest. Staring down, he found a silver-haired figure resting against him. He gently lifted her head and took in the mesmerizing young woman before him. Her silver hair, like woven moonlight, cascaded to her waist. He quickly averted his gaze, startled by her golden iridescent fishtail below. He released her at once. Had this mermaid princess just saved him?
Their eyes met. They both spoke, then immediately clamped their mouths shut.
Shui Yi clutched her head, breathing rapidly. Her father had a grudge against non-merfolks! "If my father sees you…"
Long Fei pinched the bridge of his nose, suppressing the pain. She didn't even realize what she'd done. He had received something precious from her. His body was slowly healing, he could feel it. Yet here she was, more worried about hiding him. "Your Highness, if it will ease your worries..." he murmured.
An ethereal light emanated from his body as he began to shrink. The sea around him rippled in shimmering glow as he transformed into a sleek eel. A strange warmth lingered on his lips as he floated, still processing what had just happened. This was not like any injury he had before. His vision blurred again. A gasp escaped ahead of him as fingers brushed against his now-squishy form.
"What just happened?" The princess trembled as she reached out. How could he...?
The eel watched with mild amusement, his golden eyes flickering. He gave her a nod, encouraging her to take him with her. Shui Yi hesitated, staring at the tiny creature. "Did I accidentally curse you too?"
The eel let out a quiet sigh before closing his eyes and slipping into a deep slumber, and the princess trembled as she held him close to her chest. She listened to his heartbeat, checking that he was still alive. The gravity of the situation settled in; she needed to hide him.
She frantically swam toward the palace, holding the eel to cover her face as she passed her people. Whispers rippled in the ocean as Merfolk gossiped, seeing their princess darting through the town.
***
Back in her private chamber, Shui Yi set the eel on a pillow by her bedside, her mind a whirl of hysteria. She picked up a small vial from the bedside table. The healing remedy inside was a rare blend of sea herbs, used only for the most severe injuries. She fumbled with the vial, each drop on him seemed to take forever. His breathing improved, and he was recovering. She could sense his energy through the water.
She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, her once vibrant violet hair remained silver. Her thoughts raced as she searched desperately for a solution, clutching her hair. Rumors would have reached her father by now, and he would demand answers. A garden of seaweed in her courtyard came to mind. She dove into the garden, frantically trying to braid seaweed to cover her silver hair. But instead, she managed to grab a crab. Its sharp pincers snipped at her hand. She yelped as it jabbed her.
Out of the blue, a gentle gust blew, forcing the small critter to tumble away. She thought it was timely, but she could still feel the sting.
Then the current around her churned—magic swirling in the sea as a warning that the trident was near. A trumpet blast echoed through the water. No. Not now. The King was coming. She wasn't ready. Her heart pounded as her hands worked faster, salvaging her hair, but another blast thundered, shaking the current around her. It was too late—her father was already here, and the waves surged as his presence loomed closer.
"Shui Yi, open the door," her father's booming voice erupted the sea.
With a shaky breath, she reached for the door handle with trembling hands, her neck shrinking back like a turtle retreating into its shell as she braced for the impending maelstrom.