Trust me, what we’re wearing is simple compared to what others will be wearing.He offered his arm as he led me to the carriage. After spending the day with Kalei, I discovered that she was rather wealthy… which made sense. She was the cousin of the king, and her parents were nobles. Since she was the same twenty years old as myself and not yet wed, her parents gave her a large sum of money to make her way in the world and she did. She owned her own home but also a shop down the road, where she sold natural medicines and remedies… and maybe a potion or two.
With a bubbly and snarky personality, as well as a cheerful countenance, Kalei was a joy to be around. She was still young. Why hadn’t any man come and snatched her up?
“Ho‘ohuli is going to meet you both there,” she said, nervousness in her eyes as she went over the plans for the hundredth time.
“Ezra.” She took her cousin’s hand. “Pleasebe careful. One wrong move and she could kill you without anyone knowing. Theymustall learn you’re alive at the right moment.”
“I’ll be careful.” Ezra said. He and Kalei kissed one another’s cheeks. I had been here long enough to learn it was an island custom to kiss one another’s cheeks in greeting or farewell. I’d seen Kalei and Ho‘ohuli do it, so it did not alarm me.
“Enjoy yourselves,” Kalei said, adding, “And make sure Ezra dances at least once. He says he doesn’t know how, but he’s the best dancer around.” She nodded to us both. “Now go and get the kingdom back.”
With that, she closed the carriage door and stepped back, waving to us. My nerves flared up like a lionfish spreading its massive fan-like fins.
So I attempted to distract myself by looking out the window at the enchanting sights. After such a late night, Ezra and I slept in longer than we probably should have, and I didn’t get much of a chance to explore… although I knew there was no time for that.
Our priority was to get Ezra the throne, help me find my way back home, andthenI could explore the human world. Well, once I got back home. But there was so much here! So many sights. Sounds. Andpeople!
Do you like it?
I looked up to see Ezra watching me, and my heart skipped a beat.Yes, very much. I don’t think that it’s like this in the human kingdom by my sea, but… perhaps it’s similar.
For whatever reason, a sinking feeling trickled down my throat.What if it’s not all that I hoped it to be?I’d only been here a day, at most, but would all of this become boring? Mundane? What if there wasn’t much I could learn from the humans, or study the stars as I wished?
You’re allowed to let your dreams change,Ezra said, and I realized he could read my thoughts. It was as if I’d been saying it all aloud to him.
I sat back and sighed.Yes, but I’m determined to make the human world better than the sea.
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 wasto 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 wasnotgood 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 echoedthrough 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.
