You have to go,I said softly.Or you’ll turn to sea foam…
She smiled, not a hint of fear or doubt in her eyes. Not even hesitation.I’ve made up my mind. You’re the prince–now king–that I’ve chosen. You’re right for me.
My heart melted. It was her. Always her, but I would rather her live on.I can’t let you do this…
I love you,she said and drew closer to me, the water swirling around us. I looked into her eyes, knowing there was nobody else I’d rather be with. Nobody else I could ever love as much as her…
I love you too.
In that moment, so tender, something happened. Golden lights sparkled around us. Magic floated in the air, and it was so buoyant it felt like we were floating, if only for a moment.
Aulani took a breath and gasped, clutching her throat. “Ezra!”
I gaped. “You can talk–”
“Took you long enough to say it, Ezra! I waited ten tides and five eternities for you to say it–”
And I couldn’t hold back any longer. I kissed her, and she wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing me back. “The spell… it’s broken?” I asked aloud, pulling away, just to make sure.
She laughed and looked towards her aunt. “It is, am I right?”
The woman nodded, her eyes rimmed with tears. She opened her arms and Aulani let go of me to embrace her. “You did it,” my mother said, then held her arm out for me to hug her too. I couldn’t believe I was actually embracing my mother. I never imagined this day would come–never imagined I would ever meet her.
She pulled away and kept one arm wrapped around Aulani’s shoulders.“You really did it, Aulani. And you found the right prince for you.”
“Oh he’s theperfectprince–king–for me.” Aulani wiped some tears and then held my mother’s hands. “I can’t believe father was willing to allow you to use magic… for me.”
“He misses you,” my mother said, her eyes sad. “He wishes he had never said those things, banned you, or betrothed you to the briney king.” She squeezed Aulani’s hands. “And he wants you home, dear. We all do.” But her eyes moved past Aulani, to me. “But we cannot ask that of you.”
“Can I visit?” Aulani asked, hope in her voice.
The queen softened. “As keeper of the portals, Iwillvery well be using this triton, and a visit from you–both of you–would be splendid.”
I let out a quiet breath of relief, one I didn’t know I was holding. So Aulaniwouldbe able to go home. Perhaps not all the time, but she could see her family, make amends, and have peace and closure with it all. Lorelei gave her a shell necklace. “Call whenever you’re ready to visit home. I’ll always hear you, my sweet… daughter in law?” She kissed the top of Aulani’s head then winked at me. I nodded.
Mother looked like she wanted to say more, but, instead, squeezed my hand. Her eyes reflected mine.
“We have much to discuss, Ezra, but…” A laugh escaped and it sounded so much like I imagined it, I just stared. “You have a lot to do too.”
Yes…
She looked at all the others standing on the beach. “We will havemuchto catch up on,” she told us and winked.
“I hope to see you again soon, Aunty Lorelei. Thank you,” Aulani said. The women embraced once more, and then we all watched as the sea witch leaped into the portal. Her tail splashed in the water. The portal closed swiftly behind her, leaving us with a view of the sky, as if it had never been there.
Aulani let out a breath, turned, and smiled at me and the others on the shore. “I think that’s enough excitement for one day,” she said, and I knew I would never tire of hearing her voice. I was glad everyone could hear it now too. She squeezed my hand before hugging everyone. And, lastly, she wrapped her arms around my neck.
“You know,” she said, her voice soft. “You once asked me to stay, and you clearly stated your intentions why.”
I grinned.
“So…” She raised an eyebrow. “Are your intentions still clear–”
I kissed her. I didn’t care if everyone was watching. She smiled through our kisses, and I quietly said, after I pulled away, “My intentions are very,veryclear. I was gone the moment yousplashedinto my life, and if you aren’t going to be my wife, I might as well turn back into a frog.”
“Well,” she said, pulling back and playing with my hair. “I’m planning to stayandbe your wife. And if you don’t like it, letminnow.”I shook my head but laughed. Her eyes lit up, my favorite thing in the whole world to see.
CHAPTER TWENTY
