Page 71 of Entangled

“What other reason would there be?”

“I called upon you, with only Merrow’s sake in mind. She wants to marry me but does not want to give up being a sea nymph.” Sebastian cringed, waiting for the sea god to explode with anger.

“That’s not how it works,” shouted Nereus, frowning. “If my daughter marries a human, she becomes one. She can no longer be an undine. She needs to decide, and can’t have it both ways.

“But Father, I need to stay a sea nymph. It’s important,” cried Merrow.

“Then don’t marry the human. Simple as that.” The wind blew Nereus’ long hair up into the air. His beard was down to his waist.

“You don’t understand.” Merrow looked over to Sebastian with tears in her eyes.

Sebastian took a deep breath and slowly released it. Merrow was being so brave, standing up to such a stubborn father. Sebastian had lost his parents early in life and never had to confront them in this way. He wasn’t going to let her do this on her own. There was only one thing to say that could possibly change Nereus’ mind. As reluctant as he was to have to tell him, Sebastian realized he had no choice.

“My king, I’ve prepared the men to fight,” said Farrimond from behind him.

“My brothers and I are ready as well,” said Darium who had also joined them. They all had their hands hovering over their weapons, ready to use them at a moment’s notice. “The women are also ready to use their magic if needed.”

“Nay. There will be no fighting,” Sebastian told them. “No one will draw a weapon without my knowledge. Understand?” Sebastian turned back to the sea king. “Your daughter wants to be able to raise our child as a sea nymph and cannot do that if she is human. You see, she is already pregnant by my seed.”

Nereus exploded in anger just like Sebastian expected him to do. Waves crashed up against the ship, causing it to roll to one side. The Blackseed brothers and their wives all hung on to whatever they could so as not to be thrown overboard.

“Now you did it, you fool,” he heard Elric mutter from somewhere. Sebastian looked up to see the elf pulling himself back over the sidewall. He was sopping wet.

“I love her! I want her to be happy but only you can help. Please,” begged Sebastian. “Use your magic to grant her the request. Please, let Merrow be my wife, but still be able to keep being an undine as well.”

Sebastian had no chance to hear an answer. Nereus’ anger was all directed at him. Sebastian took a blow to the chest from a firebolt from Nereus’ trident. It paralyzed him and he couldn’t move. His legs went limp, his body bending over the rail of the ship. Then, when the ship rolled back in the opposite direction, Sebastian toppled over the railing, falling into the black depths of the Masked Sea.