I watch my father disappear, his ultimatum echoing. I feel as if my heart is being crushed in my chest.
Slowly, I sink to the sandy floor of my chamber, my shoulders slumped in resignation. I had pleaded with him to understand, but he refused to accept my love for Kaimana. Now, I am faced with an impossible choice - abandon the human I love or lose my family forever.
I wrap my arms around myself, feeling utterly alone. I think of Kaimana's smile, gentle eyes, and embrace warmth. My heart aches for him, even as it breaks over my father's rejection.
I take a shuddering breath, blinking back tears. I must be strong now. The path before me is treacherous, but I cannot turn back. I will find a way to balance my duties as a princess and my love for Kaimana. My father may disown me, but I know I am still his daughter. I cannot give up hope that one day, he will come to accept my decision.
I steel myself, lifting my chin as I swim out of my chamber with measured strokes, my eyes fixed ahead. I do not know what the future holds, but I will face it with courage. My love for Kaimana gives me strength. I am ready to fight for our forbidden romance, no matter the cost.
The darkness of the ocean looms before me, but within my heart burns a bright flame, guiding my way forward.
I smiled, imagining my father's outrage if he knew I had slipped away. He wished to marry me to Keanu, but I refused to let him dictate my fate. My heart belonged to Kaimana. I had to find him to know if what we shared was as magical as I remembered.
The current grew more vigorous, threatening to pull me off course. I swam harder, determined not to lose my way. Kaimana was out there, somewhere in this vast ocean. And I would search every reef and grotto until we were reunited. Nothing would keep us apart.
My tail beat powerfully as I propelled through the swirling currents. The ocean opened up before me, vast and teeming with life. Schools of fish in every color darted past in shimmering clouds. Luminous jellyfish pulsed in the deep, trailing ghostly tendrils, and there he was, the man I love wearing the human device that helps him breathe while he swims under the water.
"Kaimana!" At the sound of his name, hIs head jerks in my direction, and his eyes widen in surprise when he sees me approach.
"Kalena?"
I rushed to him and collapsed into Kaimana's arms, finally allowing the tears to fall. He held me close as I wept, grieving all I had lost but also celebrating all I had found. A chance to live as my true self, unbound by expectations. A chance for love.
"What happened?" Kaimana asks as he cups my face and wipes away my tears.
My lip trembled as I told him about what happened with my father and Keanu.
"It will be alright," Kaimana murmured.
I lifted my head, managing a small smile. "Yes. As long as we're together."
No matter what came next, we would face it side by side.