93 - Embrace of a Serpent

  Nexha felt a shiver run down his spine as the mermaid’s voice cut through the silence like an enchanted whisper. He slowly lifted his eyes, meeting those deep, black ones speckled with glowing dots—like a piece of the starry sky before him. Strangely, they captivated him.

  — Why do you cry, little star?

  Her voice was soft, like wind chimes touched by a gentle breeze, filled with a warmth that felt almost too real.

  He quickly wiped away his tears, irritated at being seen like this—especially by a lady. But no matter how much he wanted to move away, his muscles felt stiff, as if something invisible was holding him in place.

  — It’s none of your business — he muttered, trying to look away.

  — Ah… but of course, it is.

  The mermaid leaned in a little closer, her snowy-white hair falling around her face, framing those mysterious eyes.

  — I hate seeing such a bright star wither away like this.

  There was something in the way she spoke that made Nexha’s chest tighten. It wasn’t kindness… he felt something deeper, a touch of envy hidden within her words, something that made his mind spin.

  — You miss them, don’t you? — she continued, her voice dripping like honey. — They’re not really your family, are they? They pretend to care so well… but they’re only here because you offer something new.

  His breath hitched for a moment, his hands tightening over his fins.

  — That… doesn’t matter — he whispered, but his voice came out weak.

  The mermaid chuckled softly, and for a moment, her eyes widened slightly, as if her excitement had made her lose control. Their dark depths seemed to swallow Nexha whole, and he felt a chill crawl up his spine.

  Her delicate mouth parted slightly, just enough for him to catch a glimpse of the sharp teeth behind those pale lips. Too quickly, she reined in her expression, but the damage was already done.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  — You’re a stranger among them, aren’t you, Nexha? I know you feel it.

  Her voice was a seductive whisper, gliding through his mind like the cold breeze of the night.

  The smooth white scales of her tail brushed against him as she coiled around him slowly, like a snake preparing to strangle its helpless prey.

  — Why do you try so hard for them? They’re so pathetic, aren’t they? They don’t understand even a fraction of your brilliance.

  He clenched his fists. What did she want from him?

  — That’s not true. They accepted me…

  — They accepted you because you’re useful—for now.

  The mermaid interrupted, leaning in closer, letting her soft white hair graze against him.

  — But what if one day, you can’t create anymore? What if one day you lose that ability, Nexha? Do you think they’ll still look at you the same way… or will they abandon you?

  Nexha’s heart pounded against his ribs. He wanted to respond, to scream that it was a lie… but the words lodged in his throat.

  — You’re so afraid… afraid of losing what you have now.

  The mermaid whispered as she gently lifted his chin with her cold hands, forcing him to look directly into her eyes.

  — But what if I told you there’s a way to make sure they never leave you?

  She smiled, revealing all her needle-like teeth at once.

  A lump formed in his throat. No! This was just provocation, wasn’t it? But… what if it wasn’t? What if it was a command? And if everything he was trying so hard to hold onto one day crumbled—he didn’t want to be alone.

  — I…

  He tried to speak, but his voice failed him.

  The mermaid retracted her teeth and gave him only the faintest smirk. And this time, her eyes gleamed intensely. For a moment, Nexha noticed something—she had stopped hiding her teeth.

  She was too excited. He saw the sharp glint of her needle-like fangs every time her lips parted slightly.

  — Ah… I see now — her voice was almost a purr. — You already feel it, don’t you? The fear of loneliness is so strong in you, little star. Deny it all you want, Nexha… but the truth is already inside you. And the more you fight it… the more it will consume you from within.

  Nexha gasped, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He wanted to run, to stand up and flee… but his body wouldn’t respond. He was already ensnared in the serpent’s coils, unable to look away from those stars shining in the darkness of her eyes.

  — There’s no need to be afraid — the mermaid whispered, drawing even closer. — I can help you… I can show you what it means to be truly free from this fear and these fakes. All you have to do is let go of this useless resistance… and accept the truth… Nexha, you will once again be the king’s lady and do everything I tell you.

  The truth.

  Her words echoed in his mind like a hypnotic song.

  Nexha squeezed his eyes shut, trying to drown out the storm inside him. But he knew… he knew that something about her was making him think in a way that didn’t belong to him—as if she was trying to steal control of his body.

  And as much as he didn’t want to admit it… perhaps a part of him wanted to hear more.