Chapter Twelve

Eric had started sticking very close to me now. For some reasons he was always paranoid when I was close to the beach like he was afraid that I'll go back anytime soon. I assured him that I was going to stay but it didn't make him feel calm in anyway.

When Eric was busy attending to private matters, I snuck out of the palace and went to the beach in hopes I could see one of Uriel's pet since he said they usually came up to the surface sometimes. I was disappointed when I didn't see them but I fell back when I saw Flower.

She looked happy to see me with Sebastian on her head. I stood up and then went close to her on the water. I raised her up and hugged her and kissed her before dropping her back in the water.

"Oh Flower, I thought I'd never see you again." I said excitedly making her to smile.

"Aric we heard from the king your decision. Why did you come to the surface?" Flower asked me as I sat on the sand.

"Uriel told me the truth about my father and father confessed to have done it so I just needed time off the ocean." I responded as I played with toes.

"Will you ever come home?" She asked me as Sebastian got off.

"Of course he will. His our prince." Sebastian said but I gave a difficult look.

"I can't promise that." I said making both of them gasp.

"Why Aric?" Sebastian questioned me as I hugged my leg.

"It's been my dream to be in the human world and now that I'm here I feel like this is where I belong." I explained making them to look sad.

"So we'll never see you again?" Flower asked with a sad expression.

"You will but it will always be by the ocean."

"I see." Sebastian informed me before he looked sad.

"Sebastian I need you to do me a favor." I requested making him to look at me.

"I need you to help me find Uriel because after learning he was my mate, I never really accepted him." I requested making Sebastian to widen his eyes.

"Uriel is your mate?" Sebastian asked as I nodded in response. "Aric did you accept the bonding?"

"No. I just left without an answer."

"It is still rejection. Aric do you have any idea what you have done?" Sebastian asked as he placed his pinchers on his head.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"For a merfolk who was rejected his or her mate, you can live independently but the rejection affects the other who isn't. They die from depression, guilt and anguish." Sebastian explained making me to widen my eyes and stand quickly.

"What! Uriel is dying?" I asked because I couldn't believe that Uriel was dying as I was speaking.

"Yes Aric. Uriel's death will be slow and painful." Sebastian explained as I looked at the ocean in anticipation and fear.

"It's all my fault. I'm so stupid. That was why he never wanted me to leave his side because just as much as I need him he need me." I said as I squatted and covered my face.

"Aric. Your crying?" Flower said making me to pause and look at my tear filled hands.

I suddenly realised what I had said and discovered I loved everything about Uriel. From his cold expression down to his love of popping bubbles and making potions.

"I love Uriel." I said softly. It sounded strange but in a way it felt so right and warm.

"Aric what are you saying? Your dad isn't going to be happy about this." Flower said a bit unsure at my confidence.

"Well I don't care. Uriel is my mate and I have to save him." I said then I looked at Sebastian. "Please Sebastian. Your one of the people who understands me." I said as I gave him my soft look.

Sebastian stared me before he sighed. "Fine. I'll see if I can find Uriel and bring him here. If he demands you return to the ocean then I'll get your father to fix you." Sebastian said as I picked him up and rubbed his on my cheeks before I dropped him.

"Thank you Sebastian. I have to tell Eric, I'll  meet you here by sundown." I said then I stood up and ran to the palace looking for Eric.

I was glad that I could finally be honest with myself about how I felt for Uriel and Eric and I hoped he could understand if he ever caught feelings for me. I looked around for Eric in the places he'd be but he wasn't so I asked one of the servants who directed me to where he was. I approached the door a bit excitedly when I heard a cold voice making me to pause and listen.

"How do you think we can get the trident with just a little boy?" The cold voice giving me the chills.

"I believe I can use Aric's trust in me to get it. His so naive and gullible so all I just need is time and I'll be a god of my own."

"Prince Eric in as much I'd prefer you to be king over your twin brother, how are you sure your plans are working? We should just tie up the boy and torture him to do whatever we want. If you ask me I have a feeling he'll give us the slip."

"Silence Benedict. Patience that's what's important plus when I have the trident they'll be no use for Aric and you can have your fun with him. After all his a pretty red hair." Eric said as I looked through the key whole to see a sinister smile on his face.

I was taken aback from the where Eric's face was and for a moment it scared me. I had to get out of here before Eric would find me but as I was about to leave, I bumped into the chest of someone with a very hard broad chest. I looked up to see a scary man with a scare on his face. I gulped as I walked back towards the door but I heard it open before I saw Eric and a fat man who seemed to be rich like Eric.

"Aric what are you doing here?" Eric asked as he approached me but I hit his hand away before he could touch me.

"I hate you! How could you be this mean, deceitful and selfish?" I asked as I felt angry tears flow down my eyes.

Eric didn't say anything except to massage where I had hit him before he looked at me and hit me on the face making me to fall and look at him. He walked up to me and then squatted before he used his finger to clean the little blood that was on my lips.

"Aric, sweet sixteen Aric. You should have stayed in the ocean never looking up at the surface. Didn't you learn anything from your adventure?" He asked as he held my chin and made me look into his eyes.

"Humans are selfish, lying, dirty, cheating sluts who will do anything for a bit of wealth and power especially those in the royal family." Eric said before he played with a lock of my red hair then looked at my blue eyes before he smiled and stood up straight.

"Well now that plan one is ruined, I guess we'll just have to do a bargaining chip with Triton about his captured little boy. After all no parent wants harm come to his child." Eric said before he looked at the scary man.

"Take him away Quin." Eric order before the man picked me up and then bound my hands behind my back with a rope.

"You won't get away with this Eric!" I shouted as I struggled against the man's strong grip.

"I already child. Let's go Benedict." Eric said as they pulled me away.

Quin had led me down to the dungeons before he removed the restraints and pushed me inside then locked it. I pulled hard on it but it was firmly rooted to the base making me to glare at him hatefully.

"Why are you doing this? Leave my people alone, they haven't done anything." I demanded as I shook the bar but Quin just smirked and sat down.

"I'd be quiet if I were you. I wouldn't want me, Lord Benedict or Prince Eric angry." He threatened with a hard glare that made me accept defeat.

I saw Quin leave before I sat on the floor. Eric was just as Uriel said, evil. They had their good sides but they had too much darkness that it could be cloaked by an act of kindness. I ran my hand through my hair as I sighed.

I can't stay in peace knowing that Uriel is dying and Eric was one of those bastardy who wanted to feel like he can conquer. I sat on the floor and leaned to the wall opposite the bars as I hugged my knees.

Uriel wait for me a little. I told myself as I started to think about him and my family. Just a little longer. I thought before I closed my eyes.