Morgana and I were locked in combat, but it was strange she didn’t feel as overpowering as she was the first time we fought. I didn’t feel panicked or rushed, in fact, I felt incredibly calm. Having admitted my feelings to Kai as he left, I suddenly felt something surge within me. A powerful connection to something that I haven’t felt in a long time. It was then that I remembered Ursula’s words.

“You have been blessed with great magical power. If you really wanted, you could have just taken what you wanted back from her. But you’re here, why? Simple, you have no idea how to use it properly. All that talent; is completely wasted. I thought I could use you to further my goals, but once I looked at you, I could see your power comes from something more, urgh, wholesome than that of a common Sea Witch.”

Her words suddenly made sense. My magic wasn’t sourced from the same feelings and emotions of other Cecaelia. Their magic came from a place of spite and hatred, mine was always different. It came from Love.

           Morgana was preparing for another attack as I felt the magic around me flow. The seashell-shaped birthmark on my arm began to glow and to my surprise, the mana I felt began to form into water. This was the water magic that Cecaelia was once rumored to possess. I turned to face Morgana. “This ends here Cousin.” I saw panic in her face when she saw the water form around me.

“Impossible,” she stared in awe. On my command, my magic formed into a water spear and headed straight for her. She dodged and she continued dodging each attack I wielded toward her. “It’s not fair! It’s not fair!” Morgana screamed out as she dodged. “Cecaelia hasn’t been able to wield such magic for centuries. It’s a lost art! So how, how can you wield it!” She cast another attack spell, but I blocked it shielding myself with water. She had then opened an Ice potion, but the second she did, I was able to trap her using my newfound power, and the water began to turn to ice around her.

           “You know what Morgana?” I said as the Ice began to form around her, “If you hadn’t let them go peacefully it wouldn’t have ended like this.”

“You think it’s over,” Morgana threatened as the Ice slowly took hold of her, “you’re a Cecaelia who can use water magic. What do you think will happen if news of this were to reach King Triton's ears?” She smiled desperately and pleaded, “You’ll need me when the time comes. He will try to kill you it will only be a matter of when.” Then she was fully captured in an Ice Sphere.

I sighed, “Yes you're right, but . . .” I looked back at the ocean towards the ship. “Even if he does hear about it I doubt he’ll find me. I plan to live my life amongst humans after.” I turned back to Morgana and began to chant a preservation and seal spell upon it. Morgana was an annoying pain, but I didn’t wish her dead, nor did I want to chase after us if she broke free too soon. She will remain in that ice sphere for a few years and be released alive in a few years. Hopefully, by then she could reflect upon her actions.

           My birthmark stopped glowing and I looked down at my reflection in the ocean. And thought to myself about what it means to be able to use water magic.

You see there was a reason water magic had become a lost art for the Cecaelia. Long ago one of the former sea kings wished to become the only powerful ruler of the sea. To do that he had to unite the sea under his rule. He saw that Cecaelia could also command the waters with their magic. Rummer had it that the ancient king tricked them and drained them of their water magic. Yet, another reason why octopods hate Mermaids. Of course, there was a time when they left each other alone but that was until Ursula was born and the tension between them only grew stronger.

If I’m able to use this magic, could it mean that the effect of such magic is finally wearing off? There may be more Cecaelia that appear later with the gift. That is if they don’t continue to allow spite to rule their hearts. But this was all a problem for the future. At that moment all I wanted was to return to the side of my Pirate Prince, Kai.

. . .  

“I’m back,” I said shyly when I hopped up onto the boat’s railing. Kai took back the ship and stopped the mutiny. The man who betrayed them was now tied to the mast. Kai had run over to me and wrapped his arms around me.

“Don’t ever do something like that again.” I hugged him back.

“I won’t,” I said, “Kai, I said I love you.”

           He pulled back and cradled my face with his hands, “Yes I heard you the first time, could you have not given me some time to respond before shooing me off.”

           “No, but I’m giving you time to know am I not?” I said teasingly.

           He laughed and smiled sweetly, “I Love you too Jenna.”

           “I love it when you say my name, Kai.”

           “Not as much as I love it when you say mine.” He then leaned in and kissed me.

. . .   

           “After things calmed down for a bit after that evening, I eventually told Kai of the deal I made with Ursula. I also told them that I plan to find a way out of the contract or a way to prevent turning to sea foam. He said he’d do whatever he could to help. On the trip back home, Captain Avery slept with the rest of the crew. Saying something about the importance of giving lovers plenty of time alone. I remember Kai’s face turning red with embarrassment as he flusteredly reprimanded his father.

I got to talk with Divine more and introduced both Mara and Kai. Granted neither of them could understand what Mara was saying. And Mirror returned to his normal size and was telling Captain Avery and the rest of the crew the story of how I saved them, leaving out the conditions of the deal I made with Ursula of course. I eventually parted ways with Mara. And came clean to his father about wanting to quit the pirate business and become a merchant as well as his intentions to live the rest of his life with me. The captain gave us his blessing. Divine decided to join us and returned home with me, they worked hard to save money for a boat and start their sea trade business, and eventually, we got married. Kai and I combined our businesses and eventually, we became a well-known expert in navigating the seas and foreign trade. We eventually had your brother, and then a few years later we had you.” Jenna smiled at Aria and hugged her. Aria turned off her device and played back the recording. It worked and she was thrilled. “I am always amazed at what I’ve seen you create without having magic,” Jenna said. Aria smiled and hugged her back.

“Thanks,” she said as she pulled away. Jenna wished her good night and left the room, closing the door behind her. Suddenly her chest felt tight, and she began to cough and what came out were bubbles.