EPISODE 36 - ALISEA

(POV Aileen) As Aura and Amina escort me down the coral-lit corridors, I let myself imagine the gala waiting ahead. Music. Light. Applause. "We're here," Amina says softly as we reach the towering doors of the Grand Hall. "This is where we leave you," Aura adds, already retreating with her sister. I barely register their departure. Two tritons stand guard at the entrance, and the sight of them steals the air from my lungs. They are... breathtaking. Carved bodies. Cascades of luminous black hair falling like liquid night. Tails gleaming beneath the lantern glow. Can I really do this? I'm not one of them. I'm not even a siren. I don't even know what I am. How will the sea receive me? Me—their guest of honor? It's absurd. They'll laugh. Whisper. I'll embarrass the sovereigns in front of an…