Ursula's Beginning

5. One might question your upbringing

"You're freaky, aren't you? I can handle freaky. Actually, I prefer it." He was smirking now, and running the tip of a fin along the length of one of her tentacles. "Show me those fangs of yours," he commanded sternly.

She paused a beat, then spun around and took off through the labyrinth at full pace. He pursued her, laughing. "Hey, get back here, you freak bitch! Royalty wants a word with you!"

As she careened wildly forward, she noticed her head was buzzing. The piranhas were vibrating with agitation. She turned two more corners before the idea took form.

"Ok, sweeties. Breakfast is served. Just slow him down," she ordered in an urgent low tone. She felt them release her hair as she sprinted the final length of the maze. "Farewell, darlings," she whispered.

A beat later and Alphon was cursing; she was out of the labyrinth and shooting toward the top of the temple with the starfish in her trembling hands. She soared over the top of the dome, then darted into one of the private rooms in the back of the building and locked herself inside.

Ursula pieced the animal back into a complete star, like working a puzzle. Then she placed her hands over it, applying the lightest pressure possible. She felt the pieces begin to fuse together, and this calmed her. Once the starfish was mended, she curled up with it. It lay in the palm of one hand and she stroked it with a fingertip from the other. She wondered how things might have unfolded had she not called Alphon an idiot. Nonetheless, she knew she had glimpsed his true colors, and they were worth knowing.

Ursula also knew she couldn't hide much longer; she had assured Amoret that she would be available in the courtyard. She gathered together the upper half of her hair, then gently placed the starfish atop the bundle, along the back of her neck. "Can you hang out there awhile and hold onto my hair?" she asked it. It gave a gentle squeeze in response. Then she covered both of them with a protection enchantment. It had been a long time since Ursula had felt the need to do one.

As she got up, she willed herself to remain calm no matter who or what she encountered in the halls below. Ursula slowly made her way to King Nepp's sanctuary.

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As she entered, Amoret and two cuttlemaids greeted her with happy smiles. "His color is much improved," noted Amoret. "And he's breathing much easier," added one of the cuttlemaids. Ursula didn't know her name; then again, cuttlemaids tended to blend into the background.

"Oh good," Ursula exhaled. She smiled for the first time that day.

A moment later, the royal family entered the room one by one. Queen Galataye said nothing, but pressed Ursula's hand and looked into her eyes in silent thanks as she passed by. Ursula watched her kiss Nepp's forehead tenderly.

Prince Triton came to her side. "I see it went well," he said warmly.

She nodded. "I think so." For the first time, looking at his perfect face was more comforting than unnerving. Goodness and kindness underlay his beauty, rather than arrogance and cruelty. 

The twins pounced her and hugged her tightly. After a moment's hesitation borne out of surprise, she hugged them back, tighter. Over Psamanthe's shoulder, Ganeon caught her eye and mouthed thank you. She smiled at him.

Behind her, Alphon spoke. "Good morning, Ursula," he said pleasantly.

"Good morning," she said politely, releasing the girls. She turned and faced him squarely.

"Since you clearly work such wonders," he motioned towards his father with a sweep of his large, muscular arm, "I wondered if you could help me with a problem."

"I'd be happy to," she replied evenly.

"It's mostly my face, you see." Alphon was covered in scratches and bites; several were still oozing blood.

"Yes, I see." Ursula was expressionless.

"A school of piranha fish found me while I was strolling in the labyrinth. It was the strangest thing! They were only babies, though." Alphon laughed good naturedly, as if delighted by the attack.

Ursula said nothing as she opened a locket linked to a bracelet on her left wrist and swiped salve onto every fingertip of her right hand. She then touched each wound on Alphon's face in turn, cycling through her fingertips and mumbling a basic healing spell. Every time she lifted a finger, perfect skin was revealed where a bloody gash had been only a moment before. Once she had healed the fifth bite with her pinky, she reapplied the salve to her digits and resumed with her thumb.

He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, in obvious pleasure, as she touched his face. Ursula summoned all her self restraint and ignored the impulse to shred his symmetrical features into ribbons with her nails. It helped that all of his siblings were watching their exchange. She could feel their eyes on them.

She proceeded to the injuries on his back, chest, shoulders and arms, working briskly. Under the pretense of showing her where various bites were, he flexed his muscles this way and that. It was embarrassing enough to make Ursula blush. As she reached the last few wounds on his abdomen, he brushed his thumb along her hand. "You do have the magic touch," he murmured.

"Done," she announced loudly, distancing herself.

He pitched himself forward and hugged her, pinning her arms to her sides. "I'm not done with you, though," he breathed into her ear, so softly she could scarcely hear it. "Thanks!" he added audibly, releasing his hold. "Nice starfish, by the way. Very becoming in your hair like that."

She pretended not to hear Alphon as she turned to his family once again, the starfish shuddering against her. "If that will be all, Your Excellencies, I shall step away for the moment. I'll stay informed regarding the king's condition throughout the day and if summoned, will come at once."

She was met with six bows--five sincere, one not. Ursula bowed in return, avoiding eye contact with all, and took her leave. Swimming away, she could sense Triton's agitation like a current in the water. She didn't have to look at him to verify it; she was becoming attuned to him to a surprising degree.