Salty [A Reverse Fairytale]: A Reverse Fairytale, #1

By Holly Hook

I am Princess Carlen Seepsen and I hate my life.

My sisters keep making me act all prim and proper for high society, my father barely realizes I exist, and the high and mighty Edwart (Ahem, Edward) keeps insisting he's a gift to me. Oh, and I almost drowned because my family's ship sank. In a storm on my sixteenth birthday.

Except, I didn't. A young man with a perfect chest, sea-green eyes, and a deep, delicious voice just pulled me to shore. I guess that part wasn't so bad.

But did he have a fin?

But now everything's falling apart. Something, or someone, is sending storms to my kingdom and collapsing our society. And now my father's about to marry me off to (gasp) Edwart to keep me safe.

When a sorceress offers me a chance to visit the king of the undersea kingdom and fix this mess, I've got to act. I will not let anyone dictate my life. But agreeing to the deal might cost me so much more than I ever imagined.

Salty is a reverse retelling of The Little Mermaid. It is part of the Reversed Fairytale series, but each book of this series can be read alone and out of order.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Holly Hook
• Release date: Jun 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201606916

Holly Hook

Holly Hook is the author of the five-book Destroyers Series, which is the prequel to the Deathwind Trilogy. She began writing at a very young age and published her first book for Kindle, Tempest, in September of 2011. Since then, Tempest (#1 Destroyers Series) has seen thousands of downloads and four sequels. The Deathwind Trilogy is a spin-off of the Destroyers Series, with three books planned.The author is currently working on the Timeless Trilogy, another YA fantasy series with a hint of science fiction, and has written a few short stories. She grew up with a fascination with natural disasters and weather, especially storms. She enjoys writing stories with a strong female lead and exploring concepts that have never been done before. Reading teen fiction and young adult books is another one of her biggest interests. She lives in Michigan with her two cats and an assortment of other pets.If you would like to subscribe to her mailing list for a free book, be sure to check out her blog at www.hollyannehook.wordpress.com and hit the big "subscribe" button or just go to the sign up page here: http://wordpress.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8696a40cb388cfc9f1421d292&id=2e2b7ac94dOther Titles By Holly Hook Include:Tempest (#1 Destroyers Series)Inferno (#2 Destroyers Series)Outbreak (#3 Destroyers Series)Frostbite (#4 Destroyers Series)Ancient (#5 Destroyers Series)The Destroyers Omnibus (All Five Books in One Bundle)Torn (#2 Deathwind Trilogy) Available Now2:20 (#1 Timeless Trilogy) Coming Soon in April of 201511:39 (#2 Timeless Trilogy) Coming Soon in April of 2015After These Messages (A Young Adult Comedy)Walls (A Teen Paranormal Short Story)Going Home (A Science Fiction Short Story)The Youngest Prince (A Short Story in the anthology Out of the Green)

Book preview

SALTY

A Reversed Fairytale

Book One

By Holly Hook

CHAPTER ONE

Isn't this wonderful? My older sister, Amelie, grabbed the ship's railing and stared me down.

       I slapped my hand over my mouth, pretending to be seasick. She shook her head. I was to give her the correct answer. Yes. Watching these nobles talk all prim and proper, and over my head to boot, is sure an adventure. Happy sixteenth birthday party. But Amelie, dressed in her silvery gray dress with her blue sash, narrowed one eye at me.

       Swallowing my words was never easy. So, I grabbed the skirt of my bright green dress (which did not match the official colors of Cerelia) and curtsied to her, exaggerating the bow until I almost fell to the deck. Why, yes. I'm having a fantastic time listening to all these conversations.

       Carlen, can you drop the attitude for just a few minutes and make everyone happy tonight? It is your duty. She leaned so close that I could feel her breath against my forehead. Amelie matched my height though she was years older, and it amazed me that people thought we were twins, because other than our shared height and sandy hair, we were nothing alike. "Nobles and dignitaries are here for you." She motioned to the lantern-lit deck of The Royal Dignitary, which was the actual name of my father's ship. They even gifted you these statues!

       Okay, so that part I felt bad about. The noble families of Cerelia, all decked out in silver and blue, socialized on the deck of the small ship. The women all wore sea gray dresses with silver buttons and hair ornaments, while the men did the same, only without the skirts and the ornaments. Everyone talked in low voices as flute and violin players worked in an almost inaudible tune at the bow of the ship. Tables almost collapsed under fancy food, none of which I had chosen, even with Grandma's help.

       Baron Konigssen, an older man with ashy dark hair, motioned to the newly carved statues of me and my four sisters that stood near the center of the ship. He was deep in conversation with Lady Marlen after just unveiling them minutes ago and puffing out his chest at his servants' handiwork. The statues were good, of course, and though mine came with an official royal dress and a sash, it captured a hint of irritation in my eyes.

       Come on, Amelie. We both know the Baron gifted these statues to make himself look more dignified in front of everyone, I said. "He has been talking about his generous favor all night and I don't want to be around that." Even my father stood away from the Baron, nodding in conversation with two other nobles.

Amelie moved to my side. It is a splendid gift. Thank him again.

       And get near Edwart?

       Excuse me? Amelie asked.

       I am sorry. Edward. I thought of the Baron’s insufferable son. If you want a husband so badly, go talk to the men yourself. What misfortune, being born royal. I eyed the stern for my grandmother, as she spent a lot of time looking out on the water, alone, but she wasn't there to act as my distraction. I found her instead walking over to speak to my father, her silver hair in a neat bun. Like the other ladies, she wore a gray and blue dress with a royal sash.

       Carlen! Amelie slapped her hand on my shoulder. We're thinking of the future and of...and of the kingdom.

       I whirled, eyeing Amelie's hunched back and her uneven shoulders. She moved and straightened, as if by reflex, to make her defects less obvious. I shouldn't have said what I had, but I sensed those were why she always held a measuring stick to me.

       Let's start over. Stand up straight. She pushed my arms to my sides and my shoulders back. Smile. You have the curtsying almost perfected, but there's no need to do that for the nobles as you're above them. She turned her head and smiled. "Oh. Here comes Edward now."

       Could this get any worse? I pulled away from Amelie, keeping my shoulders back, which made her smile.

       Ah. Carlen Seepsen. And just like that, Edwart appeared by my sister's side, one hand behind his back. He bowed deeply, showing his shiny, slick, parted hair. He was also letting his first beard grow in, neatly trimmed, of course. My father informed me that you turned sixteen today. I've come to grace you with my presence.

       Amelie stepped away to stand behind me and pressure settled between my shoulder blades. Why, thank you. I couldn't keep the sarcasm out of my voice. The ground sprouts flowers wherever you tread.

       Did Amelie sigh? I ignored her, watching for Edwart's reaction.

       But he smiled, missing the point, and puffed out his chest. That is true. My family has provided much wealth to this kingdom. We are loved everywhere. My charm cannot be surpassed. He eyed my hand. Was he going to take it? A shudder ran down my spine as a gust of wind blew across the ship, making the sails flap and the royal flags snap. People paused their conversations and my father, King Davis Seepsen, adjusted his crown and eyed the ocean with worry. I had never seen him do that before. Our ocean was peaceful. To us, anyway.

       Is that a storm? I was eager for any distraction.

       Cerelia never has storms. We have the luck of the sea. He explained it to me as if I, the youngest princess, had never heard the local legend. The sea has always swept away invaders, but left Cerelia safe. You see—

       I know the legend.

       Amelie nudged me in the back. Well, excuse me for daring to have a brain in front of a man.

       Another gust of wind snapped the sails. My father leaned close to Baron Konigssen and pulled him away from the statues. Then Father grabbed a hanging lantern and held it above the dark water as if it had answers. Strange.

       —and it's been that way for centuries. If we weren't so blessed by the ocean, we would have fallen to the invaders a long time ago. And even if we were to have a storm, I would protect you. If we had a military, I would make an excellent soldier and commander. Edwart took my hand, catching me off guard.

       Yes. He took my hand without me offering it first.

       His grip was sweaty. My skin tightened as I pulled back, but Edwart had more strength than me. He lifted my hand slowly so that it hung between us. He wanted to let me know that he wanted control.

       Did I give you permission to—

       A second gust of wind followed and the nobles and guards behind Edwart all turned to face the sea. Yes! I could pull away and pretend that I was worried. Then a flash of lightning forked across the sky, lighting up the ocean water. Waves started to crash, louder than I had ever heard them. The ship swayed and groaned under my feet.

       What is happening? Amelie asked.

       The guards would have to pull the ship back to shore. It wasn't far. Maybe I could even pretend to be seasick.

       You said? I asked, pulling my arm to my side and slapping my hand over my mouth.

       A third gust followed, and a tingle of satisfaction ran down my spine as Edwart's jaw dropped. He ran to the edge of the ship with the other men as Amelie took my arm.

       A guard pointed at the darkness and the sea. It's a storm!

       It can't be, Father shouted, eyes wide in bewilderment. We made our contribution.

       I can't believe this. Amelie pulled me close and wrapped an arm around me.

       Back to shore! Dock us! Father shouted, all panic. He whirled and pointed at the guards and motioned to the ropes. Carlen. Amelie. Sasha. Meghan. Violet. He pointed to me and my sisters one by one. Stay close to the center. Grab something! And Mother? Where are you?

       Real panic filled his eyes. What had I wished for? People ran around, confused, with ladies screaming everywhere. The ship rocked again. No one seemed to know what to do. Amelie pulled me to the center mast as the top of a wave rose above the railing.

       Rain thundered down, soaking my hair as we joined our sisters at the mast. Violet was already crying, her blond curls sticking to her cheeks. Amelie gripped my arm. My heart raced.

       Ships never sank here. That was something that only happened in other kingdoms. Not Cerelia.

       We sent it! Father shouted into the storm. The rain beat to the side, and I could no longer see him.

       What is happening? Meghan asked. She linked hands with Violet, just as soaked as we were.

       Now! Father shouted in the curtains of rain.

       Men shouted everywhere. Sails dropped completely. Feet thudded. The rain battered us from every side, changing direction, and the waves roared.

       I could swim, having snuck to the ocean many times. But my sisters could not.

       We're going to die! Violet shouted.

       Hold on! Amelie dug her fingernails into my flesh. I ignored the pain as the first wave crashed completely over the side, rushing over our feet.

       The slippery deck tilted back and forth. More and more waves crashed over the sides, washing over our feet. The water felt as strong as stone. The ocean had grown the powerful fin of a giant beast. I slid down to my knee as Amelie tightened her grasp. I didn't care about the pain. Meghan cried on the other side of the mast. Sasha kept her face to the wood, eyes squeezed shut. Behind her, our statues slid to the railing, all at once. Then, one by one, they tipped, crashed, and rolled. The railing creaked and broke, sending the Baron's creations crashing to the depths.

       Ice impaled my heart.

       The storm might throw us into the heaving waters. I might not even make it to shore. My sisters.

       They would die.

       And all over my stupid wish. I had gone from one torture to another.

       Please! Father was lost somewhere behind the statues. We met our bargain!

       I took a breath and inhaled storm. Another massive wave rose. It came down like a foamy fist, illuminated by the lanterns. Washed over my feet, then my knees. The ship creaked and thunder roared. Lanterns tilted. The water rose. Amelie screamed in frustration. Her grip loosened as the water pulled... pulled... there was no fighting the force.

       I fell away from the mast.

       "Carlie!" Violet shouted.

       I struggled to stand, but the water pulled me along the deck with its current. Then I tried to scream, but the ocean invaded, and I choked. I rolled down the deck as it covered me with a salty blanket. Suffocating... invading my mouth... cold... deathly... I struck the railing, and the water passed, leaving air.

       I was a mass of soaking fabric and shaking flesh, but I could breathe. Coughing up the sea, I flailed, vision blurry and dark. Most of the lanterns had gone out, leaving just the night. Shouts and screams merged with the wind.

       The ship stabilized for a few precious seconds. I was up against the railing. Blinking the burning ocean from my eyes, I spied white-topped waves below. They formed leering faces with sharp teeth and clawed hands.

       I'll protect you! Edwart ran across the deck to me, soaking wet, his parted hair destroyed. He rubbed his hand over it, trying to fix the disaster as he reached out to me. Take my hand!

       Help her! Amelie flailed her arm at me.

       The ship tilted, and I somehow knew that meant another wave was about to strike. I reached out of pure reflex as the wave struck the other side of the Royal Dignitary. Edwart reached as the white foam and rage crashed over the deck behind him. He smiled and pulled. Maybe I'd survive this if I swallowed my pride.

       A table slid down the ship, pushed by the angle and the water, and struck Edwart. He went under, sliding towards the stern, his kicking boots swallowed by the water.

       Another table flew across the deck, pushed by the hand of the ocean. It struck the railing beside me with a deafening crash, and wood splintered as the world gave way.

       "Carlie!" Violet’s voice pierced the air. The screams of my sisters filled the world as I fell, seemingly forever, towards the ocean.

CHAPTER TWO

Going under the water muffled everything. Water surged up my nose, but I kept my legs below me as my green dress billowed out in the faint light. But the light fled, swallowed by darkness as I slowly sank towards the depths.

       At least I'd had time to hold my breath before going under. And practice diving. Now that I was underwater, a strange calm settled over me. It might be dark and stormy, but this was familiar territory.

You can swim, Carlie. Grandma's voice. If anyone had the best chance of surviving a trip overboard, it was me.

       I kicked and rose. The muffled sounds of rain reached my waterlogged ears. Maybe I'd make it. I just needed to breathe and make sure I didn't die in this chilly water.

       But my dress pulled downward. Great. I'd never tried to swim in one before. Panic surged into my chest as I kicked up through the black and the noise, legs straining and burning. The surface seemed to draw away. Just offshore I had been an adventurer, peeking at the fish and the sea stars. Now I was just a piece of debris at the mercy of the waves.

       My lungs burned and my heart raced.

Up!

       I would not die before I could shame Edwart about this.

       The thought brought a laugh up and the strength to kick. Holding my skirt up against my hips, I did so with everything I had.

       And slowly, I rose.

       Then I broke water, sucking down mouthful after mouthful of precious, rainy air. Lightning forked, dispelling my two seconds of relief. The night lit and waves formed dark, twisting peaks against a backdrop of angry clouds. Another spike of terror shot through me. Where was the ship? I whirled as I fell up and down with the surface. The entire world roared. I could not see the shore.

       The night lit once again.

       I was alone.

       Had the ship gone under, too?

       Is anyone out here? I let go of my dress, which turned back to a weight strapped to my feet. I had to shed it. Kicking and tilting my head back to keep my face out of the water, I swallowed rain as I fumbled with the straps on my back. Amelie? Grandma? Anyone!

       The straps refused to budge.

       The storm lashed the sky with light and I froze, gasping as the ocean tried to force its way into my lungs.

       The entire ocean rose before me.

       I plunged and my heart rose into my throat. The water was all rolling into a wave as tall as a house and it was pulling me with it.

       Then it would crash down.

       Then I would die. It was almost over.

       I let go of my dress as a strange calm came over me. The lightning stopped, dropping a curtain of night and rain over the monster in front of me. But the roar approached, cutting over the wind.

Be quick.

       The world pulled me upward. I rose, uphill, in the grasp of a giant's watery hand.

       And as I did, I tilted downward, about to fall. The ocean was lifting me to throw me down. And then it would pounce. And then it would eat.

       I fell, screaming, as a mountain of water crashed down on me.

       Up became down. Directions lost all sense. Darkness crushed me on all sides. I turned over and over, kicking my legs. Animal instinct took over. I flailed my arms. My ears filled with a watery roar. I had screamed out all my air and my lungs already burned. My ears rang with the impact and every fiber of my body hurt. No one could survive the storm.

       Another flash followed.

       The light barely penetrated the water. The green fabric of my skirt floated in front of me like a jellyfish, taunting, before snapping back into darkness. Everything gurgled. Pressure threatened to burst my ears. I was sinking deeper.

       The world turned fuzzy. Dark. I closed my eyes as the strength fled my limbs. A fog rolled into my mind, grasping at my thoughts, slowing them, taking them apart. I let out what little air I had in my lungs. Bubbles popped nearby and whispered as they rose. My legs ached and sighed in relief as I stilled them.

       I was sinking.

       And I no longer cared.

       Slowly, I closed my eyes and drifted. Sleep. Even the burning in my lungs was going away, fading into blissful, peaceful, gray nothingness.