Elaina's POV

After wiggling my toes in the sand a bit we decided to head inside the palace. The palace was just as magnificent as I remembered it. Ethan picked me up before he carried me up the steps of the palace. The servants came out to greet us and to help us carry our bags.

My eyes darted around as I stared at the all the paintings on the walls. The entrance hall was bigger than ours at home with Ocean themed paintings and decor. This place was very enchanting and I was glad we could finally visit it once again.

"Do you want to see your room?" Ethan asked and I nodded enthusiastically.

Ethan took me up the huge staircase that was across the front doors. There were fifty stairs and there were a small floor before the stairs split in two. Ethan took the flight of stairs on the right and it was another fifty up. There was a corridor and memories filled my mind off my childhood years.

Ethan took the third door on the right. He placed me on my feet once more before he opened the door for me. Bright light filled my vision as a gentle sea breeze blew against my skin.

The room was huge, bigger than the one at home. There was a four poster bed with light blue drapes. On both sides of the bed there were bedside tables which were also small book cases. The one on the right also had some of my art supplies. There was a closet on the right of the room. On the left of the room was two more doors. One leading to a bathroom I guessed, and the other if I remembered correctly was an joining room.

Next to the bed were enormous glass doors that were opened to a large balcony.  Another soft breeze blew inside, playing with the drapes that were pulled away from the doors.

"Do you still like it?" Ethan asked as the door opened and Eldrich and Rhixton stepped inside with my bags.

"I do. I love everything about the ocean." I told my brother earnestly.

"Mama said that if we're all settled in we should them on the veranda," Eldrich said.

"Are you ready to go?" Rhixton asked. I nodded and took a couple of steps to the door where he opened the door. Rhixton opened the door for me while I rested for a moment before walking out of my room. I took a few small steps as Rhixton supported me all the way while my brothers were settling into their rooms.

When we reached the stairs Rhixton picked me up knowing full well that me and stairs weren't friends at all. We walked through the corridors that was on the left of the entrance hall and made our way through the dinning room that led to the veranda outside where breakfast awaited. Rhixton helped me in my chair before bowing to my parents and leaving.

"How did you find your room? I hope you liked the minor changes," my father said while I placed some food in my plate, only now realising how hungry I were.

"It's wonderful, thank you so much Papa," I said with a beaming smile.

"I'm glad to hear it my dear, now I thought that we could go for a walk after breakfast?" My father asked as my brothers joined us and we all agreed.

During breakfast my gaze slipped to the ocean a few times and I was so excited to be so close to it. It truly was magnificent in its splendor.

After our late breakfast we went for a walk on the beach. Eldrich carried me down to the beach and placed me back on my feet once we reached the sand. We walked together slowly as my family allowed me to catch up with them.

We were heading closer to the ocean. Excitement filled me as I neared the crashing waves. I couldn't wait to feel the water rushing past my legs.

Ethan helped me the last few steps of the way and I laughed when I felt the cold water rushing past my legs. My mother and father splashed each other and I remembered how this was where they grew closer.

A spray of water hit me and I let out a surprised gasp. I laughed as my family started a full out war in the water and I took the most of the force. I managed to splash my mother and brother before I was tired. I took a few slow steps to the beach and sat down as I watched my family playing about. I enjoyed their playing as the light breeze played with my loose curls.

My scanned across the ocean and that was when my eyes landed on a small dock just behind the castle.

"What are you looking at?" Eldrich asked as he joined me on the beach.

"Look there, a small dock." I told him as I pointed to it.

"Oh, what about it?" He asked.

"I think I would enjoy drawing picture there, it must have an exceptional view of the sunrise and sunset." I said.

"Lets go take a better look," he said as he picked me up and off we went to the dock.

When he set me back down I was about to walk onto the dock, but Eldrich hands shot out quickly, stopping me in my tracks.

"What?" I asked.

"We don't know how stable it is, so let me check it out first," he said as he walked steadily on the dock. He walked to the edge sat down and then stood up before returning to my side.

"There is a few boards that are a bit old and might need to be replaced, otherwise it is completely fine and you were right about the view, it is amazing. And you can place your feet in the water. Ethan and I will fix it up tomorrow and then it will be good as new." He said and I gave him a hug.

"Thank you, El." I said before we rejoined the rest of our family. We sat on the beach the entire afternoon until we saw the sun begin to dip.

"I guess it is time for dinner," my mother said as she stretched and stood up from her seat.

Ethan helped me up before he scooped me into his arms. We walked back to the palace and I rested my head against his chest as I felt myself nod off to sleep. This was truly an exciting day and it drained most of my energy. Before I knew it I was surrounded by darkness...

I saw the handsome young man again, he appeared in deep thought and there were worry lines on his brow.     
               
"What's wrong?" I heard myself ask.          His head shot up and when he saw me he gave me a dashing smile. The look he had in his eyes was that of love and adoration. 
                                                         "Nothing, my love. I'm just glad you're here," he said before he came over and placed a kiss on my brow.

I shot up right on bed as my heart raced. Why was I dreaming about this handsome stranger? Who was he? I shook my head, it must be all those fairytales I've read.

Light streamed in through the balcony doors and a smile graced my face when I remembered where I was. I slowly climbed out of bed before I walked to the balcony doors. Luckily it was very close by and I only had to rest once or twice before I reached it.

I opened the doors before I stepped outside. I breathed in the fresh ocean air and I closed my eyes as I felt a gentle breeze blow against my face, tugging my messed up curls. I stared at the beautiful ocean and it was like the morning sun illuminated the ocean's beauty.

"Hand me that plank," I heard Eldrich say and when I looked down I could see that my father and brothers were hard at work restoring the small dock. My heart swelled with joy as I realised how much they did to make my life as enjoyable as possible. I was truly blessed with such an amazing family.

"So this is where you are, I thought you would be down by the beach for sure," I heard a familiar voice behind me. When I turned around I was faced with none other than Carling, the enchantress and a lifelong friend of my family.

"Carling! What are you doing here?" I asked as I hugged her.

"Well I was visiting the castle yesterday when the servants told me that you went to the Ocean palace and I thought I would drop by for a day or two. If you don't mind." She said.

"Of course we don't. We love you like our own grannie," I told her.

"And you are like the grandchildren I never had. Now what is all that noise down there?" She asked as she pointed to my father and brothers who were busy restoring the docks for me.

"Oh just a small renovation to ensure my safety," I told her about the dock and how I thought it would he an extraordinary place to draw. She agreed and we spent the morning talking and watching the men work. Luckily there were chairs on the balcony and I could sit down when I felt tired. This showed me once more how much the people around me cared for me.