A sharp punch located Curtis's jaw. The snake didn't retaliate; it was his fault that Rhea went missing. 

"Leo! It's ok!" Korrin said in alarm, Leo was not powerful; he was only 2 marks, if Curtis wanted to kill him, that was it. 

"Don't interfere! This bastard knows what he did!" Leo was pissed, all his hard with with Rhea down the drain, she was struggling and this idiot did something too stupid for him to even say out loud. 

"I don't get it; did he do something bad to Rhea?" Nik's confusion only made Leo even more annoyed. In this world, the idea of consent wasn't fully understood so they didn't see anything wrong with Curtis sleeping with Rhea. When Curtis said she was crying, they didn't see anything wrong with it, but Leo's eyes went red in rage. 

"Shut up! Don't you guys get it!?" He said heated, "If she wanted to have sex with you, why would she be crying!? You took advantage of her emotional state! If she doesn't come back, don't be shocked!" 

The room fell into silence, if Rhea didn't come back? They couldn't even think of something so scary.

"Let me guess, she hasn't activated her your marks yet, right? So she's either unconscious or she doesn't want you to find her. Knowing  Rhea, which do you think?" Leo's words caused alarm in everyone. He sighed, ruffling his hair, agitated. "Fuck. Just take me to the beach." He didn't have time for this. 

.

Bluepool looked at 'Jean' with worry, his blue eyes filled with concern as he saw her curled up listlessly in a ball. He had been so excited to find her, but seeing her now in this state, he was genuinely worried. He had taken her to a nearby cave, fearing that the open ocean might be contributing to her distress.

"Jean?" he said softly, shaking her gently. She curled up tighter, unwilling to move. "What's wrong?"

"Stop calling me Jean. My name is Rhea," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He looked confused, his delicate features furrowing. "Did you change your name? I can call you Rhea if you want."

Rhea turned to look at the merman who had dragged her into the sea. The issue was, Rhea didn't know how to swim; she was never taught so this situation was mildly terrifying, being stuck surrounding an infinite body of water.

Bluepool, with his long, flowing blue hair and pretty face, seemed to belong to another world altogether. His ears were pointed and adorned with small shells, his physique strong, covered in three marks.

"Is Jean your mate?" Rhea asked, trying to make sense of her situation.

"Ah, no. Jean is our Queen," he replied, his voice tinged with reverence.

Rhea finally sat up, albeit shakily. "I'm not Jean. I'm from the human tribe."

Bluepool's confusion deepened. "I've never heard of a tribe like that," he admitted. "How do I know you aren't lying? The mermaid tribe has the most beautiful females, and you are the most beautiful female I've seen."

Rhea couldn't help but feel a bit flattered despite her predicament. "Whatever, why did you drag me down here? I don't like this place."

He seemed a bit distressed by her words. "Don't be like that, Rhea. You shouldn't have run away."

"I will actually end you. Leave me alone."

The cave around them was filled with soft, phosphorescent light emanating from various underwater plants and corals. The walls were adorned with shimmering shells and small sea creatures, making the place look both magical and alien.

Bluepool, desperate to make her comfortable, asked, "Are you hungry?"

Rhea nodded reluctantly, realizing she hadn't eaten the lunch Korrin had for her. Bluepool quickly swam out and returned with a couple of raw fish, presenting them to her with a hopeful expression.

Rhea looked at the raw fish, her stomach churning. "I can't eat that. It needs to be cooked."

Bluepool tilted his head in confusion. "Cooked? What does that mean?"

"It means it needs to be heated until it's safe to eat. Humans can't eat raw fish like this."

He looked around, obviously flustered. "I don't know how to cook, but I can try to help you."

Rhea sighed, feeling more frustrated than ever. "You can't just try; it either is or it isn't. I need fire to cook it."

Bluepool's face fell. "We don't have fire under the sea, Rhea."

"It's for the best if I starve to death anyway." She said quietly before laying back down. She had no strength to fight anymore, she just wanted to be still. Maybe if she closed her eyes to sleep she could sleep forever.

Bluepool tried his best to please her, swimming around the cave and bringing her various seaweeds and shells, hoping they might cheer her up. But Rhea remained upset, feeling more out of place and lost than ever.

"Bluepool," she said finally, her voice breaking, "I don't need anything it's ok."

"But Rhea, I don't know how else to help her."

How to help her?

"Is it ok if you lend me your ears Bluepool?"

He nodded quickly sitting down with his legs crossed. As long as he could make her feel better.

"I've been having...problems, I think I'm not ok."

He looked at her confused so she tried to explain herself. "Like I feel like running away all the time, like I'm chained here. I like to look out at the sky and pretend I'm flying anywhere in the world unhindered by my responsibilities. "

"Is there anywhere you want to go? I can take you." He said excited, now he finally knew something she wanted.

"Bluepool, I can't leave I have mates, a child and an entire tribe to take care of."

"Do you not like them?"

"I like them a lot, it just feels like I'm in a glass box all the time you know?"

He looked thoughtful, he wasn't quite sure what to say.

Rhea took a deep breath, her fingers absently fiddling with the gold bangle on her arm. "My family... my mother was a very docile woman. She was always a passive observer. My father called her most beautiful woman in the world, and I was the one made in her image. She never intervened in anything, always watching from the sidelines."

She hadn't told anyone this since it was hard to vocalize how she felt about her family in her world.

"My father was a good man. He raised me mostly alone since my mother did quite care about my existence. But he was a good man you know?"

"Why do you have to say he was a good man?" Bluepool asked, "feels like you're trying to say it enough times to convince yourself.

Rhea was silent for a moment, he was a good man.

"I feel angry when I think about my parents, I know logically he did the right thing for someone in his position, but I feel like I wish he put me first. If he considered my happiness, I would have been happy."

Bluepool's eyes widened with curiosity. "What did he do?"

"When I was 11 I was given in marriage to a man my mother hated, and I was told to find my way back. So I killed him. And when I was 12, I was married off again and was asked to find my way home. I lost track of how many men I've killed or how many times I have gone through the same thing over and over. It made sense, if your daughter was born with unparalleled strength you should put it to good use right?"

Her chest felt really tight, it made sense. "But why do I feel this inexplicable rage? Like I should have been loved more, if they cared just a bit more. But it was all for the good of the kingdom."

She paused, staring at the bangle on her arm, her mind far away. "I don't think I'm a kind person, Bluepool. I don't know if I'm even capable of love."

Bluepool's eyes softened. "Have you ever loved someone, Rhea?"

She looked up at him, her eyes reflecting her inner turmoil. "I think so. There was someone... my heart was in so much pain when they passed. But ultimately, I don't know if it was love."

"Who was it?" Bluepool asked gently.

"Harvey." Rhea whispered, her voice trembling. "I don't even know if he ever heard me say it."

That was the weight in her heart, her biggest regret. Did he know she loved him? Did she love him enough? If she loved him a bit more would she have gotten the courage to tell him?

She looked up and she could see him smiling in front of her, his face was a blur in her mind.

I think of you all the time...

It has never been necessary to move on from grief, her hands were bloodied, her body was never her own. And even her heart was cold. Everything she did was for her own amusement, her own selfish reasons but he still smiled at her. 

"I think he knew." Bluepool said finally, "It's impossible he didn't know."

She laughed dryly, "why do you say that?"

"Love isn't just words Rhea. The fact that you were ready to spend your life with him, I think he would have known you loved him and couldn't say it."

She looked at bluepool with tears in her eyes, why was she talking to a fish? Even worse, why was he making any semblance of sense?

"Rhea don't cry! I'm sorry!" He said quickly panicking as if he were the one who caused her tears.

Rhea wasn't listening, she was thinking of Curtis. Did he know she loved him? She has never said it and even now she hadn't expressed it.

If he wanted her to let go of Winston she would. Because she loved him.

"Bluepool, you're really smart." He blushed at her compliments.

"I didn't do anything, I couldn't even get you something to eat."

"No bluepool, you don't understand. You're so smart, I think without you I would have had a rock on my heart that would have eventually squashed. Thank you."

His face was bright, she thanked him.

"Is it ok if you return me to my tribe? They might be looking for me."

He looked a bit sad at her words but nodded. She didn't belong to him.

"Bluepool, I will visit you again alright?" Her words spread hope in his heart, and he nodded.

.

Rhea emerged from the sea in the darkness, the beach that should have been completely dark was instead covered in torches. Leo stood as he watched her emerge from the water, his silhouette illuminated by the flickering flames. How long had he been waiting for her? The worry etched on his face was evident even from a distance.

He had been worried sick that she had no one to help her with her panic attacks. But now, seeing her emerge from the water, fine and healthy, he let out a breath of relief. As long as she was fine.

"Welcome back, my Queen," Leo said, his voice steady yet filled with relief.

Rhea walked towards him, the sand cool beneath her feet, her heart lighter after her recent conversation with Bluepool. The comfort she found in the merman's words was still fresh in her mind, but now she had to face her responsibilities again.

Leo approached her, his eyes searching her face for any signs of distress. "Are you alright?"

She nodded, a small smile on her lips. "I'm fine, Leo. Sorry to keep you waiting."

He took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. "I was worried about you. You shouldn't have vanished like that."

Rhea managed a small smile, touched by his concern. "I had some time to think and talk. It helped."

Leo's expression softened. "Don't forget, I'm here for you. Always." It was just the two of them who understood each other. No one else did.

They walked together towards the torches, the light casting long shadows on the sand. As they approached the cluster of torches, Rhea noticed a few figures standing by the flames. Members of her tribe, waiting for her return. She straightened her shoulders, ready to face them with the strength she had always shown.

"My Queen," one of them greeted, bowing slightly. "We were worried when you disappeared."

Rhea nodded, acknowledging their concern. "I needed some time to myself. But I'm back now."

The tribe members exchanged glances, relief evident in their eyes.

"I understand your worries," Rhea began, her voice steady and strong. "But I am here, and I will continue to lead you. I cannot abandon my people in this lifetime."

There was a murmur of agreement, and the tension seemed to ease slightly. Rhea took a deep breath, feeling a sense of resolve settling within her.

"Now," she continued, "We should return, I'm sorry for brining you out here."

As her people dispersed to attend to their duties, Rhea turned to Leo. "Where are my mates?"

Leo's gaze shifted, "I told them you didn't want to see them. And you'd only come out if they're out of sight."

Rhea laughed, "and Harley?"

Hearing her ask about Harley made Leo happy. "She's in bed."

"Thank you," she said softly. "For being here." When she was out of it he was the one who stood in the gap.

Leo smiled, a genuine warmth in his eyes. "Always, my Queen."

A/N: I will give you your own wife in another universe bluepool just wait for your happy ending.