"So," King Zeo said, beckoning Astra to sit down next to him. "I hear your a mermaid. How is it like being on the surface?"

Astra sat down next to him painfully aware that for the first time in her life everyone's eyes were on her. Not in the kindest of ways though. Every girl in the entire dining hall was glaring at her. Honestly, Astra wasn't sure if she liked the attention. Astra had been craving for someone to notice her for her entire life... but now that it was actually happening Astra wanted to curl up in a ball and hide. "It's different then what I'm used to," Astra answered.

Seeming satisfied with Astra's answer the King goes on and talks about all the wonderful things up on the surface, using way to many first person pronouns: I once climbed the tallest mountain in all the world all by myself when I was only sixteen I personally loved it... In truth it was kind of cute, seeing the king gloat happily about all of the different accomplishments he had. Unlike Astra's stern father, this king a much more caring and open kind of king. Unquestionably adored by his people.

Before Astra knew it the two of them had went through seven rounds of desert. The kings love for sweets was almost as cut as his love to gloat. When the king asked Astra to the dining hall Astra had expected to eat dinner first. However seeing the fish on everyone else's plates made her glad the the king, was only interested in cakes, candies, and pastries.

"Well, I'm full," King Zeo said, wiping some icing off his mouth with a golden handkerchief. "What about you Miss?"

"I couldn't eat another bite," Astra said, realizing it was the first time she had spoken since the beginning of their conversation. His voice was just so interesting that you didn't want him to stop talking.

"In that case I would like to show you something," King Zeo said standing up, "follow me." I obeyed following him through the ships's halls. Eventually we came back to the library. I stopped for a minute staring at the chair where I had been crying for so long. Looking back at it Astra couldn't help but think of how childish she had been, like crying was going to fix anything.

"Are you coming?" the king called back waking Astra from her trance.

"Um, yeah," Astra replied hurrying into the direction of the king's voice.

"Here," King Zeo said handing an important looking book to Astra. "You can have this. It's a one of a kind so be careful with it."

Upon touching the book Astra felt a spark of Magic flow through. "Is this the grimoire?"

Zeo winked at me. "The one and only."