Damon went through after her and saw an enormous cavern lit by numerous glowing corals and sponges along the sides. A bright orb of some kind of magic illuminated the center. Two thrones had been carved out of the opposite wall. Upon these thrones sat a handsome merman, the king no doubt, and an elegant mermaid that had to be the queen. They seemed a bit young until Damon reminded herself that the mer-folk did not age the same way humans did. These two could very well be a century old or more. Meanwhile, other mermaids and mermen drifted along the edges of the space, probably members of the court and such.
“Hold on. You’ve taken me straight to the king and queen?” Damon nervously whispered to Relia.
“You did wish to speak with them, didn’t you?”
“Um, yes. But isn’t there usually a waiting period? A time for both sides to prepare and get our thoughts in order-”
Relia tilted her head. “Wow, you humans are so tedious about these things. Why wait when everyone’s right here? Come on.” Without any more hesitation, she swam straight for the thrones.
Head still spinning, Damon did the same. Her brain went into a panic. Sure, this is what she had come for, but she had not expected to see the king so soon after arriving. She was entirely unprepared!
By now, several of the courtiers noticed the pair heading for the throne, but they made no move or comment as if this happened every day. Soon, Relia stopped right in front of the thrones, the breathless Damon right behind.
“Your Majesties, I bring a very important visitor from the surface. Please, allow me to introduce Prince Damon!” She wrapped an arm around Damon’s shoulders and pulled her into a companionable side-hug, almost touching cheeks as she grinned like a child having brought home a stray puppy.