Holly had absolutely no idea where he was taking her. But it felt like they were swimming at a rate of speed that she could hardly even comprehend. As she looked at him, she couldn't help but smile. There was almost a childlike innocence in his expression. Like a young boy taking his best friend to show them his secret hiding place.

With that she closed her eyes, she nestled her head next to his shoulder. It was as if being next to him made her invincible, and she was terrified to let go of him. Eventually they began to slow down. As they did, she opened her eyes. Damor then looked at her and smiled. He then pointed, using the Trident, showing here where he wanted her to look.

Holly couldn't believe her eyes. It was a family of beluga whales, two adults and two adolescents.

They're incredible! She thought in amazement.

The male is Zeno, and the female is Zora. Damor told her. As Holly was in complete awe of the family of whales, the bigger one swam over to them. Damor reached out, and and touched it's head.

Hello old friend. Said Damor telepathically. Yes, this is the one I've been telling you about.

Holly could hear the whale response in her head, but she had no idea what it was saying.

Can you understand him? She asked.

Yes. Said Damor. Zeno says he's glad to finally meet you. He also says I'm very lucky. He thinks your beautiful, and that your outer beauty is only surpassed by your inner beauty.

He did not say that! Laughed Holly.

Oh I can assure you he most definitely did. Replied Damor as he smile back at her. Believe it or not, mermen are incapable of lying to their mates.

Okay, not I know you're lying about that. She replied with a smirk.

I swear to you, Holly. He replied. I will never lie to you. Even if I were capable, I wouldn't want to.

How is that even possible? She asked.

Long ago the mermaids had learned of how Zeus had treated his wife Hera, as well as his concubines. Damor explained. So they begged Aphrodite, to bless their chosen mates with the gift to truth. Once a merman falls in love, he is incapable of lying to his bonded mate. However Octomaids did not make the same prayer. As a result the Cacaelians have had many mates, and are not forced to always be truthful to any of them.

Cacaelians? Holly asked. Octomaids? What are you taking about? I don't understand.

Those men, who attacked your boat. He told her. The Octomen, their race are called Cacaelians. Just as I am the last of my kind, they are the last of theirs.

You mean the ones that attacked my father's boat? She cried. The ones that killed my my father, his crew, my mother, stepmother, and brother, that's what they're called?

Holly began to cry. She could still see the look of sadistic joy, on the face of the one, that made her watch him violently murder James. She didn't know what he desired more, her? Or watching the blood that he had spilled from James, as he helplessly died an excruciatingly painful death.

Damor held her close to him, as she cried on his shoulder.

When they attacked the ship. She began. Right before they killed my mother, she asked what they wanted. He said he wanted for me to bare his young. But I don't understand, what wouldn't they want Alicia? Why would they just want me? What's so damn special about me?

You're beautiful. Damor replied with a caring smile. He then gently placed his hand upon her cheek.

But so was Alicia. Holly replied. I begged him, I said I would go with him peacefully if he spared my brother. But that monster just laughed, and slowly killed him right before my very eyes. That's why I got so upset when you called me Holly Hobby, because only James called me that whenever—wait! How did you know that was my nickname? If you say you can't lie to me, then tell me now how you could possibly know that nickname?

I came upon your boat before they attacked. He sighed. I fell in love with you as soon as I saw you. How could any creature as beautiful as you, especially a human, even exist? More then anything, I wanted to approach you. But then I saw a young man hold you, and call you Holly Hobby. That's why I thought it was your name. I also thought you had been claimed as his mate. So I decided to just forget about you. But then after I got far enough away, I decided to take one last look at the boat that held my enchantress. That's when I saw that the Kraken had attacked. I swear I got there as soon as I could, you were honestly the only one I could save by then.

No, James was my brother. She replied. Growing up we always used to get on each other's nerves, but right now I miss him more than anything.

She then looked at the two young whales playing, and smiled.

Every child deserves a happy family. She remarked. Unfortunately what we deserve, and what we get, are not always the same thing.

I would love to give you a happy family. Said Damor as he smiled at her.

Before she could even respond, the adolescent whales made their way over to them. Holly couldn't believe how beautiful they really were. As she looked into their eyes, all she could see were innocent souls. Cautiously she reached out to them, and they rubbed us against her hand. She laughed, as they reminded her of a couple of playful kittens.

The mother whale soon made her way over, and started making many loud sounds. Holly became worried that she was angry at her for touching her children. Afraid, she took her hand away.

It's okay. Said Damor. She's just curious about the pretty lady whom her children seem so fond of.

The mother whale began to make other noises, as Damor looked at her and smiled.

We would be highly honored. He told the mother whale. He then made some strange noises, and if Holly did know any better she would have sworn that the female whale had nodded. Feeling confused, Holly looked at Damor.

What would we be honored to do? Holly asked hm.

They hadn't named their children yet. He explained. So they asked us to do it. I told her the most beautiful name I can think of for the little girl.

Oh really? Holly asked. What's that?

Holly Hobby. He replied with a smile. Zora thinks the name is perfect.

Holly could feel herself begin to blush.

Are you serious? She asked feeling beyond flattered.

Of course. He replied. But now you have to name the boy.

Oh, I don't think I—. Holly began.

Zora will be insulted if you don't. He explained.

Holly then watched the two of them playing together. If she didn't know any better, she would have thought the boy was mercilessly teasing the girl. At that point she couldn't help but smile.

I have the perfect name for the boy. She said. Jiminy!

Holly could tell that Zora seemed please with the name, as soon as Damor had told her in whatever whale language he could speak.

She likes it! He told her.

Did we really just name them. She asked.

Of course. Said Damor. I promise you Holly, I can't lie to you.

Holly looked at him, and smiled. She then leaned her head against his shoulder, as they watched the entire family of whales playing together. She had never felt so blessed. Not only was he as kind as he was handsome, but he was incapable of lying to her. Was it possible she found the perfect man?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Damor's joy soon started to turn to worry. True, he couldn't lie to her. But that didn't mean he couldn't keep information from her. The Cacaelians had told him that her stepmother was alive. However for all he knew they could be lying. But if this Alicia was really as beautiful as Holly said, then he knew they would have come for her too. And if Holly knew she was alive, she would want her rescued.

But that was impossible. If he went past the border, into Cacaelian territory, he would be vulnerable. And if they killed him, the entire sea with everything in it would be theirs. That would include Holly. Just like her, every creature of the sea would be at their mercy.

He made an oath, a long time ago to protect all creatures within the former Atlantean kingdom. And he had to up hold that oath. Holly just could not know the truth. Hopefully, since he was incapable of lying to her, she would never ask if her stepmother was still alive.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Are you sure they were communicating telepathically?" Asked and alarmed Algar.

"Positive." Replied Kree. "I could tell by the way they were interacting."

"Are you sure?" Algar asked again. "You said you could not hear them."

"Yes, brother!" Kree replied in annoyance. "Despite what you may think, I am not an idiot!"

"I never said you were." Replied Algar. "It's just that phase two of my plan was in the trial stage. This means that we'll have to risk it, and act know."

"What is your plan?" Kree asked. Algar gave him a wicked smile, and made his way over to a small metal box. As he opened it, he took out a platinum and diamond ring.

"Here brother." Said Algar as he handed it to Kree. "A gift for the fair haired Holly."

"What is this?" Kree asked as he took it from him.

"It's an engagement ring." Replied Algar. "Human males often give them to human females, when they try to entice them into marrying them."

"You want me to propose to her?" Asked Kree.

"No." Replied Algar. "Her father actually gave it to Alicia when he proposed to her. I know because I took it off of her ring finger the night we brought her here. She just assumed she lost it in all of the commotion after we rescued her from humanity. It is quite unique, especially compared to other types of engagement rings. I'm sure Holly will recognize it immediately."

"What good will it do?" Asked Kree.

"It going to do a couple of things." Replied Algar. "Most importantly, it will put doubt in her mind about the trustworthiness of the merman. It will help her to realize who she truly should belong to. Don't worry, brother. By this time tomorrow, both kittens will be ours."