Deleted Scenes Part 2

SPOILER WARNING: If you have not read Forbidden Sea do not read this post!






In an earlier draft of the story it was revealed that the Sea Queen was a widow. Because Jendayi had been raised in the Sea Queen's court, the prince consort (the Sea Queen's husband) had been like a father to her and they were very close when he tragically died. This scene took place as Adrianne and Jendayi are looking at the mosaic in the palace that depicts the birth of the merfolk race.


THE ORIGINAL SCENE BEFORE CHANGES WERE MADE:


"Where is the king in all this?" I asked.

"The king?" Jendayi cocked her head questioningly to one side.

"The Sea Queen's husband?"

Jendayi's swaying tail fell still. She turned her head slightly away as if examining the far left of the mosaic, but I had the feeling she wasn't really seeing what was before her. When she finally answered her voice seemed distant and hollow.

"Dakarai's prince consort died many years ago. Not long after the birth of their second son."

It must have been a tragic death. A loved one taken before their time. Young children left without a father.

Just like Papa.

With all her great power and alien majesty, Jendayi was no different than me when it came to her grief. It made my heart ache for her loss, but I didn't know what words to say that would make it better. I didn't know how to let her know I understood.

The silence stretched awkwardly between us and I decided it was time to move on to another subject.


For those who are curious. The Sea Queen's husband died while trying to save the lives of some human sailors whose ship had crashed into a reef during a storm. He was caught between the reef and a large piece of wreckage from the ship. Prince Dasarian was old enough at the time that he still has memories of his father, but his younger brother has no memory of him.