The Merman King’s Bride: A Fairytale Romance by Mona Black Chapter 7 – Selina

The provided text is an excerpt from a fantasy romance novel, “The Merman King’s Bride,” featuring a scene where the protagonist, Selina, uses a card-reading to learn about her future and interactions with a merman. The passage focuses on Selina’s emotional journey as she grapples with the challenges of love, fate, and a magical world. Selina’s interactions with the merman highlight the central conflict and romantic tension of the story.

The Merman King’s Bride: A Study Guide

Quiz

1. Why does Selina question Lily about the ring she is wearing?
2. What does Lily mean when she says “I’m not careful?” in response to Selina’s warning?
3. What does Selina suggest about Lily’s role as a princess and how it affects her freedom to choose a husband?
4. Describe the purpose of the card-reading that Lily performs for herself and Selina.
5. What are the different meanings associated with the card symbols: a castle and a tree?
6. What do the cards reveal about Lily’s fate, and what does it have to do with her being a merman’s bride?
7. What is the meaning of the cards repeating themselves when Lily spreads them out to read?
8. What does Lily believe is the reason Adar has never told her that he is a Fae?
9. Describe the sequence of events that lead to Lily entering the water, and what does she experience when she is in the lake?
10. How does Adar save Lily at the end of the excerpt, and what does she experience?

Quiz Answer Key

1. Selina questions Lily about the ring because it does not appear to be an engagement ring and she wants to know why Lily would wear a ring that is not in keeping with her station.
2. When Lily says “I’m not careful” in response to Selina’s warning, she suggests that she doesn’t adhere to social conventions or traditional expectations of a princess and that she’s willing to take risks to be with the person she loves.
3. Selina suggests that although Lily is a princess, her freedom to choose a husband is limited by her royal status and that she has responsibilities and obligations as a princess that others do not.
4. The purpose of the card-reading is to reveal Lily’s fate and to shed light on her relationship with Iason, as well as reveal information about the past, present and future.
5. The castle symbolizes home and the tree represents the woods. When interpreted together, they mean a home in the woods and can be understood as a place of safety, and also a place where something can be hidden or changed.
6. The cards reveal that Lily’s fate is intertwined with a merman and that there are significant changes ahead for her. The repeating cards suggest the future is already set.
7. The cards repeating themselves when Lily spreads them out suggests that the present and the future are connected and that Lily’s fate is predetermined.
8. Lily believes Adar has not told her that he is Fae because he is cursed. This idea is further reinforced by Lily’s idea that Adar’s life has not been easy.
9. Lily enters the water because she has the sensation of being drawn to the lake, where she believes Adar is. When she is in the lake she feels fear and an overwhelming sense of pressure as the water pulls her deeper.
10. Adar saves Lily by pulling her up to the surface. She experiences a strong rush of air that fills her lungs, and she sees that he has a long, blue tail.

Essay Questions

1. Analyze the symbolism present in the excerpt, focusing on the cards and the lake, and explain how they contribute to the themes of fate and transformation in the story.
2. Compare and contrast the characters of Lily and Selina. How do their views on love, duty, and personal freedom impact their actions and interactions?
3. Examine the depiction of the Fae in the excerpt. How does the story characterize the Fae realm and what is their relationship to humans?
4. Discuss the elements of a “fairy tale romance” present in the excerpt. How does the story incorporate traditional fairy tale tropes while subverting reader expectations?
5. Explore the theme of identity within the excerpt. How do Lily’s identity as a princess and her feelings for Adar impact her journey, and how does the concept of Fae identity complicate these personal relationships?

Glossary of Key Terms

• Fae: A supernatural race of beings who are often depicted as having magical powers. Fae often have a complex relationship with humans.
• Merman: A mythological creature, part human and part fish, often depicted as male, with a human torso and head, and the tail of a fish.
• Fate: The predetermined course of events in a person’s life. Fate is often perceived as unavoidable or beyond an individual’s control.
• Omens: A sign or warning of a future event. Omens are often understood as supernatural or divinely inspired, and are used to predict or foretell outcomes.
• Card Reading: A form of divination that utilizes a deck of cards to interpret the present situation, and possibly give insight into the future or other aspects of one’s life.
• Cursed: To be under the effects of a supernatural spell. Curses are often perceived as bringing bad luck, misfortune, or other undesirable effects on the cursed individual.
• Tokens: Objects used as a form of social exchange, indicating intent, desire or commitment in relationships, and suggesting status and privilege in this context.
• Transfomation: The process of changing from one state to another, often through a magical or supernatural process. Transformations are often seen as a metaphor for personal growth, or a change of status.
• Symbolism: The use of objects, persons, places, or events to represent something else that is of deeper meaning. Symbols provide a means of making an idea or emotion concrete.
• Subversion: The act of undermining or overturning something established, in this case a narrative expectation. Subversion is the act of altering the expected order of a story to surprise, unsettle, or offer a new perspective on traditional or familiar stories.

The Merman King’s Bride: A Fairytale Romance

Okay, here’s a briefing document outlining the key themes and ideas from the provided excerpts of “The Merman King’s Bride: A Fairytale Romance (Cursed Fae Kings)”:

Briefing Document: “The Merman King’s Bride” Excerpts

Document Overview:

This document analyzes selected pages (60, 62, 64, 66) from “The Merman King’s Bride: A Fairytale Romance (Cursed Fae Kings),” focusing on the main themes, character motivations, and key plot points introduced in these excerpts. The protagonist, Selina, is navigating a complex situation involving her lineage, a pre-arranged marriage, and a connection with a mysterious figure named Adar.

Key Themes and Ideas:

• Destiny vs. Free Will: A central conflict is introduced around the idea of pre-determined fate versus individual agency.
• Forced Marriage: Selina, a princess, is expected to marry Prince Iason, a marriage dictated by her social standing and “lot in life”. As she says, “…a princess. Few women have the privileges you will have. Your lot isn’t so bad.” She objects to this lack of choice. “But maybe a peasant woman has more freedom in choosing a husband,” she argues.
• Seeking Control: Selina craves agency over her own destiny, not wanting to be “given to anyone to catch my fancy” and instead wishing to “choose… who will decide he wants me and nobody else, who will want to know what I like and try to share his interests with me.”
• Card Reading and Fate: The use of “My Moon Cards” is introduced. While Selina does not initially believe they define fate, she still follows their instructions, and her fear when she keeps drawing the same cards hints at a deeper level of belief. She even notes, “The cards had been the excuse I’d needed, the pretext to return to the haunted woods.”
• Forbidden Love & Mystical Connection: Selina is clearly drawn to Adar, a “merman,” despite the societal and perhaps supernatural barriers.
• Intrigue: Adar is intriguing because she’s warned to stay away from him, “you were so angry and that I should talk to you before you go and tell Prince Iason something awful next time he’s here.” He is “not careful” and this adds to her interest in him.
• Unexpected Connection: She states, “I’m not it’s not that I’ve been thinking about him every day and night since I last saw him. Not at all.” However, her thoughts seem to indicate that she has been thinking about him constantly.
• Drawn Together by a Bond: Selina says, “I follow my instincts” and goes to find him even after realizing it could mean her death. Her intense reaction to seeing his silhouette in the water implies a deep, perhaps supernatural connection, describing it as “an unfamiliar panic.”
• Family and Obligation: The excerpts also touch upon the constraints placed on individuals by their families and societal expectations.
• Pressure to Marry: The pressure to marry Prince Iason is largely due to Selina’s family and societal position and expectations. As Lily notes, “You need to rein yourself in and accept—”. It is implied that her status forces her to marry for power rather than love.
• Familial Disapproval: There’s a clear indication that her family does not approve of her interest in Adar as evidenced by the warning from her attendant Lily, “Something awful next time he’s here.” She may have even been threatened with physical harm if she keeps seeing Adar.
• Fae Realm and Curses: The presence of “cursed fae kings” and the nature of the merman indicates a fantastical element.
• Merman Lore: Adar is described as a “merman,” and Selina questions how this is possible, “It’s a merman. How is this possible?” It raises the possibility of a world where fantastical creatures exist.
• Danger: There’s a sense of peril linked to the Fae and the nature of Adar is unknown, but his connection to water makes Selina fearful that she might drown. She states, “I think I see shapes swimming underwater, dark shadows. My heart is threatening to give out. “Adar!””
• Self-Discovery: Selina’s journey involves not only navigating external pressures but also understanding her own feelings and desires.
• Questioning Her Feelings: Her frustration with having no agency over her love life, alongside her attraction to Adar, forces her to examine what she really wants. She says, “I don’t really want that.” and later “My life is slipping away to be someone’s wife and I can’t have it.”
• Facing Fear: Selina confronts her fear when she dives into the lake to rescue Adar. Her thoughts are clearly about impending death as she sinks. “I’m going to die here” she thinks as she feels herself drowning.

Character Motivations:

• Selina: She is driven by a desire for autonomy and authentic love, as opposed to a politically arranged marriage. Her curiosity about Adar and willingness to defy expectations indicates her strong will.
• Adar: His motivations are not as clear, however, the book implies that the reader should be wary of him, “He never hurt a hair on my head. He kissed me, true, and tried to hold onto my pendant—but that was to break a curse.”
• Lily: She acts as a voice of reason and caution, bound by tradition and societal rules. Her concern for Selina’s safety motivates her actions.

Key Plot Points:

• Card Reading: The repeated drawing of the same cards “a crown and a gate” emphasizes the themes of destiny and potential change.
• Discovery of Adar’s Identity: The revelation that Adar is a merman adds a fantastical element to the conflict.
• Selina’s Descent: Her descent into the lake to find Adar is the most action packed of the provided excerpts and implies a huge turn in the plot. Her desperation indicates how important Adar has become.

Quotes to Emphasize:

• Selina’s Desire for Agency: “I want a man, I whisper, ‘who will decide he wants me and nobody else, who will want to know what I like and try to share his interests with me.’”
• Conflict of Fate: “Is that so bad? You’re a princess. You’ll marry a prince. Few women have the privileges you will have. Your lot isn’t so bad.”
• Card Reading and Its Meaning: “A passage. A change. A crossing. A secret.”
• Selina’s Connection with Adar: “The cards had been the excuse I’d needed, the pretext to return to the haunted woods. The cards showed me the merman, so here I am. It’s not that I’ve been thinking about him every day and night since I last saw him. Not at all.”
• Panic and Desperation “I’m going to die here. More bubbles leave my mouth. My chest burns. My body spasms. I’m going to die.”

Conclusion:

These excerpts introduce a world of complex social structures, mythical creatures, and a passionate but forbidden love. Selina’s determination to break free from predetermined fate and pursue her heart sets the stage for a dramatic and engaging narrative. The interplay between free will and destiny, coupled with the mystical elements surrounding the Fae realm, promises an intricate and compelling story.

Selina and the Merman King

FAQ: The Merman King’s Bride

1. Why is Selina not wearing an engagement ring? Selina is not wearing an engagement ring because the ring she has is not an engagement ring but another token. It seems she is not engaged. In addition, there appears to be a focus on her freedom to make her own choices, which may be in conflict with a typical engagement.
2. What does the practice of “spreading the cards” mean in this context? Spreading the cards, in this context, involves laying out a series of cards with potent symbolic meanings. Selina uses these cards to reveal aspects of her future and destiny, particularly concerning her relationships. Each spread is interpreted for possible meanings and connections.
3. What is significant about the symbols revealed in the card reading? The cards reveal significant symbols like “a castle and a tree” meaning “home and a forest,” and “a flower, a bed, a fish, and a lake.” These symbols are then linked to the “two facets of her current reality,” suggesting that there are two main paths she will encounter. The cards also reveal a “crown and a gate,” implying a possible marriage or passage, and a connection to royalty. The central card, representing her fate, is a cross which symbolizes the “Tree of Life”.
4. What do the cards suggest about Selina’s relationship with Iason? The cards suggest that her relationship with Iason is a crucial part of her fate, implying a connection that is not easily avoided. They symbolize a hinge on which her life revolves, indicating that this relationship is not random but deeply tied to her destiny. The card reading hints that the link between them is pre-determined and has a connection to fate.
5. Who is Adar and what is Selina’s relationship with him? Adar is a merman, or someone who has “cursed Fae” blood, who is in some way connected to Selina’s fate. Selina seems to have a deep connection to him and is drawn to him despite having some hesitations. She expresses a strong emotional bond with him that seems very complicated by her perceived duty to Iason. She has had dreams of him and seems drawn to him. She thinks that “maybe a merman represents a link between two lives.”
6. Why is Selina compelled to go to the lake? Selina feels compelled to go to the lake because the cards had given her a “pretext to return to the haunted woods,” where Adar is. She feels a deep, almost magnetic pull to the lake despite recognizing the danger and a feeling of dread. This also seems connected to her “fate”.
7. What happens when Selina encounters Adar in the water? When Selina encounters Adar in the water, she is overcome by a powerful feeling of inevitability and a sense of a deeper bond. She is pulled down into the lake and thinks she is going to drown, but he saves her and is able to breathe underwater. He has also been thinking of her and has been waiting for her.
8. What central themes or conflicts are explored in these excerpts? Several key themes are explored including destiny vs. free will, duty vs. desire, and the allure of the unknown. Selina’s internal conflict between her societal obligations to marry Prince Iason and her deep, emotional pull toward Adar are central. Also important is the idea of identity, the idea of choosing to be with whom one loves, and the idea that the Fae/merman presence affects the whole of Selina’s life and future. The exploration of fate and how Selina grapples with this while maintaining agency is central.

Selina and the Merman King

The story revolves around the idea of a merman king’s bride and the events leading up to it. Here are some key points:

• Selina is the main character in the story [1].
• Selina is a princess, and she knows she is expected to marry a prince [1].
• She is not interested in marrying a prince and having her life decided for her, saying “I don’t want to go to balls and give tokens to anyone fancy and see who bites” [1]. She wants to marry someone of her choosing [1].
• Selina is upset with her friend William for not informing her that Adar was nearby [1].
• There are omens in the story, and she is told “The omens are good” [1].
• Selina uses cards to tell her future, and she spreads the cards several times to try to get answers [2].
• The cards show her two paths, a gate or a passage. They also show a flower, a bed, a fish, and a lake [2].
• The cards lead Selina to believe that she is meant to be with Iason. She thinks that “Maybe, yes, it only means that this person is a central part of your fate. A hinge on which your life revolves” [3].
• Selina and Iason both have tokens around their necks [3].
• Selina’s relationship with Adar is not clear at first. It is shown when she thinks “Maybe the symbol represents me, torn between a human prince with the promise of a normal life and a Fae King who has nothing to offer me but doubt and fear” [3].
• The reader learns that Adar is the merman [3].
• Selina goes to meet Adar at the lake and dives in. She is pulled down and loses consciousness [4].
• She then has a vision where she is rescued by Adar [4].

The Cursed Merman King

The sources mention cursed fae kings in the context of the story “The Merman King’s Bride” [1, 2]. Here are some key points:

• Adar is a Fae King who is described as cursed [2]. Selina thinks that Adar “has nothing to offer me but doubt and fear,” which suggests a negative perception of his nature or situation [2].
• Adar is a merman. Selina wonders, “I didn’t say it doesn’t mean he’s a merman. Maybe he is someone caught between two situations in life” [2].
• There is a suggestion that Adar’s curse is related to a previous love, and his past actions. Selina thinks “He never hurt a hair on my head. He kissed me, true, and tried to hold onto my pendant–but that was to break a curse” [2].
• The curse seems to affect Adar’s behavior. Selina says that “It’s hard to imagine being him–a Fae, a King, cursed, alone. I’ve never been alone in my life” [2]. She also wonders, “How can I blame him for trying? Wouldn’t I have done the same in his place?” [2].
• The story implies that Adar may be seeking to break the curse by finding a bride or love. It is suggested that “the pendant was to break a curse” [2].
• Selina’s fate seems to be intertwined with Adar’s curse. The cards that Selina uses to tell her future suggests that Iason is a “hinge” on which her life revolves [2, 3]. It later becomes clear that “Iason” is another name for Adar [2].
• There is a suggestion of a connection between the fae and the merman realm. The cards reveal two realms, a castle and the woods, implying a connection between the fae realm and the natural world. Also a merman is described as someone caught “between two situations in life” [2, 3].
• The symbols around the necks of Iason and Selina might play a role in Adar’s curse or the breaking of it [2].
• Selina’s experience in the lake reveals the extent of Adar’s suffering. When she drowns, she says “My body spasms. I’m going to die” and then he “pulls me up and until we break the surface of the lake.” This shows that he is able to save her, but that the lake represents death to her [4].

The Merman King’s Bride: A Fairytale Romance

The story “The Merman King’s Bride” incorporates several elements of a fairytale romance, including a princess, a cursed king, and a quest for love. Here’s an analysis of how these elements appear in the sources:

• A Princess and Her Duty: Selina is a princess who is expected to marry a prince, as is typical in fairytales [1]. She says “You’re a princess. You’ll marry a prince. Few women have the privileges you have. Your lot isn’t so bad.” [1] However, she is not content with this predetermined path and wishes to choose her own partner, which is a common theme in modern fairytale adaptations [1]. She states “I want more freedom in choosing a husband,” and “I want a man,” “who will decide he wants me and nobody else, who will want to know what I like and try to share his interests with me.” [1]
• A Cursed King: Adar is a Fae King who is under a curse [2]. This curse seems to isolate him and cause him suffering, as Selina says “It’s hard to imagine being him–a Fae, a King, cursed, alone. I’ve never been alone in my life.” [2] The curse also seems to be tied to his past, as Selina thinks “he never hurt a hair on my head. He kissed me, true, and tried to hold onto my pendant–but that was to break a curse” [2]. This introduces a central conflict that is common in fairytale romances where the love interest is cursed or in danger.
• Omens and Fate: The use of omens and fate is another key fairytale element in this story. Selina relies on cards to guide her decisions and her fate [3]. She is told “The omens are good,” which indicates the presence of an external force guiding her towards her destiny [1]. The cards show her different paths, and she believes that Iason is a “hinge” on which her life revolves [2, 3]. These elements suggest a sense of destiny and the importance of fate in finding true love.
• The Quest for Love and a “Perfect Marriage”: Selina’s desire to choose her own husband and not marry based on duty is another element common in fairytale romance [1]. She is told she will “miss this opportunity of a perfect marriage. The omens are good.” [1] This idea of a perfect marriage is often a central goal in fairytale romances, though in this case, Selina is interested in a love match that she chooses.
• Symbolism and Transformation: There is use of symbolism with the tokens that both Selina and Iason wear [2]. There is also symbolism in the images of the cards, and Selina believes that these symbols represent a connection between the human and fae realms [3]. The transformation of Adar from a cursed fae king to her savior in the lake is another element of fairytale romance [4].
• Obstacles and Trials: The journey of Selina to find her true love is not straightforward. She faces trials such as her internal conflict between a human prince and Adar and the danger of drowning in the lake [2, 4]. These trials are a common theme in fairytales and serve to test the strength of the characters and their love.

Selina’s Card Readings and Fate in The Merman King’s Bride

The card readings are a significant element in “The Merman King’s Bride,” serving as a tool for Selina to understand her fate and make decisions [1, 2]. Here’s a breakdown of their role in the story:

• Seeking Answers: Selina uses cards to seek answers about her future and her relationship with both Iason (Adar) and a human prince [1, 3]. She spreads the cards several times, indicating her need to gain clarity about her path [1].
• Symbolic Images: The cards present various symbolic images, each with potential meanings [1]:
• A castle and a tree: These represent the two realms, with the castle potentially referring to the fae realm and the tree suggesting the natural world [1].
• The woods: These are described as “my stomach knot”.
• A flower, a bed, a fish, and a lake: These images represent the different facets of Selina’s fate, with the fish and lake hinting at her connection to Adar [1].
• A crown and a gate: The crown could represent royalty or a significant opportunity. The gate and a passage could represent choices or paths in life [1].
• Two Paths: The cards reveal two potential paths for Selina: a “gate” and a “passage” [1]. This suggests a crossroads in her life and the need to make a significant decision. She must choose between her life as a princess with a human prince, or a connection with Adar, the cursed fae king [2, 3].
• Iason as a “Hinge”: After reading the cards, Selina believes that Iason is a “hinge” on which her life revolves, and that this person is a central part of her fate [2]. This indicates that her relationship with Iason is not accidental but is a key part of her destiny [2]. Later, it is revealed that Iason is another name for Adar [2].
• Fate vs. Free Will: While Selina relies on the cards to understand her fate, she also expresses a desire to make her own choices, suggesting a conflict between fate and free will [3]. She believes she should choose her husband, and she is not content with her role as a princess and the predetermined path that has been laid out for her [3].
• Interpretation: The cards seem to reveal multiple possible meanings, and Selina acknowledges that the same card spread can have different interpretations each time [1]. Selina says “Something has weirded you out. That’s why you spread the cards several times for me. Something’s off, isn’t it?” and the response she receives is “Maybe” [1]. She recognizes that her own feelings and thoughts also play a role in the way that she interprets the cards [1]. This highlights the subjective nature of fate and the role of intuition in understanding omens [1].
• Future, Present, and Past: When spreading the cards, Selina notices that the future, present and central cards remain the same [1]. This suggests that her fate may be predetermined, but also that she can still change her path [1]. The cards do not just show the future, they also reflect the present and past [1].
• Connection to the Fae Realm: The imagery of the castle and the woods on the cards could be a representation of both the human and Fae realms [1]. This might suggest that Selina’s fate is intertwined with both worlds [1]. The connection between the merman and the Fae realm also suggests that the cards are not just reflecting her human destiny [2].

Water Escape in The Merman King’s Bride

The theme of a water escape is prominent in “The Merman King’s Bride,” particularly in the context of Selina’s encounter with Adar in the lake. Here’s a detailed analysis of this element:

• Diving into the Unknown: Selina intentionally enters the lake to meet Adar, suggesting a desire to confront the unknown aspects of her fate [1]. This is a significant decision as she is not being forced to meet him there. This action can be seen as both a physical escape and a metaphorical one, where she is leaving behind her life as a princess to enter the world of the Fae.
• The Lake as a Barrier and a Trap: The lake is initially presented as a barrier or boundary. Selina thinks, “I’m trapped in the watery element, my every step meeting the resistance of the lake that’s slowing me down.” [2]. The lake resists her and pulls her down, suggesting that it is a dangerous and powerful force [2]. It becomes a trap for her, as she sinks and loses consciousness.
• Drowning and Helplessness: When Selina enters the lake, she quickly finds herself in danger of drowning [2]. She describes the cold, the darkness, and her inability to swim, stating “I can’t swim. Nobody ever taught me.” She feels helpless and is overcome with panic. She is pulled down and thinks, “My body spasms. I’m going to die” [2]. The water becomes a symbol of her own vulnerability.
• Adar’s Rescue: Adar’s emergence and rescue of Selina is a key part of the water escape [2]. After she loses consciousness, she feels him pulling her up, and his lips press against hers [2]. This scene represents a reversal of her drowning experience, and it shows Adar’s power and ability to save her from the water.
• Transformation through Water: Selina’s experience in the lake is transformative [2]. She goes from being a princess, who is “free” but trapped by her position, to a vulnerable person facing death. The water acts as a catalyst for her transformation, and it forces her to confront her own mortality. She is then rescued by the Merman, who has an “arrogant, strong body, a long blue tail, then up close a handsome face” [2]. This transformation is a common motif in fairytale romances, and it signifies the shift from the ordinary to the extraordinary, the human realm to the fae realm.
• Symbolism of the Lake: The lake can be interpreted symbolically as a liminal space, a boundary between the human world and the Fae realm. It is also a place of both danger and rescue. The fact that it is a place of transformation highlights its significance in the story and in Selina’s fate [2]. It is also associated with the merman, Adar, suggesting a connection between the water and the fae realm.
• Escape from Death: Ultimately, the water escape is an escape from death for Selina [2]. Adar pulls her from the depths, and he brings her back to life [2]. This adds a layer of dramatic tension to the story, and it also solidifies the idea that Adar is her rescuer.

The water escape in “The Merman King’s Bride” is not just a physical event but a symbolic one as well. It represents a crossing into the unknown, a transformation, and an escape from both literal and metaphorical death.

By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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