The Merman King’s Bride: A Fairytale Romance by Mona Black Chapter 17– Selina

These excerpts depict a scene from a fantastical romance between a human woman, Selina, and a merman king, Adar. The narrative follows their journey through a magical world filled with faerie elements and cursed kings. As they travel, the pair navigate political intrigue and a deep, developing connection. Selina grapples with leaving her world behind, embracing the reversed colors of the land where her heart belongs. Their relationship culminates in a proposal, as Adar seeks Selina’s hand to be his queen. The narrative has a fairy tale quality.

The Merman King’s Bride: A Study Guide

Quiz

Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.

1. What does Selina observe about the world as she crosses from her own reality into Adar’s?
2. Describe Adar’s physical appearance as Selina first observes it.
3. What is the significance of the “opal town” or Merfolk Fae?
4. What crucial decision must Selina make before crossing the gate into the kingdom?
5. How is Adar’s appearance (as perceived by Selina) altered as he ascends to the throne?
6. What happens to the land and water after Adar is crowned king?
7. What is the prophecy surrounding Adar and Selina?
8. What is the significance of Adar’s remark, “I will let me see it one day?”
9. What is the “curse” that seems to afflict the Fae Kings?
10. Explain the significance of the final image presented in the excerpt: Adar and Selina laughing while wearing the crown.

Quiz Answer Key

1. Selina observes that the world is reversed, including the colors and creatures inhabiting it. The place she is going is also where her heart is.
2. Adar is described as having shining eyes filled with desire and affection. His loose hair is a deeper blue in this human-like form, the roots almost black, the ends a bright azure.
3. The opal town, or Merfolk Fae, is the second nature of the people. It is a shimmering city built on an island in the middle of a lake, and the people have scales on their hands.
4. Before crossing the gate into the kingdom, Selina must decide to become Fae and cross over irreversibly, which is why she must declare that she belongs to Adar and the Fae realm.
5. As Adar ascends to the throne, his appearance is slightly altered. He appears more radiant.
6. After Adar is crowned king, the land and water change to accept him and Selina, transforming the environment to better suit them.
7. The prophecy stated that Adar was to be in the human world and that someone (presumably Selina) was supposed to break the curse afflicting the Fae Kings.
8. The quote reveals Adar’s hidden pain and implies that he is not always able to see or feel happiness. He craves the ability to genuinely experience joy.
9. The nature of the curse isn’t explicitly stated, but it seems to involve unhappiness, sorrow, and a kind of stagnation or lack of genuine emotion among the Fae Kings.
10. Adar and Selina wearing the crown symbolizes their partnership and the beginning of their reign. The laughter suggests a breaking of the curse and the beginning of joy.

Essay Questions

1. Explore the theme of transformation in “The Merman King’s Bride.” How do Selina and Adar undergo transformations, and what is the significance of these changes?
2. Discuss the concept of “otherness” as it is presented in the excerpt. How is Selina portrayed as an outsider, and how does Adar challenge or subvert these perceptions?
3. Analyze the role of setting in creating mood and atmosphere. How does the author use descriptions of the environment to enhance the fairytale romance?
4. Examine the theme of choice and destiny within the narrative. To what extent are Selina and Adar’s actions determined by fate, and where do they exercise free will?
5. Discuss the ways in which “The Merman King’s Bride” engages with and subverts traditional fairytale tropes.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Fae: A magical, often ethereal race of beings often associated with nature, magic, and mischief. In this excerpt, they are specifically associated with an underwater kingdom.
• Adar: The Merman King, heir to the throne of the Fae kingdom. He appears to have been in the human world before meeting Selina.
• Selina: The protagonist of the excerpt, a human woman who crosses over into the Fae realm and is destined to be the Merman King’s bride.
• Opal Town/Merfolk Fae: The city, and people, which serves as the “second nature,” or home, for the Fae.
• Curse (Cursed Fae Kings): An unspecified affliction that affects the Fae Kings, possibly involving sorrow and a lack of genuine happiness.
• Gates to Faerie: A specific location (e.g., Silver Mirror Lake) where the boundary between the human world and the Fae realm is thin.
• Transformation: A change in form or nature. In this excerpt, it refers to the alterations Selina and Adar undergo.
• Prophecy: A prediction of future events, often with great significance. In this excerpt, it relates to Adar and Selina’s destiny.
• Throne/Crowning: A symbolic seat of power and authority, the act of placing the crown on Adar’s head solidifies his reign.
• Reversed World: Inversion of colors, land formations, etc., that Selina observes as she crosses into Adar’s realm.

The Merman King’s Bride: A Fairytale Romance

Okay, here is a briefing document summarizing the provided excerpts from “The Merman King’s Bride: A Fairytale Romance (Cursed Fae Kings).”

Briefing Document: “The Merman King’s Bride: A Fairytale Romance (Cursed Fae Kings)”

Summary:

This excerpt details the beginning of a fairytale romance between Selina, a human woman, and Adar, a powerful Fae King (implied to be a Merman King due to the mentions of Merfolk and the aquatic themes). Selina travels from her world to the realm of Faerie, specifically to meet Adar. Their meeting involves a carriage ride through a mystical landscape, a deep plunge into a lake, and culminates in a public coronation and marriage proposal. The narrative emphasizes the magical and transformative nature of the Faerie realm, the instant connection and growing affection between Selina and Adar, and the political implications of their union, as Adar’s kingdom appears to be cursed and facing unrest. There’s a strong “Beauty and the Beast” vibe, with Selina seemingly drawn to a potentially dangerous and unconventional figure.

Main Themes and Ideas:

• Crossing Between Worlds: A major theme is the transition between the human world and the realm of Faerie. The journey is described as a rebirth or a transformation. “They are still, deep places, the water acting as a medium to soften the transition from one world to the next. Like a birth. A rebirth.” This crossing is not straightforward; it involves lakes, ponds, and a merging of realities.
• Fate and Destiny: The story implies a predetermined connection between Selina and Adar. Selina seems to be following a path laid out for her. Adar states, “Never. Sometimes you know from the start who your soulmate is. I knew from the start you were mine.” Their union feels inevitable and transcends rational choice.
• Transformation and Acceptance: Selina experiences physical transformation upon entering the Faerie realm. Moreover, she needs to accept Adar for who he is. Selina says, “I knew it, too,” and “I take it with open arms.” She embraces the strangeness and potential danger of her situation.
• The Nature of Faerie and Merfolk: The text offers glimpses into the nature of the Fae and the Merfolk. The realm of Faerie is depicted as a place of reversed realities and strange beauty: “A strange world where much is reversed – the colors of the world, the creatures inhabiting it, the place the heart is.” Merfolk are presented as a distinct race with their own culture and settlements.
• Political Intrigue and Curses: Adar’s kingdom is facing unrest. Adar’s face is described as being “too angular and harsh to look beautiful to me” and we see that he has brothers who are in conflict with Adar over the throne. The curse seems to be lifted or alleviated by Selina’s presence. The story alludes to a curse affecting the land and Adar himself. Selina’s role appears to be intertwined with the fate of the kingdom and the removal of the curse. “The land and the water must be suffering from your flimsy, superficial magic. The land and the water chose me and accepted me as their King. While I am alive, there can be no other.”
• The Concept of “True Love”: The book leans heavily on the idea that when two true souls find each other, all other concerns fall by the wayside. Selina says: “I never knew I could cry from happiness. I’ve never been so happy before. “Yes,” I whisper, and then louder, “yes. I will.””

Key Facts and Ideas (with quotes):

• Selina travels to Faerie via carriage and lake. She knows that gates are linked to Faerie. “I never thought that reading so many stories might prove useful. I know of several spots on the map marked as Gates to Faerie, and since the Silver Mirror Lake is still closed, we’re heading for the next one.”
• Adar is a powerful, yet potentially dangerous, Fae King. “I gape at him and nod, turning to look behind. I keep forgetting he’s a magical being – a King of Faerie, his power beyond anything I can fathom. That he’s powerful, a powerful Fae King and not a merman trapped in a lake anymore.”
• There is a strong physical and emotional connection between Selina and Adar. “Gazing up into his shining eyes, his wide grin, makes me dizzy with desire and affection. His loose hair is a deeper blue in this human-like form, the roots almost black, the ends a bright azure that reaches his gaze.”
• Selina’s presence has an effect on Adar and his kingdom. “His eyes shine even brighter, his eyes brightening more. “Then let me show you the way.” The water turns “pale rose” to reflect Selina.
• The Merfolk consider the land to be their second nature. They welcome the idea of Selina ruling with Adar. “”People really like water.” “Surprised?” he chuckles. “We are Merfolk. It is our second nature. Our second element.””
• Adar is King, but has brothers with whom he has conflicts. He is the rightful King.

Overall Impression:

The provided excerpts set the stage for a compelling fairytale romance with elements of fantasy, intrigue, and transformation. The story seems to explore the themes of destiny, acceptance, and the power of love to overcome curses and bridge divides between different worlds. It is a standard fairytale that has Beauty and the Beast elements, but a more mature tone than that.

The Merman King’s Bride: Fairytale Romance (Cursed Fae Kings)

Here’s an 8-question FAQ based on the provided excerpts from “The Merman King’s Bride: A Fairytale Romance (Cursed Fae Kings)”:

• What is the setting like at the start of the journey?
• The journey begins with the protagonist, Selina, in a carriage traveling over rough patches in the road through sparse woods and shrubland. The landscape includes cultivated fields and farms, and a distant town that they are not heading towards. The story takes place in a world where one can cross over into Faerie.
• What is the significance of the ponds and lakes they encounter?
• The ponds and lakes, or still waters, are depicted as more than just bodies of water. They are considered places where the water acts as a medium, softening the transition from one world to another. They act as a rebirth. They serve as a gateway to a world where everything is reversed, as the colors of the world and the creatures inhabiting it is reversed.
• Who is Adar, and what is his relationship to the protagonist?
• Adar is a powerful Fae King, described as magical and capable of mist blending. Selina is drawn to him. He claims that he is someone who has broken the curse on him and someone she was meant to be with in the human world. He desires Selina to rule with him, even placing a crown upon her head. Adar asks Selina to marry him at the end of the source.
• What is “Merfolk Fae” and how is it described?
• Merfolk Fae are described as a second nature, inhabiting a town built on an island in the middle of a lake. They are associated with the Opal Court and possess scales that glimmer in various shades of blue and gray.
• How does Selina feel about being with Adar?
• Selina experiences a range of emotions. Initially, she recognizes the gravity of leaving her world. She says she is happy and afraid. However, she states that she never could cry from happiness, indicating a deep and overwhelming joy in being with him.
• What is the atmosphere and imagery surrounding the Opal Palace?
• The Opal Palace is situated on an island, surrounded by a lake. The palace itself is bright and filled with flowers. It overlooks the lake and surrounding areas. The palace is described as full of splendor, elegance, and fluid curves.
• What is significant about the Crown?
• Adar picks it out of his hair. It is first placed on Adar’s brother, who protests that it is not his. Adar then places the crown on Selina, designating her as his Queen.
• What are some unusual or magical elements presented in the excerpts?
• The world-crossing via bodies of water, the existence of Fae and Merfolk Fae, the reversed colors of the alternate world, the ability of Adar to manipulate mist, the presence of cursed Fae Kings, and the magical properties of the land are all unusual and magical elements presented.

The Merman King’s Bride: Cursed Fae Kings Story Summary

The story “The Merman King’s Bride: A Fairytale Romance (Cursed Fae Kings)” features cursed Fae Kings.

Key plot points include:

• Adar is identified as a King of Faerie with magical power.
• Adar is under a curse. The land and the water must be suffering from Adar’s curse as well. The curse can’t be undone.
• Adar is referred to as “The King” who is back and is murmuring. He later kneels and asks Selina to marry him so she can be his queen.
• Gadiel presents Selina to Adar, a King of the Fae whose curse has broken the curse on him.

The Merman King’s Bride: A Fairytale Romance (Cursed Fae Kings)

“The Merman King’s Bride: A Fairytale Romance (Cursed Fae Kings)” is a fairytale romance.

Key points:

• The story includes a King of Faerie who possesses magical power.
• The tale involves a marriage proposal from the King, Adar, to Selina.
• The narrative incorporates elements of fantasy and royalty, with characters like kings, queens, and princesses.

The Merman King’s Bride: Fairytale Romance Summary

“The Merman King’s Bride: A Fairytale Romance (Cursed Fae Kings)” features a Merman King.

Here’s what the sources indicate about the Merman King:

• Adar is identified as a King of Faerie with magical power.
• He asks Selina to marry him so she can be his queen.
• Gadiel presents Selina to Adar, a King of the Fae whose curse has broken.

Selina and Adar: A Fairytale Romance

Selina is a central character in “The Merman King’s Bride: A Fairytale Romance (Cursed Fae Kings)”.

Key points about Selina:

• Selina is traveling through a world that is the reverse of the one she knows.
• Adar kneels and asks Selina to marry him so that she can be his queen.
• Gadiel presents Selina to Adar.
• Gadiel indicates that Selina is the rightful King and a princess.
• Adar tells Selina that he wants her to be his queen and the queen of his heart, and asks her to marry him.
• Selina agrees to marry Adar.

Adar: The Cursed Fae King

Adar is a central character in “The Merman King’s Bride: A Fairytale Romance (Cursed Fae Kings)”.

Here’s what the sources indicate about Adar:

• King of Faerie: Adar is identified as a King of Faerie with magical power.
• Cursed: Adar is under a curse. The land and the water suffer from his curse. The curse has broken on him.
• Relationship with Selina: Adar asks Selina to marry him so she can be his queen. Gadiel presents Selina to Adar. Adar tells Selina that he wants her to be his queen and the queen of his heart and asks her to marry him, which she accepts.
• Physical Description: Adar’s eyes are described as fae, very unlike Adar’s, and although he has the relentlessly perfect beauty of the Fae, his face is too angular and harsh to look beautiful to Selina. Adar smiles with desire and affection. Adar’s grin fades and his voice grows sharp.
• Coronation: Adar lifts a hand and the crown lifts off his brother’s head. The crown floats over to Adar and then he places it on his head. The crowd gasps.

By Amjad Izhar
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https://amjadizhar.blog

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