Read The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea for Free Online

downward, and I grit my teeth to keep from blushing. After a few excruciating seconds, they move back to my face, apparently having found nothing of interest.
    Once more, he extends the knife, and this time I grab it andstep to the edge of the small dais, putting as much distance between us as possible.
    â€œKeep that with you,” he says. “A weapon forged in the human realm cuts sharp in the realm of the gods.”
    His advice is unnecessary. I would have kept the knife regardless, the only item I have left from my own world other than the dress I wear. Th e only connection I have to my family and loved ones.
    Shin claims to have stolen my soul, but why then do I feel like this—a sharp ache deep inside at thoughts of my family? Where does the pain come from, if not my soul?
    â€œMy grandmother gave me this knife.” I slide my thumb against the rough etching of a moon carved into the bone handle. “It belonged to her own grandmother, whom she said I reminded her of.” I roll the knife to the side, revealing the scar underneath, where I bled to make an oath to the Sea God.
    â€œ Th e song from earlier … was it your grandmother who taught you the words?”
    I slip the knife back into my short jacket. “She taught me many songs, as well as folktales and myths. She said that through songs and stories I could learn about the world, and about the people who live in it.”
    And about my own heart, but I don’t tell him this.
    Th en a thought occurs. How are we having this conversation? As I’ve been speaking, I’ve made no sound. I narrow my eyes. Can he read my mind? I wait. His face remains decidedly blank.
    â€œYou can read lips.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhy did you cut the Red String of Fate?”
    â€œTo protect the Sea God.”
    â€œFrom me?” I ask incredulously.
    Shin’s gaze moves to the boy-god on his throne, where throughout the commotion he’s remained asleep. “ Th e Spirit Realm cannot sustain a human bride. Your kind are weak, your bodies more susceptible to the dangers of this world. Anything could effectively kill you, if it so wanted. Th e Red String of Fate binds your soul to the Sea God. If you were to die, the Sea God might also suffer the same fate. To protect him, I severed your ties.”
    I try to make sense of his words. “Before, what did Kirin mean when he said I could retrieve my soul at the end of the month?” Shin doesn’t respond, and I realize he doesn’t know I’ve spoken, his gaze still upon the Sea God. I tug at his sleeve, and when he looks at me, I repeat my question.
    â€œIn a month’s time, you’ll have spent thirty days in the Spirit Realm. You will become a spirit then. As I said, human bodies are weak: Without a stronger tie to keep them grounded in this world, they—”
    â€œYou mean I’ll die?”
    â€œYou’d have died anyway,” he says, “in time.”
    â€œI’m sixteen years old. I’m supposed to have all the time in the world!”
    He scowls. “ Th en you should have stayed where you belong.”
    â€œMy world, the place where I belong, is being destroyed because of your world. If you won’t be bothered to fix it, then I will!”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œ Th e Sea God—”
    His eyes flash. “What about him? Oh right, your precious myth. You believe only a human bride can save him, that he will fall in love with her. Th at he will save her people because of his love for her.”
    â€œNo.” I grit my teeth. “I wouldn’t be so naive.”
    â€œIt’s what your people believe. It’s what every bride before you has believed.”
    â€œYou can’t possibly know that—every bride has her reasons. Maybe some are not as grand as you’d like them to be. To know because of their sacrifice, their family will be taken care of when they’re gone, fed and clothed. To