They say we are descended from the water goddess Mélusine and can take mermaid form. The women are given special powers to listen to the voice of the water and men can control the seas. But over the years, madness had spread in our family. year a child is born in my family another dies. A life sacrified to the angry goddess. My grandmother had twelve children, two out of ten borns were born with the royal disease. One died in childhood, my mother's twin Arthur. And the other is a so fragile my grandfather resents my mother for his disorder. Despite this they are cordial enough to through me a coming out ball this season. It's winter and I bundle up in my petticoats and await my aunt's carriage. My aunt Alexandra is my Uncle James's third wife insisted we start my coming out in her house town of Moscow. My grandmother was delighted with the idea. My English duke grandfather not so much. Valentine's Day is the day my London debut is scheduled and I couldnt be more thrilled. My aunts hade complied a list of suitors for me and I cant help feeling like a piece of cattle on auction.