Then We Fly

by Rebecca Salas

  I looked at Fayre’s silhouette as the bright colors of the screen flashed across her face. She would stay here with her people and I would go home to mine. It was a sad thought; I had enjoyed my time with her here. But I didn’t allow the thought to get ahead of me, who knew how much longer I would have until Cora was ready to go home.

  I would enjoy my time here while I had it. Easing my back against the boulder, I reached my arm around Fayre’s shoulders and relaxed to watch our movie.

  Cora

  The sensation of my hair being brushed out of my face was too pleasant to really wake me up. The sensation of lips on my forehead however did the trick. I opened my eyes as Fynn leaned back into his seat smiling.

  “We’re here.”

  I didn’t allow my anxiety to win. I wrapped myself in the excitement of the immediate adventure. I had never been so far from home. I was entirely unfamiliar with this part of the world and its culture. I would only focus on the next few minutes and not worry about what was coming after. Fynn stood up and began digging through a bag, he brought back a gray scarf and placed it in my hands.

  “I hate to cover your hair, but it’s the law here and we don’t want to attract any unnecessary attention.”

  “Oh, alright.” I nodded and examined the scarf. Back on the Seal Islands the people walked around in swimsuits half of the time and in Iredaea they sometimes wore even less, I wondered if the standards in Cainhorn Palace would be different. I fumbled with the scarf for a few minutes while Fynn spoke with the stewardess. When he finished, she turned quickly toward me and gently helped me to secure the scarf on my head.

  Stepping out of the airplane door onto the stairs I was immediately faced with a wall of heat. Though the sun had gone down some time ago and the sky was black, the air still held its inexplicable heat. The heat was accompanied by heavy humidity. I could feel my hair begin to stick to my neck under the scarf and I began to desperately wish for a hair tie.

  After only a few moments in the open air Fynn and I were again seated in the back of an air-conditioned vehicle on our way to our next stop. I had done comfortably without air conditioning while on the island, but here I was grateful for the invention. I leaned close to my window looking out at the lights sparkling on the enormous skyscrapers, silhouetted by an even darker sky. So little was visible, but I strained to capture every detail of the darkened scenery. The city appeared wealthy and ornate, but so much was just my guess in the night.

  “I’m sorry we can’t stay a while for you to see the sights. The king wanted your presence as soon as possible and it’s better if we arrive in the dark. Less curious eyes watching. We might have the time on our return trip.” I nodded as I continued searching the skyline and trying not to think about what was ahead of me. Fynn’s warm hand slid on top of mine where it lay pressed against the cool leather seat. “It will all be alright Cora. Really. I’ve done this sort of thing a lot. And he’s not a bad guy. You’ll be safe with me.” He gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

  We reemerged to the dense heat and were quickly on another dock and another elegant yacht. As soon as the boat began to pull out to sea, Fynn reached his strong hands up into my hair and delicately removed the scarf.

  “There.” He said as he ran his fingers through my hair. “I didn’t not expect to be so annoyed at seeing you made to cover your hair.”

  “You were annoyed?”

  “Cora, no one should tell you what to do. You’ve managed to avoid being put under others control. Seeing you made to do something that you didn’t choose was… upsetting. And besides that,” he reached up to smooth my brown hair where the humidity of the ocean air was beginning to make it frizz, “I love seeing your hair.”

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  Chapter Seven

  Dylan

  “They look like fat little worms.” Euan said as he poked each of my toes in turn, watching me wiggle them. He stuck out his tongue in disgust, a strangely human gesture for the mer child.

  “Don’t be rude!” Fayre scolded him, shooing him away. I laughed. While so many moments among these people were foreign, this one felt familiar. It made sense to me, unlike so much I had encountered here. Fayre looked at me, worried and embarrassed.

  “It’s fine, really.” I said, reaching out to mess Euan’s hair. The effect was lost here, under the water. There was no real arranging of hair to mess up, unless it was one of Fayre’s complicated braids. Euan’s hair was blonde and short, dancing around his head in small waves as the water moved him. He looked at me, confused at my gesture. I shrugged. “They’re pretty standard.” I began. “Actually, I’ve heard that human girls think I have pretty nice toes.” I polished my fingernails against my shoulder. As I looked up, I saw again that this gesture was lost on them. “They’re pretty helpful for balance and walking.”

  Euan nodded, this at least, seemed to make sense to him. He rested his fins against the sandy floor of their living area, acting out a standing position under the water. The room held low chairs, but everyone floated almost weightless around the room. It was easier to keep from floating away when my lungs were full of sea water, but it was still tricky to try to walk down here. I pressed my hands against the walls in a corner of the room, forcing my legs into a walking position.

  “Like this.” I exaggerated my movements for his benefit and Euan tried moving each fin separately as if they were his feet, they swished around at random while his body swayed giving me the impression of a penguin. I had to stifle a laugh.

  From the opposite side of the room, I was aware of Fayre’s watching gaze on us. Intently focused. She hadn’t wanted to bring me to meet her family initially and we had kept to ourselves, exploring the city. Recently, with her father away on work for the king, she had been confident enough to bring me around. And while the culture was different, the comfort of family was familiar, and I appreciated it.

  Fayre had tried to play it off as though her newfound confidence had nothing to do with her father’s absence, but I was sure that it was. At home girls were usually eager to show me off to their family, I still wasn’t sure what Fayre was afraid of. Her mom liked me well enough, even if she gave me a wide berth, as if having legs might be contagious. Still, she would smile and nod from the doorway when I passed and was happy to offer me food when I was visiting. Food I politely declined more often than not.

  Mer food, real underwater mer food, was not my kind of food. Seaweed was involved in almost everything and its too slimy texture was one that I couldn’t quite get over. And besides that, I still hadn’t figured out how to eat anything underwater without getting a mouth full of sea water and its bitter taste burned my throat with every breath. It was a constant grating in my lungs that I tried to ignore, but it never went away. Eating and swallowing the saltwater was not something I could manage.

  “How do you dance with those?” Fayre’s glittering voice turned all my thoughts to her. She floated there, eyes wide with curiosity.

  “Me? I don’t dance very well, but my feet have nothing to do with that. That’s more due to a lack of trying. But there are plenty of people with legs and feet who can dance very well.”

  “I’ve heard that your body is heavier out of the water.” Phoebe, one of Fayre’s little sisters, pipped in. “It doesn’t sound fun to dance where you would be heavy.” She twirled around, taking Fayre by the hand, pulling her over to dance with her in the center of the room. They swayed and spun together, giggling in the otherwise music-less room.

  “You’re definitely more graceful than I am.” I complimented Phoebe as she dipped into something that resembled a curtsey.

  “My girls are the most graceful mermaids in Iredaea.” A deep voice came from the doorway and Fayre’s smile disappeared, her eyes wide in panic. I followed her gaze to the merman who floated just outside the doorway, his arms laden with boxes. He was a large man with blonde hair like all of his children, because there was no doubt that this was Fayre’s father, ret
urned early from his business. He looked away from his now still daughters and assessed me briefly. On eyeing me his bright smile faded and was replaced with a scowl.

  “Who are you?” He asked curtly, his eyes pointedly inspecting my feet and legs.

  “Daddy, this is Dylan.” Fayre found her voice and swam over, placing her own body between us, as if it were a shield. Whether it was to protect me or hide me from sight I wasn’t sure. I leaned my head out from behind her and waved, giving my best dad disarming smile. Unsurprisingly, he wasn’t impressed.

  “I asked the… boy.” He seemed to have trouble deciding what to call me.

  “I’m a friend.” I answered for myself, not wanting Fayre to have to take any chastisement on my behalf. “My sister and I have been staying topside for a few months.”

  His eyes narrowed. “And what, may I ask, are you?” He sniffed, as if the answer would be in the way I smelled.

  “I’m a...” I struggled for an answer that he would like, did it matter what I was? “Part human part ondine. Though, I was raised as a human, I didn’t even know about the other side of my family until recently.” I offered, pouring friendliness into my tone. He didn’t look impressed, or even mollified. His jaw clenched. “I’m related to Zoya.” I said, my last hope of making friends fading.

  “Out. Now.” He spoke barely above a whisper. I looked to Fayre, offering her my most apologetic smile, before swimming at my fastest pace out of her house. Out and up and back toward the warmth of the sun. Breaching the surface, I felt its warmth on my face, a gentle breeze at my back. The transition to air was a welcome reprieve to my lungs.

  “Wait.” Fayre’s voice was even more clear and melodic above the water.

  I turned to her, trying not to look frustrated. “What is it?”

  “I’m sorry. About my dad.” She spoke slowly seeming unsure of herself. “He’s pretty traditional. Mixing with anyone who isn’t mer isn’t really acceptable in his mind.” She reached out one hand and gently touched my arm. I smiled unable to be annoyed with her. She hadn’t done anything wrong, and I honestly didn’t know her father or this world well enough to know if I should be annoyed. I shrugged.

  “Don’t worry about it, Fayre. I’ll just have to show him that I’m totally awesome.”

  She smiled brightly. “Exactly!” She was enthusiastic. “I’m positive that he’s never met anyone like you before and he just needs a chance to get to know you”

  “Although,” I paused, “it’s going to be tricky for him to learn to like me if he sends me away the minute he sees me.”

  Fayre nodded. “I’ll work on him.”

  Cora

  “Well, you’re cute.” The tall blonde man with a scruffy beard announced with a smile as he walked through the cabin doors to greet Fynn and I on the deck.

  “Back off.” Fynn answered with a smile while briskly hugging the man who was still a stranger to me. The man continued to eye me enthusiastically while extending his hand to me in greeting.

  “Cora, meet Dorian. He’s the captain and will be helping us get into Ellinghead Isle.”

  “Pleasure to meet you.” Dorian said while still holding my hand and winking at me.

  “Sure.” I looked at Fynn with an uncomfortable smile. Who was this guy? He released my hand and turned back to face Fynn. He was clearly handsome, even in the dark, and while I found his cheerful attitude refreshing it had completely caught me off guard. I had been exposed to so much cool formality recently. He patted Fynn on the shoulder.

  “Good luck keeping her to yourself. Even a blind fish could see she’s unique.” He smiled at me again, wagging his eyebrows.

  “Has there been any talk?” Fynn asked.

  “No, nothing so far. Everyone has been too distracted with plans for the gala. But seriously,” He looked me over again, a hint of concern coloring his playful expression, “all bets are off once she steps foot on the island. She’ll be a magnet for trouble.”

  “Which I’ve been trying to avoid.”

  “You’re not the only one with concerns. I got a call from Oran shortly after I spoke with you. I haven’t had a conversation with him in ages, it was weird. What’s with him?”

  Fynn rolled his eyes and sighed deeply.

  “It’s complicated, but he’s an idiot.”

  “Hahaha! Well yeah.”

  Fynn had always been playful with me, but it was so pleasant to see him relax with other people. He was always tense with Oran, and I had rarely seen him react with other people now that I thought on it. It made me wonder if I really knew him. I liked seeing this side of him.

  “Genius put himself under a spell while hoping to catch her for himself.”

  “He didn’t!” Dorian laughed, a look of surprise on his face.

  “Did he not know what…” Dorian trailed off, pointing to me with his eyes.

  “I told you, he’s an idiot.”

  I had little time to wonder at their conversation as right then a crew member approached Dorian.

  “We’re approaching the wall, Captain.”

  “I’ve got it, thank you.” The man hurried back through the doors and Dorian turned to face me. “Want to see something fun?” He held out a hand to me and Fynn smacked it away.

  “What did I say!” Fynn laughed as he playfully pushed Dorian back.

  “Can you seriously blame me for trying?” Again, Dorian pointed at me with his eyes as if I couldn’t see what he was doing.

  “Lead the way.” Fynn answered gesturing toward to front of the yacht. Dorian bowed low, sarcastically waving his submission.

  The sky was still dark, but the stars were bright and clearly visible. A full moon shone at our backs illuminating what looked like a sheer wall of fog. The barrier of mist rose from the surface of the water high into the sky, blocking the view of the stars in that direction.

  “What is that?” I asked.

  “It’s how we keep Ellinghead Isle protected from the outside world,” Dorian proclaimed. “No one gets in without the King pulling it down or someone like me opening the way. As much as Fynn would like to keep you to a secret, he can’t do everything by himself. And Byron isn’t pulling down the defenses for one visitor, however special she may be.” Here Dorian bowed his head ever so slightly, a sincere gesture to me. He looked back out at the mist. “Ready, Cora?” He glanced down at me sidelong, his playfulness back in full force.

  “Let’s see what you’ve got.” I couldn’t help but respond in kind to his lively attitude.

  Dorian leaned his elbows against the rail in front of him, the back of one hand resting against his lips. He waved his fingers, a subtle gesture. In front of us the wall of fog began to move. A round section, a little bit larger than the ship began to swirl clockwise.

  Another slight gesture from Dorian, almost like he was flicking a finger slowly and the swirling section began to push back and the yacht followed it in. As we passed into the tunnel of fog that Dorian had cut out, all sight of stars disappeared and we were left surrounded by the glow of the fog as it reflected back the lights from the ship. As the tunnel stretched on, I was left feeling like we were standing still, the surroundings were so constant.

  I looked to Fynn for confirmation that this was right. He seemed calm. The silhouette of his disheveled brown hair was backlit by the light reflecting off the wall of fog behind him. His strong hands rested across the front rail, no hint of tension in them.

  “Will we be in the fog for long?”

  “The barrier has been extended recently; it wasn’t always so thick.”

  “Has there been any more trouble recently?” Fynn asked.

  “Just some persistent Somali pirates. Next step is to start singing to them. Idiots are going to get a lot more than they’ve bargained for if they keep it up.”

  “Nothing less than they deserve, I’m sure.”

  “We’re coming out now, see.” Dorian pointed ahead to where the glow of the fog was no longer visible. Sure enough, in a moment we were
free of the fog and out on the other side. Ahead of us blazed the many sparkling lights of an island city. The center held a castle twice as large as Oran’s. The island seemed to bustle with life, lights moved back and forth marking a road and cars along one side. I had become so used to the Seal Islands and Muria Castle, I had expected Ellinghead Isle to be similar, I was wrong.

  It was only a few moments before we reached the marina and docked the yacht. Even in the dark there was some bustle of movement around the place. I was surprised when Dorian followed us into the waiting car headed for the castle.

  “Party tonight. He’s not going to be available.”

  “Of course there is.” Fynn sounded annoyed. “It’s going to complicate things.”

  “She’s here now Fynn, there’s not much chance left of keeping her to yourself.”

  I had been quiet for a long time, trying to observe and understand what was going on around me, but I didn’t like being talked about as if I weren’t even there. I cleared my throat.

  “Right here. What are you talking about?”

  “Forgive me,” Dorian turned to me, “it’s just that you’re going to attract a lot of attention here. And not all of it will be good.”

  “What makes you think that Fynn is trying to keep me to himself?” Up until this point the only person who really seemed to be trying to keep me to himself might have been Oran. Dorian looked surprised and a little embarrassed, as if he didn’t know how to respond, he looked back to Fynn for the right answer.

  “Oran wasn’t the only one who didn’t want you brought here Cora. I agreed that it was for the best.”

  “But why? Aside from Oran’s infatuation what’s the danger? Honestly, I don’t know why the king would want to see me at all? If it’s only about dreaming, I’m sure Ophelia could do a better job. And as it is, I’m not even half ondine.”