Then We Fly

by Rebecca Salas

  “I have no brothers.”

  “I’m sorry.” I stammered out my response and it sounded like a question. I wasn’t sure where she was going with that.

  “Nerine.” She said and when I still looked confused, she added, “My name.”

  “Ah, pleasure to meet you Nerine.” I dipped my head in the more formal mer greeting. “My name is Dylan.”

  “I know!” She continued enthusiastically. “Dylan Reed, Cora’s little brother. You have big things to do.”

  “I do?” I wasn't sure what to expect from this little girl. Still, she was so open and friendly I was determined not to scare away the first new mer to approach me in weeks.

  “You have special skills that are secret, and Cora will need your help. And you might be able to help your friend get what she wants too.”

  “My friend?” I assumed she was talking about Fayre. “What does she want?”

  Nerine’s eyes went wide, and her cheeks went red. “Oh no, that’s not my place to say. Hasn’t she already… I’m sorry, sometimes I lose track of time. Never mind that.” She waved her hand dismissively in a gesture that looked out of place in someone so young. “Cora’s going to look for Clytie. Which is dangerous enough, you must go with her. Go with her and make sure no one else goes.”

  While I hadn’t spent as much time with Fynn as Cora had, I could see how he watched her, always aware of where she was and so clearly protective. He knew a lot more than I did about this business that Cora was getting herself involved in. Why would it be better for me to be there instead of him? I wasn’t even sure who Clytie was, or why Cora would go. I was pretty much clueless to the whole business. Cora had texted me a few lines when she left saying that she was off on adventure with Fynn. I hadn’t been worried. I liked Fynn better than Oran. The way Oran watched her wasn’t healthy. It was like a man in the desert looking at water. It had made me uncomfortable for a long time. But even that I’d kept to myself, if Cora wanted my opinion, she’d ask for it.

  Nerine swam at eye level with me, her smile replaced with a look of pleading.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I answered truthfully. She looked down, thoughtful, nodded once and placed her hands on my shoulders, like my dad would before giving me a pep-talk. And in a flash of color my surroundings were gone, replaced by a starlit sky and a serpentine path up a cliff face. Cora and I walking, then swimming and then… I jerked back and Nerine released me. I was back in the ocean, watching this little mer child who stared at me with unnatural intensity.

  “You can’t let anyone else see. It’s too dangerous for her. For you both.” She relaxed and continued. “I think you would make an excellent big brother Dylan.” Her bright smile was back. “We’re going to have so much fun! Oh, and be patient with Fayre. She wants what you want.” With a swish of her tail Nerine disappeared in a swirl purple hair. I was left pondering what she had said, what she had shown me, and trying to make sense of it all. So much for enjoying my time before we had to go. One thing was for sure, I needed to talk to Cora.

  Cora

  The cool sheets were a welcome reprieve from the warm night air. I could easily stretch out in the large bed and relax after the evening’s excitement. The room that Ell had led me to was as elegantly decorated as my room at Muria Castle, and twice as big. Ell had offered to have someone come and unpack for me, but I had declined. Just because a distant relative was royalty by marriage didn’t mean I had forgotten how to put away my own underwear.

  So far, this trip hadn’t been what I was expecting. With the way Oran had worried, I had anticipated being attacked or something. I had not expected being invited to a party and treated like legitimate royalty. I wondered about the queen. Did she know about me? Did she care? Having more family would be nice. It would be nice to have my family grow instead of shrinking like it had thus far. The king had been nice enough, if not a little intimidating. I could see the resemblance to Oran in him but knowing about the generally long life of mer I had to wonder how old he actually was. And what about me? If it weren’t for the accident would my mom had lived an unusually long life? Would I? I had nothing to compare it to. Were there other part ondine part humans running around that I could compare notes with? Maybe the king would know. Fynn had been clear that he didn’t think I should let them know about the extent of my dreams, and I couldn’t argue with his reasoning, but maybe I could get some answers while still keeping some secrets of my own.

  Not for the first time since he had died, I wondered what my dad would think of all of this. Had he known, had he suspected? What would he say about all of this? And not for the first time I realized how much I could use his advice. I wouldn’t have to worry about hiding from him. He would have never seen me as a tool. What were the king’s plans for me? These thoughts swam around my mind as I drifted off to sleep to the sound of ocean waves out my window and the distant thrum of music.

  {MISSING SYMBOL}

  Sitting in the stone foyer, the cheery morning sunlight pouring in through some high window, I felt anxious about being called in to see the king. I twisted my hands in my lap and gave unnecessary attention to the lines of color running through the stones at my feet. To my left gentle footsteps approached. I looked up to see a familiar face. His tan skin was unchanged, his bearded chin and warm smile just as I had remembered it. I jumped up throwing my arms around his neck. He let out a soft chuckle and spun me in a bear hug. I felt the warm tears run down my cheeks.

  “Daddy?” I whispered; afraid he might disappear.

  “Cocoa.” I smiled at the nickname, one I hadn’t heard in so, so long.

  I looked up at his face. He seemed larger and more real than I had remembered. A million questions swam through my mind, but I didn’t want to ask them. I didn’t want to think about what this was. I didn’t want to say the words that would have me waking up. Because that’s what this had to be. I refused to even think the word.

  “I’ve missed you so much.” He breathed in deeply and placed me back on the bench where I had been seated and he took his place at my side. I felt small next to his large frame. He kept an arm around my shoulder, and I leaned into his side. Tears silently falling down my cheeks.

  “Me too, Daddy.”

  “How are you holding up?” He used his free hand to wipe a tear from my cheek. “And Dylan?”

  “We’re ok,” I nodded, “we’re doing better.”

  “I’m sorry, about all of this.”

  “You don’t have anything to be sorry for.”

  “Is Fynn taking good care of you?” His concern was sincere. I refused to think the word, I would make this last as long as I could. This is exactly what I had wanted. To talk to him about everything, and here it was. I would not spoil it.

  “I think so. Things have been weird. Did you know… all of this?”

  He smiled sheepishly. “I know more than I would like.” Of course, he would know, this was my dream. And there it was. The word I was avoiding. I held on with all I could. Don’t end. Not yet.

  “Who should I trust? What should I do?” The questions spilled out, desperate to be said before he faded away.

  “Trust Dylan, trust Fynn, trust yourself Cocoa. You are amazing, and more capable than you give yourself credit for.” Tears poured down my cheeks. The room faded as true light shone on my closed eyelids. I rolled over, curling to one side and wiping the cold tears from my cheeks as they were quickly replaced by warm ones.

  I replayed the dream over and over as I got dressed, thoughtlessly pulling on the nicest outfit I had prepared. A soft pink skirt that swept the floor and a simple white top. I tried to keep the tears back as I smoothed my wavy hair, leaving it to fall over my shoulders in a way I knew my father would have approved of. He had always loved my long hair. My thoughts were still on him when Ell came knocking at the door. Her cheery smile shifted as she looked at my face and was replaced with concern. I knew she had seen the evidence of my tears. I had gotten them under control, but only
a moment before.

  “Is everything alright?” Her eyes swept behind me into the room, as if she might find evidence to explain the tears.

  “Just a dream I had.” I smiled as sincerely as I could, but she her eyes narrowed, and she looked thoughtful.

  “If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. I know more than you may realize. And if Fynn is giving you trouble; I would be more than happy to see that he is dealt with.” At this she smiled like the thought of “dealing with” Fynn was particularly pleasant. I shook my head.

  “No, no. Fynn didn’t have anything to do with it.”

  Ell’s shoulders drooped, disappointed at this. Clearly Fynn wasn’t her favorite person. She led the way out of the room and down the hall.

  “We’ll be joining his majesty for breakfast in the small dining room.” I nodded even though I walked behind her and she couldn’t see me.

  “Will Fynn be there?”

  “Yes.” Her features tightened. And I couldn’t help but let out a short laugh.

  “What is your deal with him?” I asked with a smile, trying to be disarming.

  “The king may choose to trust him and use him for his particular abilities, but that doesn’t mean that I do. The loyalty of selkies can never be trusted.”

  I wondered at this. I had only had contact with two selkies that I knew of, one I didn’t trust at all and the other was Fynn. Fynn, who was one of the only people I trusted at this point.

  “What’s wrong with selkies?” I asked, as we rounded a corner and were met by my very favorite selkie. His eyebrows knit together.

  “Yea, what’s wrong with selkies?” Fynn asked, tossing one arm over my shoulder and walking with us.

  “No one with multiple allegiances should be trusted.” Ell answered with a cool smile. I looked at Fynn for an explanation and he only rolled his eyes, shaking his head.

  We were met by a set of tall wooden doors flanked on either side by well-built guards, one who I was sure that I had danced with the night before made eye contact and smiled quickly before resuming his formal posture and looking straight ahead.

  “Making friends I see.” Fynn whispered in my ear as we walked through to now open doors. I elbowed him and he laughed.

  The small dining room was not small by any standard that I knew. The long room was lined with tall windows all down one side throwing warm morning light across the table that could easily seat twenty. The opposite wall was covered with painted portraits in ornate carved wooden frames. Servants stood against the walls as if they were trying to disappear into them as we walked past. One such servant pulled out a chair from me as we walked to the back of the room and placed me directly to the left of the king. Fynn took the seat next to me, but my attention was drawn to the woman sitting opposite of me.

  Her appearance was striking in its familiarity. She sat poised on her chair; her long silver hair intricately braided down one shoulder. The silver didn’t look like the gray hair of an old woman, it was smooth and shiny, her face holding no hint of a wrinkle. Her features reminded me distinctly of Zoya. There was no doubt, this woman was the queen, and she was my great grandmother. Her smile was warm as she rose from her chair and Fynn stood back up from where he had just sat down. The queen flowed like water toward me, gliding more than walking. Like Zoya, she was short and dainty and as she came to my side, she opened her arms wrapping me in a warm hug. Her braids hung by my face and had a familiar smell that I couldn’t place.

  “I’m so glad to meet you, dear.” She spoke in a lilting voice.

  “Me too… your majesty.” I stumbled on what to call her. We may be related, but I didn’t know her. And in all my time with Oran, I had only ever called him by his name.

  “You may call me,” She stood back and began to walk back to her seat, “well, what would you like to call me?”

  “Your majesty?” I answered awkwardly.

  “No,” She said sharply, but in her delicate voice it still sounded kind. “That won’t work at all. We’ll come up with something.”

  Ell sat next to the queen, bringing the total to five seated at the massive table. At some signal that I couldn’t detect servers came forward placing breakfast at the table. Fynn looked at ease in the formal setting and I glanced sidelong at everyone before touching anything, trying to follow the lead of anyone who might know better than I did how to behave in the scenario. I was grateful when the king spoke as a distraction from my anxiety.

  “Cora, I’m aware that Fynn hasn’t given you much information regarding my plans, and that’s in part because he didn’t have all of the information himself. Fynn has a special role to play in my kingdom and it requires a good deal of discretion. I am hoping that you will be willing to fill a similar role.”

  I looked up at Fynn, hoping to gauge his response to this. Unfortunately for me, his features were smoothed into a mask of general indifference. I knew him well enough to know that he had an opinion, but it seemed that he didn’t want the present company aware of it. I was left to sort through this on my own.

  “How so?” I tried to school my own expression. If Fynn didn’t want his feelings known, perhaps I should keep mine to myself as well.

  “First, I need to know that you are trustworthy.”

  “Byron.” The queen raised a delicate eyebrow and the king placed his hand on hers nodding.

  “I am well aware of your family connections,” the king smiled to his queen and then looked back to me, “also I am aware of Oran’s opinion as well as Fynn’s.”

  Fynn continued to chew slowly, seeming more interested in his food than the conversation. I couldn’t help but wonder what opinion of me Oran had shared with his father. I tried not to blush at the thought.

  “Accordingly, I have chosen to bring you here. Still, this business will require a more substantial assurance that you will keep the secrets shared with you.”

  I remembered the musical spell of sorts that Fynn had put on me previously so that he could tell me some of his secrets, and I wondered if this would be along those lines. Another thought occurred to me. Did I want this? I wanted to know Fynn’s secrets, and I didn’t like being in the dark. I had agreed with Violet to help rescue Naida, and I thought this might help. Still, I wasn’t sure if I wanted whatever responsibility would come with it. I could choose to know more or remain ignorant it seemed, but I was certain I wouldn’t get to choose the consequences of that information or of my involvement here.

  “Do I have a choice?” I asked, sincerely wondering if it would be as easy as saying no thanks. I hadn’t decided yet what I wanted but knowing if the choice actually existed would be a good place to start.

  “As a member of this family there are some expectations that are inescapable. However, your involvement in this particular aspect of our affairs is optional. If you are unwilling, I will have to look elsewhere for assistance.”

  “Why do you even think that I would be useful?” This was one of my bigger questions. Oran and even Fynn had made it seem like they were trying to keep me out of the public eye and away from the attention of the king. And it had seemed like he was uninterested in me, not even acknowledging the whole Blake trying to kill me business. What had changed?

  “I’ve had my eye on you, Cora. You seem to have more ability than what your own family tree would naturally entail. Admittedly, Oran’s distinct affinity for you played into my assessment, but I would have to say that I do not think his opinions are entirely biased.”

  My heart stopped. What had Oran said? He himself told me he didn’t want me involved with business here. Had he inadvertently been the reason the king had taken an interest? But no, Oran’s opinion of me had been established for some time now. What was the other point the king had made?

  “More ability than my family tree would normally entail?” I repeated his words as a question. Fynn seemed unable to stifle a little half grin at the question.

  “Being as… watered down as your family tree is.” He tried diplomat
ically, “you have more abilities than one would expect. On this particular occasion your dreams are of specific interest to my purposes.”

  “My dreams?” I asked, not wanting to give anything away that he might not already know.

  “No need to be shy, dear.” The king smiled warmly. “It is a rare gift, to be able to peek into the dreams in others. You and Fynn are among only a handful of people known to have the ability. Though Fynn has other abilities beyond this.”

  I looked at Fynn and then to Ell. Ell seemed unsurprised by this statement, like she had already known this, or if not, she was as good as Fynn at hiding her feelings. At that moment I was certain that I would be destroyed in this world. I was no good at schooling my features, hiding my opinions from being written plainly across my face. Dylan was always teasing me for the obvious internal conversations that were written for all to see. Could I possibly learn to be enigmatic? I was fairly certain any attempt would be a wasted effort. Still, I would try. However, he only said, “peek”, perhaps he didn’t know the extent of what I could do.

  “Like you said,” I began, “Fynn has this same ability, and unless I am mistaken Fynn is in your employ.” I followed the king’s formal manner of speaking. It felt unnatural, and I saw Fynn suppressing a smile while he continued chewing. Pretty sure I wouldn’t try that again.

  “You are correct.” The king, at least, didn’t seem to find humor in my attempt at formality. “However, this particular task requires a sufficiently attractive female.”

  I could see Fynn’s jaw clench. He took a slow breath and seemed perfectly at ease again in a moment. If I hadn’t been watching for his thoughts, I would have missed the brief change. This at least, I knew he didn’t like. I tried to keep things light.

  “Sufficiently?” I smiled jokingly. He had called me family, right? Could I tease him for his poor choice of words?