by Amy Sumida
Declan laughed with me, his vibrant red hair flying back like a flag, as free as I felt. Our path took us through some sparse trees, along the edge of a quiet village, then down an open road which eventually ended in a sloping bit of grass. The meadow then eased down to a pebbled beach. We let our horses roam in the sweet-smelling grass above while we shucked off our boots and headed down to the sandy shore, where the scent of the sea was even sweeter than the crushed grass.
A vast ocean spread out before us, reflecting the sky above, and making it appear to be one continuous stretch of space. I paused at the edge of the water, letting the warm waves lap at my feet, and feeling as if I was perched on the edge of heaven; more angel, in that moment, than siren. The sand was sucked away with the rolling tide, and then returned to cover my toes as if the ocean was trying to hug me and remind me of who I was. I felt at peace, at home.
“Beautiful,” I whispered. “It's like we're standing in the sky.”
“Which is why it's called Sgàthan,” Declan said softly. “It means 'mirror'. The tides here are gentle and rarely disturb the surface.”
“Appropriate.”
Declan shucked off his tunic and tossed it on the sand. I looked over at him in surprise.
“You didn't think I brought you here to just look at the water, did you?” He grinned and slipped out of his pants.
I'd seen Declan in his underthings before, but this time, he wasn't wearing boxers. He wasn't wearing anything beneath his outer clothes. My face heated and I looked away quickly, trying to banish the magnificent image of a nude Declan from my mind. Declan pretended not to notice, wading into the water as if he got naked and swam with me every day. I started having second thoughts about being there with him. It was one thing to visit the beach with a friend, but an entirely different matter to go skinny dipping with them.
“Are you going to join me or just stand there blushing like a sidhe girl at her first ball?” Declan asked.
He had dove in and had come up looking like a god of the sea, all wet and glistening in the moonlight. The combination of shadows and water darkened his bright looks and made him seem mysterious on top of divine. It was a deadly combination. Add to that the way his luminous eyes caught the light, and I nearly melted. I started to turn away. Nope, I was not doing this.
“Elaria,” Declan called. “You know you have nothing to fear with me.”
“It's not you I'm worried about,” I muttered.
“You're part siren, for fuck's sake,” Declan growled. “There's nothing wrong with enjoying the water in your bare skin. We're both adults, and we are perfectly capable of controlling ourselves. Right?”
I sighed, looked up to the moon for guidance. That wily bastard had put me in a predicament. If I walked away, it would be akin to admitting that I couldn't resist him, but if I stayed, I'd have to prove that I could. I shut my eyes, shook my head at my own idiocy, and yanked off my dress. I heard Declan's sharp intake and nearly put it on again. But the salt-laced breeze was caressing my skin at that point, and its pull was stronger than my concerns. Declan could have his little peep, what did it hurt? And I could have my swim. I took off my underwear and added it to the dress.
Then I turned around.
Declan was standing in waist-high water, watching me like a shark, and I was once more rethinking my decisions. But my feet took me forward with a will of their own, and the gentle lapping water welcomed me, drawing me further into the surf. The sand beneath me was a yielding embrace, the sea a seduction to my soul. There was magic in Sgàthan, and it was irresistible. I dove in.
Music filled my ears: moaning cries from magical creatures and echoing calls of the Shining Ones of the sea. They lilted against the clicks of coral and shells, and the hollow echo of the ocean itself. It was the purest of melodies for me, a song of safety and solace. Home. No matter where I was, no matter what type of ocean it was, the sea felt like home. And this sea, in particular, recognized me.
I was pulled further in, an undertow which seemed to have a mind of its own. It rolled me playfully, lifting me for a breath of air before taking me back beneath the surface. I heard Declan's echoing cry of dismay, but I was unable to reassure him. Sgàthan had me.
At least, I thought it was Sgàthan.
A firm hand touched my thigh and I jerked away. I hit a solid male chest and thrashed around in fright. My hair was in my face, blocking my vision like a living mask, and it felt as if I were surrounded. Limbs brushed against mine and more hands reached for me. I was losing air with my calm, and I kicked for the surface, but it was so far away. I could barely catch the glimmer of the moon. How had I gone so deep, so fast?
Hands pushed my hair out of my face, and I finally saw my tormentor. Dark eyes, the color of seaweed in midnight surf, peered at me somberly. Long, pale hair was plaited back from his forehead, so it wouldn't interfere with his vision. The ends of his braid hung heavy with shells. His face was serene and so beautiful, almost too beautiful to be male. High cheekbones, a slightly pointed chin, and lush lips which angled over mine. I opened my mouth to gasp, unthinking that I was underwater and running out of air, to begin with. But I could suddenly breathe. The asrai –that's what he was, I was sure of it– had given me the kiss of the sea: the temporary ability to breathe underwater.
Asrai were a type of water-spirit. They were a type of lesser Shining One, born of Tír na nÓg, but they had migrated to other oceans in several realms. There was a huge population of them in the Human Realm, though they were rarely seen, even by other beneathers. Mainly because they would disintegrate into water if sunlight hit them. This wasn't such a big deal for them if they happened to be in water at the time. The asrai often shifted into a water form anyway; it was why they were referred to as “spirits” even though they were actually a type of fairy. But if they happened to be on dry land when this water form took them, it could be difficult for them to recollect themselves.
The salt of this asrai's kiss lingered on my tongue as his hands lingered on my body. His eyes flowed over me as he angled his pelvis into mine. He, at least, was covered with a loincloth, but he obviously thought my nudity was an invitation to remove it. His hand started to head to the only bit of clothing separating us as his lips twisted up into a smile. Damn it all, even the sea fey in Tír na nÓg were perverts.
This is not happening, asshole, I thought, and was surprised to see him react to it.
You do not wish to find pleasure with me? The asrai's voice entered my mind.
You can hear me?
Of course, he looked confused. Are you not a spellsinger? You should know the ways of the underwater world.
Not all of them, evidently.
My apologies. He bowed his head. I saw you with the Alexandrite King and assumed–
You assumed I'd be down for some getting down?
I'm not sure what that means, but from your tone, I believe it to be accurate. He looked down my body again. Why come into our world so aroused, and then leave your lover at the shore? I thought this meant he had brought you to us. King Declan has often been generous with his lovers.
Oh really? That was a side of Declan I hadn't wanted to know about.
I am not aroused. I protested.
The asrai looked at me as if he couldn't figure out why I would lie to him about something so obvious.
I'm not.
I can taste your arousal in the water, he said. Forget the land king, I can show you the glory of the sea. In my palace, we shall dine on fresh delicacies, and then join our bodies with the slow strength of the tide.
No, thank you. I'm good.
But I can take any form, he pressed his hips against me again, and this time, his member was significantly larger. I can pleasure you in ways no land man can . . . even that one.
He cast his gaze upward, and I followed it to see Declan thrashing through the water above us, obviously in distress over my disappearance. He dove and peered through the ocean, but couldn't see us below him.
&nbs
p; I'm sure you can, I said with a smile. But I'm faithful to my lover.
To him? The asrai was shocked. Why? The Alexandrite King is not a monogamous man. I wouldn't think he'd require you to be faithful when he is not.
He is also not my lover.
Ah. The asrai's eyes went distant for a moment. Asrai could contact other asrai nearby, and communicate with them. Sort of a magical form of sonar which was closer to telepathy. The Onyx King is your lover. I understand now.
He started to back away when a thought occurred to me.
Wait!
Yes? You've changed your mind? He started to smile again. I knew the allure of joining sexually with water itself would appeal to a spellsinger.
No, that's not it, I huffed. Some of my family, some sirens, have gone missing in the Human Realm. Do you think the asrai there might help me look for them? Perhaps they could contact all the asrai there, and see if any them have information on the sirens?
You ask a lot of a man you have just scorned.
I didn't scorn you.
You haven't offered me anything either.
What do you want? I grimaced as he looked me over pointedly. Never mind.
I started to kick myself up to the surface, but he grabbed my calf and pulled me back down. His sensual lips twisted into a smile.
A favor then.
What kind of a favor? I asked suspiciously.
Above us, Declan was still searching, getting more and more frantic. I felt horrible for making him worry any longer than he had to, but this was important. If the asrai would help me, I may be able to locate the sirens.
Take me with you to the Human Realm.
What?
Just a piece of me. The asrai took off a necklace and handed it to me. On it hung a little glass bottle, stoppered tightly with cork. Inside the bottle was a shimmering liquid. Release this into one of the oceans on Earth, and I shall form a new self there. My line will continue in another realm.
This is how you asrai travel through the realms? I asked with wonder. You bargain with others to take you there?
Yes.
And this little bottle of water, this will grow into a new you?
It will not be instant, and I will be affected by the water I must recreate myself with. This will make me into a different asrai, but yes, it will essentially be me. He smiled widely, revealing a row of teeth similar to a shark's, though much smaller. It is how we procreate.
Then why were you trying to have sex with me?
If you had allowed me to pleasure you, you would have carried my essence in another way. I would have remained with you, inside you, until you ventured into another sea. Then I would have flowed forth.
Oh, that's disturbing.
No more so than any other form of conception and birth. And we have other methods of procreation. His eyes twinkled. There are female asrai too.
I don't want to know. I held up a hand to stop him. TMI, buddy, keep it to yourself. This isn't the Discovery Channel.
As you wish, spellsinger. He nodded. Do we have a bargain?
How do I collect on my half of it if you don't reform right away?
I will still have sentience, and that sentience will spread out to touch the other asrai in the Human Realm. The process is very quick. You'll have an answer within moments.
Alright, asrai, you have a bargain.
If we are in agreement, then we should be properly introduced. My name is Tellesorchenitian el–
How about we go with Tell? My name is Elaria.
As you wish. He nodded respectfully again and closed my hand over the bottle, giving it a grateful squeeze. Thank you, Elaria. I will see you in the Human Realm.
Tell faded back into the sea as I tied the bottle's cord around my neck. I kicked my way up to the surface and saw Declan still doing his swim-dive search.
“Declan!” I shouted.
Declan instantly turned in my direction, his face filling with relief. We headed towards shore, angling in toward each other, and I met him halfway. We swam back to the shallows together.
“May the stones save us!” Declan exclaimed as he turned to me. “I thought you were drowning.”
“It's very difficult to drown a spellsinger.” I smirked. “I had an interlude with an asrai.
“An interlude?” Declan's face started to go furious.
“Not that kind of interlude, though not for lack of trying on his end.” I smirked. “And he told me all about your generosity with your lovers.”
“Some women find it arousing to make love to two types of men at once.” Declan shrugged.
Of course, he wouldn't be embarrassed by the asrai's revelation. Sex, in all its forms, was viewed as something natural and wonderful by the Shining Ones. You were never judged over your sexual desires in Tír na nÓg. Whichever way you wanted to swing was fine by them. Hell, they'd probably be happy to give you a push.
“Well, I turned him down.” I chuckled and tapped the bottle around my neck. “We made a different kind of bargain. I'm going to take him to the Human Realm in exchange for aid from the asrais of Earth. They're going to help me find the missing sirens.”
“A bargain? Aid from asrais?” Declan shook his head like he couldn't process it all. Finally, he exclaimed, “Fuck me, but I was scared, Elaria. I really thought you were dying and I couldn't reach you. I felt so helpless.”
Declan pulled me into an embrace, holding me tight to his rapidly beating heart. I hugged him back, but then we both went still. The moment of relief had passed quickly, leaving the both of us very aware of each other . . . mainly of our nudity. I felt him hardening between us, and I tried to move away. Declan held tight. It was like the asrai all over again, except this time, I wanted to be there. That arousal Tell had mentioned was real, and I felt it for Declan.
“Wait,” he whispered in my ear, “allow me one moment, Ellie. I just want to hold you, feel your skin against mine again.”
“Declan,” I whispered brokenly.
“I've been going mad,” he cut me off. “The feel of you has haunted me. I think of that hotel room in Venice all the time. I've recalled it so often, your image is burned into my thoughts. But it pales to this truth; to the reality of holding you. Please, just let me have a little more of this moment.”
I didn't know what to say, and I found that I couldn't pull away from him. It felt wrong; there was the distinct sourness of betrayal filling my stomach. But simultaneously, it felt right. I know, it sounds crazy, but holding Declan felt like coming home, just like walking into the sea. I laid my head on his chest and stole that precious time for us. What was the harm in holding him?
Declan laid his head over mine and settled in against me with a sigh. That was it. His hands didn't wander, and he didn't move in for a kiss; he simply held me. The gentle waves lapped around us, singing in liquid satisfaction. Everything was at peace, as if the world wanted us to be together.
Then Declan's arms tightened and he began to lower us into the water. I lifted my face to his and covered his mouth with mine; sharing the kiss of the sea with him. He breathed it in and we relaxed into weightlessness, letting the sea envelop us. As we floated away from shore, my legs entwined with Declan's, and we lay back in the ocean's embrace. Quiet, peaceful, perfect. Except for the beating of our hearts –a wild rhythm between us which screamed the truth I'd been trying to deny.
I was falling for the Alexandrite King.
Chapter Twelve
I snuck back into my guest room with damp hair and a heavy heart. I tucked Tell's bottle away in my purse, then showered off the salt and the memory of Declan's body pressed to mine. Finally, I climbed back into bed with Torin. He stirred a little in his sleep, shifting to lay closer to me. I stared up at the soaring ceiling, alexandrite beams gleaming in the low light coming through the nearby windows. I kept seeing the reflection off Sgàthan, the glow in Declan's eyes, and the way his lips shivered then pressed together –as if they were barely able to keep from kissing me.
&n
bsp; Gods it was wrong. I should never have gone with him, and I certainly shouldn't have lingered so long. I shouldn't have . . . I stopped and looked at Torin. How could I have even left his side? Torin was devastatingly beautiful, powerful, kind, and –most importantly– he loved me. He really loved me. I could have destroyed us, just to go swimming with another man. How stupid. How profoundly dumb. I was acting like an eighteen-year-old, not a woman who had experienced over two centuries of life. I knew better than to behave like this.
I wanted nothing more than to wake Torin and make my confession. I ached to bare it all to him and swear that I wouldn't do it again; beg him to forgive me –forgive me for my actions and for the emotions I was fostering due to them. But here's the thing about confessions; they are more beneficial to the confessor than the victim. Torin would be wounded, and then he would forgive me. I would have the relief of shedding this sin, while Torin would continue to live with it. So wasn't it more appropriate for me to carry it alone? Wasn't it unfair to make him suffer for something I would never do again? Maybe it was my guilt talking; trying desperately to stop me and Declan from having to pay for what we'd done. Perhaps I was justifying my deception with silly lies. I'm just not sure. I was so deep within the guilt over loving two –possibly three– men, that I just couldn't trust my own thoughts.
And right on cue, my thoughts shifted into memories:
“He's my father!” I screeched at Banning.
“And I've already saved him,” Banning shouted back. “You cannot speak to him, Fortune. To do so would threaten our lives. If the gura learned of it, they would kill us.”
“You mean Cosmina would kill me,” I corrected.
“She is looking for an excuse; don't give her one.”
“But he's sinking, Banning.” I laid my head along the window frame, peering in at my father. “The only thing that got him through my mother's death was looking after me. Now he has nothing. I need to tell him I'm still alive so that he has something to live for.”
