by Dee J. Stone
His lips dip to my collarbone. “Yes, they are a marvel to behold, but I cannot kiss them like I can kiss you.”
I close my arms around his neck and stare into his eyes. “Your world never ceases to amaze me, Damarian. I’m so lucky to have the chance to experience it all. None of it would have happened if you hadn’t returned to land after I sent you back. Thank you again for coming back.”
He rests his forehead on mine. “Thank you for giving me a reason to return.”
We remain in each other’s arms for a short while. Sometimes, this is all I need.
“Crap,” I say after a few minutes, freeing myself from his hold.
“What is the matter?”
“My fish. I lost it.”
“It is all right. Another creature will enjoy it.”
I frown. “But I worked so hard to catch it.”
“And now another creature will enjoy your efforts. No matter, for my fish was much tastier than yours.” From the crinkle in his eyes, I know he’s teasing me again.
“You know what happens to cocky mermen, don’t you?”
Confusion enters his eyes. “No. What occurs to cocky mermen?”
“They turn into cocky human men.” I shove my tail into his face and whiz away.
“You cannot flee from me!” he calls after me. “I am much swifter than you.”
“Let’s see you try to catch up to me!” I yell over my shoulder.
No less than twenty seconds pass before I feel his arms wrap around my waist. He yanks me toward his body. “I have caught you!”
“Not fair,” I laugh as I try to wiggle free. “Your true form is a merman and you have the advantage.”
He chuckles. “And now for your reward.”
I try to evade his lips as they trail over my face, when I feel a sharp pain on my right arm. A loud hiss escapes my lips.
“Cassie? What is the matter?” Gone is the playful face he had only a second ago. His eyes are filled with nothing but alarm.
I glance at my arm and see red ink flowing out of it. “I cut myself.” I look around for the culprit and notice the black glittery coral. “I must have rubbed my arm against the coral.”
He gently takes hold of my arm and examines it. The gash must be pretty small because it’s already closing up. “That looks quite painful, my love. I will attempt to heal you.”
“That’s okay, Damarian. I don’t want you to strain yourself. It’ll just heal on its own.”
“Are you certain?”
“Look, it’s already starting to heal.”
He tears his eyes from the wound to look into my face. He strokes my cheek, his eyes looking guilty. “Are you certain you are all right?”
“I promise I’m okay. Don’t feel guilty. We were just having fun and it was an accident.”
His gaze returns to my arm. “Yes, it seems to be healing. Forgive me for behaving toward you as though you are a fry. Any injury you receive in the sea troubles me.”
“I know.” I rub the side of his head. “But you don’t have to worry anymore. There are no more sea serpents or rebels. Nothing’s going to hurt us down here. And look.” I hold out my arm. “It’s totally gone now.”
He looks relieved. “Yes, you are correct.” He gathers me to his chest and holds me tight. “My love for you is so profound I do not know what to do with myself.”
“I know. I feel the same way. Come, let’s go visit your family.”
Chapter Four
The first shark we see when we near the entrance to the merpeople colony is Fiske. He’s grown so much over the year that he’s larger than many of the others. He used to look so cute when he was a baby, but now he looks badass. No, more than badass—he looks scary as hell. If not for our past, I’d be scared out of my mind.
He rushes over to us and nuzzles his nose into Damarian’s side and then mine. I am so glad of your arrival. I have missed you two so very much.
Damarian kisses the top of his head. We have missed you very much as well. It brings me great joy that you are the first Sentinel to lay eyes upon. Have you been promoted?
He beams. Due to my large size, the other Sentinels believe I am the best candidate to deter any unwanted visitors from the colonies.
Now I kiss the top of his head. I never imagined you’d grow up this big. You’re amazing, Fiske. And scary as hell. In a good way.
He lowers is head. I am glad I can protect the children of the sea adequately.
You’ll be able to come to our wedding, right? I ask. You and Shoney, plus many other sharks Syren wants bring along.
Yes, Cassie. I would not miss your human mating even for the most scrumptious-looking fish.
I laugh and squeeze his fin. We can’t wait to share our special day with you and the others.
Yes, it means so much to us that you will attend, Damarian says.
He nods.
We wish him goodbye and enter the merpeople colony. I love taking my first “step”, because it feels like I’m returning to my second home. Damarian and I are quite well-known in this world, so many merpeople wave or say hello as we pass. Naturally I don’t know many—if not all—of them, but I make sure to return each greeting and wave. A part of me always worries I will come face to face with a disgusted face or evil eye, but the merpeople are a very forgiving and understanding species. They have accepted me down here, and that means the world to me.
There’s no way to miss the large great white patrolling the entrance to the Sapphire colony. Shoney could sense us—especially me—miles away, so as soon as we swim inside, she bolts over and nearly crashes into us.
You are here. It has been far too long.
I hug her, not paying attention to the rough skin scratching my cheek. Only two months, but it sure feels much longer.
I know you are busy with your human mating preparations. I tried to be patient, but it is difficult.
I kiss the side of her head. I love you so much, Shoney.
And I love you.
Damarian rubs the top of her head. Now that it is summer, we may be able to visit more often.
Shoney nods. I look forward to that.
I kiss her one more time and squeeze her fin before Damarian and I swim deeper into the colony.
“Damarian! Cassie!” a familiar voice calls.
We turn around and find a merman with a sapphire tail floating before us. I do a double take. “Don’t tell me you’re Syd.”
He grins. “Why, of course I am.”
I shake my head. “No way. We were just in the ocean two months ago. There’s no way you could have grown this much.”
He straightens his shoulders. “Indeed I have.”
I blink a few times as I take in all his features. His golden hair is almost as long as Damarian’s most recent haircut, which reaches just past his shoulders. His eyes that were always just a tad larger than his face—a feature that helped me distinguish him from his brother—are now growing into the rest of his face.
“Come here,” I say as I take him in my arms. “I almost didn’t recognize you. I’ve missed you so much.”
“Where is Syndin?” Damarian asks as he wraps his tail around his brother’s.
“With Zarya and Allerion. They wait for the rocks so we can play rock toss.” He holds up two rocks in his hands. “Will you join us?”
“Perhaps later.” Damarian rubs his head.
We make our way toward their family’s cave.
“How long do you wish to stay?” Syd asks.
Damarian and I exchange a glance. “I am afraid only two days,” he says.
He frowns. “That is what I assumed.”
“Forgive me. There are many responsibilities we must adhere to on land—”
“Yes, that is all right. All that matters is that you and Cassie are together and are content, though I wish you visited more frequently.”
I take his hand. “Thank for being understanding. Damarian and I will try to come more often, okay?”
When w
e near the cave, I see Zarya, Allerion, and Syndin playing with some of Zarya’s treasures. Zarya’s running a very old-looking hairbrush, salvaged from a sunken ship, through her hair. Allerion is sweeping a goblet through the water, his tail whooshing in the water leisurely like he’s bored out of his mind. Syndin is tossing a small gem from one hand to the other. When Zarya catches sight of us, she drops the brush and bolts over. “Dammy and Cassie have returned at last!”
I take her in my arms and spin her around. “It’s only been two months, but it feels like forever. I’ve missed you so much!”
“As have I.” Damarian stretches his arms over the both of us and squeezes us against his chest.
“Cream filling in a sandwich cookie,” I gasp.
“I believe we are injuring Cassie,” Zarya says.
“Forgive me.” Damarian loosens his hold. “Are you all right? And how is your arm?”
I glance down at it. The wound is completely gone.
“Cassie has been injured?” Zarya asks.
“I brushed my arm against the most amazing coral I have ever seen,” I tell her. “You’d love it.”
“I wish to take you there later today,” Damarian promises.
She raises her fists in the air. “I am most excited!”
“Have you retrieved the rocks?” Syndin asks Syd.
He holds them out.
Zarya reaches for Allerion and gently pulls him forward. “Are these adequate?”
He looks unsure.
“Will they be too heavy for you, Zarya?” Syd asks. “I was concerned about that.”
“Heavy for me? Why do you assume it would be heavier for me than for you?”
Syd’s face falls. “I was only concerned.”
“My tail is stronger than yours,” she mutters.
The twins exchange a glance. I look at Damarian with the corner of my eye and see the concerned look on his face. When we were here two months ago, it seemed like Zarya was having a little difficulty with her tail. She’s getting older and it takes more effort for her than it does for everyone else her age.
Allerion tugs on her arm. Zarya moves her ear closer so he can whisper into it. She nods. “Allery claims they are not too heavy. Can we play now?”
“Hey, Zarya.” I slide my hand into hers and take her aside. “Are you okay, sweetie?”
She pastes on a smile, though her lower lip trembles a little. “I am all right, Cassie.”
“Zarya—”
“Please, Cassie. I wish to play.”
I kiss the top of her head. “Okay. Win for me.”
“I certainly will!” She swims off with the others.
Damarian watches as she moves further away from our sight. “She’ll learn to adjust to her growing body,” I assure him. “Our Zarya is a brave and determined little mermaid. We have nothing to worry about.”
He turns his head and gives me an appreciative smile. “You always have the words to ease my mind.”
“They’re growing so fast. Soon it won’t be long before they’re mated and have kids of their own.”
“And perhaps we shall have some fry as well by then.” He doesn’t meet my gaze.
I take his hand. “It doesn’t scare me so much anymore.”
His face snaps toward mine.
“I mean, I won’t lie and say that it doesn’t scare me at all, but not as much as before. And um…”
He takes me by the waist and pulls me against his chest, gazing into my eyes. “Yes, my love?”
“Maybe we don’t have to wait that long.”
His eyes light up. “Are you certain? Because we can wait as long as you wish.”
“No, it’s okay. I mean, not today or tomorrow or a few months. But not years. I’m okay with the unknown. It still scares the heck out of me, but we’ll take one step at a time and see what happens. We have loving and supporting family on land and in the sea. We’ll be okay.”
He cradles me close to his body and gives me the most loving and passionate kiss he has ever given me.
***
The sounds of babies hit my ears the second we pass through the entrance to the cave. Damarian and I quicken our pace until we come face to face with the merpeople gathered at the stone table in the main room. Syren and Kiandra sit next to each other, a small child with dark red hair in Kiandra’s arms. Ryter is seated across from them with the other baby. Doria and Kytero sit side by side, Doria’s head resting on her husband’s shoulder. After a whole year of being parents, they still appear extremely exhausted.
Kiandra lifts herself off her chair with the small Diamond tucked in her arms and makes her way toward us, an overjoyed expression on her face. “I am so glad you are here.” She kisses my cheek and then Damarian’s.
“Can I take Kyteria?” I ask.
“With pleasure. This one is quite the handful.”
I hug her. “Nothing Aunt Cassie can’t handle, huh Kyteria?”
She smiles widely, showing off her baby teeth. I stare down at her, taking in all her features. She looks so similar to a human baby, at least the top half of her body. Her dark red hair is quite long compared to a human baby the same age, though. And of course her hands are webbed. Her tail has its own shade of diamond, unique to her and future siblings who may inherit a diamond tail.
“Have they learned to swim yet?” I ask Doria and Kytero. Merbabies generally start swimming on their own after twelve months.
“Dorin has a little, yes,” Doria says. “Kyteria only wishes to have fun and not learn.”
I press my cheek to hers. “You definitely are a true Diamond.”
Damarian gently takes Dorin from his grandfather and stares down at him with a loving expression. “They have grown significantly these past two months. It feels as though we have not visited in twelve moons.”
Kyteria closes her hand over my webbed fingers. I smile. Merbabies are not much different from human babies.
Kyteria stretches her arms toward Damarian and makes an impatient sound.
“Yes, little Kyteria?” he asks. “Is it your wish that I hold you in my arms?”
She flaps her arms anxiously.
I frown. “No fair.” Then I give her a big kiss on the cheek. “I forgive you anyway.” I pass her over to Damarian, who now holds both babies in his arms. As soon as they are near each other, they start talking in baby talk.
“Ah, now I understand why you were so eager to be in my arms,” Damarian says. “It is because you wished to be with Dorin, not me.”
Kyteria ignores him and gently tugs on Dorin’s golden hair. He does the same to her.
Damarian smiles to me. I know what he’s envisioning—our future children. We still have no idea if they would be humans or merpeople. Honestly, I don’t know which I would prefer. On the one hand, having a merchild would be awesome. But of course it would make our life much more difficult, not to mention my mother and siblings won’t be able to see them often. Having a human child would certainly make life easier, but would that mean we’d have to keep the merlife a secret until he or she was older? Of course I would accept my child no matter what and do what was best for her or him, make whatever sacrifices necessary. And I know Damarian would do the same. But seeing the joy and wonder on Damarian’s face as he holds the kids, I wonder if he’s hoping our children will have tails.
“Wonder of wonders,” Syren says. “They have managed to fall asleep in Damarian’s arms.”
“You are quite gifted, my son,” Kiandra says as she reaches for Dorin. “You will be a magnificent father.”
“Thank you, Mother.” His gaze moves to mine, still unsure how I feel about it. I nod.
“It is time they receive rest,” Kiandra says.
Doria, Kytero, and Kiandra take the babies to one of the back rooms.
“Damarian and Cassie, you must be famished,” Syren says. He swims over to the corner of the room where there are piles of oyster shells filled with fish.
“It is all right, Father. Cassie and I hunted on
the journey here.”
“It’s been a while since we caught fish with our bare hands,” I say. “I forgot how great it feels to eat your catch and how delicious fish taste right after you get them.”
“Please join us at the table and inform us of what is occurring in your life,” Syren says as he returns to his seat.
Damarian and I settle down at the table and update them on our life, specifically the latest wedding plans. Other than that, nothing much has changed, besides for the fact that I have finished my semester and now have more freedom to visit them in the ocean.
“What about here in the sea?” Damarian asks.
“The humans have ceased venturing deeper into the sea,” Ryter informs us. “Kiander and Flora have enlisted the mako sharks to ward them off. They are one of the fastest and aggressive species in the sea.”
“That’s good news,” I say. “Now we don’t have to worry about them when we travel from land to the ocean.”
“Yes, good news indeed,” Syren says.
“What of Zarya?” Damarian asks. “How does she fare?”
Ryter and Syren share a look. Syren says, “She fares well. But now that she is older, I worry she may not measure up to her friends. When I see them racing, it is quite obvious that she cannot keep up with them.” His face holds nothing but worry.
“She’s strong,” I say. “And brave. I know she won’t let anything get in her way.”
“She is so much akin to my Marella,” Ryter says with a faraway look in his eyes. “I see her in Zarya every day. My Marella was quite determined and she was kind to every creature in the sea. Much like Kiandra as well.”
“Yes, Grandmother’s memory lives on in them,” Damarian says. “We will not forget her.”
Ryter lowers his head.
“I do hope your visit here will last more than two days,” Syren says.
Damarian holds out his hands helplessly. “I wish it, Father, but Cassie and I have jobs on land and we cannot shirk our responsibilities.”
Syren nods, but I see the hurt all over his face. I bite my bottom lip. I know I can’t keep feeling guilty for taking him away from his family, but I can’t help it.
I get off my seat. “You guys catch up. I’ll return later.” I’d like to give them some alone time together.
