by Dee J. Stone
She’s still glaring.
Fine, I surrender.
We’ve reached Eteria, the capital city and where the palace is located. It’s the most beautiful castle I have ever seen in my life. It’s made of different shades of sapphire crystals, each one gleaming, even without sunlight. I know it will look even more breathtaking when Princess Saeria becomes queen, because I’ve seen it. It will be made from sapphire, violet, ruby, emerald, and diamond crystals, representing the five clans, because when she takes the crown, she will symbolize the total unity of the clans.
Damarian floats near me and slips his hand into mine. “I can never get enough of its beauty,” I tell him.
“Indeed. It used to cause me unease many moons ago, for it reminded me that I could not escape my fate of becoming king.” He rubs my knuckles. “But not any longer.”
Like all the other times we’ve visited, the place is swarming with tails of all different colors, plus the five species of sharks that guard them. I remember the first time I came here, when I came to save Damarian. There were mostly Violets with a few Sapphires, and mostly hammerhead sharks. Seeing how they all swim together in harmony fills my heart with warmth.
Shoney waits outside while Damarian and I enter the palace. An Emerald Guard notices us and dashes over. “I will inform the king and queen of your arrival.”
“Thank you,” we both say.
She lowers her head and swims toward the throne room. A few minutes later, she beckons us to enter. Flora and Kiander sit there with many members of the Guard, including Callen. Morteran floats near them.
We bow before the king and queen.
“At ease, Brother and Sister,” Kiander says.
“Cassie and Damarian!” Flora leaps off her throne and wraps her tail around ours. “We are so overjoyed by your arrival!”
Ever since she had Saeria, her behavior has changed. She’s always been more serious and strict, and now she’s softer and more playful.
I hug her the human way. “We’re so happy to be here. Where’s the little princess?”
“She plays with her shark,” Kiander says.
I lift an eyebrow. “She’s already been assigned one?”
“Certainly,” Flora says. “One can never be too careful.” She nods to Morteran. “Please bring my daughter.”
He nods and swims out of the room.
“We will continue this meeting at a later time,” Kiander tells the Guards.
One by one, the Guards leave. Callen stops before us and lowers his head. “Hello, Cassie and Damarian. How do you fare?”
“Very well, thank you,” Damarian says, clasping my hand. “And yourself?”
“I am well. There are no threats in the sea, only minor issues between the many creatures that we can easily resolve.” He touches my shoulder and then Damarian’s. “It gladdens me to lay eyes upon you two once again. And I am very glad that you seem well.”
“You too,” I say. “But I can’t help wondering…”
Callen shakes his head with a smile. “I am afraid I have not met my soulmate, Cassie. But that is all right. I spend my days overseeing the Guards, and that is very rewarding.”
“As long as you’re happy,” I say.
He nods and leaves the room.
A small hammerhead shark swims into the room. A little mermaid rides on her back, clutching on its fin, her tail hanging off her side. The shark moves very slowly to make sure Saeria doesn’t slide off. If she teeters just a centimeter, the shark quickly sways her body the other way to keep her straight.
That tail. I can’t keep my eyes off it. It appears even more mesmerizing than the last time I saw it. Each scale, whether sapphire, violet, ruby, emerald, or diamond, gleams in the water like millions of crystals. Her eyes—the same shade of blue as every other merperson, lights up as she rides.
Flora swims over and pucks her daughter off the shark. “That is enough riding for today. Thank you, Kunn.” She rubs the top of the shark’s head. Kunn nuzzles her nose into of Saeria’s rib. Saeria giggles and pats her head, staring into her eyes. Though she can’t speak, I know she’s communicating with her shark. Kunn once again prods her nose into Saeria’s side, producing some more giggles. Witnessing the budding bond between shark and master is amazing.
Reluctantly, Kunn leaves the room. Flora and Kiander take us to the room, next door, where we sit down on sapphire chairs. Kiander holds Saeria in his arms.
“She’s so beautiful,” I say.
“Thank you.” Flora strokes her daughter’s head. “I never knew how much delight I would feel in my heart. I felt it when I carried her all those moons, but now that she is out here with us…” She kisses the top of her head. “Especially because we have waited so long for her.”
“We’re so happy for you,” I tell them.
“Saeria would not be here with us if not for your aid,” Kiander says. “My mate and I are forever in your debt.”
I shake my head. “We are family. There are no debts to pay. Damarian and I would gladly do it again if we had to.”
“Certainly we will,” he says.
“If I may ask?” Kiander says.
“Yes?”
“Now that my queen and I understand what joy a fry brings, I cannot help but wonder if you plan to have fry as well.”
“It’s definitely been on our mind this whole year.” I laugh. “How can it not be when everyone in the sea are having kids?”
They laugh, too.
“Seriously, though?” I look at Damarian. “Things are different for humans. I’m young, only twenty years old. Many humans have kids at this age, but most wait until they’re a little older. I always thought I’d wait a while until then, but…” I glance at Damarian again. “Maybe we’ll have one sooner than I thought.”
Damarian slides his hand into mine. “I leave the decision up to Cassie.”
“There are a lot of things to think about,” I tell them. “The kid might be human, she or he might be a child of the sea. We may need to live only on land, or we may have to live in the sea.”
Flora nods. “Yes, that is quite a lot to think about. You are correct, there is no need to be hasty.”
“Thanks. So how have things been lately?” I ask. “It feels like forever since we talked. You’re always so busy when we visit.”
“Things are magnificent,” Kiander says. “Since the birth of Saeria, many children of the sea wish to emulate us. Not only are many mating with members of other clans, but they are producing fry, each one wondering which tail the fry will inherit.”
“Majority still mate with children from their own clan,” Flora says. “They have a better understanding with one similar to themselves.”
Kiander nods. “Yes, but even so, I worry that food will soon grow to be an issue.”
Damarian sits forward. “To what are you referring?”
“We are growing in numbers,” Flora explains. “Many children of the sea are venturing further out to hunt for food. With the help of the mako sharks, we need not worry about the humans growing too close to the colony. But Kiander and I have discussed asking the sharks to feed further out, forcing the fish to flee in our direction.”
“We are not certain whether that is the best solution,” Kiander says. “We feel guilt at the thought of leading the fish to their slaughter.”
Flora shrugs. “But we need to feed the children of the sea. We may not have a choice.”
Damarian nods. “You must do what you can to ascertain every child of the sea is safe and nourished.”
“Yes, we have sent the Scouts to search for more fish in the meantime. And to obtain a cure for Zarya.”
Damarian purses his lips. “You still do not wish to yield?”
Flora raises her chin. “I promised her I would do all that I can to help her. A child of the sea does not break her promise.”
Damarian purses his lips again, but doesn’t say anything. I don’t know who I agree with. On one hand, we should always have hope and n
ever give up. On the other hand, Zarya needs to love herself and move on.
“Let us discuss more pleasant matters,” Kiander says. “Your human mating ceremony.”
Flora nods. “Yes, it shall be very exciting, for we never witnessed such a ceremony before.”
“We hope you’ll be there,” I say.
“Certainly,” Kiander says. “We would not dream of missing it.”
Chapter Seven
“What shall we sing tonight?” Damarian asks Zarya as he tucks the seaweed under her chin.
“I do not wish to sing tonight! I wish to hear about what will occur at the human mating ceremony.”
As though they have antennas that reach the sky, the twins hurry inside and sit down on either side of Zarya’s shell. “We wish to hear as well!” Syndin says.
Damarian and I laugh. “Well, it’s very similar to the mating ceremonies you have in the sea,” I tell them. “Damarian and I will declare ourselves to each other for all eternity. We will promise to love and cherish each other, no matter how difficult life gets.”
Zarya squeals and the twins look intrigued.
“Father will not allow us to swim too close to land.” Syndin scowls. “He is afraid humans will take notice of us.”
“Well naturally,” his twins says. “Not every member at the human mating ceremony is aware of our existence, is that not so, Cassie and Damarian?”
Damarian nods. “Syd is correct. I must stress how imperative it is that you listen to Father. Many of Cassie’s friends and family are aware of the children of the sea, but there are others who do not know. You must promise us that you will not venture too close to land. Zarya, Syndin, and Syd?”
“Yes, I promise,” Syd says.
“I as well,” his twin nods
Zarya pouts.
“Zarya,” I say.
She continues to pout. “It is not fair. I will be so close to land but will not be able to see anything.”
I tap her nose. “Of course you will. You have special mermaid eyes and ears that can see and hear miles away.” I glance at the twins. “You, too, guys. You’ll probably be able to see much better than the people on the beach.”
That seems to placate Zarya only a little. “The next time we will lay eyes on one another will be at the human mating ceremony?” she asks.
“Yes,” Damarian says.
She stares down at the bottom of her shell. “I am to understand that you and Cassie will visit the sea even less once you are mated as humans?”
Damarian’s eyes slowly move to mine.
“I don’t know, sweetie,” I say. “I don’t see why it should.”
“You must grow accustomed to Damarian and Cassie lessening their visits,” Syndin says to his sister. “Do you not understand that they have a more meaningful life on land?”
“Hey, hey,” I say. “That’s not true.”
“It certainly feels that way,” Syd mumbles.
Zarya stares at us with wide, curious, and sad eyes.
Damarian and I exchange another glance.
I sigh. “It’s hard, guys. For now, we just have to make do with how things are.”
Syndin’s eyebrows rise. “To what are you referring? Why should matters change in the future?”
Damarian and I exchange another glance, not sure how to answer this question, or if we even should.
“It is due to your fry,” Syd says. “I have heard you discussing this with Mother and Father many times.”
“Syd, please do not—” Damarian starts.
“What of your fry?” Syndin asks.
Now three pairs of eyes are locked on us, each demanding an answer.
Damarian takes my hand. “We are not certain whether the fry would be a child of the sea or a human. If she or he is a child of the sea—”
Zarya shoots out of her shell. “Then you will join us in the sea and live with us!” She starts somersaulting in the water. “That is wonderful news!”
“Zarya, we’re not sure—”
“Oh but I am! Yes, I am so excited! Dammy and Cassie will return to the sea with their fry and we shall all live happily!”
I look away. I don’t want to break her heart and tell her it’s possible our future children could be humans, or a mix—which I would rather not think about right now because my head will explode—but if I want to be honest with myself, I have a feeling that my baby—whenever I will have it—will be a mermaid. After all, as soon as I mated with Damarian I turned into a mermaid. Half the baby’s genes would be a mermaid, and considering I changed, it’s highly likely she or he will change as well.
The more I’ve thought about it, especially now after being back in the ocean and having the discussion with Damarian’s family, the more I want our children to be merpeople. I’ll miss my life on land and my family like crazy, but everything is so much simpler here. The merpeople don’t have many stresses like jobs and money, and they don’t have distractions like technology. They really have all the time in the world to spend together and live life.
I shake my head. I can’t believe the thoughts in my head. A part of me can’t wait to reach that point, but the other half is scared as hell.
Damarian gently grabs Zarya by the waist and tosses her back into her shell. “Mother will grow upset if she learns you are not in your shell.”
“How can I sleep? I am most thrilled!”
Damarian pulls the seaweed up to her chin. “It is possible our fry will be human.”
She shakes her head. “No, I am certain she will be a child of the sea, for Cassie is a child of the sea.”
My thoughts exactly. Zarya’s a smart little mermaid.
Syndin folds his arms over his chest. “Why are you so certain their fry will be female?”
“Of course she will be female!”
“I believe he will be male.”
She scoffs and gives him a what-do-you-know-anyway look.
“I believe she will be female as well,” Syd says.
Zarya beams while Syndin looks betrayed by his twin.
Syd turns to us. “What do you believe, Cassie and Damarian?”
I shake my head. “I don’t want to go down that road. You guys speak as if I’m pregnant. I won’t be for a very, very long time.”
“Not too long.” Zarya pouts again.
Damarian stokes her head. “The decision is not up for debate.”
“But you wish to have a female, do you not?” Zarya asks.
Damarian grins to me. “Yes, I admit it is my wish to have a daughter.” He quickly says to the twins, “And I will be as equally overjoyed to have a male.”
“And you, Cassie?” Syndin asks.
I look down at my flat stomach. God, I can’t even imagine what it would be like…I squeeze my eyes shut. No, I won’t think about it until it happens. Just the thought of it makes me want to throw up.
Damarian lifts himself off the floor. “The hour grows late. Cassie and I must leave before the sun rises.”
Zarya reaches for both our hands. “Must you leave so soon?”
I bend to place a big kiss on her forehead. “The good thing about being away from each other for so long is that our visits will be much more precious.” I give each twin a kiss, too. “Remember what we told you about getting too close to shore. Watch over your little sister.”
Syndin makes a face. “As though we have not been instructed this nearly every day since she was born.”
I laugh. “You two are really good brothers. Zarya’s extremely lucky to have you.”
The twins glance at each other, then grin widely. “Yes, we are great brothers,” Syd says. “Zarya is not aware how fortunate she is.”
I expect Zarya to mutter something along the lines of she doesn’t need brothers to be fortunate, but she’s fast asleep, her gills opening and closing steadily.
“Ah, she sleeps,” Syndin says. “We are at last at peace.”
I can’t help but burst out laughing. I give each one another kiss. “I
can’t wait to see you all at the wedding—I mean, the mating ceremony. It means so much to both Damarian and me that you’ll be there.”
“Good night, Syd and Syndin,” Damarian says.
They nod and swim off to their room.
Damarian gathers me to his chest as we leave Zarya’s room. “Are you all right, my Cassie?”
“Yeah, why do you ask?”
He searches my eyes. “I fear the fry were too inquisitive—nosy. They should not have asked such personal questions.”
“You mean about our future kids?” I wave my hand. “I don’t mind it. I’m glad we’re able to talk openly about this. I just worry about Zarya. She has her heart set on us living permanently in the ocean. I don’t want her to get hurt.”
He places his hands on my shoulders, looking into my eyes. “I know what you feel, my love.”
“What?”
“You believe in your heart that our fry will be born a child of the sea, or that she will be born human and quickly shift.”
“I don’t know, Damarian—”
“For if she is indeed a child of the sea—”
“Damarian—”
“I will feel a tremendous amount of guilt.”
I take both his hands and lead him into our room, lowering us to the floor and scooting onto his lap. “Listen to me, Damarian. I’m not pregnant. I hope I won’t be for a while. I don’t know why everyone keeps bringing this up. Maybe because of Saeria, Dorin, and Kyteria. Or maybe because for the merpeople, having kids is the next step after mating. Whatever the case, we are not like everyone else. You’re the one who told me so many times that we’ll deal with whatever comes, when the time comes. You’re the one who’s always told me that whatever happens, we’ll be okay.”
Damarian looks away. “Yes, you are indeed correct. It has always been I who has been positive. But Zarya’s words…” He shakes his head. “I suppose I did not realize how complicated matters could be. It frightens me.”
I touch his cheek, forcing him to focus on me. “I know. It scares the crap out of me. But it also makes me excited.”
Some of the worry leaves his eyes and is replaced with glee. “Yes, I am beyond excited as well.” His eyes move to my lips. “Perhaps now is the opportune time to…”
