The sanding chamber ahead was so crowded with bodies they had to force their way through, but as soon as the mers saw who it was, they shifted and made way. With so many of them, the silence unnerved him. It was so quiet, he could hear the faint plopping of water somewhere in the distance. Hali, regal and somber, stood at the far end of the chamber.
“We’ve been waiting for you, daughter.”
“Mother, Charybdis is out there, just beyond the tunnel.”
“What? Impossible.”
“Truly. River was almost sucked into him.”
“But how did River escape? No one has ever survived being caught in his whirlpool.”
One of the guards who had followed them stepped forward and River saw that it was Tyranno. “It was a smaller creature than Charybdis, perhaps its offspring. Still, incredibly powerful.”
Hali bit her lip. “I wasn’t aware it had reproduced.”
“It would seem it has,” Tyranno said. “The guards are endeavoring to chase it off, but they will likely require your assistance, Mother. And no doubt you will wish to determine why it crossed the ocean to be here.”
She nodded, her brow drawn together in concern. “Yes. It is an ominous sign of things to come. We must prepare. Fortunately, tonight we will add the strength of these four Lovelies to our people.”
River’s head whipped around and found Stumps, Brody, and, to his surprise, Anne, standing to the side, waiting patiently. His muscles tensed as he saw Anne, knowing how badly she wanted to escape this. He would help her if he could, and he knew Narissa would do the same.
To his surprise, however, Tyranno walked over to her and put his arm around her waist. She smiled up at him trustingly and the look shared between them spoke more clearly than words could have. Whatever had happened in their absence, they had come to love one another. No doubt that love had changed Anne’s mind as it had changed River’s.
It was time to take the next step, and though he felt some regret about what he was leaving behind, he knew it was what he wanted. Turning to Hali, he said, “Yes, and I would like to be the first.”
“No,” Narissa said, her firm voice reverberating through the chamber.
“What?” He studied her determined expression.
But she did not answer him. She continued to face her mother. “River will be returned to the land, free of enchantment, where he may choose his own path. That was our deal.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Narissa’s heart shredded to ribbons at the look of confusion on River’s face. But it was her mother who questioned her.
“I thought you wished to be mated with him, child.”
“I do. But I want him to have a choice.”
River took her shoulders then and stared down at her with fierce intensity. “This is my choice, Narissa. You know that. We said we were staying together. And if you have to stay here, then this is what I choose too.”
“No,” Narissa said. “I must be sure—you must be sure—that this is really what you want.” Narissa turned from him then and faced her mother. “I have accepted the powers of your heir, Mother. I will sacrifice everything I’ve hoped for and dreamed of to accept that duty. And now, you must keep our bargain. Let River return to land for a time so that he may know if this is what he really wants. I will not allow him to give up his life, his dreams, under any other conditions.”
Hali considered Narissa’s deal for a long moment, then nodded decisively. “If it will ease your heart, daughter, and allow you to serve our people, I will do so.”
She moved to stand in front of River and pressed her hands over his ears. She closed her eyes, as if concentrating very hard, then pulled her hands away. As she did so, a diaphanous, hazy cloud drifted out of River’s ears. A tinkling sound filled the chamber. It was the mer song, or at least the ghost of it, whispering in the cloud until it dissipated around them.
Hali nodded, pleased. “I cannot promise you will not hear the song, but it will be distant and you will not be enchanted by it any longer.”
River’s face relaxed, as if some unseen tension had lain beneath his expression all this time. But the peace flickered away almost as quickly as it had come. “Narissa, I won’t leave you.”
She pressed her fingers to her lips and made a shushing sound. “We will talk later.”
Her mother returned to her position at the back of the chamber. “Those who wish to join the mer people, present your gift, and I will grant unto you Poseidon’s Blessing.”
Stumps came forward and held out his palm. At first, Narissa could not see what it was, but her mother picked it up, and she saw that it was a medal.
“What is this?” her mother asked.
“The Purple Heart medal, given to me for being wounded in action. It was an honor, but it could not give me back my leg. Now it may be an honor to your people.”
Hali nodded, pleased. “And now, your people.” She handed the medal to Eponnia, who stood by her side, tall and prideful on her full-moon legs.
Hali took the sanding rod and held it against the mark on his side. “The sea claims you as its own,” she said, formally chanting the words of the ceremony. As she spoke, the end of the rod glowed and rays of light flashed in both directions, swallowing Stumps in its light. Hali pressed the sand to the new wound, and the light shone from between her fingers. When it faded away, the second part of the symbol appeared within his mark, and he stood on two legs. Narissa was not surprised since she knew what would happen, but when Stumps reached down and touched it, she felt tears prick her eyes. He lifted his foot and bent his knee, then planted it firmly on the rock floor again. Crouched over, he stood tense and gently shaking. “Thank you.”
When he turned and walked away, there was no faltering or unsteadiness. He leaned his crutches against the cavern wall, a memorial to what his life had been.
Brody was next. He held his hand out, and Hali took the object in his hand. “And what is this?”
“The watch my father gave me when I graduated from college. It was a symbol of dedication and learning—both characteristics I then lost. I hope to find them again.”
Again, her mother nodded, accepting the gift. “The sea claims you as its own.”
After Brody had been changed, Anne stepped forward. Her hands trembled, but she straightened her spine as she held up her hand. When her mother picked it up, Narissa looked in astonishment at the gold chain with a round charm hanging from it. Her blood ran cold with panic.
“What it this?” Hali asked.
“Anne, no!” Narissa cried.
Anne turned to her with tear-filled eyes. “You said it has to be something that is a sacrifice or it won’t be accepted.” Then she turned back to Narissa’s mother and raised her chin. “It has the fingerprint of my baby boy, who died. It is all I have left of him.”
Narissa took a shuddering breath. “It’s too much, Mother. Too much. She shouldn’t have to give anything.”
Hali’s eyes grew stormy. “It is the way of our people for centuries. And if she did not think it was worth it to get our gifts, then she would not offer it.” She handed the charm to Eponnia and turned back to Anne. “The sea claims you as its own.”
Narissa did not watch the rest of the ceremony, she just turned into River’s chest and clutched blindly at him while she cried. “It’s not right,” she sobbed. “None of it is right. And someday, I’m going to change it all.”
His strong hands caressed her back, soothing her. But it was his deep-voiced words that brought her a measure of peace. “And someday you can give it back to her.”
“But not for a long, long time,” she argued, even though she was grateful he gave her the idea.
As they whispered to each other, the mers began to sing, the notes of the mer song rising around them. But after only a few notes, the walls of the sanding chamber shook as if an earthquake rolled through the sea bed beneath them. River’s arms pulled her down while he curled himself around her. He gave a groan as rock hit his b
ack and rolled away.
As everyone scrambled to cover their heads or dive into the pool to escape, Narissa’s mother screamed with fury. “Who dares to shake the earth around me?”
Narissa waited, feeling her mother’s power flash out into the sea. Even though she felt the compulsion of her mother’s question, she was still surprised when someone answered.
“Your pardon, Mother. I am not quite used to this thing yet.”
Narissa and River turned together to see Edmar casually strolling through the chamber. He seemed somehow bigger, and, though she would have thought it impossible, even more arrogant than before. And now, he carried a trident, the magical weapon of Triton.
“How came you by that trident?” her mother asked in a stony voice.
“I have inherited it from my father. I have taken his place on Triton’s council.”
Narissa gasped, drawing Edmar’s attention to her. “When did this happen?”
“Two days ago, sadly. I am broken with grief.”
“I can tell you are struggling,” she responded, not bothering to temper the sarcasm in her voice. “Would you happen to know anything about the sea serpent or the spawn of Charybdis suddenly appearing on this side of the world?”
“Now why should I know anything about that?” he asked, his voice reeking with innocence.
“Because you’re trying to kill my boyfriend.”
Edmar strode over to her and examined River. “Why would I bother? He still looks human while all the others are changed.”
Narissa nodded. “He is returning to land.”
“Narissa—" River tried to break in.
But she would not let him argue, not here in front of Edmar. There was only one thing she cared about in that moment, and it was making him safe. She rushed to say, “You’re wasting your efforts, Edmar. My destiny lies along a different path now that I have agreed to be my mother’s heir. You no longer need to concern yourself with him.”
Edmar leaned toward her and touched the end of her nose. She longed to slap him, especially when he smirked and said, “I’m glad to hear it, princess.”
Narissa felt River tense behind her, and she knew she had to get him out of there. With the trident, Edmar could easily overpower River if a fight should break out. Fortunately, her mother stepped forward, commanding Edmar’s attention once more.
“You are no longer welcome here, Edmar.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What? One of the Mothers not welcoming a member of Triton’s council? That won’t look good, will it?”
But her mother was not cowed. “I will not allow you to bring danger to my doorstep. Why are you here?”
He smiled and looked around. “Why, to receive payment for my Lovely of course.”
Across the chamber, Anne gasped and turned into Tyranno’s arms. Tyranno, however, shifted her behind him and faced Edmar with squared shoulders and a hard jaw. “Here is your payment.” He thrust a leather bag toward Edmar, who took it and poured a small pile of pearls and old Spanish coins into his palm.
Edmar made a tsking noise. “No, I’m afraid this simply isn’t enough for such a treasure.”
Tyranno’s jaw hardened even more. “It is the traditional amount.”
Edmar turned and waved his arms around the room. “I am open to anyone who will give more for her.” He eyed the mermen standing quietly around the room. The tension in the air nearly choked Narissa, but not a man moved. After a few minutes, Edmar shrugged. “Ah well… I will take her with me until someone is willing to pay what she is worth.” He lunged forward and grasped Anne’s arm, tugging her away.
Narissa leapt forward, her knife drawn. In a flash, she had it at his throat. “She was never yours. Leave her.”
Edmar held still, as if he barely dared to breath. He glared down at her and moved the trident forward. It glowed from within as magic began to pulse within the three, pointed prongs. “Stand away, princess.”
“Never. I’m the only one in this chamber you will not harm. But I will harm you soon enough. And before you can even twitch a finger on that golden fork.”
He held her gaze a moment, but it took no longer for him to believe her sincerity. “Fine. The soldier can have her.”
Edmar released Anne, who ran back to Tyranno and the line of guards who now stood menacingly at his side. Tyranno tossed him the leather bag, and Edmar caught it effortlessly.
Edmar studied Narissa through lowered lids. “It doesn’t matter anyway. She’s weak, even if she is lovely.”
“You know nothing about strength.”
His eyebrow lifted. “I know you are strong. You make a worthy opponent and no doubt you will make a scintillating mate one day.”
River stepped up, and though Edmar had magically grown in stature, River still out-manned him. “There is no way in hell she’ll ever be yours.”
The corner of Edmar’s mouth twisted. “Perhaps not. But we are not in hell. And in Poseidon’s Realm, I assure you there is a way.” He stared at Narissa with a hard, hungry expression. “And I will return for her.”
Edmar turned and strode out, diving into the pool. When he was gone, Narissa turned to her Mother. “Help me get River to land. Immediately.”
“My daughter, you do not need me for that.”
Narissa wanted to scream in frustration. She had been so sure her mother was finally on her side, but clearly she still played her own games. Narissa might have accepted her powers, but she did not know how to use them. She ran to River. “We have to leave, now. Before Edmar has time to mobilize his beast again.”
River followed her. “A tail would have come in handy right now.”
“No, it would have sealed your fate. Now come on. Swim for your life.”
She pulled her bottoms off and cast them aside on the rock, knowing she would not be needing them again for a long time and wanting nothing dragging at her as she swam. River was already in the water, trying not to look at her, so she dove in, changing as she broke the surface. They swam through the tunnel, and she paused just a moment in its shelter before darting out into the dark water. Most of the luminescent lights were gone, so the water was black. As they swam, she hovered close to River’s side, knowing he was tired and likely blind in the dark. She reached out with her senses and felt no disturbance in the water. Her sense of urgency to get River out of the water grew with every second until it nearly paralyzed her.
She could not carry him if he flagged, not at any great speed.
But a current could.
She focused hard, reaching out to the moon that pulled on all waters, reaching out to the waves that washed the shores of every land, and called their powers to her. In a tumult of bubbles and ribbons of rushing water, the water surged around them. She felt River tense, so she turned and swam beneath him, hugging him to her, chest to chest, soothing him with her hands. By pulling him close, she hoped to streamline their bodies in the water. She flicked her tail and concentrated on directing the current she’d created, reaching out by instinct to the sands in front of Uncle Jesse’s restaurant.
River must have grasped what was happening because he didn’t resist, just held her close and put his head down against the force of the water. In no time at all, Narissa felt her tail brush against the sand. Feeling safer in the shallows, she slowed the current until it dropped them softly in the surf. It was calm now, lapping the sand with gentle swells. They lay together on the sand, River not letting go.
Narissa stared up at the night sky and reveled in his breath against her neck.
“You said we’d stay together.” His voice was tight and flecked with anger.
“I meant tonight.”
“Then I’m not letting go of you yet.”
“I’m not asking you to.”
He pushed up on his forearms and stared down at her, his expression hard. “You say you want me to have a choice, but in reality, you didn’t let me make it.”
She cupped his jaw in her hands. “You will make the choice another nig
ht, but only after the magic fades, and after you’ve had some time to think about it without my siren lure to influence you.”
“I know I love you now, Narissa. It has nothing to do with your captivating charm or your wild beauty. I love your unwavering heart, your courage, your loyalty.”
Narissa’s tears were as salty as the water that ebbed and flowed around them, but hot, as if her whole being burned for him. “Then we are a match made by the fates themselves, because I love all that in you and more. For now, we cannot be together, but I will find a way for us. I swear it.”
He smiled. “You just commanded the oceans. There’s nothing I wouldn’t believe about you.” He sighed and brushed the hair from her face. “How will I find you again?”
“You won’t have to. I’ll find you.”
“How?”
“Just come into the sea, and I’ll know.”
“Don’t take too long,” he said, his voice husky.
“Not a moment longer than I have to, Tributary.”
Epilogue
River stared out over the rail of The Spanish Lady as it set sail from Port Canaveral. After a couple of weeks of hanging out around Destin, sulking on Jesse’s deck and staring out at the ever-changing gulf, he’d finally taken the older man’s advice and signed on with the crew of the treasure hunters he’d wanted to join at the beginning of the summer.
With no sign of Stumps, Brody, or Anne, he felt as if they’d all left him behind. He hated the feeling almost as much as he hated missing Narissa every moment of every day. Maybe finding his own adventure would help him survive until she came back to him.
And she would come back. She would.
It had been over two months now, with no sign of her, though he looked for her in every wave.
Unfortunately, diving for treasure meant long hours of monotony, time when he had to fight his thoughts to keep his longing for her from engulfing him—drowning him. But with hurricane season in full swing, and the captain’s permits running out, the pressure was on. He was diving more and more often.
The Lovely Deep (The Mer Song Trilogy Book 1) Page 19
