As was the tradition, I waited in the centre of the arena, turning in a three hundred and sixty degree circle slowly as I waited for him.
The audience murmured around me as their eyes skimmed the breathtaking gown and otherworldly emerald green paste that had turned my whole body into a work of art.
I had no patience for their admiration today. There was only one person whose opinion mattered and he seemed to be taking a long time to arrive.
We’d had to wait out the full month until the next Full Moon Festival before this event and in that time we’d restored The Haven to its former glory and even added some additional elements that made life a little more practical.
It had taken me all of a few seconds to decide whether I would stay in The Haven with Merrick and help the Oceanids. My life on land had grown dreamily insubstantial and the need at The Haven was so great that it felt only natural to stay. Merrick was my breath, my sun, and the Oceanids my family.
I still missed mom, but for the most part Merrick and I were so busy sorting through the seemingly neverending tasks of restoring and running The Haven, that the little time we did have we spent alone ensconced in each other’s company.
He had officially asked me to be his life partner two weeks ago. We had been floating on the surface again, our arms wrapped around each other, gazing into each other’s eyes, when he’d whispered his dreams of our life together. Intimate whispers that still made my skin tingle with anticipation.
“Be mine, Alexandra?” he’d whispered, kissing me between each word.
The announcement of our coming union had been the catalyst that lifted the pall that still lingered over the inhabitants of The Haven. The children and adults alike had gone to great lengths to decorate The Haven in glittering sheaths of pearls, the brightest and most beautiful coral, and shoals of exquisite fish that flitted around like great flocks of butterflies.
Merrick swept from the sidelines of the arena up to me, his face alight with excitement and anticipation. As he wrapped his arms around me and pressed his forehead against mine, we swirled together, our clothing and hair melting into each other’s creating a private cocoon.
He smiled at me in the turquoise sun-dappled water, before dipping his head and kissing me until I was dizzy.
Terms
Name Description
Mizrak A creature used by the Oceanids as a weapon. It is long and blade-sharp and has similar properties to a starfish in that it reacts on instincts instead of discernible thought.
Zmija Sea serpent-like creature. Inspiration from the frilled shark and ribbon fish and flying fish.
Aseet Oceanids who are physically talented with weapons of teeth, claws, poison, heat.
Sebesség. Oceanids whose talent is speed and some of them have sonar location abilities too.
Mami-Wata Oceanids able to communicate with and control animals.
Påvirke Oceanids able to influence thought either by dreams, planting ideas, erasing memory.
Water Sprite These Oceanids have a special relationship with water and are either able to influence its state or access information from it or use it as a weapon.
Traduzir The protectors, the Traduzir have sensory gifting that enable them to hear, see and feel danger.
Gurrer These Oceanids are natural fighters. They are naturally defensive and able to picture scenarios before they play out.
Miengu Oceanids who in normal circumstances are the hunters of the pod.
Shaha Oceanids who inherit the history and memories of their forebears. Their role in Oceanids society is to keep history alive and provide a substance for the Oceanid culture.
CARINA™
ISBN: 978 1 472 09528 2
Fire
Copyright © 2014 Natasha Hardy
Published in Great Britain (2014)
by Carina, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited, Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
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Fire (The Mermaid Legacy - Book 2) Page 22
