With her hands on his, the necklace between them, Meribel speaks her vow. “I, Meribel, daughter of King Aegeus, take my place as heir to the throne. I promise to lead this shoal with wisdom and loyalty, protecting the merfolk with my life.”
When the words are out, I take the necklace and place it around her neck. The swirls of color glint in the sunlight that filters through the water to illuminate the shoal, promising a bright future. Meribel’s smile gleams just as brightly. A roaring wave of approval rises up from the crowd as the merfolk blow their conch shells, creating a cloud of bubbles.
A trickle of thoughts stream from Grandfather’s mind, distracting me from the celebration. I turn to him and nod. His last wish is something I’m happy to grant him.
I rush over to the head officer to tell him what I want. He quickly sends two guards into the palace. When they return, they’re carrying the Pāua shell necklace intended for the queen’s mate and the bridal chest covering that had originally been created for my mother. It’s just as beautiful as the one I wore on my wedding day. The guards follow me up to Meribel. When she sees them and the articles they hold, she bursts into tears, covering her eyes with her hands.
“Grandfather’s last wish is to see your wedding. Will you allow me to perform the ceremony?”
Meribel looks at Kai and holds out her hands to him. He rushes forward to take them, love and wonder and overwhelming joy flooding his mind and lighting up his face. As they gaze into each other’s eyes, I tie the chest covering onto Meribel. It wasn’t made for her, but it fits her perfectly.
The guards blow their conch shells once again, loud enough to be heard over the celebrating merfolk. I hand the necklace to Meribel. As soon as the crowd settles down enough for her to speak, Meribel addresses them.
“As queen of the shoal, I understand the depth of my responsibility and wish to share it with another, one who is worthy to stand beside me and rule our people. I offer my hand in marriage to the merman I love and trust to rule with me. Kai, will you accept this necklace as a symbol of our union and promise to lead the merfolk with honor and loyalty?”
He smiles so widely, I’m afraid his face will split open. “I do.”
Meribel ties the necklace around his neck then throws her arms around him, kissing him with wild abandon. Kai kisses her back, wrapping his arms just as tightly around her. Their embrace is probably too intimate for the crowd to witness, but Kai and Meribel don’t seem to mind the audience, and the merfolk raise up another happy cheer, even louder than the first one.
Muriel floats nearby, her face glowing with pride and happiness. I swim to her and give her a hug then take her hand and guide her over to Grandfather. He’s propped up by his guards, watching the festivities with a swirl of emotions. Muriel nuzzles up to him. He puts his arm around her and closes his eyes, sighing. A few moments later, he shudders out a breath and doesn’t take another one.
Chapter 21
Coral
I float in the middle of my room, taking one last look at my childhood home — the salmon-colored scallop shells covering the stone walls in perfect rows, the dozens of tiny windows letting in the light, the coral decorations, and the nest of sea sponges in the center.
Meribel approaches the open doorway, a wide smile curling her lips and Grandfather’s Pāua shell necklace gleaming against her chest. “Promise me you’ll come visit once in a while.”
Maybe some day I’ll return for a visit, but right now all my plans center around a new home. One I’m anxious to return to. I haven’t been gone that long, but it feels like a lifetime; so much has happened.
“Maybe I can come for the birth of your first merling.” I grin and nudge her side. I’m sure she and Kai will have a school of them in no time.
“Maybe I can come visit you for yours.” She winks at me and slides her arm through mine.
After Grandfather passed, Meribel told the merfolk that the curse had died with him and they were safe to come and go as they pleased to visit the land or other shoals, even the mermen. So far, a few of them have been brave enough to venture beyond the reef. A couple have returned with exciting stories of their adventures. But I have a hard time imagining Meribel ever leaving. She’s too happy to care about anything but her new life here.
Kai joins us then, wrapping his arms around Meribel, a bright twinkle of happiness in his eyes. It thrills me to know I played a part in their love story. “Coral, thank you again for what you did for us. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined this outcome. I hope you don’t regret your decision. Meribel and I will do our best to honor the family legacy.”
“I know you will, Kai. I trust you both. And I’m just as happy as you are.” I’m pretty sure my own eyes are twinkling at the thought of seeing my mates again soon.
I hug them both then excuse myself to say goodbye to my mother. She’s preparing to return to her own shoal. When I enter the room, she comes towards me with her arms open. I do the same, and we embrace tightly.
“Thank you for coming. It means so much to me that you were willing,” I murmur into her neck.
She pulls back and takes my head in her hands, her eyes glistening with tears and a myriad of emotions. She looks younger, like the lifted burden reversed the years somehow. Maybe there’s still time for her own happy ending. “I wish I could say I saved you, but you saved yourself. I couldn’t be more proud of you.”
“Promise me you’ll come visit me sometime.”
“Only if you do the same.”
We both nod, smiling, and press our foreheads together. Our matching, long, brown hair swirls together, our similar bodies like a mirror image of each other. She gives me a kiss on each cheek then releases me. “Hurry home, little princess, your princes are waiting for you.”
I swim from the room and out the back entrance of the palace, stopping long enough to give it one last look before starting on my long journey. The merfolk inside are happy with their lives, the shoal is in good hands, and I feel relieved of my duties. I’m free to pursue my own happiness.
With that thought, I turn around and swim as fast as I can towards my destiny. The swim is long and tiring, but it goes faster than the trip there, probably because I’m spurred on by happy memories and hopes for the future. I don’t stop at all, just swim and swim, ignoring my exhaustion, desperate to return home.
When I reach the dock at the end of our property and lift my head out of the water, the sky is dark but twinkling with stars like party decorations, welcoming me back. Lights are on in the house, assuring me my mates are here. I hear a gasp as I put my hands on the edge of the dock and start to pull myself out of the water.
“Coral?!” Liam jumps from the bench and grabs me under my arms, lifting me the rest of the way up.
“Oh my God, you’re here!” He pulls my body to his, wrapping me in his arms and holding me off the ground.
My tail flicks erratically behind me as his lips claim mine. He kisses me over and over, frantically, squeezing me tight till I’m breathless, panting. Eventually, he senses my distress and pulls his lips from mine, loosening his grip on me.
“I’m sorry! I’m just so happy to see you.” He cringes at his manic behavior, but I just grin at him. He lifts the seat of the bench with one hand and grabs a towel from the storage compartment. Then he sets me down and wraps the towel around me.
“Wait, are you back for good, or just a visit?” His voice cracks with worry.
I look up at him, admiring his beautiful face. His pale skin contrasts with his dark hair in the moonlight. I take his hand, pouring all my emotions into my gaze. “I’m staying.”
“Oh, thank God.” He grabs me, hugging me for a moment before pulling away again.
“Your Grandfather? Kai?”
I shake my head. “It’s a long story, but everything’s all right now. Better than I could have ever imagined. Let’s wait till we’re all together, and I’ll tell you what happened. Is everyone home?”
I peek past him and not
ice several figures moving by the pool. I hear water splashing, voices laughing and talking, and upbeat music playing.
“Are you having a party?” My heart sinks a little. I thought they would still be grieving my absence.
“Bella is. She moved in today. Gio finally got custody.”
The news buoys my spirits. “Oh, he must be so happy.”
Liam laughs. “Well, at the moment he’s pretty miserable, trying to keep all her party guests from destroying the house. They’re animals. That’s why I’m out here avoiding the chaos.”
He strokes a hand down my face and neck as his voice softens to a whisper. “I’m so glad I got to be the first one to see you.”
He leans in for another kiss, this one more tender but still just as passionate. Desire ignites in my center. His hands roam across my skin, spreading the fire.
“As much as I want to keep you to myself for the rest of the night, I know they’ll kill me if I don’t tell them you’re here. Are you ready to go see them?”
I nod eagerly. Liam helps me dry my tail till my scales disintegrate then wraps the towel around me like a sarong. My fingers intertwine with his as we walk back towards the house.
The kids by the pool don’t pay us any attention, but as soon as we step inside, Gio sees us. His eyes go wide, showing a hint of the white that’s normally swallowed up by his dark irises. He drops the cup of soda he’s holding, spilling it everywhere, but he doesn’t even notice. He just stalks towards me like he going to attack me.
Strong hands grab my waist, lifting me up above his head for a moment then yanking me to his chest. All the air squeezes out of my lungs as he crushes me to his body. I feel him harden against my belly. His large, rough hands are everywhere, caressing every inch of me through the towel. I wish I could tear it off and feel his hot skin against me.
“Coral, Coral, Coral.” He moans my name like it’s the only word he remembers.
Finally, I push myself away enough to look at him. I stare into his black eyes for just a moment before pressing my lips to his. That’s all it takes to get him going again. Only now he’s pouring all his energy into his kiss, ravaging my mouth like he’s trying to devour me.
“Geez, Gio. Can you have some self-control? There are kids watching.” Bella’s saucy voice breaks the spell, and Gio releases my mouth. His face is red with lust or embarrassment or maybe both. We’re both breathing too hard to speak, so we just stare at each other for a moment.
“Hi Coral, glad you’re back. Guess my brother’s pretty excited about that, too.”
“Are you here to stay?” He growls, glaring at me.
I nod and stroke his chest, right over his heart. “Forever. I promise.”
I tear my gaze away from Gio to smile at Bella. “Congratulations. I heard you’re moving in.”
I push against Gio till he lets me go so I can hug Bella. She tugs at the skirt of my favorite red dress. “Sorry, Gio told me I could wear it.”
I smile at her and squeeze her hand. “I don’t mind sharing. You look really pretty.”
“Jude’s in the kitchen if you want to go say hi to him.” She points a thumb behind her.
I nod and head in that direction. Gio starts to follow me, but Liam puts a hand on his arm to stop him.
Jude is standing at the counter with his back to me, singing badly and putting sauce on some chicken wings. I tiptoe up to him and wrap my arms around him, burying my face in his shoulder.
“Looks yummy.”
He jumps and whirls around, his eyes huge. “Coral!”
Suddenly, his sticky, sauce-covered hands are all over me, leaving red fingerprints on the towel and my face. I don’t mind at all. I thread my own hands through his soft curls and kiss him, savoring the sweet and tangy taste of Jude and barbecue sauce. When we finally pull away, his smile is so big it’s splitting his face open.
“I knew you couldn’t stay away from this.” He waves his hands over his body. He looks a little fuller than before, like he’s been stress eating or tasting new recipes. But I don’t mind at all. I put my arms around him and squeeze tightly, appreciating every inch of him.
“I missed you so much, Jude. And not just your good cooking.” I grin and sneak a chicken wing from the bowl behind him. When I put it to my mouth, he bites the other side of it. We pass it back and forth, nibbling the meat off it. Then Jude takes my sticky fingers and puts them in his mouth one by one, sucking them clean. Desire curls in my belly like a fierce hunger. I do the same to him till we both start groaning.
“Better not start something unless you’re ready to finish it,” he growls.
“I need to go find Avery, but save some of that sauce for later.” I wink at him and trail a finger down his chest, swirling it around his navel. He clenches his abdomen.
“I think he’s in the bathroom doing some of the girls’ hair.”
When I near the bathroom, a girl walks out, fluffing her new hairdo. I point to the door. “Is anyone else in there besides Avery?”
She shakes her head. I smile and slip inside, locking the door behind me. “My turn.”
Avery’s mouth falls open. “Coral!”
I throw myself at him. He catches me, chuckling. We embrace for a long moment, my head on his chest, his hands running lightly up and down my sides, sending shivers through my body.
When I lift my face to his, he cradles my head in his hands and kisses me softly, like he’s sipping nectar from my lips. Somehow, it’s even more passionate than the others’ more aggressive kisses. We kiss till my body is tingling all over, desperate for him to touch me. Since we’re alone, I pull the towel away from my body, letting it drop to the ground.
Avery gulps as he lets his eyes roam up and down my body. Then he lays his fingers on my shoulders and drags them lightly down my chest, around my breasts, and along the curve of my waist. I throw my head back, moaning at the incredible sensation. He steps closer so he can run his fingers around my hips and down my backside, kneading the soft flesh. He nuzzles my neck while he strokes me, sending a bolt of electricity from there to my center. I jolt when he suddenly licks me.
“Why are you covered in barbecue sauce?” he whispers, chuckling.
“Jude was making chicken wings.”
“Ahh, that explains it.”
He wets a washcloth then wipes my face and hands clean. The simple action is so tender and caring, tears drip from my eyes as I watch him. When he’s done, he wipes my tears away with his thumbs then holds onto my cheeks while he kisses me again.
“Will the party be over soon? I need…” I can’t finish the sentence, but he nods in understanding.
“It should be. Let’s go to your bedroom and get some clothes for you.”
I nod and follow him up the stairs. My bedroom is exactly the way I left it, only my aqua silk comforter is rumpled like someone’s been lying on it. When I lay my hand on it, Avery comes up behind me and puts an arm around me.
“I think we all took turns sleeping in here, trying to feel close to you. The pillow smells more like us than it does you now.”
I can’t resist the temptation. I lie down on the giant bed and bury my nose in the pillow. Sure enough, I smell a hint of each of them on it. I close my eyes and breathe in, letting the scent of them surround me. I lay there for a moment, overwhelmed by exhaustion. When I open my eyes again, the morning light is pouring in through the window, and all four of them are curled up around me.
Chapter 22
Coral
I twirl my new ring around on my finger as I admire the five sparkly stones — a fiery, red ruby for Gio, a happy, yellow citrine for Jude, a brilliant, green emerald for Liam, a gorgeous, blue topaz for Avery, and a royal purple amethyst for me.
It’s the same one I admired in the gold buyer’s store what feels like a lifetime ago. I can’t believe Avery remembered and bought it for me. But then again, it doesn’t surprise me that he would be that thoughtful. I cuddle up next to him on the couch, holding out my hand for a bet
ter view. “Thank you again for the beautiful ring. I love it.”
He wraps an arm around my shoulder and kisses the top of my head. “You’re welcome, Princess.”
I wear it on the ring finger of my left hand. Liam says it’s human tradition to wear a wedding ring there. I’m not legally married to any of them, but my ring symbolizes the same commitment. We had a little ceremony in the back yard and everything.
My mother came, and Meribel, Kai, even Muriel. I chuckle thinking about how excited Muriel was to be on land, like a little kid instead of an old mermaid. Llyr came, too, but Gio was not too happy about how much attention he paid to Bella. Bella seemed pretty happy about it, though.
I drop my hand to my lap and absentmindedly rub my belly. It feels full and tight like I’ve been eating too much of Jude’s good cooking. Suddenly, I feel a flutter like there’s a fish swimming inside me. I gasp and press my hand against the spot, trying to feel it again.
“Coral, you okay?” Avery sits up a bit to look at me. The others glance over at us.
“I felt something move in my stomach.”
Jude chuckles. “It’s called indigestion, Princess. That’s what happens when you eat so many nachos. I think you ate more than I did. Plus you ate a whole pint of ice cream. You don’t usually even like ice cream.”
“I was hungry. If you don’t want me to eat so much, don’t make such good food.” I scowl and throw a pillow at him. Jude catches it before it hits him, gawking at me. I’m not usually so surly.
I slump back down into the couch cushions. “Sorry, I’m just tired and a little cranky.”
The little fish swishes around in my belly again, and I suck in a deep breath. Liam comes over to sit beside me, laying a hand over my stomach. “You have been eating more lately. Your belly feels a bit swollen. Have you had any nausea?”
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