by Dee J. Stone
“When is the ceremony to occur?” I ask.
“The morning after tomorrow,” Neren says.
I nod and stare down at the scales at my waist. Neren and Pelina are to be mated in two days. Yet, they do not seem as uneasy as the way I feel regarding my impending mating ceremony. They gaze at one another as though they are lost in each other’s eyes. It is as though they are communicating with one another in means other than voice. As though they are attached at the soul. The only other beings I have seen behave in this manner is Mother and Father.
My chest feels hollow.
I involuntarily shift, which causes Neren’s gaze to break away from Pelina. He shakes his head, as though his mind he has been in another world. “I heard you have returned to the colony this morning,” he says. “Are you all right?”
There is a strange sensation in my throat. It feels…I cannot describe it. The last time I felt this way was when I was on land, when Cassie offered me that liquid the humans drink. Dry…yes, that is the word. My throat feels dry. How is it possible for it to feel this way? What is the meaning? I have never felt this way before.
“The entire colony is aware I have been absent?” I ask.
Neren glances at Pelina. “I am afraid so.”
It was not my intention to cause all this. I should have behaved in a more appropriate manner. Father is correct—I did not think of the consequences. As Doria claimed, every child of the sea will be looking to me for guidance, not only my siblings. Every action I do is observed and monitored.
“Many were worried you had been attacked by a rogue shark,” Pelina says. “Or humans.”
I shake my head. “I know how to conceal myself from human detection.”
“Even so,” Neren says. “Many were worried. You are the next king.”
I nod and once again stare down at the scales at my waist.
“I am glad you are well, Damarian,” Neren says.
“As am I,” Pelina says.
“Thank you.”
“Many of us wonder, Damarian, as your mating ceremony was set to occur yesterday morning. When will it occur?”
I examine the two of them sitting before me, at the manner in which their hands are clasped together, the manner in which their eyes are attached to one another’s faces. It is as though they have already mated. Love. That is what it is. I have known the love shared between two children of the sea, for Mother and Father love each other very much. But I have never felt it.
Cassie’s face and body floats before me. The sensations I felt on land return. The warmth and electricity. I remember how good it felt. I remember how I wished to feel it again. And when my lips touched hers…
“Damarian.”
I open my eyes. I was not aware I closed them. Neren and Pelina stare at me. “What has happened?” I ask.
“You were swaying,” Neren says. “I worried you would fall off your chair.”
I must forget about Cassie Price. I must.
Neren lifts himself off his chair and touches my shoulder. “Perhaps you should rest. Pelina and I wish to invite you to our mating ceremony. It would be an honor for you to attend.”
I rise off my chair and wrap my tail around the two of them. “It will be my pleasure.”
They incline their heads and swim toward the exit of the Sapphire colony. Once again, that dry sensation fills my throat. I believe I know what it is. Dejection. Perhaps envy as well.
I remain seated on the stone, lost in my thoughts, until the sea grows dark. Just as I am set to return home, I catch sight of Father swimming toward the cave. He is conversing with Callen, leader of the Guard. I am not certain what sort of topics Father and Callen discuss, for such topics are restricted only to the royal family, leader of the Guard, and the king and queen’s most trusted advisor. I wonder if Father will be my advisor when I become king. I cannot imagine giving him orders.
Father notices me and comes to a halt. He speaks a few words to Callen, who nods and leaves the colony. Since he is leader of the Guard, he takes residence at the palace with the other Guards.
“Damarian,” Father says as I approach him.
“What have you and Callen been discussing?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “It does not concern you.”
“I am to be king soon. Is there something I should be aware of?”
Father’s eyes remain on me for a few seconds. Then he places his hand on my shoulder. “The humans have been capturing turtles in their nets. The king and queen wish to move their colonies inward, as to protect them.” He rubs my shoulders. “But you need not worry about this. Not until you take the throne.” He leans forward and presses a swift kiss on my forehead. “Remain Damarian of the Sapphire clan for a few more days.”
Chapter Nine
When I wake the next morning, I feel…I am not certain. Empty, as though I am missing something very dear to me. I have not felt in this manner in the past.
Cassie once again enters my thoughts, and as I replay the time shared with her, the emptiness vanishes. When I try to chase away any thought I have of her, the emptiness returns. What does it mean?
I enter the main room and find that Zarya is awake, and that she, Mother, and Father have already eaten.
“Hurry and eat, Damarian,” Zarya says. “I wish to go exploring!”
Although I am still confused by my feelings, I place a smile on my lips and sit at the table to eat. It seems Father is giving Zarya explicit instructions.
“And do not remove your hold from Damarian’s,” he says to her. He lifts her close to his chest so that he can look deeply into her eyes. “You understand?”
She nods vehemently, her eyes as bright as the full moon I see when I swim to the surface. “I understand, Father!”
“You cannot travel too far from the colony,” he says. “Do not beg Damarian. You are aware how difficult it is for him to refuse you.”
“Only for Damarian?” Mother says with a laugh.
Father smiles. Then his expression turns stern. “Do not wander, Zarya. Do not hurry to pick up treasures. Remain at Damarian’s side at all times.”
“Yes, Father. I am not a fry!”
He taps her nose. “Yes, you are. You are my youngest fry, and I will forever fret over you, more so than your brothers and sisters.”
She frowns. “That is unfair.”
He smiles and kisses the top of her head. “It is my hope that you have a wonderful time.”
He swims to Mother and kisses her cheek, then motions for me to follow him out the cave. “Keep a close watch on her. You are aware of how energetic she tends to be.”
“Yes, Father,” I say with a smile. “I am quite aware.”
He glances at the shark stationed outside our home. “Take Vinx with you.”
“I am certain we will not need him.”
Father pats the top of Vinx’s head. “You are to take him with you, Damarian. I will not hear another word.”
No matter how many times I attempt to convince Father that we will be all right, he still appears apprehensive. But I know he does not wish to confine Zarya to our home, which is most likely the reason he surrenders and leaves the Sapphire colony for Eteria. When I swim back inside, I discover Mother placing a rare breed of squid into a medium-sized shell.
“To where do you journey, Mother?” I ask.
A look I am very familiar with passes her face. “I have matters to attend to. I shall not be long. Please do not spend too many hours exploring.” She places a kiss on Zarya’s forehead, and then on mine. “Doria will care for the twins. Goodbye.” I watch her leave the cave with the shell. I know where she is headed—to her father.
Grandfather has chosen to live as a recluse since the loss of Grandmother. The bond between two children of the sea is so profound that many find it difficult to live after his or her mate has perished. I do not hold many memories of Grandmother, for I was quite young when she perished, but I know they loved each other very, very much. I wonder if one day
I will feel so strongly about the princess that I could not imagine living without her.
Mother visits Grandfather once a moon. He lives in a small cave far from the colonies. Doria, Kiander, and I have visited him in the past, but he has made it quite clear that he does not wish to see any of us. Mother does not relent, though. It is her hope that he will one day change his mind and return to the Sapphire colony.
“Dammy!” Zarya swarms toward me with such speed that her tail lashes at my arm. “Let us explore!”
I swim before her and take hold of her arms, extending them over my shoulders so that her torso rests on my back. “This will be quite an adventure, Zarya,” I tell her. “How much fun we shall have.”
She cheers as we surge away.
***
We return home with two treasures. I brought Zarya to two sunken human vessels I have explored in the past. I had discovered many items the first times I have searched them and have given them to Zarya. I have returned many times over my moons in hopes of locating more treasures she would adore. But I could not find any. As she and I explored the vessels, she located items I did not find. The fry is quite gifted.
“Look what Damarian and I have discovered!” Zarya announces as we enter the cave. She raises them over her head before Syd and Syndin. “More items to add to my collection!”
My brothers exchange a glance. They do not look pleased. They appear extremely jealous.
“We do not want silly human items,” Syndin says.
Zarya lifts her chin and rushes into her room with her treasures. Both twins still do not look happy. I swim over and take hold of both their hands. “I apologize we did not take you with us. Perhaps next time.”
“There will not be another opportunity,” Syd mutters, releasing himself from my hold. “You are to be mated soon.”
I swallow. “Yes, you are correct, Syd. That is the reason it is my wish to spend many hours with you, Syndin, and Zarya.”
“You spend all your time with Zarya,” Syndin says, releasing his hand as well.
I am afraid he is correct. I take their hands and squeeze them. “Let us play squid wars.”
The frowns vanish from their faces and are replaced with smiles. “Yes, squid wars!”
“I shall gather everyone shortly. First, I must speak to Mother about a matter.”
“All right, but do hurry!”
Mother is relaxing in her room. She smiles when I approach. “Did you and Zarya have a lovely time?”
“Yes, but I am afraid Zarya is now more eager to explore the sea.”
She laughs.
“How was the visit with Grandfather?”
She looks at me and then focuses on the sea floor.
“I know you visit him once a month, Mother. Has he…does he still behave in the same manner?”
“Yes, I am afraid so.”
“And he does not plan to return to the colony?”
She shakes her head.
“Nor does he wish to see me or the other fry.”
“No, Damarian. He does not wish to see me, either. I am truly sorry.” She kisses the top of my head. “We do not understand the way he feels. Neither of us has lost mates and cannot fathom the heartache he must endure. It is my hope that we shall never know such heartache.”
She is correct. I do not understand. But I wish there was a way to include him in our lives. This upsets Mother very much.
“The fry and I wish to play squid wars,” I tell her. “Where are Doria and Kiander?”
She informs me that Doria shares her time with Hareta and her other friends and that Kiander is in his room. I swim there and ask him to join us, but he claims he is no longer a fry and has little patience for such games.
“You know how much the fry enjoy it,” I say.
He shakes his head.
Zarya is on the floor in her room, surrounded by her collection. When I inform her the twins and I wish to play squid wars, she drops the items in her hands and rushes to me. “You and I shall be partners! We will triumph over Syd and Syndin!”
It is very difficult to be victorious when we play against the twins, for they share an extremely close bond only twins share. Zarya and I are decent opponents because we share a very close bond as well. Although we have only triumphed over them several times.
I tell Mother we will not be out for too long, and the four of us leave the cave. We make way toward the location where many squids are gathered and ask which of them would like to play with us. Some are shy while others are friendly. It does not take long before four volunteer. The fry and I swim to a large location where squid wars is usually held, a place devoid of fish and other sea creatures and where there are a lot of large rocks to conceal oneself from his or her opponent.
Fortunately, there are no other fry playing. Syd and Syndin hurry away with their squids, their heads bent together as they strategize. I take Zarya’s hand and lead her to a large rock on the bottom of the sea.
“No,” she says. “I have hidden here many times. Syd and Syndin are sure to search for us here.”
I scan around. We have played this game so often that there are not many places to choose. Zarya tugs on my hand and leads me toward a large collection of rocks. She wedges herself between two and attempts to pull me in. “I am much too large, Zarya,” I tell her.
Her eyes widen. “They are headed this way!”
I stretch my neck and examine the area. I do not see them, but I sense them. Zarya is right, they will appear at any moment. I place my finger on my lips and hide behind a rock next to the one she is wedged between. She is concealed very well, but I am not. When I am partnered with Zarya, it is my wish to be victorious, for I know how it delights her. As of late, she and I have not been the champions. Perhaps I am growing too old.
I catch sight of her waving her arms and pointing to the area behind me. The twins. With my squid in my hands, I tell it to be prepared, and spin around, aiming my squid at the twins’ faces. Ink shoots out, and I hear a groan. But the groan does not belong to Syd or Syndin.
I stare at a broad, familiar chest. Slowly, my eyes rise until they are on his face. “Father.”
He lifts his hand and wipes the ink off his face and neck. Then he looks at me with a furious expression.
“Father!” Zarya hurries over. “Have you come to play with us?”
Ink splatters me in the face and neck.
“Syd and Syndin!” Father shouts.
The twins float back to back, their squids held firmly in their hands, their expressions apologetic and somewhat frightened. Father, Zarya, and I are covered in the ink as well.
“We are sorry, Father,” I say. “Truly sorry. Everyone knows to be careful when swimming in this location, for there is a high chance a game of squid wars is occurring.”
“You are not a fry, Damarian,” Father says. “You should not play these games.”
My mouth closes as I stare at Father. Yes, squid wars is played by fry, but that does not state I cannot play with my younger siblings.
Father hands a small oyster shell to Syndin and says to him and his brother, “Take Zarya home. The journey is not far. Present Mother with the shell and tell her I have located the rare fish she had once feasted on as a fry. She will be most pleased.”
“Were you not at Eteria, Father?” Syd asks.
“Yes, but the Guards and I traveled out of the colony to deal with an issue involving the turtles.” He nods to the shell. “I have gathered enough for everyone. Tell Mother that Damarian and I will join you shortly.”
Syd and Syndin nod and are ready to leave, but Zarya says, “Can I not travel home with you?”
He touches her cheek. “There is a matter I must discuss with Damarian.”
“But they will not watch over me! I do not like traveling with them.”
He looks at the twins with a strict expression. “Mind your sister. Do not lose sight of her, as you had done four moons ago.”
“It was Syd!” Syndin says.
“It is not so!”
Father rubs his forehead. “Please, I beg you. I do not have the strength for this. Bring your sister home.”
“Yes, Father.” Each one takes her hand and they swim away.
Father and I now float before each other. Although he no longer carries the furious look on his face, I know he is still quite disappointed with me.
“It was just a game, Father. Am I not allowed to play with my brothers and sister?”
“You are heir to the throne. You will acquire the crown shortly. It is not befitting for you to play such silly games. Kiander or Doria are better suited to play with the little ones.”
Yes, but they do not enjoy playing with the fry. I do not say this to Father, though. Instead, I ask, “When is shortly?”
He swims over and places his hands on my shoulders. “I understand your nerves, and the royal family has agreed to postpone the mating ceremony. But I do not wish to make them wait longer than a few days. Is it your wish that the children of the sea discover your fears? You will be seen as weak.”
Is it too terrible to admit that it does not concern me if they see me as weak?
“The princess will wish to spend time with you,” Father says. “Expect an invitation from her in the near future.”
Once again, my throat feels dry. I merely nod.
He pats my shoulder. “It will be all right. Do not fret. Come, I wish to see the overjoyed expression on Mother’s face when she sees the fish.”
He and I swim toward our home.
“What fish did you capture?” I ask.
“A species she had once tasted in her younger moons. I admit I do not know their name. Mother had mentioned to me quite a few times how she desired to eat it once again.” He smiles to me, something he does not do often when only in my presence. “You will understand the need to please your mate once you and the princess are bonded.”
Yes, but will I wish to please her out of love, or out of duty because she will be my mate?
Cassie’s face once again enters my mind. I shake my head to rid my mind, body, and soul of her.
***
Children of Sapphire and Violet clans are gathered in a large open area in the sea. In the center are Neren and Pelina, their hands clutching one another’s, their eyes gazing lovingly into the other. Pelina wears beautiful colored stones and plants in her hair. Their families stand on either side of them, each with large smiles on their faces.
