Damarian (A Merman's Kiss Novel)

by Dee J. Stone

  It does not seem like humans have multiple mates, for whenever I have seen a couple, they were always in a pair. Is Cassie perhaps promised to that human, just as I was promised to Princess Flora?

  “What’s wrong, Damarian?” she asks. “Are you feeling okay?”

  “Do humans have multiple mates?” I ask.

  Her eyebrows rise. “Multiple mates? Oh, I understand what you’re asking. No, we are monogamous. At least, that’s how we should be.”

  “Because humans cheat,” I say.

  “Yeah, unfortunately some do.”

  “That male human Kyle…”

  She sighs. “You saw, didn’t you? Just forget about him. He probably can’t stand the fact that I found someone when he’s still single. Jerk.” She rolls her eyes.

  “But he will not compete with me?”

  She laughs lightly before stretching her head to press a quick kiss on my cheek. “No, you have nothing to worry about. What’s a human compared to a merman?” She winks.

  That causes me to smile and relax.

  After I have swum in her pool and have transformed back to a human, she and I settle in her car. Now that I am no longer troubled over the human male, I realize how hungry I am. I am quite excited to taste more human foods. Cassie stops the car in a large open area with many other cars. She calls it a parking lot.

  “We’re going to be in a very packed place,” she tells me as we climb out. “It might be noisy. So if you feel uncomfortable, let me know, okay?”

  “Thank you. You are most kind, Cassie.”

  I wish to tell her how much love I have for her, but I am not certain if it is appropriate. Humans are not like children of the sea and she may not welcome my feelings. We declare our love for one another and mate. Cassie did not declare her eternal love for that male human. How can I know if she will do the same for me?

  And I have many other concerns as well. If I declare my love for her and ask her to be my mate, I will be tied to land forever. Tied to her. Humans do not mate for eternity. What if I cannot live on land and am forced to return to the sea? I will yearn for her for the rest of my life.

  I do not dwell on my troubling thoughts for too long because Cassie says, “Let’s pick a table in the back.” She takes my hand and leads me to the far end of this store. She tells me to sit at the table and takes a seat across from me. “Smells awesome, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes. I appreciate that I am not in my child of the sea form, for all these scents would be overwhelming.”

  “So your senses are weaker as a human?” she asks.

  I nod. “I cannot hear as well as I do as a child of the sea. Nor can I see far distances.”

  She is quiet, as though she is pondering this. “I guess it makes sense. You need to have heightened senses because you swim really fast in the ocean.”

  “Yes, you are correct.”

  She shakes her head in disbelief. “I still can’t believe you’re a merman. And that merpeople live in the sea. All those movies and books about merpeople.” She shakes her head again.

  “Movies and books?” I ask.

  “Movies are like what you watched on TV. They tell us stories through acting and special effects. Books tell stories through reading. So on a rainy day, you can curl up on your bed with a good book and get sucked into a story.”

  “Stories are told through the tongue in the sea,” I tell her.

  “Yeah, stories are told that way here, too. Like parents read stories to their kids before they go to sleep. My father…”

  “Yes?”

  “Never mind.” She looks around. “Where’s the waiter? Excuse me!” She waves to a tall female who is walking past.

  When she notices Cassie waving, she walks over. “How can I help you?”

  “Can we please have everything on the breakfast menu?”

  The female stares at Cassie as though she has said something quite absurd. But she nods and walks away.

  “Why did she stare at you in such a manner?” I ask.

  She laughs. “Well, we basically just ordered food for like five people.”

  I feel my eyes enlarge. “Five people? But we are only two.”

  She takes my hand and squeezes it. “I want you to try everything. I want to share my world with you.”

  I place my hand atop hers. “Thank you, kind Cassie. I very much enjoy exploring your world with you. But I am certain you must pay for the food.”

  “Yeah, don’t worry about it.”

  Just as I am ready to ask if I can somehow help with the burden of pay, I catch sight of the couple on the far right of the store. They are kissing quite passionately. It causes my face to grow warm, just as I have seen happen to Cassie.

  She says, “Does that make you uncomfortable?”

  “Pardon?”

  She tips her head in the kissing couple’s direction. “Are they making you uncomfortable? Because we can leave if they are.”

  I quickly shake my head. “No, I am not uncomfortable. I suppose I am not accustomed to it. Children of the sea do not show passionate affection in front of others.”

  “Why not?”

  I shrug. “I suppose because it is something special and sacred between mates and should not be shared with strangers.”

  Again, she ponders this. “That’s actually very beautiful. And romantic.”

  The female human known as Waiter arrives with many dishes. “And I’ll be back with the rest soon,” she says before leaving.

  I stare at all this food. They look scrumptious. Moisture gathers in my mouth.

  “Pancakes first?” she asks.

  “Yes, please.” Although I do not know which dish is pancakes.

  Cassie moves a plate with four circular objects closer. She transfers two onto another plate and slides it to me. “Just add some syrup,” she says as she pours thick liquid onto my pancakes. “And dig in!” She hands me a fork.

  I watch the manner in which she cuts a small portion of her pancakes and brings it to her mouth. She sighs in pleasure. “God, these pancakes are amazing.” She nods to me. “I know you’ll love them.”

  “They somewhat resemble stingrays.”

  “Do stingrays taste good?”

  “Yes.” I cut off a small portion of my pancakes, and am surprised to discover it is made of a soft texture. I stick it into my mouth and chew. “This is delicious!”

  Cassie laughs. “Told you.”

  Waiter comes with the rest of the items. Cassie claimed this meal is fit for five, but I am certain I will devour it all.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Cassie and I sit on her couch after breakfast. She slides onto my lap, locking her hands around my neck, her eyes gazing into mine. “Tell me about your world.”

  “My world?”

  “Yeah. You know so much about humans, but I don’t know anything about merpeople. Other than they are half man and half fish.”

  Of course it is my wish to tell her about my life, but I have been trained since I was a fry how dangerous it is if humans were to learn about us. They would invade our waters and take us, just as they do to all the other creatures in the sea.

  She gazes at me expectantly, her eyes so hopeful. “I wish to tell you all,” I say, “but I am concerned—”

  “I promise I won’t tell anyone. Not a soul. Not anything living or non-living. I swear.”

  I search her face. Yes, I know she will not betray me to the other humans. “We are of five clans. The Sapphires, the Violets, the Emeralds, the Rubies, and the Diamonds. Our tails represent which clan we belong to. I, as you know, am of the Sapphire clan. The Violets are the ruling clan. They live in Eteria, our capital city.”

  “Cool. Have you ever been there?”

  More times that I wish to think about. “Once or twice,” I lie. “It is most beautiful.”

  “So there’s a king and queen? I know we spoke about it a little bit, but I didn’t get a chance to ask you anything specific.”

  All this reminds me of th
e princess and that I have shirked my duty. What is occurring in the sea now? The mating ceremony between the princess and I was set to take place last night. Has she chosen another mate? What if she awaits my return? Will she never choose another mate? But how can I return when Father and the king will force me to mate with the princess?

  When I glance at Cassie, I see nothing in her eyes but intrigue. “Yes. King Palaemon and Queen Lamara.”

  “So they rule the rest of the clans.”

  “Yes.”

  Cassie moves closer to me and smiles. “Thanks so much for sharing this with me.”

  That is all I wish. To grow close to this beautiful human.

  “How many brothers and sisters do you have?” she asks.

  The faces of Kiander, Doria, Syd, Syndin, and Zarya enter my mind. The ache in my chest returns, causing the rest of my body to ache as well. But I do not wish Cassie to see me upset, so I blink and laugh it away. “How I miss them. I have only returned.”

  “It’s understandable. I miss my mom like crazy, even though I’m sort of glad she’s away.”

  My hand caresses her cheek. “Your mother is away?”

  “She has a job where she needs to travel a lot.”

  “I had not realized. I presumed you reside alone. I am sorry.”

  “It’s okay. It’s good for her, and I need to learn to be independent, anyway. I’ll be away at college in two months.”

  College. Higher education. Cassie will be away? What does that mean? I cannot lose her. I pull her even closer to my body and lean forward so that my lips are nearly touching hers. “I have three brothers. Kiander, and Syndin and Syd, who are twins. I have two sisters. Doria and Zarya. How I miss Zarya. She very much enjoyed your gift of worms.”

  She smiles widely. “I’m glad. Do you have a mom? You’ve only mentioned a father.”

  “Yes.”

  “What are their names?”

  “My father is Syren. My mother is Kiandra.”

  “You all have such pretty names,” she says. “I’m sorry you miss them.”

  I shake my head and place my finger on her lips. “Please do not be sorry. My only wish is to be with you.” My lips sweeps across her cheek and ear. “Only you.”

  Cassie’s heartbeat increases and her body trembles slightly. “Me, too.”

  Placing my hands on her middle, I gently push her back so that she leans on the armrest. I move my face toward her neck that appears so enticing. Closing my eyes for a second or two, I lower my lips to her soft skin and slide down her throat. After hearing her moan of pleasure, my lips trail downward, to her upper chest that is not concealed by her shirt. She releases another moan of pleasure. I raise my lips to hers and kiss her. She is so warm and bewitching, her skin so soft and beautiful. Intense sensations pass through me.

  I lift my lips off hers. “Cassie, please forgive me.”

  She grabs my hand before I can back away from her. “Forgive you for what?”

  My fingers clutch my hair. “I feel things. Things I have never felt as a child of the sea.”

  She takes hold of my chin and pulls my face, forcing me to look into her eyes. “It’s okay. It’s probably human hormones that you’re feeling. I guess they’re more intense than your merman hormones.” Her hand rubs my cheek. “It’s perfectly normal to feel this way.”

  “Do you feel what I feel?”

  “Yes.”

  “I am not accustomed to this. It is overwhelming. I have desires…”

  Her breathing grows uneven. “What kind of desires?”

  “I do not know. I do not understand them.”

  Her arms wrap around me. “It’s okay. Let’s take one step at a time.”

  I press my forehead to hers. “Thank you. You are very understanding.”

  ***

  Cassie gives me a tour of the city. I cannot describe in words how exquisite land is. There is so much to explore and learn.

  I taste fish prepared by humans. They are appetizing, but they do not compare to hunting in the sea. These fish have been out of the sea and do not retain the freshness fish have when I eat them minutes after capture.

  Once we return to Cassie’s house and I have swum in her pool, we sit once again on the couch. I wear nothing but a towel. She turns on the TV to what she calls a science fiction thriller. I find this story quite mesmerizing. She explains what these robots are. “The human world is quite fascinating,” I say. “I could not have imagined so.”

  “Your world’s pretty amazing, too. I’ve always been blown away by whales. They are so cool.”

  We smile at one another. Then we are silent.

  After a few seconds, Cassie says, “Um…are you tired?”

  “Yes, I am exhausted.”

  “Let’s get ready for bed.”

  She obtains my pajamas and walks me to the bathroom. I do not enter the room, though. I close my arm around her middle and tug her to my chest. I dip my face to hers, capturing her lips in mine. I do not believe there is a limit to how much I can kiss this female. But if I kiss her any longer, I fear things will escalate too quickly. Reluctantly, I release her.

  I enjoy my time in the shower, particularly applying the shampoo that smells like Cassie. Once I am done, I find Cassie in her room. She tells me I should not wait for her to finish her shower, but to go to sleep in my room. I am not as exhausted as I was before, perhaps due to the shower. But once I sit on the bed and sink into its softness, my head falls forward and my eyes grow heavy. It is not long before my head rests on the pillow.

  I smell her in my dreams. She feels so close yet so far. My legs are slightly lifted off the bed, and then a light object is thrown over me. I am not in a dream. I know Cassie is in my room, standing near my bed, and I know she is watching me. As she turns to leave, I reach for her, and my hand closes around her wrist. “Cassie?” One of my eyes slowly opens.

  She lowers herself to her knees before my bed. “I’m here. Are you okay?”

  “Must you sleep there?” Now both my eyes are open and stare straight at her.

  “W-what?”

  “Sleep…here?” I ask.

  Her body grows stiff.

  “If it is all right with you.”

  Her eyes flit over my face as her teeth chew her bottom lip. I know that what I have asked is very monumental.

  She nods and moves to the other side of the bed. Her chest expands with a large gulp of air. With a slightly shaking hand, she lifts the covering and slides in next to me. Her leg touches mine, so soft and gentle. I turn to my side so I can look into her eyes. We are so close.

  “Hi,” she says, her voice just as shaky as her hand was.

  My hand moves to her bound hair. “Hello, Cassie. May I unbind your hair?”

  She nods.

  Ever so gently, I yank on the objects that hold her hair together. It tumbles down her shoulders, and it is one of the most beautiful sights I have ever laid eyes upon. My fingers tangle in the strands. Her hair is so soft.

  Cassie’s body quakes. “Are you cold?” I ask. I gather her in my arms and hold her close against me.

  A soft sigh leaves her mouth. “For a guy who lives in cold temperatures, you sure know how to keep a girl warm and toasty.”

  I kiss the side of her face. “I wish only to protect you.”

  She falls back on the bed, releasing another sigh. I stare down at her, at the beautiful woman I hold in my arms. My heart swells. Her eyes move to me, and we gaze into one another’s.

  “Cassie, may I hold you closer in my arms?” I ask.

  She nods. I tighten my arms around her, feeling her body molding into mine, as though we are becoming one. I lower my face to hers and take her lips in mine. Her hand clutches the back of my head as my lips move over hers. She pulls on some of my hair, but it does not hurt me. In fact, it only causes my actions to grow a little wild, for I understand how much she is enjoying this.

  My hands hesitantly move to her body, and when she does not ask me to stop, I continue.
A moan of desire escapes her mouth, and she moves her hands to my body.

  “Damarian,” she breathes.

  “Cassie.”

  She stretches her neck backward as my lips move to her throat. She whispers my name, once, twice, thrice. “What I feel for you,” I say as I press a kiss into the soft skin of her throat. “I do not wish for it to end.”

  Her breathing heavy, she manages to say, “Me, either.”

  Chapter Twenty

  My eyes open to Cassie staring up at me. We have slept in the same bed, she nestled in my arms, her legs intertwined with mine. I have never felt so close to a being before. My heart is swelled with bliss, I worry it may explode.

  “Good morning.” She smiles brightly. “How did you sleep?”

  “Good morning. I slept very well. Thank you for sharing the bed.”

  She lowers her head on my chest. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Certainly.”

  “The morning I found you washed up on the beach. What were you running from?”

  A cold sensation passes through me. Had I not fled the sea, I would have been mated to Princess Flora. I would have taken the crown and been king of the children of the sea. Had I not fled last night, I would endure the same fate.

  Cassie rubs my arm. “Sorry. I see I touched a sensitive topic. Do you want to talk about it?”

  I release a frustrated breath. “Father and I…we quarrel often.”

  “What do you fight about?”

  I cannot tell her I am heir to the throne and am promised to Princess Flora. I fear I will lose her. I would not be able to bear it.

  “Damarian, please. You can talk to me.”

  “We quarreled that night,” I say. “I should not have been swimming in the storm.”

  I see the questions gathering in her eyes, but I do not wish to talk about the duty I have forsaken. Would Cassie find me a coward? As I shift on the bed, the blanket rises along with me, leaving Cassie with no covering. She trembles. I remove it from around my body and wrap it around hers, tucking her close to me. “Humans and children of the sea are alike in many ways. I have issues with my father as well.”