by Dee J. Stone
Chapter Twenty-Three
As I watch my Cassie sleep, I am consumed with love. Nothing but pure love. I never imagined I would be so fortunate to experience this with such a wonderful female.
Her mother has left the house due to her work, and now Cassie and I can remain together without any fear. How I have longed to sleep with her in my arms once again.
She shifts and her eyes open. She smiles that beautiful smile that causes me to feel like I can conquer every obstacle in my path. I bend toward her and send my lips to her chin, my hands caressing her body. Her hands move up my chest, closing around my neck. “I wish I could get even closer to you,” she says in a soft and passionate voice.
My eyes lift to her lips, where I provide her with the most fervent kiss I can muster. Then they sweep up to her nose, her forehead, before returning to her warm, sweet lips. “We cannot, Cassie. As much as it pains me, and as much as I yearn to, we cannot.”
Though I see she tries to battle them, tears collect in her eyes. I kiss them away, my heart hurting for causing her this pain. For denying what she most desperately wants. “Please do not be upset. Children of the sea mate for life.”
And although all I wish is to spend eternity with my sweet Cassie, I cannot yet enter that point. We have so much more to learn about each other. I wish to tell my family about the female human who has taken my heart. But it is too soon.
I see Cassie’s eyes fill with understanding. I feel terrible for not meeting her wishes. All I want is to make her happy. Perhaps I was too forward with my feelings and kisses. Perhaps I did not treat her favorably.
She presses her lips against mine. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Forgive me, Cassie.” My voice quakes as tears fill my eyes. I tear my gaze from her because I do not want to see how much heartache I am causing her.
“It’s okay.” She places her hands on my face and forces me to look into her eyes. “It’s enough that we’re together, that we’re in each other’s arms. We both know how easily we can lose that.”
She is such a kind and understanding human. She is willing to remain with me even though there are many other humans about. I lie down and place her on top of me, cradling her close. “When I am in the sea, I think of nothing but you. I have difficulty eating. I do not sleep. You are constantly on my mind.”
She leans into me and gazes up at my face. We stare at one another in this manner, not having to say anything because we both know what the other one feels. One day Cassie and I will enter the next part of our lives, together. One day we will be together for eternity. That I am sure of.
***
I sit near Cassie as she calls her father, providing her with all the comfort I possess. Seeing how nervous she is causes me to feel even closer to her, for I have issues with my father as well. Cassie is prepared to make peace with him. She is most brave. I hope to one day soon have the same courage to make peace with Father.
“If all fails,” I tell her. “I am here. I will never hurt you.”
“Do you promise?”
Her eyes are so hopeful. Yes, I will never hurt her. We will take one moment at a time, will continue learning all we can about one another before we enter the next part in our relationship that we both greatly wish to experience. Once I have made peace with Father and the royal family. Once they learn to accept Cassie into their lives.
I kiss her. “I promise.”
I hold her close in my arms as she contacts her father with the communication device called a phone. Her body quivers. She is extremely nervous at first, but then she seems to relax a little. When she cries, I hand her what is called a tissue so that she can wipe her eyes.
Then she seems relieved. It sounds as though they are making plans to meet. When they have concluded their talk, Cassie sits still, though her hands shake. I take hold of them. “How do you feel?”
She slowly looks up at me, as though she is in a state of shock. “I feel really good.”
“I am glad. I feel proud of you. I understand it was not easy.”
She and her father will meet in a few hours. Cassie and I spend the time swimming in the pool and watching the TV. When the hour arrives, she and I enter her car and drive to the location—a place that sells beverages.
She turns on strange music I have not heard before, one that is not only made by singing. She tells me humans have means to create these sounds out of many devices. I cannot wait to learn all about it. I give her a long kiss, hoping to provide her with enough comfort and confidence so that she can make complete peace with her father. Then she leaves to the café.
When she returns a while later, I am pleased to discover that her cheeks are not covered with tears and that she wears a small, hopeful, and confused smile on her lips.
I open the door, and she climbs inside. “I gather the meeting with your father went well?” I ask.
Her face brightens with another smile. “Yeah. It went well. Better than I expected.”
“I am glad.”
“Me, too.”
“Do you want discuss it?”
“I want to spend some time with you.”
I ask if I can try this pizza she constantly refers to. She informs me I shall love it, for it is a dish like no other.
And she is correct, for I love this pizza very, very much.
***
I cannot sleep, for Cassie is in my arms and all I think about is her. All I worry about is the two of us. Whether it is possible for us to have a future together. Whether we can be together for all eternity.
But after some time, my eyes grow heavy, my mind still filled with Cassie, the future…I enter a dream.
My head breaks the surface of the water. Cassie lounges on the sand, her eyes focused on a fashion magazine. She is dressed in her blue swim garment and looks very beautiful, her long hair blowing in the wind. There is no other being on the beach. Her eyes seek mine, and she drops the magazine. I lift my hand, beckoning her to join me.
She walks close to the shore, the tide swallowing her feet. Her hesitant eyes meet mine. “Join me,” I say.
She looks out toward the sea.
“I will protect you. You will be safe with me.” I hold out my hand. “Please join me.”
She slides her hand into mine. Electricity passes through me. I gently pull her close and gather her in my arms. Then I dive into the water, making sure not to leave her under for too long.
Cassie stares up into my eyes, her arms wrapped around my neck. I touch her cheek. “You are the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes upon,” I whisper. “I wish you to be mine. Forever. Will you have me?”
“You are destined to be the king of the children of the sea,” a voice calls from behind me. I turn around and see heads and torsos sticking out of the water. King Palaemon, Queen Lamara, and Princess Flora. Father, Mother, the elder siblings. Anger and disappointment in their eyes. Then Syd and Syndin, appearing confused. And to the left is little Zarya, betrayed, hurt. She twists around and vanishes into the sea.
“Zarya!” I call.
“You belong with me,” Princess Flora says. “Do not forsake your duty.”
“You are abandoning your family,” Father says. “You are abandoning every creature in the sea.”
“Do not hurt us in this manner,” Mother says, her hand pressed on her heart. “You are breaking us.”
My eyes move to Cassie. Her body starts to disappear before my eyes.
Chapter Twenty-Four
My body awakens as a strange sensation passes through me. I am vaulted upward so that I sit up in bed in complete darkness. I blink a few times as the feeling grows more intense. When I glance at the window, I see it is morning. Most likely very early in the morning.
Cassie sits up as well, rubbing her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
My gaze shoots to the door. “It cannot be.”
“Damarian?”
“We must dress.”
Cassie does not say a word as we change into other gar
ments, though I can see how confused and alarmed she is. My heart beats rapidly as thoughts and worries amass inside my mind. Has something happened to my family?
We descend the stairs and head to the door. I stare at it, unable to move, my heart beating even more rapidly. I could not bear it if something were to happen to someone I love.
My hands move to the devices on the door called, locks, which are used as a protection against humans who may wish to harm us. I inhale a large amount of air and then pull the door open.
They stand before me, Kiander and Doria. He is dressed in the rough pants known as jeans, she in a large shirt that hangs off her body and pants that reach her knees. They both do not look pleased.
“Kiander, Doria,” I say. I motion for them to enter the house and close the door.
Cassie gapes at them, at their hair the same shade as mine, at their pale skin, and their human garments. She swallows a few times. Doria looks at her with an unfavorable expression and Kiander frowns.
“Who is this, Damarian?” Doria asks. Her eyes fill with fury.
Cassie swallows a few more times.
I close my arm over Cassie’s waist, tucking her close to my body. Doria’s eyes fill with even more rage. “I cannot believe this! She is the reason you have not been home? All this time you have been living on land? As a human?”
Cassie looks up at me with a whisper of betrayal in her eyes. I cannot meet her gaze, cannot see how much I am hurting her due to my lies.
Kiander moves forward, his hands raised. “Remain calm, Doria.”
“Father is most upset,” she says. “King Palaemon—”
“I understand,” I am quick to say before she reveals the full truth to Cassie. I could not bear her discovering what I have been concealing from her. I could not bear losing her.
“No, you do not understand!” Doria shouts. “Father is upset that you have fled.”
“I did not flee.”
“Have you not?” Her eyes narrow at Cassie. “A human.”
“Doria,” Kiander says in a warning tone.
“How have you located me?” I ask.
“Did you not wish to be located?”
“We have sensed you,” Kiander informs me.
“You must come home at once. Do not waste your time with a human.”
Cassie’s hand clutches mine. Not in fear but in anger.
“I promise I shall return home tonight,” I tell them.
“Tonight? The ceremony—”
“Tonight,” I say, using the Eldest Brother tone I have used all my moons when I did not wish to pursue an argument any longer.
Doria’s mouth closes, but the anger does not subside from her eyes.
Kiander heads for the door. “We shall take our leave now.”
I explain that they are unable to return to the sea until nightfall, when the humans are asleep.
Doria’s hands tighten into fists. “I do not wish to wait until nightfall.”
Why does my sister have to constantly be so difficult?
“We can use a boat,” Cassie says. Her voice is hesitant, as though worried Doria may strike her.
“We can,” I say, reaching for her hand. A sound of displeasure exits Doria’s mouth, but I pay her no attention. The four of us make our way to the location on the beach that holds the boats. Kiander’s face shows nothing but unease as the humans stare at us, and Doria appears infuriated.
Cassie acquires a boat, and I assist my brother and sister inside. When we are settled, Cassie awakens the vessel and brings us deeper into the sea. No one says a word. Kiander still appears apprehensive and Doria frowns, her eyes focused on my hand that is interlocked with Cassie’s. Cassie does not hold mine in the same manner, though. I am certain she is confused by all of this and hurt due to my lie.
Once we have reached far enough, Cassie stops the boat. I nod to Kiander and Doria, and they dive into the water. Cassie watches in wonder as their clothes are torn from their bodies and their tails shoot out of the surface.
Doria’s head appears, followed by Kiander’s. “Return with us,” she says.
Cassie looks at me and I look at her. Though she has undying love for me in her eyes, I also see the betrayal. I cannot leave her in such a state. I must explain.
“Go,” she says. She wants me to return home and make peace with Father, just as she has done with hers.
I bring her hand to my mouth and kiss her palm. “I do not wish to go.”
“You’ll come back.”
I am not certain I will. Once I return home, my secret will be revealed. My family will know I have been on land, and now due to Doria and Kiander, they will discover I have fallen in love with a human. King Palaemon has banned us from associating with humans. I may never be able to return.
Cassie takes hold of my arm, her eyes filling with despair. “If you go, you won’t come back?”
I close my eyes, for I cannot bear to see the pain in her eyes.
“Damarian…” Her voice is filled with despair as well.
No, I will not allow anyone to separate me from the female I love with all my heart. I turn to Kiander and Doria. “I shall return tonight.”
Though Kiander does not seem pleased, he nods. Doria is most certainly not pleased.
“I assure you, I shall return.”
My brother dives into the ocean. Doria glares at me and Cassie for a bit before disappearing beneath the waves.
We are bathed in silence.
I lay my hand on her knee. “Cassie.”
She evades my touch. “You lied to me. You haven’t been going home.”
She is angry, yes, but there is more pain in her eyes. I did not intend to hurt her in such a manner. I only wished to be with her.
“I did not lie to you, Cassie.” I reach for her hand, but she evades that as well. “I do not feel happy at home. That is the reason I have not returned.”
“For how long? Since the beginning?”
“Since the day your mother returned.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Why indeed? I do not know. I am so worried I may lose her that I most likely do not contemplate my actions as much as I should. I do not want Cassie to know what is occurring in the sea because I am quite certain it will tear us apart. The less I tell her, the more likely it is for us to have a future together.
“I do not wish to discuss unpleasant things with you,” I tell her.
“Why not?”
“I wish only to make you happy.”
She closes her hand over mine. “But I want to talk about the unpleasant things in your life. That’s what makes me happy—to be able to talk about your problems and help you get through them.”
Yes, but it is not as easy as she claims. I cannot imagine how she would react if I were to tell her I am the true heir to the throne and am required to mate with the princess. But I do not want to conceal my thoughts and feelings from her. I wish to tell her all that lies in my heart, to be completely bare.
“Yes, you are correct,” I say. “However…”
“What is it?”
No, I cannot tell her. I will lose her. I am certain I will.
“Please, Damarian. You can talk to me.”
Yes, how I wish I could talk to her. But as I gaze into the beautiful face of my sweet Cassie, I realize there are many subjects I can discuss with her, subjects that will not tear her from me. I have never openly spoken about my true feelings to anyone, not in the manner I am prepared to share with Cassie. After gathering a large amount of air, I say, “I am a disappointment.”
Shock fills her eyes. “Who says that?”
“Father.”
She sweeps aside some hair that has fallen into my eyes, her touch so gentle and loving. “Why does he say that?”
I have never discussed this with another being. A part of me wishes to close my mouth and not utter another word, but the other part wishes to bare it all. As I look into her face and see how much love she has for me, I realize how
much I want to share this with her.
“Father does not approve of my lack of maturity,” I say.
“Why does he think that?”
“The day I returned home—after our first encounter—I played squid wars with Zarya, Syd, and Syndin.”
“Squid wars?”
“It is a game we play. Zarya and I were partners. The twins were partners. We each held a squid and he who shot ink at the opponent first was rewarded a point.”
She nods like she understands this game. Perhaps humans play a similar one. “What happened?” she asks.
“The twins were winning. Zarya was most upset. She is not one to accept defeat easily.” I smile at how competitive the little fry is. “As twins, Syd and Syndin possess a special connection, one I do not share with Zarya, despite how attached we are.” My gaze lowers to my knees before rising to meet Cassie’s. “Father was furious. He does not approve of my playing with the little ones. He wishes for me to be mature. To find a mate.”
Cassie’s face changes. “Find a mate?”
“I am the eldest. I must set an example for the others.”
“What do you mean by set an example?” she asks. “It’s not like your siblings are going to run off with humans. What’s your dad worried about?”
“This is our life. We are born, we grow up, we mate, we produce offspring.”
She rests her hand atop mine. “I get it. Whether you’re a human or a merman, parents just don’t get their kids.”
Yes, she is correct. All I have ever wished was for Father to understand that I did not want the life he wanted me to have. “I do not wish to mate and have fry,” I tell her. “I wish to explore the ocean and learn.”
This was before I met her. Now that I have, all I want is to be with her. Not with Princess Flora or any other female. I do not wish to remain in Eteria with a crown on my head. I want to be on land with Cassie.
