by Dee J. Stone
Looking into her eyes, I see a sadness and fear I have never seen before. I turn away and say, “Have you not been able to sense Doria?”
“Kiander told Father he thought he sensed her a while ago, but he lost the trail. Father worries…” Her shoulders quake.
I know what she is thinking: if one cannot sense another child of the sea in the ocean, it is most likely because he or she has perished.
Or perhaps…? No, that is not possible. Has Doria traveled to land?
The conversation she and I shared not five hours ago enters my mind. My stomach twists. Doria has gone to land to see Cassie. She has gone to learn whether she will have me.
“What?” Mother asks as she examines my face. “You know where Doria is?”
If I tell her the truth, it will only cause her more concern. And truthfully, I can no longer bear to see any more disappointment in her eyes. Therefore, I shake my head and return to my room.
It takes a while for sleep to arrive, but when it does, I sleep for hours. It is only due to Zarya’s excited yells that I awaken. As the sleep leaves my body, I recognize another voice—Doria’s. I bound out of bed and swim to the main room. Doria is there, apologizing to Father and Mother, claiming she had gone traveling and lost her way. She assures them that she spent the night in a cave and was out of harm’s way.
Mother wraps her tail around hers. “Please do not scare us in this manner ever again.”
Father kisses her forehead. “Yes, we had quite the scare.”
She lowers her head. “Forgive me. That was not my intention.” Her eyes meet mine, and I see the truth in them. She did not spend the night in a cave—she spent it on land.
“Let us play!” Zarya says.
“Yes, yes!” the twins say.
“I believe it best we leave you to rest,” Kiander says. “I see the exhaustion in your eyes.”
“Yes, perhaps that is best.” As she swims past me on the way to her room, she nods, sending me a private message. After the others have returned to their own affairs, I head to Doria’s room. She is waiting for me on one of the chairs.
I sit down next to her. “You should not have traveled to land.”
“I could not bear to see you so shattered.”
I close my eyes for a few seconds before opening them. “What did she say?”
“She was quite upset at the start. She believes you were merely having fun with her and never intended to have a future with her. I told her how much you struggled with your duty. How difficult it was for you to be forced to mate with a female you did not love. She understands, Damarian.”
My heart races.
“She ordered me to tell you to remain in the ocean,” Doria says. “She loves you very, very much, and it is due to her love for you that she is releasing you. She does not want you to lose everyone you hold dear because of her. She insisted I do not allow you to risk banishment.”
I slowly rise off the chair. “She…she still loves me?”
Doria nods. “She claims she will never love anyone as much as you.”
Nor will I ever love anyone as much as I love her. She does not loathe me. Every part of me beats with hope and the intense love I have for her.
“Then I must go to her,” I say.
“But Father…and the banishment.”
“It is like you stated. Father would not banish me. He and Mother are worried I will establish a life on land and will forsake you all. But I assure you that is not so. I will never, ever, abandon my family.” I press a kiss on her forehead. “Thank you, Doria.”
I hurry out of the cave, toward land.
Chapter Thirty-One
When Cassie opens the door to her house and sees me standing before her, clothed in a large white towel, she merely blinks at me. I look into her eyes, the beautiful eyes I love to see when I wake up every morning, the ones that hold so much emotion. At this moment, they are filled with confusion, surprise, and a little hurt, but the one that surpasses them all is the love she has for me.
“What are you doing here?” she asks.
Her tone—it is not very friendly. Is she not glad to see me? I run my hand through my hair. “May I come in?”
She opens the door wider so that I may enter, and I inhale her lovely scent that causes intense sensations to pass through me.
After she closes the door, we stand before one another. Once she has gathered her bearings, she gestures toward the living room. But I do not enter that room. I sweep her into my arms and hold her against my chest, the feeling so familiar, so fitting. It was as though we have not been apart all this time. My lips seek hers and we kiss each other nearly savage-like, so passionately. The only thing I feel is how wonderful it is to have my human in my arms once again.
“You shouldn’t have come back,” she whispers.
I move my mouth to her neck. “I could not stay away from you, my love.”
My lips return to hers and I kiss as much skin as I can, showing this exquisite creature how much she means to me. I lift her in my arms and carry her to the living room, where I place her on the couch. I lie on top of her, careful not to put my weight on her so that I do not hurt her, and kiss every part of her face.
Cassie places her hands on my chest and gently shoves me away. “You’ll get banished.”
I take her hands in mine and kiss each of her fingers. “Father will not banish me.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I am his son. He will not banish me. He only threatened me to do his bidding.” I rub my nose against hers. “Nothing can keep me away from you, my sweet Cassie. Nothing.”
“What about your people? You’re the true king.”
I look into her eyes and see how guilty she feels. I also see the fear in them, at the thought that I may abandon her due to my duty. I place my arms under her and bring her to my chest, pressing my face in the area between her neck and shoulder. “I love you, Cassie. Not Princess Flora. It would do a disservice to the children of the sea if I do not love my mate.”
“Does she love you?”
The princess has told me she is certain we would learn to love one another, but what if we would not? We would live in harmony, yes, and we would rule the sea proficiently. But would we share the love my parents have? Would I love her in the same manner I love Cassie?
“She does not love me the way you love me,” I tell her. “I do not wish to mate with a child of the sea who does not love me. Not in the manner in which I love you.”
I see the relief in Cassie’s eyes, knowing I will not leave her. “Who will be the king, then?”
“I am not certain. Perhaps Princess Flora will have suitors.”
“And your dad? Will he be upset with you?”
I do not want her to know how furious Father is, but deep in my heart, I am certain Father will accept my decision. Perhaps when he sees how happy I am. “It is in Father’s nature to forgive,” I tell Cassie.
“And the alliance?”
“It is my hope that Princess Flora chooses a mate from another clan. The alliance will stand.”
She lowers her head on my chest. “What will happen to us?”
I tuck my fingers under her chin and lift her face so I can look into them. “We will be together for eternity. If you will have me.”
She encloses her arms around me. “Of course I’ll have you.”
“I am truly sorry for lying to you. I believed you would not want me once you were aware that I—”
She places her finger on my lips. “It’s okay. I understand why you lied. I know you weren’t in a good place. And I know how much you wanted to do the right thing, but how you wanted to do what made you happy. It’s not an easy choice for anyone.”
My lips sweep across her face. “You are such a forgiving person, Cassie. So understanding. How I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She kisses me. “You sent Doria to me.”
“Doria left the sea on her own will. She witnessed our love for one another
. She realized how I longed for you. How it pained me. All she wants is for me to be happy.”
I lower her on the couch and kiss her. I am not certain for how long, but when we grow too uncomfortable, I take her in my arms and carry her to her room. Then I begin to kiss and touch every part of her body.
***
A soft hand slides into mine. Warm lips press on mine. My eyes slowly open and I stare into the face of my beautiful, sweet Cassie. Every part of me swells with warmth at the sight of her, at the feel of her body so close to mine. So long have I yearned to wake up next to a female I love with all my heart.
I smile. “This must be a dream.”
Cassie bends forward to place an intense kiss on my lips that causes blood to race through me. “Would that happen in a dream?” she asks, her eyes shining.
“I believe not.” I close an arm around her middle and tug her to my chest. “I shall wake up beside you every morning.”
“What about your family? You’ll want to see them.”
Yes, I will not forsake my family. I truly believe I can live with Cassie on land and travel to sea as often as I can. With Cassie’s help, I am certain we can keep my identity hidden from other humans.
I caress her cheek. “I shall wake up by your side when I am on land.”
She laughs and accepts. Then she stands, takes my hand, and pulls me to my feet. “Come. Let’s make breakfast.”
“May I go to the pool first?” I ask. Dread suddenly fills my stomach. I had been so happy with Cassie that I have forgotten Father’s threat of banishing me.
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
“The banishment…”
Her face grows grim. “You’re…you’re banished?”
I shake my head. “I am not certain. I do not feel different.”
Her upper teeth chew on her bottom lip. “Let’s check.”
My legs quake as she and I head for the pool. A part of me could never believe that Father would actually banish me, but the other part is worried he would. Father is not a malevolent being, but he is harsh, and he does not react very well to betrayal. Perhaps in his eyes, he would rather not see me for the rest of his moons than witness me spend eternity with a human.
Cassie is silent, but I notice her body trembles slightly as well. I know she would feel guilty if I were to indeed be banished, and I know she believes she is tearing me from my family and my life. But I would do anything to be with her.
When we enter the pool room, my legs grow extremely heavy and it takes a while for me to reach the pool. Cassie gives me a loving and supportive nod, which rids some of my fears. I raise my arms above my head and dive into the pool.
Instantly, the burning sensation engulfs the lower half of my body. When I cry out, it is not only in pain but in joy as well. I knew Father would not hurt me, that he could not hurt me. And soon he will learn to embrace the life I have chosen, because I very much wish for him, and the rest of my family, to be part of it.
I stick my head out of the water. “I am not banished, Cassie!” My heart beats with exuberance and relief. “I am not banished.”
Cassie leaps into the pool. I snatch her in my arms and hold her tightly against my chest, my lips seeking hers. “I’m so happy, Damarian,” she whispers against them.
I place her behind me, on my back, and drop into the water. My delight is so profound that when I spring upward, we nearly crash into the ceiling. Cassie must be enjoying this, for she giggles. That causes my chest to expand with pure bliss.
Once we are back in the water, I take hold of her waist and spin her so that her legs are where her head should be, and her hair sweeps across the surface of the water. I grin. “Hello, Cassie.”
“The water feels so good against my scalp.” She closes her eyes and releases a seductive moan. Though I am in my child of the sea form, the sensations passing through me are as strong as when I am human. My arms grow weak, but I tighten my hold on her so that she does not plummet into the water. “Cassie…” My voice is barely audible.
Her eyes open. “Yeah?”
“The feelings you invoke in me. Even as a child of the sea.”
I kiss her and then drop us into the pool so that I can continue kissing her in the water. Now she is somewhat in my world and we can grow just as close here as we do when we are above water. I flip her so that her legs are in the water and so that our lips can move over one another’s more perfectly.
Time no longer exists.
My thoughts remind me that Cassie is human and requires air. I bring us to the surface. Cassie leaps onto me, wrapping her legs around my waist. “I can do this all day.” Her lips slide up my neck, causing me to shiver.
“As can I,” I say against her ear. Her lips move to my chest. “Cassie…”
“My merman,” she whispers.
“My human,” I whisper back.
Cassie laughs.
“What?” I ask.
She continues to laugh, as though she is unable to stop. That causes me to laugh a little as well, though I am quite confused. When she gathers herself, she says, “Calling me ‘my human’ sounds funny.” And she once again laughs.
I move my lips to her ear again. “I am not concerned with the reason you laugh. Only that you laugh. How pretty it sounds.”
Her breathing grows unsteady. “You really know exactly what to say to melt a girl’s heart.”
She grasps the back of my neck, kisses me, then yanks me under the water.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Cassie prepares a magnificent feast for breakfast. Scrambled eggs. I devour it, for I love the way she creates these human foods. How much I have missed it.
Once we finish the meal and tidy the kitchen, we settle down on the couch in each other’s arms. Cassie plays another story on the TV, but we do not pay much attention to it, for our lips and arms cannot leave each other.
As my lips slide down her throat, I feel acute pain in my head. It is so profound that I lose my vision for a moment. I grab hold of my head.
“What’s wrong?” Cassie asks.
I open my mouth to speak, but I only manage to release moans.
“Do you need to go into the salt water?” Her voice is panicked.
“Yes,” I cry out weakly. “Salt…water.”
Though I cannot see well, I sense the doubt she feels, for how is it possible for me to require seawater when I swam in the pool not more than an hour ago?
“P…please,” I ask.
The next moment, I am on the floor. I did not feel myself fall off the couch. Cassie hurries to help me onto my feet, and she assists me to the pool room. As soon as I enter, I rush toward the pool and jump inside. The pain in my lower body does not arrive. I do not cry out in agony. I merely plummet to the bottom of the pool.
I know the change will occur. I know it will. For it must.
Why does it not arrive?
There must not be enough salt in the pool.
My chest fills stiff, and water enters my nose. How odd for water to enter my nose. I cry out in agony, but it is not due to pain in the lower half of my body. It is due to the extreme pounding in my head.
I cannot breathe. My mouth opens and closes to gulp in water, but I am not receiving any oxygen.
Arms wrap around my torso and lug me upward. As soon as my head breaks the surface of the pool, I inhale a large amount of air and cough. The air entering my lungs does not feel right, nor does any part of my body feel right. It as though I do not belong in water. Worst of all, I cannot swim.
Panicked, I begin to flail.
“Stand,” Cassie says. “We’re in shallow water.”
I stretch out my legs until they touch the floor. I look down at my body, to where my tail should be. I have legs there instead. It cannot be…no, I refuse to believe so.
“Seawater,” I tell Cassie. “The pool requires more seawater.”
Tears gathering in her eyes, she touches my arm. “Damarian—”
“Seawater,” I plead. �
�I require seawater.”
“There’s enough sea salt. We just refilled it this morning.”
Tears of betrayal wound my eyes. “Please, Cassie.”
“Okay.” She retrieves the container that holds the salt and pours it into the pool.
I bound for the salt and spin around so that the seawater can enter me and change me to the correct being. But it does not make a difference how many times I swim, or how much I hope. I do not feel any pain. My legs do not shift into a tail.
Once again, I cannot breathe. It is not long before Cassie’s arms close around me and drag me to the surface, where my mouth eagerly opens to inhale oxygen from the air.
“Damarian.” She gathers me to her chest.
I free myself from her embrace, feeling anger and betrayal build up within me. “He…he banished me.”
Her face holds nothing but sympathy. “I’m so sorry, Damarian.”
When she gathers me in her arms once more, I do not push her away. I weep into her hair, my tears blending with the water dripping down from my hair.
“It’s okay.” Her hand pats my back. “It’ll be okay.”
Her words do not sound very convincing. They are filled with guilt as well as ache for me.
“I cannot…I cannot. Father has…” I cannot finish my words, as though my heart refuses to accept the truth of what he has done.
“I know,” she says gently.
I move away from her and hit my fists on the pool’s surface. My tears are abundant and extreme. “Father has banished me. He…he…”
To be betrayed by my own father…for him to deny me happiness…I take hold of the sides of my head and yell. A bitter yell.
Cassie startles for a moment, then wraps her arms around me, pressing her lips to my neck. “I’m here, Damarian. I’m here.”
Father banished me. Father banished me. He banished me.
“We’ll get through this,” Cassie soothes. “You and me, we’ll be together forever. Through thick and thin. I’ll be here for you. I’ll always be here for you.”
