by Laura Lond
“Of course we will do it,” she said, her voice firm. “I know I will. I’m not even going to waste time arguing about it.”
“But it’s dangerous!”
“If there’s some risk, the result is well worth taking it. Don’t you see? No more maybes. No more hoping that someone will be kind to us. We will be pretty, and luck will be on our side. Just think about it: dancing with all the handsome men you want, picking the best one to marry, getting your own nice house! Not having to worry about money—ever! Knowing that whatever you want to try, you will most likely succeed! Oh, Ellie, how can you possibly not want that?!”
Her sister still had that panicked look on her face.
“Please, Leatra, don’t rush into trouble. Aren’t you at all afraid? Even Lady Mirabelle said it’s very frightening.”
Leatra gasped as the realization hit her. “She’s done it, hasn’t she? Of course! Her incredible beauty, this mansion with servants and… everything.” She gave her sister a hard look. “I’m doing it, Ellie. This very night. If you want to be a chicken and miss out, that’s up to you.”
True to her word, Leatra scrubbed and washed with all her might, trying to get everything done earlier so that she could run to the bakery and purchase the sweets. She was certainly glad it was not gold or money she had to pay with; she’d be out of luck in that case.
The senior kitchen maid, amazed with Leatra’s sudden speed and diligence, allowed her to leave half an hour early. She rushed home, grabbed all the money she’d stashed away, and headed to the bakery. It was still open. Leatra bought muffins and a strawberry pie. They sold honey here, too, so she purchased a jar. It was expensive, but Leatra wouldn’t take any chances of mermen finding her payment insufficient.
She returned home; Ellie had just come from work.
“For the last time: Are you coming with me?” Leatra asked.
Ellie looked at her with her big sad eyes. “Of course I’ll go with you, I won’t let you do this alone. At least I can call for help if something goes wrong.”
“You will not buy your kiss?”
“No. Not this time, anyway. I’ll watch over you.”
Well, that was some progress. When she saw Leatra’s results, Ellie would be easier to convince.
Leatra nodded. “Fine. I’ll do it first, we’ll see how it goes. Then you can make up your mind.”
They waited for their mother and numerous younger siblings to go to bed and sneaked out. It was mid August, nights were warm and dark. The sisters crept through the sleeping village and headed to the shore.
“To the lagoon?” Ellie whispered.
“We’ll check there first,” Leatra replied, taking out the lantern she had hidden under her shawl. “It might be too close to the village. If we don’t find them there, we’ll go farther along the shore.”
“How far?”
Leatra frowned. She knew where this was going.
“If you hope that I’ll turn back after a dozen steps, forget it. We’ll walk all the way to the Coral Bay if we have to. And if there are no mermen this night, we’ll come again tomorrow, and keep coming until we get it done. I’m not giving up, Ellie.”
Her sister said nothing.
They reached the lagoon. Leatra hid the lantern again, afraid that it might scare away the seafolk. She walked, her feet sinking in the soft sand, silently mouthing the words. Elatra. Corrano. Viedra. It had to be pronounced as one word, she remembered that. Elatra. How curious: if you switch the ‘E’ and the ‘L’, it will be her name, Leatra. Must be a sign from above.
The cool sea breeze that felt so good in daylight made her chilly. The darkness was eerie, with the invisible sea splashing somewhere close. Nothing scary, she told herself. I’ve just never been on the shore at night, that’s all. And I’m not alone, I’ve got Ellie with me.
More splashing sounds, and… a laugh?
Leatra stopped in her tracks, gripped with fear. There it came again. It was a different kind of laugh. Very light, very melodic. Distinctly different. Not human.
She couldn’t move, and she was starting to shiver.
Ellie pressed herself to her side.
“It’s them,” she whispered. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
The question brought Leatra’s determination back.
“Yes, I am sure. That’s what I’m here for.”
She resumed walking. Strange greenish lights showed up ahead, unlike anything she’d ever seen before. They were small, round, and very pale. Three of them appeared to be in the sea, bobbing in the waves; two more stood still.
“What are those?” Ellie wondered.
Leatra would have given an eye roll had she not been so frightened. Like she was supposed to know, somehow. They were both doing this for the first time, so why ask stupid questions?
Clouds parted, and the moon spilled its sickly light on the lagoon. The sisters dashed behind the nearest rock at the sight of two long, slender shapes lying on the shore, their large tails resting in the water. It was hard to tell whether they were mermaids of mermen. Two more were playing in the waves, doing the splashing, and another one sat on a flat rock. That one was clearly a merman. He had one of those green lights placed right next to him, obviously some glowing sea creature, softly illuminating his right side: the arm he was leaning on, a part of the wide, muscular chest, and a glimpse of the face. The glimpse was enough to see that this was the most handsome face Leatra had ever laid eyes on. Gram the heartbreaker would look ordinary and plain standing next to this merman.
“I’m going,” she whispered, putting down the lantern. She figured she wouldn’t need it, now that the moon was there. Besides, she had enough to carry, and she’d need her hands free to make that special gesture. “Wish me luck.”
“I’ll be here watching,” Ellie said. “Don’t get close to the water, have one of them come out to the shore.”
Leatra would prefer that as well, but she did not know whether she’d be able to set the rules here.
She drew in a deep breath, stepped out from behind the rock, and walked to the seafolk. Her heart pounded harder as she approached and got a better look of these beings, frightening in their resemblance of humans and yet so obviously inhuman.
A mermaid laughed again. The honey jar slipped from Leatra’s shaking hands and broke, hitting a rock. She froze. It felt like her very heart smashed, not the jar.
They heard the noise and saw her. The two lying on the shore dashed in the water.
Ignoring the tears streaming down her face, Leatra clutched the paper bag with the pastry under her arm and moved her hands the way Ellie had shown her: palms together — backs together — palms again.
“Elatracorranoviedra.”
The merman who sat on the rock had not moved; he was looking at her, studying. With his face now fully turned to Leatra, she could see it much better, although the darkness still dominated and tears blurred her vision. Yes, he was magnificent. Fine, perfectly symmetrical features; large piercing eyes, high cheek bones, strong chin, well defined lips. The eyes gave off a slight glow, reflecting the moonlight. He must have spent some time on that rock, for his long dark hair was nearly all dry, moving in the breeze.
“Come closer. You will not be harmed.”
His voice was deep, yet soft, almost musical. Leatra had heard tales about mermaids mesmerizing people with the sound of their voice, making them forget everything. Perhaps those tales were true as well.
She took several steps. The others, two mermen and two mermaids, gathered at the rock, staring at her.
“This is the first time I hear the word of peace uttered by a human,” he spoke again. “I will honor the ancient custom. What do you want?”
“I want to… purchase something.” Leatra was aware of the others looking. It shouldn’t matter to her, yet somehow it did. “I wish to speak to you in private.”
He made a graceful move with his hand, the way a nobleman would dismiss his servants, and they disappeared underwater.
“Why are you crying?”
Leatra quickly wiped her eyes. “Because I’ve just dropped the jar of honey I had brought to offer as payment. Now all I’ve got is some pastry. I don’t know whether you’ll think it enough. I’m a poor girl, I don’t have much.”
He listened, the glowing eyes fixed on her.
“Come and sit with me on this rock.”
She shook her head and took a step back, terrified of the idea.
“Are you afraid of me?”
She nodded.
The merman frowned. “Your distrust, after using the word of peace and hearing my promise to honor it, is offensive. If you wish to continue our conversation, you will come here.”
Leatra had no choice. She picked up the hem of her dress—not that it would help much—and waded to the rock. Ellie was probably having a heart attack at this moment.
He watched her come. The water was way above her knees when she reached him. He offered his hand to help her up; she recoiled, then forced herself to accept it. His hand was narrow and cold.
The merman pulled her up on the rock, close to himself. Too close.
“Why do you fear me so?” he asked, studying her again. “Your compliance proves you do trust my word, yet you’re shivering and trying to move away. Why?”
Because you’re half-animal, she thought, noticing his pointed ears. Not to mention the tail.
“You look so different. I can’t help it, it scares me.”
How in the world would she have him kiss her, she couldn’t imagine.
“Here.” He slid off into the water and placed his elbows on the rock, looking up at her. “Is this better?”
It was; he was less intimidating this way.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“What is your name?” he asked.
“Leatra. And yours?”
“I am Delmarius. These are called eovi,” he said, noticing that she was looking at the shimmering creature. “We use them for light. They are harmless.”
“It does not make that much light,” Leatra said.
“We don’t need much, we see in the dark very well. Do you live in the village?”
“Yes. I work at that big mansion up on the hill.”
“What is your work like?”
“I am a scullery maid.”
“That tells me nothing.”
“Well… I help in the kitchen.” Leatra wasn’t sure how to explain it to someone who probably had no idea what a kitchen was. “I wash dishes and pots, boil water, peel and cut vegetables.”
“Strange. We don’t do any of that.”
She tried not to think into that, but her mind refused to obey, vividly painting a picture of what underwater meals must be like. Eating raw fish. Yuck.
“What’s boiling water?” he asked. “Making it very hot with the help of fire?”
So he did know some things.
“Yes.”
“What do you use it for?”
“Many things. To cook, make tea, wash dishes. People wash their clothes with hot water, too.”
“Do you like your work?”
She smirked. “There’s not much to like about it. But I do what I can to make a living.”
He rose on a larger wave, made a smooth move with his tail to keep his position at the rock.
“So what do you want to buy from me? Pearls?”
Leatra felt her face heating. Good thing it was dark… No, wait, he’d just said they saw well in the dark.
“I want to purchase… a kiss,” she forced out, not looking at him.
She hoped he knew the legend, and she wouldn’t have to explain.
“A kiss?” The surprise in his voice clearly showed he didn’t. “Did I hear you right?”
Leatra was mortified. All she could do was give a weak nod.
“I thought you found me repulsive. Why would you want me to kiss you?”
“You’re not repulsive, you have the most beautiful face I’ve ever seen,” she quickly said, fearing that she had insulted him too much, and now he wouldn’t help. “It’s just that you’re… not human. I must look strange to you, too.”
“That is true,” he agreed, “although I do not consider your different appearance frightening. But you have not answered my question. Why do you want a kiss?”
“It is said that a merman’s kiss will make a girl pretty and bring her luck. Besides…” She sighed. “It doesn’t look like I’d have any other chance to be kissed by a handsome man, does it?”
Delmarius remained silent for a while. She stole a look at him. His perfect face was serious, brow slightly furrowed.
“No girl should think herself ugly and therefore worthless,” he said at last. “Especially a hardworking one like yourself. I will give you a kiss, Leatra, and I’ll take no pay.”
Before she could respond, he was back on the rock, next to her. He placed his wet hands on her shoulders, leaned close and touched her lips with his. The kiss felt so strange, cold and salty. Not that she knew what kisses were supposed to feel like.
The merman released her. Leatra couldn’t face him, she just wanted to flee.
“I hope the legend will prove to be true,” he said. “And I hope you have a happy life.”
“Thank you, Delmarius. Thank you so much.”
She jumped off the rock.
“Wait!” He moved after her.
“Please don’t stop me, I—I’m so cold, I want to go home. Once again, thank you.”
She ran to the shore and through the beach, nearly missing the spot where Ellie was waiting.
“Would you come again sometime?” the merman called after her.
Unlikely.
***
Ellie woke up early in the morning and checked on her sister, still asleep in her bed in the tiny room they shared. Leatra looked no different: the same pale, skinny, sharp-featured face, very much like her own. She’d be all upset again when she woke up, despite the Lady’s warning that the change would not happen immediately. Their small round mirror was tucked under Leatra’s pillow; she’d grab it the moment she opened her eyes. She had looked several times last night, before going to bed, and hoped the transformation would at least start by the morning.
Ellie washed up, put on her maid’s uniform, braided her hair. She liked to be ready to go to work a little early. Leatra still hadn’t stirred. Ellie went to the kitchen and made tea—a large pot, enough for the whole family so that their mother would have one less chore when she came back from the well. Mother was already up, of course. With eight children besides Ellie and Leatra, it seemed that she never slept.
When Ellie finished her cup and returned to their room, Leatra was sitting on her bed, mirror in hand, lips tightened.
“Stop looking, Leatra. The Lady had said it won’t be instant. Try not to think about it at all, or you’ll worry yourself sick.”
“I suppose you’re right.” She put the mirror aside, but she was still frowning.
“There’s fresh tea if you want a cup before we get going.”
“Nah, I’ll have some at the Mansion. Just give me a few minutes to get ready.”
As they walked to the Mansion, Ellie made Leatra retell everything to her, grilling her for details. Alas, the details she wanted her sister thought silly and insignificant, getting annoyed and shaking her head at Ellie’s impractical nature.
“Did you ask him what his trade was?”
“Of course not, why would I?”
“He asked about your work.”
“Well, I guess he was curious. I wasn’t, I was scared out of my wits. I don’t know whether they even have trades.”
Ellie could certainly understand being frightened, but somehow she thought she would have still asked. Especially since, according to what Leatra had shared, the merman was so polite. It seemed that he’d even tried to reassure her, make her more comfortable.
“I would think they do, just like us,” she said. “Did he say anything about his family?”
> Leatra gave an exasperated sigh. “Listen, I’ve told you everything he had said or asked. Every word.”
Ellie eased off with questions, but she could only think and talk about the merman. His perfect face stood before her eyes.
“He’s so impossibly handsome.”
“I have to agree with you here,” Leatra nodded. “He is creepy though, the Lady was right.”
Ellie ignored the last part. “And kind.”
“How do you know that, my hopelessly romantic sister?”
“Didn’t he treat you kindly?”
“He did, I suppose. But he was bound by the ancient custom.”
“He was not bound to talk to you the way he did, refuse payment, and wish you a happy life. He is kind.”
Leatra grinned, narrowing her eyes. “Are you in love with my merman?”
Ellie gave a shy smile. “I’m not. But wouldn’t you fall in love with him if he was a human?”
“That’s a big if, Ellie.”
They reached the Mansion and parted, as usual, Ellie heading to the rooms she was responsible for, Leatra to the kitchen. As she was about to pass the hallway, Ellie saw a young man sitting on the edge of one of the massive armchairs that lined the wall. She stopped, recognizing Arman. He was dressed in a fine brown suit, obviously having picked one of his best outfits to visit the Mansion. His short fair hair was neatly brushed, and he even wore a tie. While certainly no merman, and nothing close to Gram, Arman still was a nice looking man, as far as Ellie was concerned. And a good man, too.
“Hello, Ellie.” He rose as he greeted her and smiled. “I forgot you work here.”
Not surprising. It was actually surprising he knew it at all.
“Good morning, Arman.”
Painfully aware of how unbecoming the maid’s uniform was, Ellie tried not to show her embarrassment. After all, she was on duty. And besides, even nicer clothes made little difference for her, as Saturday had proven yet again. No need to be too upset.
