Ageless Sea

by M. R. Polish

  “Of course. Where is Tarine? Is he safe?” She held her breath as she waited for an answer.

  Coron dipped his head. “King Tharious executed Tarine for treason after his letter to you and to myself. He sacrificed his life to save you and your world.”

  Karis didn’t even try to stop the tears this time. Her heart was heavy as she grieved for her friend. Whatever has happened in Shamike must be terribly devastating to all her people. She needed to help them, now more than ever. A shadow fell over her soul as she thought of Tarine. Why did so many people have to die because of her?

  Brady wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. She buried her face in his chest and fisted her hands tightly in his shirt, wanting to block out the world.

  “He left this letter along with the one he sent me about you. It’s addressed to you.” Coron handed her the cream-colored paper. A bright red seal of her father's was stamped to keep it shut.

  She took it and broke the seal. Her vision still blurred behind fresh tears as she read it out loud for Brady and Coron.

  Karis,

  If you are reading this, it means you have escaped the awful punishment the council so horribly bestowed upon you, but it also means that I have met my end. Do not cry. It was for a good reason that I am gone, and if you are reading this then I know I did not die in vain.

  Shamike is in peril, and the people need their Princess to return home. You will need help. I hope this letter will be read with a certain man by your side. He was chosen long before he was born. Thus, your father had the necklace made, and a deal was made with one of his most trusted allies from Aridam. He took his family to live on Earth in secret, raising them as human.

  He is the one blessed by your father to help you. Your father had an enchantment placed over the family, knowing you would need someone on Earth to find you, because all portals except one in Aridam and one in Perditus were closed. It’s in his blood.

  So many of us believe in you, Karis. Your people believe in you. The King has destroyed everything that was good in your father’s kingdom. Sending this letter is sealing my fate, but you deserved some answers.

  Stay strong, Karis, do not give up. Fight and take back what is yours.

  Tarine

  She folded the letter but held it tightly in her hands and fell back into Brady’s embrace. He kissed the top of her head. “I’m so sorry, Karis.”

  Her eyes pooled and tears fell in streams each time she blinked. How could Tarine ask her to fight when so many people could die? Now he was dead too. Minutes passed as she stayed in Brady’s arms.

  “Well that explains the weird attraction,” Brady jested. She knew he was trying to take her mind off the upsetting news, but it didn’t help. She could never fully get over a death of someone she loved.

  “No, it doesn’t. It explains why you crashed on the island, but not a lot more than that,” she replied tersely as she backed out of his embrace. She wiped the tears off her cheeks and sucked in a deep breath.

  “Why don’t you both come with me and we’ll get you settled in your rooms.” Coron headed out the door of the room they were in.

  Brady and Karis followed him down the hallway and up two sets of stairs. He stopped at one door. “Karis, this will be yours as long as you wish to stay.” He gestured to the door across the hall. “Brady, that is yours, the same goes for you. You are welcome as long as you need.”

  “Thank you so much, for everything,” Karis spoke up for them both. She was saddened by the thought of sleeping alone again. It had only been a couple weeks since Brady came to her, but she would feel so lonely without him. He must have had the same thought because he hesitated before entering his room.

  Coron stopped at the edge of the stairs. “If you need anything, I’m not too far away.”

  She smiled. “Thank you, again.”

  Her room was nice, and it brought back fond memories of her childhood in the palace. Silk sheets and a white lace coverlet adorned the wide bed, a vanity that held everything she needed to make herself presentable, and an armoire to hold her clothes. She pulled out her picture of her father and grazed a fingertip over his face before placing it in one of the drawers. She looked down at her dress in disgust. How awful she must have looked to Coron and Darvin. Brady never cared how she looked, but now that she could clean up, she wanted to look her best.

  She flung open the door to the armoire and giggled at all the delicate flowing dresses that hung neatly inside. She fingered each dress and found one that looked similar to the attire she used to wear. It was silver and white, and shimmered as she moved under the light. It was perfect.

  Coron never told her if these were for her use, but she’d take the chance. She slipped out of the room with the dress draped over her arm, in search of the bathing room.

  She found it and quickly entered the room, leaning back against the door smiling. Warm running water. Oh, how she missed that. The large, oval tub sat in the corner with a skylight window, giving her an overhead view of the water and the schools of fish that swam by.

  She let herself sink into the deep hot water, complete with scented oils she found in the cabinetry near the tub. The relaxing oils and rejuvenating bath felt so heavenly that Karis wasn’t certain she’d ever leave.

  It wasn’t too long before the water turned cool and forced her out. Her fingers wilted from over exposure to the water, which made her smile even more. The ocean was too cold to sit for any lengthy amount of time.

  Karis slipped the silky dress over her head and stopped to admire it in the tall mirror. She hadn’t seen herself like this in so long that she hardly recognized the image before her. Her shiny black hair hung down to her waist and her skin was a beautiful honey tan. She wondered how she wasn’t darker since she’d been in the sun for years, but decided not to tempt fate and be grateful for small blessings. The dress fit her perfectly slender body, like it was made just for her.

  Wait till Brady sees, she mused. She danced in a small circle admiring every angle of herself. As she made one last twirl, her pendant began to warm. Karis touched it with her fingertips. How could it be warm if Tarine was dead?

  She needed to find Brady. If a message was trying to come through, she’d need him. She slipped out into the hall and closed the door behind her.

  Karis straightened her posture before knocking on his door. He opened it wide, revealing his bare chest and a white towel thrown over his shoulder. She stared at him and momentarily forgot what she came to find him for.

  “Karis? Everything okay?”

  “Hum. What? Oh, yeah, my necklace… I think someone is trying to contact me,” she stuttered.

  Brady raised a brow. “I thought Tarine was dead.”

  Karis swallowed hard. She’d seen him without a shirt many times before, but this was different. She felt different. “Um, yes.” She gently shook her head. “He is. I’m not sure who it is. But Tarine did say he gave someone else the ability to message me. I guess I have to trust that whoever it is, they are on our side.”

  He pulled the towel off his shoulder and slapped it against his thigh. “He’s dead, there's no trusting him anymore.”

  “I understand that, but this is about my home, my life. I have to know what’s going on.”

  He gave her a hard stare. “Yeah, and this is not my home. Hell, I have no clue what’s real anymore, what I’m doing here or even what I am!” He looked away and released a deep breath. “Look. I’m sorry, but I don’t belong here, with these people, or with you.”

  He pushed past her toward the shower room. Karis stood there, unable to stop him. He was right. This wasn’t his world. She glanced down to where he closed the door. “I’m sorry too,” she whispered.

  Karis looked around the dinner hall. So many people came to welcome the new visitors to Perditus. Laughter filled the room as they talked about long-past stories, but she was far from joining them. Her encounter with Brady earlier left her despondent. She had a hard time dealing with his sudden mo
od changes. She knew he was trying to comprehend everything since the plane crash, but his rage toward her hurt.

  Coron leaned over to speak discretely with Karis. “You look as if you are far away, Princess.”

  She couldn’t help but notice that Brady skipped dinner and presumably was still upstairs in his room. She touched the folded cream-colored fabric that served as a napkin. “I have a lot on my mind.”

  He patted her hand with his own. His colder skin made her yearn for the warmth of Brady’s body even more. They had only shared one kiss, but her heart was torn about what she felt for him.

  “I’m sure you do.”

  A hush fell on the crowd. Karis looked up. Whispers floated around her. She could hear some of them, although they didn’t know that. They were mainly from the women around the table. They were in awe over how handsome their guest was.

  Karis turned in her seat and saw Brady standing in the entry. He wore his white wife-beater—as he called it on the island—and jeans, looking every bit the fighter he was and, she admitted to herself, extremely sexy. His eyes caught hers and he gave her a smile. Her breath caught in her throat as she returned the smile.

  He strode over to where she sat and pulled out the chair next to her. She leaned in close to him and tried not to linger over the fresh scent of his skin. “I thought you weren’t coming.”

  “Trying to get rid of me?”

  Her eyes widened. “No. I just meant, well, after earlier… you seemed so upset with me.”

  He picked up her hand and placed it in his on his lap under the table. “I’m not mad at you. I just have to deal with things. I’m sorry I took it out on you.”

  Karis’s heart sped up and she hoped he wouldn’t notice the heat rise to her cheeks.

  He nodded at Coron. “This is a great place, thank you for opening your home to us.”

  “It is my pleasure, young Aridam. Now, eat.” Coron opened his arms out to the spread of food that lay out before them.

  Brady rubbed his hands together. “Great. I’m starving.”

  Karis grabbed a roll and examined it. It had been a long time since she saw anything that even remotely resembled bread. She inhaled the sweet scent mixed with familiar seaweed and crinkled her nose.

  “Everything okay, Princess?” Coron shoved his mouth full of the bread.

  “Oh yes, thank you. I was just taking it all in.”

  Brady leaned in, a jelly-like meat protruding from the end of his fork. “What in the hell is this?” he whispered so only she could hear him.

  She tried to swallow. Living on an island for so many years, she forgot how many creatures were edible in other worlds. “That is the egg of a Ramison. They are creatures from here that resemble the Earth’s Hagfish that swim in the ocean. Long, slimy, worm-like—“

  “Stop.” He cut her off. “I don’t think I’m hungry anymore.” He dropped his fork on the plate. “Is it safe to drink the water?”

  “Yes. It’s just water.”

  “Well, you never know.” He picked up his glass, taking a large swig but spit it out, sputtering over the food. Everyone looked at him.

  Karis pat his back. “He just swallowed wrong, we are so sorry.” She leaned in close to his ear. “Are you okay? What are you thinking?”

  Coron belted out in laughter. “I’ve been there before.”

  Brady coughed. “Thanks.” He thumped his chest with a fist. “Wow that burns going down. Well, what went down anyway. What was that? Cause that’s definitely not water. ”

  Coron laughed harder.

  Karis took a whiff of her own glass and pulled it back quickly. “Spirits.”

  “Oh no, I’ve drank with the best of them. That’s not alcohol.”

  “It’s way more potent here than on Earth. This, I believe, is Mirum. An awfully strong wine made from sea berries.”

  “Is nothing normal? Can I just get a burger and a Coke?” He slumped back in his chair.

  Coron stopped laughing. “Is nothing appealing to you?”

  “No, it’s just that I’m unaccustomed to eating so…extravagantly.”

  Coron gave a wide grin and shoveled another bite in his mouth.

  “Good cover,” Karis whispered to Brady. “Come on, let’s go.” She scooted her seat back and rose. “It has been a lovely dinner. We are forever grateful for your kindness, but we’re still tired from the day’s events. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

  Brady didn’t hesitate to stand next to her, quickly pushing his chair under the table and taking her by the elbow. “Yes, thank you so much. It was, uh, extraordinary.”

  Karis led the way past the front guards and outside. The light was departing, making the water around them sparkle with deep hues of dark blue.

  She held on to his arm, afraid he would move away and she wouldn’t feel his closeness. “So what changed that made you come to dinner? Earlier you were so brash towards me.”

  He smirked. “You. I saw you in my head. It was strange, like a daydream or something.”

  She didn’t want to read too much into it, but it excited her just the same.

  He stopped once they were away from everyone. “Hey, thanks, for saving me back there with Coron and the whole spitting…thing.”

  She laughed. “I think I was destined to save you.”

  He raised a finger and tapped the end of her nose. “Hey, one day, the role might reverse. I do come from a line of, what line was that again?”

  “Aridam. They are the closest in likeness to Shamike and Humans.”

  “So I really do come from a different world.” He raised his head to stare at the darkening water over them. “This is so strange.”

  She placed a hand on his arm. “We all come from somewhere, and we all come from one entity that created endless worlds. Only some of us are better off not conversing with or knowing about the others. You come from a long line of prestigious beings.”

  A Syrenae swam over them. Brady shook his head. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to seeing that.”

  “It is quite the sight.” She tipped her head back and watched with him. Her necklace began to warm against her throat. “Brady.”

  “Yeah?”

  “I need to know who is trying to talk to me.” She fingered the pendant.

  “Let’s go back to your room where we don’t have anyone around to overhear what’s not meant for them.”

  “Good idea.”

  He grabbed her hand and led her back inside. They darted through the halls and hoped no one saw them. Karis wanted nothing more than to be alone with Brady, and if someone stopped them, it would prolong their wait.

  They made it to her room unnoticed. She closed the door quietly behind her while Brady walked to the window and shut the drapes. “Is it still doing the thing when someone wants to talk?”

  She already had the necklace off her neck and held it out in her palm. “Yes. It burns my skin.”

  He took the pendant and examined it, turning it over and over. “It is pretty hot.”

  “Let’s sit.” She walked to the bed and sat down. He joined her, making the bed bounce under his weight.

  She let out a shaky breath. “Ready?”

  “Bring it on.”

  She smiled and let out a soft laugh. She concentrated on the message. Brady took her hand and squeezed it.

  “Karis.” A familiar voice filled the room.

  Her whole body tensed. No. It couldn’t be. Tarine wouldn’t have given him the power to communicate with her. Surely this was all wrong.

  “What’s wrong?” Brady looked worried with his eyes narrowed.

  “Karis, can you hear me?” the voice spoke again, this time much clearer.

  She looked at Brady and shook her head. “I can hear you.”

  “Who is it?” Brady whispered.

  She held a finger up. “Marin, how do you know about this communication?”

  Brady cocked his head and listened. “Marin?”

  She shot him an annoyed lo
ok.

  “Karis, who is with you?” Marin’s voice spoke through the pendant.

  “Answer me first,” Karis demanded.

  “Tarine trusted me with your secret. I am here to help you get back to Shamike. We need you.”

  “Lies! You’re the reason I was banished.” She shook with anger.

  “It was to save you. The King had plans to kill you. Without you, there is no future for Shamike.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “I was alone for nearly a hundred years. Why didn’t you or Tarine talk to me before?”

  “Is he with you?”

  Brady spoke up before she could answer. “I’m with her, and I’m not leaving.”

  Karis was grateful for his comfort. She knew he had mixed emotions about being there, but it was nice to feel protected.

  “Yes, well, it's because we had to wait for him to arrive. Your powers were limited on Earth and not fully generated. You left at such an early age that I’m sure you don’t even know half of what you’re capable of.”

  “Yes, and whose fault is that,” she seethed. Marin wasn’t telling her anything Tarine hadn’t already. “What do you want, Marin?”

  “The King knows you escaped.”

  Karis sucked in a sharp breath. “That could be disastrous for Coron and all of Perditus.”

  “Yes. He is already planning a raid. I thought you should be warned.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Karis, I’m sorry I didn’t stop them from sending you away.”

  Karis broke the connection with Marin, not wanting to open that wound again. She splayed her hand across her chest. Why would he say that?

  Brady cast a wary glance around the room. “We need to leave.”

  “What?”

  “I’ve been in enough fights to know when to back away into the shadows and watch my opponent, and when to jump out and fight. Right now, we need to watch, learn, and plan how to take him out.”

  She nodded. “You’re right. We should tell Coron though, so he can prepare.”

  “Agreed.”

  She was so confident with him near that she wasn’t sure she could fight this battle without him, but she also knew what it was like to be away from home. “Brady, if you want to go back, I mean to Earth, I understand.”