Evermore

by Brenda Pandos

  “Barlemede,” Sandy spat, saying his true name almost as if a curse.

  “How’s the food planning going?” I asked to rescue her.

  “Good so far.” She nodded. “We’ve arranged a caterer, considering the large group.”

  Ash sucked in a deep breath. “Did we secure the tables and chairs?”

  “Yes, and the linens.” Sandy looked upward as if she checked off an invisible list. “Decorations are almost done, and the flowers, oh, I can’t wait to get started on that. Mistress Wynie has sewn her fingers to the bone, along with Gran and Maggie.”

  “That’s good….” I guess.

  Ash took my hand under the table and squeezed, leaning into me. “They’ve hand-stitch what looks like a million gems on my dress. I’ll never be able to walk down the aisle, it’ll be so heavy.”

  “Or you don’t have to wear a dress at all,” I whispered in her ear while caressing her thigh.

  “Fin,” she scolded, then looked up at me with a coy smile.

  “Actually,” I added, “that’s what got us into trouble in the first place.”

  Thinking about our time earlier this afternoon, when we snuck off to her bedroom, sent a thrill through me. And I hadn’t been able to think about anything else, other than scooping her up and christening every room in our new house — quite a distraction while working.

  “Stop,” she chastised with a slight blush. “Focus. There’s an issue with the growing guest list.”

  Galadriel marched over and plopped down in her chair next to Jax. “Oh my gods,” she said, exasperated as she dished a heaping plate of salad and fish.

  Ash straightened. “What now?”

  Since Galadriel had stuck her fin into the planning, drama followed.

  “Mother has invited fifty more…” her eyes flicked to my parents, “guests. Where are we going to put them? The parking lot? I don’t know how we’re going to fit everyone in as it is.”

  “Fifty?” I reiterated.

  Tatiana and I were going to have words after dinner was over.

  “You need to put your fi—” she stuttered. “I mean foot down. She’s… going overboard.”

  “I’ll do it,” Sandy said in a calm voice. “Don’t add more to the bride’s plate.”

  Jacob’s head popped up when he heard Nicole’s wail, then he excused himself and darted off. Watching him, I knew our life would mirror his soon.

  “Who are the new guests?” Ash asked.

  Galadriel leaned in, whispering. “Some of her friends that live on the outskirts by the Scotland gate. They hadn’t even heard about the wedding, which serves them right for being such hermit crabs. I don’t know why the water reception isn’t good enough for them. The rule was you had to attend Tatchi’s class first, and Garnet is coming with a date.” Galadriel made a face.

  “She is? Who?” Ash asked.

  I cringed when I heard Ash’s sister’s name. She of all her sisters couldn’t have been born with a heart.

  She paused, looking left then right. “Colin.”

  Ash’s mouth dropped open just as my blood froze.

  “Yeah, tell me about it.” Galadriel returned to stabbing her salad. “I guess they hit it off after all the rules changed.”

  “And Alaster?” I asked, unable to hide the vitriol in my voice.

  “Dead.” She speared a tomato on her fork.

  Ash’s muscles tensed under my palm. I gently squeezed her tight to reassure her.

  “How do we know he’s telling the truth?” I asked.

  “We don’t, but no one’s seen Alaster, the son of a bass, excuse my language.” She glanced at Jax’s plate. “You going to eat that?” She stole a strawberry and popped it in her mouth before he could object.

  “If he shows his mangy arse around these parts—” Badger started.

  “He’ll have more than his clock cleaned,” Jax finished. “There’s a line of guys who want at him, including me.”

  Not before I get a shot.

  “But who would ever think Garnet would go for Colin, of all the mermen in the sea?” Galadriel asked. “He’s just… gamey.”

  Ash stiffened at her mer reference and leaned forward. “Galadriel.”

  “Oh… oopsie,” she said with a chuckle.

  I glanced down the table to see if any of the humans noticed.

  “You promised,” I bit.

  “Sorry. Sorry,” she said quickly. “You know you can just sing.”

  I deadpanned, reminded of all the times in Florida where she’d tested me. “No. We are trying to avoid doing that.”

  Jax put his arm around his mate. “Awe, Gladdy. I’ll sing away anything you want me to.”

  My internal heat began to rise.

  “Do you think Colin is lying?” Ash’s expression turned fearful.

  I put my arm around her shoulder and drew her into me. “I don’t know, but I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  Her body trembled as she nestled against my chest. I hugged her, trying to reassure her. But the truth of the matter was, I couldn’t be with her 24/7 and still get everything done. He’d be crazy to show his fin here. This was enemy territory.

  ~|~

  After we’d sat around talking and drinking way too late, the mers filed off to my parents’ nearly finished house to the hatch in the basement — a more discrete exit than the shore.

  “I have to go with them,” Ash nudged her head toward her parents as they walked home with Gran. “I’ll meet you in a few.”

  Her eyes twinkled, something I hadn’t seen in a long time. I grabbed her and planted a kiss on her lips.

  “Don’t make me wait long, my Ginger Girl,” I purred.

  Clearly, I’d had too much to drink.

  She giggled nonetheless, then ran off, sliding in under her father’s arm and taking her mother’s hand. Seeing her with her human family pleased me.

  I trudged past all the construction into the house. Since I’d been working on mine, I hadn’t seen the latest progress. The wonderful smell of fresh paint on the newly finished walls filled my lungs. The hardwood floor had almost been completely installed. The charred rocks on the fireplace, evidence of the fire, rubbed me wrong, and made me wonder if in fact Alaster was really dead.

  “Looks good, doesn’t it?” Dad asked while putting his arm around my shoulders.

  “Yeah.” I nodded. “Colin’s back. Did you hear?”

  “I did. That means my brother is around, too.”

  I stiffened and stepped away from my dad. “Rumor is he’s dead.”

  Dad guffawed, shaking his head. “Unlikely. Even still, he’s not welcome here or in Natatoria. Desirée has made that abundantly clear.”

  “You act like she’s still in charge.”

  “She’s not.” He shrugged. “But the mers like her and seem to need a Regent, and since the Council is keeping the peace, it works for now. After the wedding, we’ll make greater strides at helping the people acclimate, and Chancellor Merric has also requested to retire.”

  “And you want me to consider the vacancy?” I asked.

  “Actually, you would make a fine leader, Fin.”

  “Me?” I blew out a breath, not believing for a second they’d let a youngin’ like me on the Council. Besides, I wanted to be on land as much as possible. “Why don’t you do it?”

  “I’m too old for politics.” He leaned in. “The mers have no idea what to do with their new freedom, and you could lead them by example. Actually, your wedding will be the catalyst.”

  I huffed and shook my head. “All of them?”

  “Sounds like it.”

  “Do you think that’s wise?”

  “And why not?”

  “It’ll be culture shock, and don’t you remember the Hill Billy boys who shot me in Oklahoma? I almost died.”

  A twinge of pain radiated from my side, and I inadvertently rubbed the spot. The loss of blood almost killed me.

  Dad laughed. “That was a different situation. With t
he lake nearby and mermen to sing away mistakes? It’s foolproof.”

  “As long as they’re human and unpromised,” I wanted to say, but it felt weird being the cautious one. This was what my parents had preached my whole life. Mistakes happened, as with anything, but we’d managed to keep the secret all the same.

  Dad locked up the house, then headed with me down the basement stairs. A new bridge suspended over the empty pool. Piles of human clothing were strewn about in various places on the deck, ready for their owners come morning.

  “We should put shelving over there, Jack, or maybe a bar for hangers.” Mom motioned to the other side of the room. “And I was just thinking, that if all the mers are coming to the wedding, we are going to have to provide appropriate clothing — preferably store-bought.”

  I ran my hand through my hair. More stuff to plan. “Let them dress themselves,” I said.

  “The men can’t wear skirts, Fin. And the ladies, their beaded dresses compete with the bride.”

  Dad pulled Mom into a hug and started kissing her. “It’ll work out. Stop worrying.”

  She giggled, but I could feel the scales forming on my legs. Time was up.

  I headed for the hatch first, disappearing into Lake Tahoe, but I couldn’t help but think that by having this many mers who’d never experienced life on land in one place would be like herding cats and not a good idea.

  Not a good idea at all.

  SEVENTEEN – ASH – May 26 – 7:20 p.m.

  I darted inside my house, happy as ever. Nothing could change my good mood or our fortune. Everything was working out as planned. We could do this dual life.

  “Ash?” Mom asked as I darted up the stairs. “I want to show you something.”

  The dimness of the oncoming twilight reminded me the sun had already ducked behind the mountain range. As if in response, my legs began to itch to reveal their scales.

  “I need to study for finals.”

  “It’ll just take a second.”

  She walked past me to her room, and I followed. On her bed lay the beautiful, long veil my sister and I had drooled over as kids, one I’d seen only a handful of times and was forbidden to touch, let alone try on. She lifted it up.

  “I thought… for your something old.”

  “Your veil?”

  “Yes.” She led me to the full-length mirror, then slipped the veil’s clip into my hair. I sucked in a startled breath at my reflection, the contrast of red under the white.

  “It’s so beautiful on you,” she said breathlessly.

  I turned to her, the emotion welling in my throat. “You think so?”

  Her lip quivered and she nodded, her eyes watering with tears. “You’re a vision.”

  “Oh, Mom. It’s so beautiful. Thank you.”

  She swiped away her tears. “I know we’ve had our issues, but I feel like this wedding has healed us. That by bringing Fin into our family, I finally understand you.”

  I pulled in a gasp. After everything, I’d felt the same way — whole — even though, with the way mer bonded with their mother it really couldn’t be. Maybe it was just, delayed.

  I threw my arms around her neck and hugged tight, so thankful I had her, the real her, and not some mer-mojoed woman.

  “I love you, Mom,” I said. “So much.”

  “I love you, too.”

  She held me for a long moment and I didn’t want to let go, but I knew if I didn’t, there would be consequences to pay.

  “I’m sorry, Mom, but I have to study,” I finally said.

  She let go, then wiped away another tear. “Okay. Yes.”

  As I darted into the hall, the veil trailed behind me, lifting in the air, all princess-like and romantic.

  Lucy eyed me with disdain. “What are you doing?”

  “Mom lent me her veil, and when it’s your turn, you can wear it, too.”

  She snorted and shook her head. “That old thing? No thanks.”

  I pulled my head back, glancing to Mom’s room. “That’s rude.”

  “Laura Jane thinks you’re only getting married because you’re pregnant.”

  My mouth dropped open. “Well, you can tell Laura Jane she’s not invited to the wedding.”

  “What?” Lucy put her hands on her hips. “Mom!”

  Scales burst on my skin, and visions of me falling off the trellis as a mermaid rocked me. I had to get into the safety of my room and outside now.

  “What’s wrong?” Mom walked into the hall.

  “Ash says Laura Jane can’t come to the wedding,” Lucy whined.

  Mom tilted her head. “Ash. Is that true?”

  “Mom,” I started to argue, but my legs were starting to fuse at my crotch, slowly ripping my jeans. “Fine, she can come.”

  I ran to my room and slammed the door shut. Throwing open the window, I tried to lift my leg to step outside when the horrible sound of my jeans ripping down the seams filled the air. I lost my balance and fell over, yelping out in pain.

  “Owwwwwww!” I wailed.

  Mom knocked on the door. “You okay in there?”

  “Fine,” I squeaked out, grabbing the comforter off my bed to cover up. Tears leaked from my eyes as I rocked back and forth, rubbing my scales to try and stop the burning sensation. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Though the song had kept them from opening my door after I’d gone into my room at night, I still felt the need to cover up all the same.

  I stared at the ceiling until her footfalls fell away. What the heck was I going to do now? The guys would already be in mer form, and unable to slither up to the house to sing this away for me. Could I just stay in here in my room all night?

  After a few minutes, my scales pulled tight from the lack of moisture, and the overwhelming need for water was all I could think about. Fin and I had never discussed that this might happen. What was I going to do?

  Scooting to sit on the boxed seat under my window, I raised myself up and I scanned the lake, but saw no one. Fin should have his phone with him if he kept it in his sling pack like he was supposed to. Then I heard mine ringing downstairs.

  “Crabfish on a cracker.”

  “Ash, honey,” Mom called. “It’s your phone. Do you want me to answer it?”

  “No!” I fell to the floor and pulled myself to the door, opening it a crack. “Can you bring it to me?”

  “Get it yourself,” Lucy sneered as she walked by. “Princess.”

  I cringed. More than one mermaid had called me that within earshot of my sister during the last week. “Please, Lucy. Can you get it?”

  She laughed, then slammed the bathroom door. At the sound of water rushing in the sink, every cell in my body screamed for the moisture. The phone started to ring again.

  “Ash?” Mom called, sounding more annoyed this time. I braced myself for her to change into the evil mother I knew well.

  “I have a cramp. Can you bring it to me?”

  After one ring, it stopped.

  “Hello?” Mom said. “Fin?”

  I held my breath. Blood rushed in my ears, making it hard to hear.

  “Yes, she’s studying in her room. What do you need?”

  The toilet flushed, making me crazy to the point of not being able to think straight. I needed to get into the water, any source would do, and I needed it now.

  The lock of the door clicked. Lucy walked out and sneered. “What are you doing on the floor?”

  “I have a cramp. I need my phone,” I grated at her as my talons began to form under my nails. “Go get it.”

  Lucy merely stuck her tongue out before she disappeared in her room. She was just like Azor, her real brother — a complete bassfish.

  “I’ve put your phone on the stairs,” Mom said. “I know you’re trying to study, so call Fin when you’re finished. He needs to talk to you.”

  Her footfalls faded to her office downstairs. Silence. Dad had left to go to work already, and Gran would be in her room watching her TV shows. This was as good a
time as any to make a break for the stairs. Maybe I could slither outside.

  I pivoted my fin out of the way of the door and rocked my hips to help me drag myself forward. Though I only had to go a few feet, it looked like a mile with how fast I inched myself. My heart hammered as I panted for air. If someone caught me, I had no idea what they’d do.

  Something deep inside my belly pinched, at the spot where my merling grew, and a strong sense of survival took over. I had to get out of the house.

  I army-crawled into the hallway while wiggling my hips, all the while cursing the carpet. If it were hardwood, I could have slid across easily. My throat burned with thirst as I tried not to grunt or hit the wall with my tail. Slowly I made headway. Inch by inch.

  Memories of when Fin was chained to the wall in the basement by his evil uncle, finned up and out of the water, came to me. As a newly changed mer, I’d never experienced much time out of the water, but then I’d never asked how long we could survive without it. Was that the reason for Bone Island? The terror if it practically suffocated me, of shriveling up and dehydrating to death.

  Once I got halfway to the stairs, I took a second to rest. Sweat dripped down my head, taunting me with its delectable wetness. I wiped it off and touched my scales. They sucked in the precious liquid, then pulled taut in agony, just wanting more.

  Rolling onto my side, I sat on my butt. My fin snagged on the carpet. When I pulled to free it, I smacked myself into the wall.

  Lucy’s door opened, but I couldn’t see her, thank Poseidon. “What are you doing?”

  “Nothing.” I quickly slid into the bathroom to hide. My fin smacked the door, then the tub, making a loud thump.

  “Stop making so much racket!” She blew out an annoyed breath, then slammed her door.

  My phone started to ring again. I could see it light up on the stair. So close, yet so far. Ring. Ring. Ring. The sound taunting.

  Mom turned the corner, angered to see the phone unattended to. “Ash?” She called, then looked upward from the bottom of the stairs. “What are you doing?”