“Three days. A half turn…” Her voice laced with disapproval.
Gaire nodded. “It is pleasant to see you again so soon.”
She did not sound at all pleased. “I understand you’ve returned with a man…”
Gaire nodded once more.
“Your mate?”
“Yes, Mother Mistress.”
“We had a plan for retrieval.”
“Yes, Mother Mistress.”
Gaire jumped when the woman stood. What am I expecting? An attack? The cool of a blue blush circled Gaire’s face.
“You are nervous.”
The older looked away, considering the bookshelves filled with leather bound and gilded volumes. She crossed the room. “I was not always the Mother Mistress, though I have been for some long years. I once boasted the darker pigments of youth, and my name was Adrial.”
A book earned her gentle caress, her fingertip tracing the gilded binding, before sliding from the shelf. She placed the volume gently on the desk, turned, and stopped to stand before a large break in the concrete-like wall.
Gaire’s gaze strayed to the volume, only reading the mermish word, “Secret,” before her attention returned to the Queen.
The elder did not turn back, but began to speak, a faraway tone filling the room, her voice heavy with emotion. “I was only a girl when we lost the Blue Men of Minch. Those of us passed into the age of covenant consent would make the yearly pilgrimage, each being joined by vow to a Blue Man of the queen’s choosing.”
She paused, and then her voice hardened. “And then mankind ended our hope. The Blue Men were found, murdered, and we believed our kind would die out. Many of us did…” Another sniff. “My mother never bore another, never found another she loved so much as my father…”
The Mother Mistress made a stately twirl to face her. Gaire avoided the direct gaze, but she stared through Gaire without seeing her.
Gaire shifted beneath the white eyes. The intensity of the gaze was awkward, and Gaire felt a mermaid blush again cooling her cheeks. The squeak of the wooden supports beneath the upholstery caused Mother Mistress to jump slightly, and her eyes narrowed.
Her eyes refocused, and she continued. “I realize that your future is with this Land Son, but you must keep true to our rules. They have been created for a purpose. If we are to survive, our traditions will be kept, as they are, and I will see to it. I will accept nothing less.” Across the desk, an intense gaze bored into Gaire’s emerald eyes. The warning was clear.
Gaire nodded. “Yes, Mother Mistress.” Tension squeezed her stomach, perceiving that with the warning danger had increased.
* * *
Consciousness drifting nearby, Calder swallowed. The press of his over-sized tongue in the back of his throat triggered a gag.
Swollen. I feel swollen all over.
His eyes hid behind his eyelids, not quick to rush into the pain threatening at the edge of wakefulness. He heard a rustle near his head, followed by the strong scent of jasmine and coconut on ocean breezes.
Gaire.
He coughed, and then retched over the edge of a soft bed. Reality shattered the muddled darkness, his thoughts still in pieces.
“Venora.” The word creaked out of his throat followed by a string of curses. He waved his arm ahead of him, searching for leather car seats, seatbelts, something to hold onto. Instead, he felt a gentle hand catch his flailing arm.
The lifeline calmed him and the gentle kisses placed in a line up his arm leeched the panic from him. He blinked, trying to clear the grime from his eyes, trying to see if she was really there.
“Gaire,” he moaned. The air feels different.
A woman’s soft body came close, and she bent his arms across his chest and wrapped him in a hug. Long hair fell around his bare shoulders. Coconut. Jasmine. Beautiful. Smell. Calming words began blooming in the muddle, and he heard a whisper in his ear, “Calder, I’m here.”
The closeness brought a sagging exhaustion. “Did I save Mike?”
She tucked his arms against his chest, pushing him back. “Sssshhhh, Calder, not now.”
“I dreamt I had a fin.”
“No, still legs…”
Strength spent, and still unable to see clearly, Calder rolled toward the voice and pulled Gaire close, locking her against the edge of the bed, crushing her against him. The revelation exploded just as the darkness grew heavy.
“Gaire, oh god, I can touch you.” He fought to stay awake, afraid she would be gone when he next woke, afraid she would not be in his arms.
* * *
Calder boiled in a bodiless void. Images tumbled through his mind, two tongues, blue tendrils, translucent skin stretched over an oversized skull. Then, he was drowning, the struggle for oxygen pressing against the crushing weight of the darkness covering him until a convulsion brought inky fluid rushing into his lungs. The water crashed through him, like hundreds of ice scorpions, cold and stinging.
He leaned forward onto his elbow, coughing and breathing hard. The terrifying crush was still fresh from his nightmare. He blinked.
The light hasn’t changed. How long have I been asleep?
He turned aside, “Gaire?” The question echoed in an unfamiliar way.
He blinked once more, clearing grit from his eyes. Furniture slowly came into focus. His naked chest was draped in a white linen sheet. An ornate headboard stretched in a semi-circle above him and boasted detailed pine inlaid in darker wood Calder did not recognize. Shirtless mermaids were carved into the wood, arms stretched forward over the bed.
He threw back the sheet. Ugh.
Weakened, he only succeeded in adjusting it to an odd angle. He tried again. The draft was odd against his bare skin and studied his legs. What the…? They were covered in orange shapes.
Scales.
He slowly reached toward the appendages, gasping when his hand touched his leg. It was topped with stiff, small plates, the size of each larger at the waist and growing smaller toward his feet.
Frantic, he yelled, “Gaire.” She was here. She must know what happened.
A horrible thought crashed against him. Gingerly, he reached down. Oh, thank god, that’s still there.
He yanked his hands back and threw his legs over the side of the bed. The swift movement brought on a dizzy spell, black spots swam in the edges of his vision.
He reached out to steady himself, but knocked a tray to the ground. It landed with a muffled thud. The floor was spongy beneath Calder’s feet, and he swore, fighting another wave of dizziness.
The door creaked. Calder bent forward, grabbing the silverware from the upended tray. He pulled the sheet from the bed and wrapped it around himself. A distinguished-looking woman stepped into the room. Silvery white adorned her legs and peeked through the slit in her dress. Straight colorless hair was hanging loose, the right side tucked behind her ear. No crown sat upon her head, yet she exuded majesty.
“Calder.”
Calder stood still, but he still flashed the butter knife. “How do you know my name?”
A dry laugh rasped. “Oh, I know you, Calder Brumen. I am Adrial, the Mother Mistress, Queen of this city. You are betrothed to one of our own.”
He remembered the feel of Gaire’s body in his arms, and he sucked in a breath. “Where is she?”
“She is…” A calculating pause, “…busy. She broke a great many rules to be the one to bring you home.”
“Home?”
“Yes, Calder, welcome home.” She paused, scrutinizing him. “Welcome to Cathair Uisce. Welcome to the home of your mother.” She made a graceful turn, her chin held high. Her faint smile did not reach her eyes.
When the door latched behind her, Calder fell backward onto the bed.
Her words echoed in his mind. Welcome to Ka-hair Ish-ka. Welcome to your mother’s home. The thought disagreed with everything he thought he knew. My mother ran out on me as a kid. My mother had legs to run out on me.
He rolled to his side and pulled his k
nees toward his chest. He reached down, but feeling the newness coating his skin, he yanked his hand back once more. The shock scalded his thoughts. This doesn’t feel like home. He sighed, hungry again for Gaire. Funny, I don’t feel very welcome, either. He threw the blade at the wall, lodging it in the reef.
Chapter 2
A cuttlefish lifted her tentacles, bared teeth sharpened to fine points, and hissed a warning. Calder flipped his fin and swam backwards.
But I don’t have a fin, Gaire does.
The errant notion came drifting through. A purple octopus wrapped her blue arm around Calder’s middle and shook him.
“Calder,” a familiar voice said.
He jumped, catching the hand at his waist. When he opened his eyes, he stared into her green ones. “Gaire.” He crushed her to him, pulling her from her feet and onto the bed.
“Calder.” She gasped in giggles as he covered her face in kisses. She threw her head back in laughter, exposing her throat. Calder brought her closer. Her bare middle pressed against Calder, lighting his desire. The intensity of his embrace grew passionate. Her laughter died, and she met his mouth with her own. “They’ll be here any minute.”
Calder’s hands fell to Gaire’s waist, his thumbs nearly meeting at her navel. Her slight mewling triggered a need in Calder to hear her call his name. Calder ignored the sound of a throat being cleared. He lifted Gaire up, and then pulled her down against his lap.
A cough. Then another, followed by an annoyed, “Gaire.”
Gaire’s skin turned a blueish shade. She grabbed Calder’s hands to stop his movement.
“What is it?”
Her red lips mouthed, “I’m sorry,” and she slid to the floor.
Wait. Come back here. “Gaire.” His voice was stern.
She waved toward the door. “They want to meet you.”
He finally noticed three women and one man waiting by the door. Their scales boasted various shades and colors.
“An Adrial lady came by earlier, Mother Mistress something or other.” Gaire stiffened when he said the name, and he pulled her back onto the bed, tucking her against him. He whispered, “I’m glad you came back. I just wish you were alone.” At his wink, tension drained from her face.
She whispered, “I wish I was alone, too.”
He spoke to the others, “Hello, I’m Calder.”
Gaire smiled. “They know who you are.” Gaire’s eyes twinkled as she whispered. “You weren’t supposed to remember.”
“Well, I do. Why are my legs different?”
Gaire squeezed Calder’s hand. “That’s why they want to talk to you.”
A voice spoke up from the doorway. “We want to explain what’s happened.”
Gaire squeezed once more. “I’ll be back tonight.” As she slid from the bed, she dragged her fingers down his thigh.
He took the time to watch Gaire walk from the room before he turned to the strangers, “So tell me what happened. Can you tell me why my legs are covered in scales?”
* * *
Calder stared out the window. He frowned at the bubble encapsulating the mermaid city. Only 1 in 4 is a male, and they’re all transplants from topside… Born from mothers sent to impregnate themselves by human men…
Betrayed by his mother, born into a life he did not choose, kept from his father.
All for Gaire, all decided for me.
As if summoned by his thoughts of her, Gaire appeared in the doorway.
She stopped, speaking softly. “How are you?”
Calder pulled at his beard. “It’s a lot to swallow. My mother was a mermaid, and I died.” He looked at Gaire. “But I’m not a dead man, I’m a merman.” His voice sliced with an angry edge. “How should I be?”
Gaire frowned. “Should I go?”
Calder’s scowl deepened. “Tell me. How do most of the guys you kidnap deal with it?”
Gaire sighed. “I’ll go.”
Calder only turned back to the window.
* * *
Calder had been brooding for hours, moving on unsteady legs. No, they aren’t legs, they’re mer-legs. Gaire had not returned, and he was beginning to feel remorse for the manner he had sent her away. Propped against pillows and leaning on the headboard, he craned his head.
A slight tapping on the door brought a thrill. Please be Gaire. “Yes? Come in.”
His expectation was disappointed when the door opened to reveal a silver-haired stranger. She stopped just inside. “Mister Brumen, I am Mariella, Daughter of Morvoren, Daughter of Arglwyddes, Chief Madam Gardener.”
He did not immediately answer. Curious about mer-legs, he let his gaze drop. Her legs glinted gray and green scales, between the slits of her flowing dress. “Is everyone a different color?”
She smiled. “Yes, thousands of variations have been recorded.”
Calder imagined Gaire’s legs in some of his favorite, but hazy, memories. I hope I didn’t hurt her. He adjusted his position. “One more question, how do you keep all the coral alive? I’ve seen it from the window.”
Mariella’s eyes twinkled and she winked. “Mermaid secret.”
Calder decided he liked Mariella. “I’m Calder Brumen.” He extended his hand.
The woman’s eyebrows rose. “I haven’t seen that in a long time. I’d forgotten Land Walkers do that.” Mariella shook his hand. “It’s good to meet you, Calder Brumen. Gaire risked a great deal for you.” Her look dared him to disagree. “She used her giftings to rescue you. She breaks our laws out of love for you, exposes her future…” Mariella pressed her lips together. “I’ve already told you too much.”
Worry chilled his stomach. “What laws did she break? Is she in danger? What will happen to her?”
“Gaire is in danger. She is…” The woman sighed. “Unique, and her fate is now in the hands of The Mother Mistress.” Coming nearer, she laid a pale hand on Calder’s ruddy forearm. “Keep her safe. Our way of life, our future depends upon her.”
Leaving a confused Calder in her wake, she turned to leave, closing the door gently behind her.
* * *
The next day, Calder sat studying the design on his side. He wore only shorts and they were two sizes too small. Every attendant seemed surprised when he asked for clothes, with the last one finally bringing shorts from some closet on the other side of the city.
He considered the perfect likeness of Gaire gracing his right side, her face smiling on the lower portion of his ribs, her tail curled around his right hip.
Hearing her light step, he asked. “Do you remember this?”
Gaire nodded.
“So do I. I remember fins and dreams, but mostly I remember how badly I wanted you. I need you.” She bit her bottom lip. He pointed and grinned. “You did that in the bar.”
“Just before you passed out.”
Calder basked in the warmth of her voice. “I’m sorry about yesterday. It’s a lot to take in.” Gaire did not answer. “I wonder where my mother is now. Where did she go?” He grimaced. “I’ve been thinking in circles all day.”
“She isn’t here, you know. I think she and I would have been friends if she had come back. But she never did….” Gaire’s eyes reflected her sorrow. “I made it harder. They have rules. I broke them. It made your adjustment period more abrupt.”
Calder pulled Gaire onto his lap. Her knee-length dress showed bits of metallic thread between the swirl of blues, greens, and browns. “You mean I wouldn’t be able to hold you yet?”
Gaire kissed his cheek. “No, and I shouldn’t have visited you all those times.”
“I’m so glad you did.” Calder mumbled in the nape of her neck. “Why did you?”
Gaire jumped up without meeting his gaze. “Come on. You should see your new home.”
Calder stood, looking down. Gaire’s gaze followed. Excited by the prospect of having Gaire to himself for a few hours, he had let his feelings lead his thoughts. Exasperation at Gaire’s change in pace colored his voice with pain. “You’re al
ways doing this to me.”
She smiled. “Soon, I promise.” She tugged him toward the door. “Come see Cathair Uisce.”
“What does that mean anyway?”
“City of Water.”
“Oh, reminds me, one more. Venora kept calling me Cold Water. Why?” He still held to the edge of the bed, gathering his balance.
Gaire giggled when Calder tipped into her, flattening her onto the bed. Calder’s hand reached around to Gaire’s front with a low growl.
“You’re impossible.” She pushed against him, grasping his arm to help him balance once more on his feet.
“In our world, Calder means Cold or Harsh Water. And your last name, Brumen, is a variation of the mer word for bridegroom.” She tugged on his beard. “You’ve been mine since the beginning.”
“Since the beginning.” He whispered as he lowered his lips over her mouth and her arguments fled.
* * *
The farther they walked, the steadier Calder grew on his feet, slowly regaining strength after his drowning. He followed Gaire through the town, walking beside her. She pointed out important people and landmarks. Calder kept her within touching distance, his hand never leaving her.
“I can touch you,” he muttered for the dozenth time.
She nodded. “I never thought you’d remember me. The scent was to hide your memories. Mermen aren’t supposed to know about their mermaids until they come home.”
Calder rubbed his hand up her shoulder. “Oh, but I remembered, and you left sandy footprints in my bedroom.”
“I’d gotten careless.”
He tugged on the long-sleeved dress. “Do you have anything more… comfortable?”
Before his eyes, the dress changed to a matching sheer miniskirt and tank top. The light from the dome caught something like sequins sewn into the fabric. “Better?”
“How did you do that?”
“Every mer-child learns to take from the surrounding molecules and fashion clothes of one kind or another.” She winked. “It’s awfully helpful when one wishes to walk onto a beach. People notice when you travel on-land without clothes.” At his grin, she added. “It’s the only gifting everyone has. Well, besides, changing from scaled legs to our water fins.”
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