Chapter 37

Chapter

Thirty-Seven

Within the safety of home, Nireed curled up on a bed of seaweed with Aersila, just holding each other and soaking in the quiet comfort of sisterhood. Just like old times.

No, not exactly like old times.

They were grieving. By Undine's count, one hundred merfolk had been slain, about a fifth of their community. So many lives lost. Nautic had been stopped but at a steep price.

What came next, beyond rebuild and repopulate, Nireed wasn't sure. Would they get their loved one's bones back like Reid hoped? Would there be more interaction with Surface Dweller leadership, some kind of attempt at discourse and diplomacy? Or would the marine sanctuary finally bring peace and quiet to their waters, her people left to dwell in the deep, undisturbed?

But those were questions for another day. Nireed snuggled in closer to her sister, taking comfort in the feeling of Aersila's claws running through her hair.

Days later, Lorelei brought news.

"Nautic is being prosecuted." It was an unfamiliar word, but to clarify, Lorelei added the sign for punishment. "All their boats were taken away."

Relief, elation, spiked the water—Nireed's, Lorelei's, Aersila's. It was done. Thank the Twenty-Armed Goddess, they were safe once more.

"And the story our friend Jackie told has won a lot of support for merfolk. It's not just Cure Creator's colleagues and friends on your side, everyday Surface Dwellers too." Lorelei's smile only grew. "There's more. Merfolk waters have been officially declared a marine sanctuary."

Nireed pulled her friend into a fierce hug, bioluminescence flashing wildly, and while Aersila didn't join in, she was wearing one of her rare smiles. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

It was everything they had hoped for.

When Lorelei left, Nireed signed to her sister. "Reid kept his promise. Lorelei too."

Aersila's smile faltered, expression growing solemn. "They did."

"We have good allies among the Surface Dwellers."

"We do." She inclined her head. It was a quiet admission that she'd been wrong. "And I'm glad you saw that even when the rest of us couldn't. This is a victory for our whole pod, but you're the one who won this battle for us. I know I don't say it enough, but I'm proud of you, Nireed."

Tears burned her eyes. Just when she thought she didn't have any left to cry, there were a few more. "Thank you."

"Our very own emissary to the Land Above the Water." Aersila said it with such awe and wonder. "You go where few dare to tread. It's…I don't know how you do it."

"You understand more than you think." Nireed cupped her sister's cheek, weathered by hardship and time. Aersila bore so many scars for this pod. Many that could be seen and many that could not. "It's for my friends on shore, and my loved ones here."

Aersila dipped her head in understanding. A beat of stillness passed before she signed, "Your mate, seems…" She scrunched up her face, fighting for a word.

"Fit? Handsome? Perfectly suited to me?" Nireed teased.

Aersila scowled, swatting her with her tailfin. "Well, now I don't want to say anything."

"Come on." They hadn't gotten to meet, but Aersila had seen Reid with her onboard The Seriphus . "What did you think?"

"Fishing for compliments gets you nowhere with me."

"One won't kill you."

"Fine. I like the way he looks at you."

"Aquilus looks at you like that."

"You know what?" Aersila flopped down on their seaweed bed, patting a spot next to her. "Let's keep talking about Reid. Tell me all about the Surface Dweller who's ensnared your heart."