26. Chapter 26

Sid craned his neck as he looked out over the Kingdom of Tangaroa, trying to locate the park's rehearsal pools. He and Emmaline floated gently through a curving aqueduct some twenty meters above the ground while Jayna helped with a workshop for young merlings.

Emmaline nudged his shoulder. "You'll see her soon enough," she said playfully.

Sid gave her a rueful smile. "It's that obvious, huh?"

Emmaline rolled her eyes in response.

They were strapped into a pair of chairs that resembled fighter plane ejection seats and encased in a transparent plastic sphere. Their bubble rushed into a small circular pool, where it circled for several tense moments before the water dropped out from beneath them with a loud flushing sound.

Emmaline screamed in delight, and Sid found himself doing the same. He would have to ride this again with Jayna. She would love it.

They fell straight down for a dozen meters or so, and then their bubble followed a series of clear, twisting tubes, rolling and tumbling through the curves before settling upright as they floated into a straight section.

Emmaline grinned at him, and Sid thought about how often he had considered trying to move their relationship beyond professional. Fortunately, he never acted on those thoughts. He enjoyed her company, and she was certainly beautiful, but she never made him feel the way he felt for Jayna.

Jayna had only been at the merling workshop for a few hours, and yet Sid couldn't wait to see her again.

At the end of the ride, they settled into a small pool and floated towards an opening beneath a tall vertical tube. When they reached the opening, the tube lowered over their bubble, and they were sucked straight up into the air and deposited into the same lazy stream where the ride had begun.

Emmaline cheered as the attendant let them out of their bubble, and Sid realized he was also grinning uncontrollably.

"So? What did you think of Na Paipu Nui?" Kalani asked.

"Definitely send me the ride manufacturer's contact information," Sid said. "Realms needs one of these."

Kalani laughed. "I thought you'd like it. Is there anything else you want to see?"

Sid had learned a lot from their follow-up tour of the park, and it had been good for him to get to know Kalani better. He still felt a bit intimidated by the muscular Polynesian man with the deep voice, and he couldn't suppress the zing of jealousy that came unbidden when he thought of Kalani scooping Jayna into his arms after her Merathlon win.

"Can we go back and see the merling workshop? I enjoyed the rides, but it's clear to me the heart of this park is the people." Sid did his best to sound professional, but he knew by the grins both Emmaline and Kalani gave him that they saw his request for what it truly was—an excuse to go and see Jayna at work.

Sid watched Kalani closely for any sign that might indicate the big man felt jealousy at Sid's obvious interest in her. To Sid's relief, Kalani seemed truly pleased with the request.

"Absolutely," he said. "The merlings should be just about ready to show what they've learned. You remember what they were like when we saw them this morning, all gangly and flopping around like they didn't know their heads from their tails? You'll be impressed at how much improvement they've made with some expert guidance."

"I remember." Having been on the receiving end of that expert guidance, Sid knew exactly what he meant.

They made the short walk to the practice area where the merlings were doing their showcase presentation. As each girl finished her routine, the mercoaches and other merlings cheered.

At last, only one merling remained. She hesitated, and Jayna swam to give her some support. Sid couldn't hear what she said but it was clear she cared deeply. Her encouragement appeared to work, and the girl launched into her performance. Although it was obvious the sequence was nowhere near as complex as what the others had done, the merling performed the simplified routine flawlessly.

Jayna made a big deal out of her success, cheering and congratulating her loudly. After a moment of hesitation, the other mercoaches joined in the celebration.

"That kind of positivity and support is something I've been trying to nurture in our leadership," Kalani said. "Most of our mercoaches are so focused on a perfect show that they sometimes forget the needs of the merformers. It's been good for them to see Jayna in action."

"She has a way of bringing out the best in everyone," Sid agreed.

"She does," Kalani said with a wistful smile. "I've missed working with her."

"Jayna told me she used to sing with you in your band, Mano Taika," Emmaline said. "Do you think she'd like to perform with you at the Jubilee Ball tomorrow?"

Sid's gut tightened and he cast Emmaline a worried look. Where was she going with this question?

"Yeah, of course. She should already know most of the numbers we're doing. I'm sure she could pick up the new stuff quickly." He turned to Sid, and his brows drew together. "You're not going to the ball?"

After learning of the Order's concerns, and knowing Jayna was already planning to attend the Merfest, he had decided against taking her to the ball. But by asking Kalani if Jayna could sing with his band, Emmaline was forcing Sid's hand. It would look awkward if he was a guest at the ball while she attended as a performer.

He glanced at her, and suddenly couldn't bear the thought of not taking her as his date. "I'm going. But so far, we haven't been able to secure a last-minute invitation for Jayna. Em, do you still have that lead you mentioned?"

Emmaline gave him a sly smile. "I'll see what I can do." The glint in her eye told him she probably already had the invitation.