17. Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

Meria

“ T hey are coming; I think it will be about a week. Ships are slower than we are,” Finn said from the small pool where we sat, near the sunken ships I had found on the third day I spent on the island. I went there as often as I could. The little pool was surrounded by rocks, creating a good hiding spot in case Dominick was ever nearby. It had been twelve days on Marren Island, and the time spent with Dominick was so different than when I was with Finn, or Edmar, the only other males I had spent significant time with. I liked Dominick, I did. There was a roughness to him I had never before seen. And yet, he was kind, not at all like the humans Father spoke of. I felt like our friendship was growing. For a human, he was not at all what I had expected. It was interesting how I preferred Dominick's company way more than I ever did Edmar’s. Is that not odd? I had known Edmar most of my life, and I had not liked him right away. Perhaps, I simply enjoyed being around Dominick because he was a human, and it was so weird to be with a human. I swished my tail back and forth. It felt so good to be myself again. I missed the sea every day, even though it was just a short walk from our cave. I had to be careful that Dominick did not see me when I transformed back into a mermaid. I was not yet sure it was wise to let him know what I was. Part of me wanted to, but I could also still hear my father’s voice in my head, telling me how horrible humans were. But I had to slip away to release my tail. If I did not go into the water, at least every other day, my legs ached as if they needed a break, and I could feel my tail wanting to emerge. It had been far too long since Finn had last come, and I was grateful for him being there on that day.

“Good, although I am not sure Dominick can help.”

“But you said he is the Walden Prince,” Finn said.

“Yes, but he was banished, just like me, at least until he finds his sister, he said.”

“Maybe you could help him find his sister? If you did that, then he would have to help you find your mother,” Finn said with excitement.

It was a good idea. And if Dominick wanted to go across the Misted Seas, the only way he could even find them was with a magical sea creature, a mermaid–like me.

“That actually is a good idea, Finn.” It did mean one thing; I would have to reveal that I was a mermaid.

“I have splendid ideas from time to time,” Finn said with a smile.

“How are things in Marren?”

“Everyone is fine . I miss you, Meria; Everyone is so uptight in Marren.”

“I am uptight,” I said with a knowing look.

He laughed, “Yes, maybe at court and with your father and sisters–but not with me.”

“Thanks, Finn, I’ve missed you, too. This is so nice,” I said, stretching out before diving into the water. Finn joined me beneath the surface.

“Keep checking the horizon. I am sure you'll see the ship. They are slow, so maybe not for a few days.” Finn swam up to the edge of the little rock pool as if he were going back into the ocean.

“What are you doing?” I said, swimming closer to him as if I could prevent his leaving.

“I am on patrol,” he said, looking back at me before sliding back into the ocean. I popped out of the water and he smiled, turning around to face me. “I cannot spend all my time here. I don’t want anyone to become suspicious. The last thing we need is your father sending a merman here to hunt you down. Where would Marren be without you? We need you, Meria.”

“Are the lights?” I asked, biting my lip.

“Still dimming. More mer are sick. I will come as soon as I can,” he said with a smile, and he dove from our little hidden pool and into the ocean below.

I sank to the bottom of the sandy pool’s floor. I watched the sun ripple through the water's movements from the waves entering and leaving the pool. It was relaxing to watch, and the heavy weight of the water was a comfort I had missed while on land. My heart ached. I would do all in my power to save my people, even if I had to reveal myself to a human, and take Dominick to the Misted Seas. I would do anything.

After a few minutes at the bottom of the pool, I resurfaced, and floated with my eyes closed. I was tired. It was difficult to sleep in the cave. I wished I could have gone to that pool to sleep each night, but Dominick would become suspicious. I was also worried about leaving him alone. Many nights, I woke up to him groaning in his sleep as if in pain. I wondered how he endured such a horrible curse. My mind focused on his handsome face, on his smile, and the way he and I had formed an easy friendship on the island. After asking to touch his hands that second day, he had not been as talkative and close with me, but I hoped with time, he would talk more, once again. I could be patient if I needed to be. I let the movement of the ocean lull me to a peaceful state.

“Meria?!” I opened my eyes to the crashing of waves on rocks and the feeling of being rocked slightly. I smiled. There was nothing like the ocean, and I loved it. My tail shifted with the movement. I moved it back and forth, trying to figure out whose voice was calling me, sleep still fogging my brain.

Where am I?

“Meria?” The voice called again, and when I heard it for the third time, that was when I twisted my head to the side to see a pair of widened, dark blue eyes staring down at me. His brown hair was wild as it blew in the sea breeze, and he was looking from my tail to my face in shock.

“Oh, Hi, Dominick,” I said, feigning calm as I pulled myself onto a rock and removed my tail fully from the water. I wanted to cover my tail, but there was no reason; he had seen it. All I could do was hope I would change back soon.

How am I to navigate this situation? I wondered.

“You are a mermaid ?” he asked as I sat there, waiting for my legs to return.

“I am,” I said softly.

I did not dare look into his eyes, nor even wait a moment for him to say something. My legs had returned. I stood. His face was still frozen in surprise, his mouth opening and closing. Unsure what to do, and being the coward that I am, I ran from the rocks to the beach. There was no other place to go. I was stuck on that island with Dominick. I mean, I could have swam away, but he was my connection to Walden. Not only that, but he was a Walden prince. I was sure that him being royalty would help me find my mother that much more efficiently. I needed him, and since he knew I was a mermaid, to achieve his goals, he needed me. I sank into the warm sand and waited for Dominick to find me.

He walked slowly from the rocks to the beach. I still couldn't look at him, so I focused on the waves pulling in and out of the cove. Dominick sank down beside me.

“You are a mermaid, not stranded on this island. I’m on this island because you, a mermaid, saved me?” he asked.

“Please, do not hurt me,” I said, trying to make myself as small as possible by wrapping my arms around my knees that were pulled up to my chest. I turned my head to watch him.

He whipped his head around to look at me. “What? Why would you say that?” His voice was rougher than I had ever heard it before, and I moved backward.

“I know about humans; they killed us–kept us prisoner when King Falcon ruled.”

“Oh–King Falcon, may he rot in the mountain , is dead. He has been dead for over five hundred years.” He paused, then added, “Most humans don’t even believe that mermaids exist anymore. They are considered to be myths. I am still not sure if I truly saw you with a tail or not, just now,” he said, shaking his head.

“I am a mermaid. I do have a tail,” I said with a smile, looking at him. His eyes were transfixed on my legs.

“Does it–did it hurt to change?”

“No, it just feels like stretching,” I said.

“I will not hurt you, Meria,” Dominick said in a voice I had never heard from him. His tone was not only quiet, but he sounded as if he cared deeply for me and that he wanted me to understand what he said and that he needed me to know that he truly meant it. I was not sure how someone could deduce such a thing from a simple phrase, but I not only heard his words, I felt them within my soul, even though he had no melody. I was surprised by it and looked into his eyes.

“Thank you. You have been very kind to me, even when I do not understand human things. My cousin said a ship should be here to rescue us. I guess I can tell you that, now.”

“Do you know whose ship it is?”

“He said he was looking for a Walden ship.”

Dominick tensed, and I placed a hand upon his shoulder, which he shook off and stood up.

“I cannot go on a ship from Walden.”

“Yes, you can. I am sure it will be alright. My cousin also told me they picked up another sailor from your ship’s crew; his name was rather odd: Shifts or Sends. He likes to listen to what he can from humans.”

“Sands?” he asked.

“Maybe that was it.”

“Perhaps, I can board—If he is there, that helps,” he said, sinking down onto the sand with his face in his hands. “We have challenges ahead of us, Meria.”

“Can you keep my identity as a mermaid secret from other humans?”

“Of course, I will tell no one.” He paused, and I watched as he played with the sand, letting it pile in his palm before spreading his fingers wide to let it pour out. He did it again and again. The sight of his hands and arms, even the part of his chest that was exposed, was familiar to me, then, even with the strange black veins, dark under his skin. I looked at his face, which was focused on the sand, when he asked: “So, there really are mermaids?”

“There is an entire underwater kingdom. My people don’t know that we can have legs when on land. This island, I believe, used to be where we lived long ago when we transformed into our human form. But no mer has come out of the sea since the Great War–other than my mother; at least, I believe she has. My people need help. The lights of Marren are dimming, and I am afraid that without replacing them, my people will be engulfed in complete darkness–and the horrible things which are beginning to happen to the merpeople will become universal and destroy us all.” I tried not to think about the horrible things happening to my people.

“I am sure the people aboard this rescue ship can help you get to Walden and find your mother.”

“I was hoping you could help me.”

“I am grateful for your rescue, Meria, and for the company here–and the ship that will rescue us, but I do have things I must take care of.”

“Yes–like finding your sister. I know, and I can help. If you thought that mermaids were just legends, that means you have heard some old stories, and in those old tales, it was told that the Misted Seas could not be crossed without the assistance of a magical sea creature–and I am that creature. You need me.”

“While, yes, I have heard the legends, why would you do such a thing for me?”

“I mean, you are very kind and have helped me so much.”

“Sure, but what is in it for you? You seem the kind of person who can be easily used because you are so–” He paused and looked at me thoughtfully.

“I am so– what ?”

“Quiet–shy, possibly? I have not decided yet, but instead of using you, people should keep you safe.” He whispered that last word, and it sent a tingle through me. “The Misted Seas are not safe, Meria.”

“No, not for humans without a sea creature. You need me, and how did you–why do you believe that I’ve been used?”

“You are reserved, kind, and accommodating. You apologize far too much. The wrong people will exploit that.”

“You have not.”

“If given the opportunity, I would, Meria, which is another reason why you should stay as far away from me as possible. I am not a good man.”

“Yes, you are. A bad human would not have helped me.”

“Maybe, but I am still not —good.”

“Dominick, you are right. My father used me. I was always obedient. I didn’t follow my own heart, ever. I did all he asked of me. He matched me with a merman, who I did not love, and I would have married him and never risen from the sea, but when this merman kissed me–” I touched my lips.

“Kissed you?” Dominick interrupted, startled, looking from the waves and over to me.

I felt my cheeks get hot and nodded. “Humans kiss, also?” I asked

“Yes—humans do,” he said slowly, his voice deep.

“Yes, it was nothing, only a simple kiss, and it turns out that my sisters lied when they said that kisses are magical,” I shrugged. “And truly, kisses are not as spectacular as everyone seems to think they are.”

“Sounds like he did an excellent job of kissing you,” he grunted, his words dripping in obvious sarcasm, which made me smile. “You need the kiss of a real man .”

“A man? Do you think humans kiss differently?”

“Yes,” he said with a shrug. His word was confident, but his shrug made him appear unsure. Why I felt the need to spill out all my life problems to him, I did not understand, but once I began, I could not stop.

“It was nothing special,” I said. “Then he said that he did not want any children–and I love children. Those two things made me think that maybe my father did not know what was best for me, after all. Everything else about Marren, and my entire world shook apart after that. And now, I have discovered that mer can be human, too.”

“Those are two rather large things to have differing opinions on. I assume your fiance enjoyed the kiss?”

“He did say that he did.”

Dominick nodded. “And, of course , you love children; that suits you–kind, sweet, way too soft to be out here in this world. If you were in my world, Meria, it would ruin your goodness and sweetness. All the sweet and gentle things that you are would become hard and jagged,” Dominick said with a grunt, scratching his jaw. “I can see why your father tried to protect you.” He paused. “Although he didn’t protect you, did he? He placed you in a prison, and prisons don’t keep us safe.”

“It was not a prison. I lived in a palace.”

“Even a beautiful prison is a prison, and a prisoner is what you are if you cannot do as you desire.”

“I never thought about that. But I am not soft.”

“It is not a bad thing to be soft, Meria. I am rough and hardened by the bad things in this world. Believe me, that is a compliment, coming from me.”

I was not sure exactly what that meant, but I nodded and went on with my story. It felt good to get it all out. “I refused to marry him, and then I was banished for telling my father that mermaids might have the ability to have legs. ‘We do not speak of such things,’ he said. ‘It is treason.’ My mother–she was banished for the same thing, I believe. For my entire life, I did not know all the reasons as to why she had been banished. But now I understand: she was banished, trying to save our people. All this time, I was led to believe that she had betrayed our kind—but she had not.”

“I wish I could help you.”

“I need to find her. You can help me; you can help me find her in Walden.”

“I told you–I am banished from Walden.”

“Yes, but if you come back with your sister, you will no longer be banished, right? Then you can help me. I am sure the royals have records, and that they could help me locate my mother.”

He paused as if thinking. I watched him. His profile as he looked at the waves was very attractive. It was strange because he was so different from Edmar–the man I had believed was so perfect. Edmar really was perfect by mermaid standards. I had no idea what humans considered perfect in a male, but I was starting to discover that there was something perfect in the imperfection that was Dominick. As odd as it sounded, it felt right sitting there and telling him everything. My soul was pleased to be with him. It was more obvious than ever before; that man before me–that human–was better than Edmar. He cared about my safety as Edmar did, but it was different. He did not belittle who I was. He liked that I loved children, that I was kind, even reserved. But I had been sheltered all my life from the world, and I was ready to experience what was out there, even if it changed me. Dominick turned his head, and I felt my cheeks warm as his eyes locked onto mine. They were so dark, so blue, like the depths of the fathoms below the surface of the ocean, and I wanted to get lost inside of them. He lifted his lips into a very attractive smile. I took that as a good sign.

“So do we have an agreement? I help you cross the Misted Seas and help you find your sister, and then, you help me find my mother?”

“Are you sure this is what you want? Once you see what evil is in this world, I am afraid you can never go back to the time when you did not know about it.”

“I have spent most of my life sheltered from anything but what my father wanted. I am ready to choose for myself what I do, even if that brings me into danger.”

“If we do this, I will do all in my power to keep you safe, but I won’t be able to keep all the horrors of the human world from you.”

“Thank you, I appreciate that. So? Are we in agreement?”

There was a long silence. I looked at Dominick, and he looked at me.

I watched as a small smirk appeared at the left side of his mouth.

“Well, I do need a mermaid, and you are so conveniently here–” he said with sparkling eyes of what appeared to be mischief, although there was nothing mischievous about it. It was a handsome, playful glint within his eyes. It made my stomach feel as if I was caught up in a wave, spinning and then crashing upon the shore. Yet, somehow, it was not painful–or even scary, only—exhilarating.

This is right.

“So, Meria, how would you feel about that? Being my mermaid? If I claim you as mine, that will keep you safe from other men, at least,” he said with a wink.

“Claim?”

“Do mermen not claim mermaids?”

“I mean, I guess so.”

“I think it best if we make it clear that you are mine. Just so you know, I may have been born Prince Dominick of Walden, but I have not been that for a long time.”

“What do you mean?”

“I am a pirate. I have done many bad things, and I will continue to do bad things in the future, I can assure you. I am not like your well-behaved and obedient betrothed.”

“I do not want you to be like him.”

“So, you are okay with me being a pirate? I am not a kind pirate,” he said, running his hand over his jaw, which was covered in scruff. It was getting thicker every day.

“Whatever you must do,” I said, too curious to say more.

He nodded and leaned back on his hands in the sand, stretching out his booted feet in front of him. I was still holding my knees to my chest but slowly removed them.

“I am curious about Pirate Dominick,” I said.

“First thing you should know, is that I do not go by Dominick. My name is The Cruel Hand.”

“The Cruel Hand? But you don't touch anyone.” I paused and looked to the sea. He told me that he was cursed to inflict pain on those he touched. Did that mean–?

“My hand is cruel and unpleasant when I touch someone. I have a reputation.”

“You torture people?” I asked, looking at the waves for a few heartbeats, then turning my head to look at him again. It was hard to believe that man, who was kind and helpful and had that bright light in his eyes, could willingly torture anyone.

“Yes, I told you–I am a pirate. I am not a prince, not anymore. Still wish to journey with me?”

As much as that news was not pleasant, I felt as if there was something else he was not telling me. I could not deny that going with him seemed to be the right choice, even if it was dangerous. I was already banished, so I had the freedom to do as I wished. I wished to stay with Dominick. It felt like the right choice, and I was trying to do what felt right to me, instead of what I was told was best for me.

Yes.

“Will you be my mermaid, Meria?”

I gulped.

“I will be your mermaid, and you will be my human.”