22. Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

Meria

T he sea was almost a different creature entirely when aboard the ship. The ship seemed to glide across the water as effortlessly as any sea creature. The breeze was salty, and it reminded me so much of my home. I wanted so badly to dive beneath the surface and fill my lungs with the salty water I missed. I ached everywhere, and I knew that I needed to go into the water soon.

I was sleeping in a room that was near the captain's quarters. It was a beautiful room with lush, rich, blue fabrics and beautiful, carved details on every surface. I wondered what Dominick’s room was like. I enjoyed sleeping on the ship better than I did in the cave because on the ship, there was constant movement, but I missed Dominick. It was a strange thing, perhaps, but I had become comfortable sleeping beside him. I even missed comforting him in the night when he had nightmares.

Does he still have those nightmares?

I reflected on the last night we had spent on Marren Island. He had let me sleep pressed up against him, and he had rocked me to sleep.

How can that Dominick from Marren Island also be The Cruel Hand?

It did not make sense to me. That Dominick would not have stolen a ship and placed his brother in the dungeons. He did express that he would have to play the part–pretend to be a pirate.

Is this that? It has to be.

After speaking with Peter a handful of times, I realized that he was a very kind human. I wanted him freed.

Peter was angry at first to be held prisoner, but he had decided to wait his brother out.

I moved from the bed and walked to the door, pausing for a moment, touching the wooden frame. I wondered if it was wise to leave my room during the late evening hours?

Everyone will be asleep, I argued with myself.

It was the middle of the night; I would be safe, alone. I opened the door and pressed it closed softly, looking back and forth for any movement. No one was near. I walked past Dominick’s door, seeing a light coming from beneath it.

Does he still have trouble sleeping, here, on the ship? I wondered. I wanted to go in there and speak with him–but Why?

What do I have to converse with him about?

Nothing. I realized that I just wanted to be with him. That was interesting. The only person I had ever truly enjoyed being with was Finn; Was I adding Dominick to that very short list? I shook my head and walked past his door, determined that some fresh, salty air would help me.

“Hey there, maiden, need a night stroll?” I turned to see a man I had not yet met behind me as I stood in a hallway, which led out to the deck.

“I just needed to stretch my legs.”

“Me, too. Can I join you?”

I looked at the man who was wearing a coat and shoes. He seemed kind with his wide smile. His brown, curly hair made his sharper features more endearing, somehow. I did not want company, and I decided that I did not like that strange smile on his lips as he waited for my response. Even though I did not want it, I found myself agreeing. I had always had guards following me around in Marren. I was used to silent company, and I suppose that's what I thought that sailor would be. I would keep a distance, and be clear that it was nothing other than a walk.

Dominick didn’t need to know that I was falling into my old habits of being agreeable.

“Sure,” I said. He came to stand beside me as we walked to the deck. Even at night, there were a few others on deck, keeping a watchful eye on the ocean and the ship.

“Have you ever been on a ship before?” the man asked.

“No.”

“How do you like it so far?”

“It’s nice.”

“I am Richard, by the way.”

“Meria,” I said as we reached the side of the ship. I closed my eyes and let the salty breeze give me some sense of the sea. I wanted to connect with the ocean so badly.

“Everyone knows you . Beautiful name. I will say it matches the maiden.”

I looked up at him.

He smiled wide. He seemed so kind, but I became uncomfortable.

Leave. He is not kind.

Why?

Why was I uncomfortable? I remembered what Dominick had warned me about men aboard the ship. But I had not let him near me. We only spoke a little.

“Thank you,” I smiled politely with a nod as I would to one of the Marren mermen under the sea.

Before I knew what was happening, he was too close, his lips grazing the side of my face. I stepped back and pushed him away with repulsion. There was a loud cry–a woosh of air, and Richard was no longer beside me, but he was in the sea below. I looked around to see Dominick standing beside me, instead, aglow in the moonlight, his bare chest rising and falling, his hair wild around his face and blowing in the wind. His eyes were fixed solely on me. His look was stern.

“What are you doing? Did you not hear what I said earlier today?” he nearly shouted.

Snapping out of the shock of Dominick flinging Richard into the sea, I looked around the ship. “Someone needs to help him!” I gasped, looking from Dominick to Richard, struggling in the water below.

“I do not care about that fool, Meria!” Dominick growled, coming closer as I looked over the railing of the ship. I turned around to look at him. He stepped closer to me, only a few steps away. “Did you not hear what I said earlier today about these men?” He was seething, I could see the anger in his eyes–hear it in his tone.

“Richard seemed kind. How was I to know otherwise?”

Your soul said otherwise. I really needed to start trusting myself.

“Listen.” He held up his gloved hands and placed them on my shoulders. Unlike Richard’s touch, I welcomed Dominick’s and moved closer to him, my soul aching for the connection. “Meria, men on ships, even royal ships, often spend months at sea. They do not often see any maidens for long periods of time, and men like maidens. I’m not saying this is an excuse to behave poorly, but men can be vile–especially when they have not been around maidens for a long time.”

“You are not vile.”

“Listen, please,” he nearly begged. His thumbs made circular movements on my shoulders. It was a soothing motion that had become a habit between the both of us–so soothing, yet making my body buzz with the desire to wrap my arms around him.

“I’m listening,” I whispered.

“Men miss women and their company . Is it not like this under the sea with the males?”

“Of course, mermen love mermaids, and there are mermen who overstep and cross lines, but that has never happened to me .”

“It is possible that you were never taught how to deter unwanted attention away from you. I am sure you were guarded as the youngest princess?”

“I did often have guards around. But we were only walking. I had no idea–”

“Meria, you don’t have guards here. I am only one man, and I cannot keep an eye on you the entire time you are aboard this ship. You have to understand the dangers and learn how to deal with these men.”

“Okay.”

“When you give them your attention, they see that as a sign that you like them as more than friends.”

“Really?”

“Yes, on a ship, it is a little different than on land; however, you should still keep what I say in mind on land or at sea.”

“Okay, I am sorry. I am not trying to be any trouble.”

“Meria–you do not have to say ‘sorry,’ and you are not ‘trouble.’ You are a very attractive maiden,” he said, his hands still on my shoulders, and more than anything, I wanted to embrace him–feel his warmth and comfort like I had on Marren Island.

“I am?” I whispered.

“Yes, and men will continue to seek out your attention if you do not stand your ground and let them know you are not interested.”

“I was only being friendly.”

“I know that, but unfortunately, these men will take any kindness you give them and use it for their benefit. None of this is your fault, Meria. You have not done anything wrong,” he said. “But if you make it clear, they will know you are not interested.”

I heard a cry from Richard and turned to look out toward him. I could no longer see him. Dominick removed his hands from my shoulders and began combing fingers through his hair.

“You will not really leave him, will you?”

“I would, if you would not despise me for it,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. I took a few steps back to look over the railing and into the dark sea. He placed a hand on my back. “Be careful or you will fall in, too.”

“He did not ‘fall in’; you pushed him,” I said, turning my head to meet his gaze.

“Yes, I pushed him. He deserved more.”

“Dominick! Pull him up!” I demanded, moving closer to him and touching his chest. He looked down at my hands pressed against him. He covered them with one of his own and looked up to meet my eyes.

“Is that what you want, my mermaid? You want me to save him?” His eyes were so intent on me.

“I do not want him to die because he tried to kiss me. That is a bit extreme.”

“He should die,” he growled, clutching my hands tighter to him. “It would send the correct message aboard this ship, where you are concerned.”

“Dominick!” I begged.

He sighed and stepped away from me, but he held one of my hands in his, still. The thrill that he had not wanted to break that connection coursed through me. “You, there!” Dominick called to a man at our left. “Man overboard! Give that sailor a rope,” he said, and the man nodded, hurrying to grab a rope and toss it over. Two other men began pulling Richard up.

“You cannot toss men overboard. It was just a kiss–"

“‘Just a kiss’?” Dominick looked baffled, turning to face me directly.

"What? A kiss is nothing special, Dominick,” I said with a shrug.

“You should stop calling me that.” He closed his eyes for a moment as if irritated.

“You told me your name was Dominick on Marren.”

“Here, I am Captain Nick.”

“I miss Dominick,” I said as I reached out, touching his scar. I had dared to kiss it–and if the feeling of kissing his skin, just there, was any indication of it, I imagined a kiss from Dominick on my lips would be just as my sisters had described it–or even better.

“Meria, you should not touch me,” he sighed, but I did not remove my hand from his cheek.

“You won’t hurt me,” I whispered. He closed his eyes. I heard movement behind me, and I pulled away, to watch a sailor help Richard back over the rail. “ Dominick would not have thrown that man overboard,” I said.

“Seeing as he is me , yes , he would have. And the Dominick you met on the island is not here. He cannot be here if I am still to be captain. As well as you–” he paused, and I turned to look at him. He was standing close to me. “You must become someone else here, Meria, too. It is what being at sea demands. Who you were will no longer do.”

“How can I change who I am?”

“Not truly who you are–only who you choose to show the men. I am not asking you to change who you are , but you must be more careful. You must be more cautious, and you must realize that you are a mermaid among humans. We are different. You were a princess, and no one dared touch you. Here, you are like the last fish available to a hoard of a hundred hungry men."

“I did not know he was going to kiss me.”

“What did he say right before he leaned in?”

“He told me I had a pretty name.”

“There you go. A man only compliments a maiden when he wants something from her.”

“Truly?” I asked him. “You just called me beautiful, moments ago, and yet, you did not try to kiss me.”

“No, but I do want something from you, Meria.”

“What?”

“For you to understand that you must be more observant and careful.”

“Oh–” I said.

Does he truly think I am beautiful? Or was he just being objective?

Why did I wish he had been the one leaning in, telling me my name was pretty? I never wanted that with Edmar.

“Think of it like this–” he said, leaning in closer, whispering the words.

His body was so close to mine that I could feel the heat, and I longed to be back inside the cave, wrapped up in his arms. That had been beyond wonderful.

“You are in shark infested waters, and you have a wound that is bleeding out, drawing them to you. Now, in this situation, would you let a shark wrap his fins around you? Would you go for a swim alone in the dark? Unchaperoned?”

“No.”

“Then do not do it here.”

“If this is how humans are–”

“No, it is not how all humans are,” I interrupted, but it is not a common thing for a maiden as lovely as you are to be aboard a ship. Like I said, many men here miss their sweethearts, their wives, even their mothers and sisters. There is something that women bring to the world that men can never emulate, no matter how hard we may try. Nothing's the same as a woman's smile, touch, laugh, and sweetness. Nothing can replace the love and attention of a woman.”

“I see–”

“Like I said, they are not horrible people, but do not put yourself in these positions if you can help it, and be more observant; that would help. You can disagree with me, but I am only trying to keep you safe.”

“I see what you are saying and can agree; I will try,” I said, stepping back to look him in the eyes. “It would help if you spent some time with me, teaching me.”

“Meria, I am the captain–”

“Please? I also have a hard time sleeping alone in that room.”

“You cannot sleep in my room, Meria; it is not proper at all. I would not want to ruin whatever reputation you want to have in Walden,” he said with a grunt as he ran fingers through his wind-swept hair.

“I do not know what that means. I just need to sleep, and it seems that I got used to sleeping beside you.”

“Do mermen and merwomen sleep in the same space before they are betrothed or married?”

“No.”

“Meria, you cannot ask me to sleep in the same bed with you,” he said with a large sigh, rubbing his face.

“Sorry–”

“Don’t be sorry; I am not mad at you. Remember, I hate it when you apologize. We can have supper in my cabin. Would that please you? During that time, we may speak.”

“I think that would be good.”

I was grateful for the opportunity to spend some time with him. It had been too long since the island and the cave. I missed that closeness.

“Also, I need to go into the sea soon.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“I crave the sea. It is, possibly, another reason why I cannot sleep. I may need to submerge myself at least once a week.”

“That will be more difficult than you might think,” he said quickly.

“Even still, I need it.”

“I will think of what to do. You do not wish for everyone to know you are a mermaid, right?”

“I do not think so?” I questioned.

“We should keep it to ourselves as long as possible; I do not want any additional unwanted attention directed toward you.”

“Captain–I apologize,” Richard said from behind me, and I turned to see him wet and dripping on the deck, coughing.

“Did I not express when we arrived that she was not to be touched?” Dominick shouted.

“You did, Captain.”

“Did it appear when you offered your attention that she wanted more?”

“No, Captain.”

“Do not ever touch a maiden without her permission, ever again. And if by chance you do touch a maiden, pull away immediately when she does not return your affection,” he spat at Richard with a growl.

“Yes, Captain.”

Dominick looked once at me, then back at Richard.

“Do not touch her . She is mine.”

Richard nodded.

“Now, in the morning, you will swab the deck till I can see my reflection in the wood,” he commanded.

Then he looked up. There were a few men about. He turned to them all and shouted, “This maiden is mine, and no one is to touch her, but me!” he shouted.

There was a crazy fluttering in my heart at all this mentioning of being Dominick’s, twice in such a short amount of time. He had called me his mermaid before–so it should not have felt so wonderful, but it did. I could not explain it. That was something that had never happened with Edmar.

“Yes, Captain,” the men said with a salute.

“Get out of my face,” Dominick said, motioning for them to get back to their tasks.

He walked up to me, “May I show the men that you are mine, Meria?” he whispered in a grave tone, his breath heavy and hot upon my ear.

“I thought you did not want to ruin my reputation ? Whatever that means.”

“I am afraid this may be the only way. If you are the lover of The Cruel Hand, I am sure this problem will end immediately.” His eyes were burning.

“Lover?” Is that like being betrothed, but not officially? I wondered.

“Yes, lover,” he nodded. “If I do anything you are uncomfortable with, say so–or push me away, and I will stop, alright?”

I nodded, confused at what was to come, but excited, just the same. In the next instant, he wrapped his arms around my waist and buried his face in the nape of my neck, the scruff of his beard, burning my flesh in a pleasing way. He pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth, and I collapsed into his arms. Lightness and warmth coated me as his lips pressed against my skin even for the small second it was there. He picked me up in his arms and walked down the hallway to his quarters, then passed by his door and stopped at my room.

“Sorry about the show,” he said, setting me down in front of the door. “It is for your own good that they think we are a couple,” he said. I pulled down Dominick's shirt, the one that I was still wearing. His gaze landed on my legs, then moved up to my face.

“I understand; it is probably the best idea. Thank you.”

“You need different clothes. I should have thought of that before,” he grunted, walking into his room, leaving the door open. I stood there, still in a bit of a daze from what had just happened–so much in a short amount of time.

“You are beautiful, Meria.”

The Cruel Hand’s Lover.

I touched the side of my mouth, where his lips had been. That small kiss–it felt like nothing I had ever experienced before. I could not help but wonder what a full kiss with Dominick would be like. Kisses with Edmar had been nothing in comparison.

“Here, these seem small. You may have to roll them a bit, but it should be better than that tattered shirt.” He handed me a bundle of clothes. I had seen how all the humans on the ship dressed, so I was sure I could figure out how to put an outfit together.

“Thank you, Dominick.”

He sighed, “Fine, you can call me that, but please, do not let the crew hear you, if you can help it,” he said, turning to walk back to his room.

“Okay,” I whispered; then his door closed, and I was alone in the hallway. I was so dry, so warm; I wanted nothing more right then than to dive into the depths of the cool, salty sea. I hoped that Dominick would find a way for me to do that soon. As I made my way to my room, I brushed my throat–the rough spot where his face had been, so warm and tingly with the memory of Dominick’s closeness.

I was looking forward to the possibility of something like that happening again, even though I should not have. Perhaps, on the following day, he would need to put on a show for the rest of the crew. Afterall, there were only half a dozen men that evening who saw the display.

After changing into the new clothes, and folding them up to fit better, I lay down on the bed and had a much easier time falling asleep than before.