30. Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

Meria

I had never felt so drained of my magic in my entire life. I did not open my eyes as I waited to hear who was in the room with me. I knew that I had to be in Dominick's cabin. I waited for a few moments, not hearing anything, only feeling a weight, a pressure, on my legs. Maybe that was because I was still not used to my legs? I had changed into a mermaid while still exhausted and then back into a human again. I was still wearing the same, long, white shirt, which was still slightly damp.

I was incredibly grateful that I was able to help the crew and Dominick. It felt wonderful going into the sea and helping save so many lives. I was glad that I was useful, important, and needed. I’d felt more like a burden with all the new things Dominick had to teach me about the human world.

I finally opened my eyes and used my arms behind me to pull myself up to a sitting position. As I looked at my legs, which were covered by Dominick's red blanket, I saw the reason my legs felt heavy. There lay a sleeping Dominick, his bandaged arm above his head and his head resting right upon my legs. His other arm was dangling at his side. His dark brown hair had fallen in front of his face, and one small tendril of it was moving up and down with his breaths. He looked so peaceful, so incredibly handsome like always, but there was a vulnerability about him as he slept. I looked at the raised, pink scar on his cheek. I wondered where it had come from, and I wanted to heal it. I felt my cheeks become wet as I continued to look at him, and wonder about all the pain he had endured throughout his life.

I could take it away.

As I continued to watch him, it seemed he could sense it for he began to stir, and with a low groan, he pulled back and removed his head from my legs. I quickly wiped at my face. I did not think there was any magic in those tears as I did not put any healing intent to them, but if there was any way they could help him anyway, I reached out quickly and wiped those tears on his arm, draped over my legs, making sure to touch his skin.

“Meria?” He asked, rather groggy.

“Hello,” I said as his eyes blinked rapidly, taking in where we were.

“Sorry–I didn't mean to fall asleep, I was–it was only that I was worried about you. You saved us,” he said, pulling back his injured arm, which was still across my legs, but just slightly. I would miss that weight when he removed it.

“Yes, sorry. It drains my life force when I use my magic.”

“‘Life force’?” he asked with a look of shock about him. “What does that mean?” He seemed startled–horrified, and I wanted to calm him.

“My magic is called my life force, sometimes. Do not worry, I am not going to die.”

“Good–because I couldn't–that would be–” He brushed his hair away from his forehead. “I could not live with myself if something happened to you.”

That sounded like he liked me, right?

I knew that I liked him.

“Speaking of healing and saving.” I watched as he undid the bandage and set it on the side of the bed, raising his arm to me. “You did this, too? Sands and Peter thought I was going to lose my arm. How does this wound, now, look as if it has healed for a year, not just a day?”

“You are aware–that I have some– abilities ; I told you on the island,” I said, nervously.

“I do remember, but this–” he looked so amazed, turning his hand over, looking at it and his arm. “I had no idea how powerful it was, your abilities,” he said, looking from his healed hand and arm, then over to me. Admiration was upon his face. I felt my cheeks warm.

“I would rather the other humans not know about this ability if possible,” I said, knowing he was someone I could trust.

“Yes, I will not tell a soul. However, I am concerned.”

“Concerned?” I asked.

“This ability–if it injures your ‘life force,’ I must demand that you never do it again.”

“Dominick, I am–” I paused, feeling bad for doing something without asking him. But surely, he did not wish to die. I could not have let him die. “I am sorry.”

After I spoke, the next second, he was leaning over me, his face was only a few inches away from mine.

“Do not let me have my way. Remember? We have come so far. You do not have to agree with me,” he said with a kind smile. His warm breath caressed my face, and I wanted to never move from that spot. His warmth was like the tropical waters in the Southern Seas.

“Sorry, I–”

“Stop it,” he demanded, but as he did so, he brushed his cheek against my cheek, the stubble of his jaw, marking my skin, making it tingle.

“Okay, sorry–”

“Stop apologizing,” he whispered into my ear.

“But you are upset,” I whispered back.

Regretfully, he pulled away, but then, he looked into my eyes again.

“So, do you regret helping me?” he asked.

“No–of course, not,” I said, and he caressed the side of my face, moving a lock of hair and tucking it behind my ear. He had no gloves on, and his skin was on mine. I never had felt anything so wonderful as those touches from Dominick.

“Then, do not apologize for it. Stand up for yourself, Meria.”

“I just–” I stopped, unsure of what to say, or how to ‘ stand up for’ myself, how to exactly express what I desired, and why I did what I did.

“No, go on.”

“I am not used to having an opinion, and when on a rare occasion I do have one, I am not used to expressing it.”

“Never heal me again,” he said with another caress of my skin, his thumb so dangerously close to my lips. How my lips ached for his lips. I looked at his mouth; he was smiling, but only just slightly. If someone did not know him, I was sure they would not see it, but I did.

I could not agree to never heal him again. I would give him all of my magic if I could in order to help him. He had become so incredibly dear to me.

Dear. He is dear to me. What is this I am feeling? What is this between us–a charged, unfamiliar magic that seems to draw us together? I wondered. Is this what true love feels like?

I knew that what I had with Edmar was not anything close to what I felt with Dominick. My heart sank inside of me as I thought about the life I almost had been confined to, a life where I was married to Edmar, and where I never would have known Dominick. That could have been my life, and it was horrible to think of it.

Whatever it was between Dominick and me, it was more beautiful than anything I had ever seen or felt in all my life, under the sea and above.

“No?” I questioned.

“Better–but maybe, do not answer it like a question.” He paused and moved further back. His eyes looked so angry, and it made me nervous. His hand dropped from my face and rested upon the edge of the bed.

“Don't you ever, Meria, heal me and cause yourself to lose some of your ‘life force’; do you hear me?” he said harshly, but I could see the kindness there in his eyes, the playfulness hidden there.

He was testing me. I had no doubt that those were his real feelings, but the thing I liked about Dominick so much was how even when we had differing opinions, he gave me information, reasons for his perspectives, and yet, when I disagreed, he still let me, even encouraged me. He let me believe and do as I wished. I had never had such freedom. Dominick was opening up a new world to me, not just a life above the sea or that strange human life, but so much more.

“No, Dominick, I will not do as you say,” I said, trying to sound confident, but I had a shift in my voice.

“That is good,” he said with a nod. “But truly, if healing me hurts you, if helping the crew with that monster hurt you, I cannot let you keep doing it.”

“It is not painful. It only drains me. As long as I rest, I am well. I want to help. That is why I am here, Dominick. We have a deal. I will help you, and then you will help me find my mother.”

“I was thinking about that. Prince Peter might be better at helping you find your mother.”

“I know he could help me, too, but my deal is with you . I am a mermaid of my word,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

“I do not want anything to happen to you, Meria,” he sighed, wiping his face with his hand, dragging it down, and as I watched, I wished I could have touched his face–trace every curve, kiss that scar until it no longer existed, kiss every single dark vein until he couldn't remember ever having pain.

My thoughts surprised me. My feelings were so strong, so raw, flowing through my entire body, and they were for Dominick.

“I am okay, Dominick, truly. Mermaids are strong.”

“Thank you for helping. I do not know what I would have done without you. If you ever need or desire anything, please let me know.”

“I was wondering if I could get some clothes?”

“I am sorry; we do not have any gowns.”

“A gown?”

“It is what women wear. They do not wear trousers as you have been wearing.”

“Oh–”

“As soon as we make port in Walden, I will buy you all the human women clothing and gowns you could ever desire,” he said, looking into my eyes, clearing his throat, then standing, his hands on his thighs as he did so. When he stood fully, I noticed that he had not changed his clothing since our swim; he still wore the blood-soaked trousers. He had placed a loose fitting tunic on, so I could not see his chest, but he needed rest, too. I did not want to take his bed. The one in the other room was not nearly as comfortable.

“I look horrid, I am sure,” he chuckled, looking down at himself, then back at me. “I am going to get ready in the other room. I hurried the last time I changed and forgot about my pants. I will have food sent to you, I had one of the crew members catch some fish. I had the cook leave one raw for you.”

“Really? Fish?” I asked in surprise.

“Yes, you asked for fish, did you not?” he asked as he started walking to his closet; then he paused and turned back around.

“Thank you,” he said.

“Oh, and we have arrived. We are anchored.”

“We have?”

“Pixie Isle is just out that window,” he said, motioning to the window behind his desk; then he walked from the room, closing the door behind him.