40. Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty

Meria

“ O ur captain seems happier than usual this morning. I believe we have you to thank for that. That kiss was something else,” Sands said with a chuckle. He walked over to me as I looked out at the island, which once we had crossed over, the Mirror Sea would be revealed to us.

“I doubt that. It has less to do with me, and more that he will find his sister soon.”

“No, I am sure you know why he is looking for his sister. That could never bring him such joy. This is due to waking up in your arms and knowing he has not lost you.”

“Lost me?” I asked.

“But be careful, Meria–” Sands began, not answering my question.

“Careful of what?”

“I would like to see you both come back, so be careful on this island. There is something strange about the Mirror Sea.”

“You know something?”

“Well–I can sense something.”

“The magic?” I asked, surprised that he even knew how to sense magic. I could sense it, too, but that was because I was a magical being. I had been taught that only magical beings could sense magic.

Is it possible that Sands is a magical being? If so, why is he on this ship with pirates?

“Yes,” he answered.

“How can you sense it?”

“We all have our secrets, Meria. Perhaps, I am more than I seem,” he said with a smile.

“What does that mean?”

“I think you know,” he said.

So he is a magical being? Is he an Ancient?

“Are you an Ancient?” I asked with a gasp, my hand over my mouth.

He chuckled, “No–I am not an Ancient. Nice guess, but please, do not tell Dominick. I was sent here to help him, and I would like to keep it a secret if at all possible.”

“Why?” I was confused.

“His mother, she has tried time and time again to reach out to him with no luck, so she summoned me.”

“ Summoned you?”

There was a short pause.

“Have you heard of Jinn?” Sands asked, his voice lowering.

I could not say that I had.

“No, what are Jinn?”

“They are a magical race that live in Sorra, and rarely leave, and if they ever do leave, they hide, and their very existence is kept a secret from most humans.”

“You are one of these Jinn ?”

“Yes, but do not tell.”

“It is not my place to tell your secret, but Dominick believes his mother abandoned him. You should tell him about his mother.”

“When the time is right. I know what I am doing. Do you?”

“Are you ready?” Dominick asked me, after Sands walked away, leaving me rather rattled. Was Dominick feeling better? I wondered what had come over him, and why had he gotten drunk? I had never seen him drink a single drop the entire time I knew him.

The crew members started to look at us, and Dominick took my hand and pulled me away from them, over to a private area of the ship, near the kitchens.

“I need to tell you–”

“Are you alright? I was so worried about you,” I said, reaching out to touch his shoulder.

“I am a fool, but I am fine.”

“A fool? That is a new one. You have never called yourself that before,” I said with a smile.

“Finn–your cousin–I thought he was your betrothed , and after hearing you tell me what your betrothed was like–and your dislike of him–”

“Finn?” I asked, baffled, covering my mouth as I laughed faintly.

“I lost my head. I am so sorry, Meria. I was just trying to protect you.”

“Thank you for caring,” I said.

Was he jealous? Could that mean he feels this something strong building between us, something more than infatuation–something I am afraid to speak out loud.

“I do not want any harm to come to you, Meria,” he said, running a hand over the stubble upon his jaw and chin. “You are my mermaid, afterall,” he said with a handsome smirk.

“Yours, huh?” I asked playfully.

“Yes, I mean, you agreed to that when you boarded this ship.”

“Yes–” I said.

“And so, yes. I value what is mine.”

“I mean, I am only temporarily helping you,” I said, a little defeated.

“Well, maybe, we will see about that. But for the moment, I am happy your cousin is your cousin and on his way to help your people. Right now, we have a large task ahead of us, and I need my mermaid at my side.”

“Yes–and my magic.”

“Your magic does come in handy,” he said with a smile.

“And anything else?” I asked for some other reason.

“What?”

“Is there any other reason you were so upset?”

“Meria, now is not the time to talk of feelings. We are about to go onto a strange island with unknown dangers.”

“What better reason than that to reveal one’s feelings, if this is the end,” I said, looking directly into those swirling, blue eyes.

“This is not the end. You’ll be with me, so you will be alright.”

“You can not know that for sure.”

“You doubt my skills at keeping you safe?”

“No.”

“Meria, You know how I feel without even saying it,” he smirked. “Your entire body reacts when I touch you, just as mine does to your touch.”

“I do not,” I gasped, moving away from him.

“You do, indeed, and it is one of my favorite things. Everyone reacts when I touch them, but only you do not writhe in pain. Only you do not scream in agony. Only you touch me freely and never wish to let me go,” he said, reaching for my hand as if to demonstrate.

“Your touch is warm,” I whispered.

“And only you say so. Everyone else calls my hand ‘cruel.’” He was still smiling in that playful way. I leaned in closer to him, looking up into his handsome face, those deep eyes. “You enjoy my touch–admit it,” he teased.

“I do not trust myself, sometimes. I always make mistakes.”

“Everyone makes mistakes. You have made far less than I have.”

“Dominick,” I said, and he waited for a few minutes. We just looked at each other in silence, his hand making soothing movements on my skin. I wanted to tell him my feelings, but something held me back. Maybe he was right; we should speak after.

“You know, Meria, you say things, even when your voice is silent.”

“So do you,” I whispered back. He smiled and nodded, his head bending closer to me. I knew we had just kissed, but I wished again for those lips to press against mine.

“You want me to tell you something about how I feel?” he asked.

“Yes, I care for you, Dominick, so much. I want to know if you also care for me, too.”

“I do not think a pirate should feel the way that I feel about you. I want to travel these seas with you for the rest of my existence. I want to be the man to make you a mother because you bare my children. I want to raise those children beside you–have a dozen if you so wish it. I want to hold you in my arms every single night and wake up beside you. I want to kiss you on every single section of this ship. Does that make it clear?”

I could not believe what I was hearing. He wants all of that with me? Is it true? Is it possible? I was just waiting for the words to make it even clearer. Those three words.

“I–”

“Speak, Meria. I will always listen even if you need time to find the right words.”

“I am afraid. What you said was so wonderful, but–” I didn't finish my thought; I was too afraid.

“Meria–” he said, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “I have never desired anyone like I desire you. I have never kissed anyone else, never dreamed of a future like the one I dream about with you. What else can I say? Tell me how to make it more clear.” He seemed to be begging as he cupped my face between his strong hands.

“I am so sorry, Dominick,” I said, taking a step back. I needed to hear the three words Edmar had never said to me. Those three words I thought I felt for Edmar, but soon had realized it was ridiculous. Did Dominick love me? I was not sure I could believe it unless he said it, simply said it . Why was it so hard to tell him what I needed? I could have told him I loved him, first. I could have been vulnerable with Dominick; he had been with me.

He cursed and yanked on my shoulder, not roughly, but determined as he pressed my back against the wall. He took one hand and held my waist. With his other hand, he moved from my neck to my chin. I noticed, then, that he was gloveless. He had been taking his gloves off more and more, at least when he was with me.

“You are the only person I’ve ever caressed, and yet I am sure I would never desire to caress any other maiden in all the fathoms below or in the air above. Land or sea, it is only you.” He ran a hand down my braid. “I am obsessed with this hair of yours; it is wild and beautiful, and only I am able to tame it.”

He ran his hand over my waist and up my back, pulling me flush with him. His hand reached up to caress my mouth.

“Your beautiful mouth, Meria. I want you to say what is on your mind, always. Even if we argue, I want you to voice what you want, and I want to spend all of my time giving that to you. You sing no song to drag me into the fathoms below, and yet, I wish you would, because I would go wherever you go, even to the ends of Terra and back again, to even the deepest depths of the sea.”

“Truly?” I asked with a gasp.

“Yes–is that clear enough for you, Meria?”

“I think so, for the moment,” I stammered, his eyes pulling me forward.

“So, are you alright? You understand?” he asked, moving away from me, and I watched as he placed his gloves back on. “We have to go; I need you, Meria.”

He had spoken those words many times before, but the way he said it at that time didn't make me feel like he was saying it because he needed my mermaid abilities; he was saying it because he needed me .

“I am ready, but I do hope we can converse more, later.”

“Yes, then you can tell me exactly what it is you desire from me. Maybe when we return, you will say it,” he said with a wicked grin. “Because I know you are not telling me what you want. But I will wait till you do. I may be a pirate, but I can be a patient one.”