by Dee J. Stone
“Oh, right.” He quickly dislodges himself and stands a few feet away.
I laugh. “So I see you’re going surfing with your cousin?”
“Yeah. My mom doesn’t let me go alone.” He rolls his eyes before giving his cousin an annoyed look.
A few seconds of silence pass. I know how overprotective his mom must be ever since his little sister Kayla was killed by the shark attack. Timmy was really hurt by her death, but I see now that while he still has sadness in his eyes, it’s not as strong as it was before. I’m so glad he’s finally starting to accept it and moving on. He’s one brave little boy.
“So how’s surfing going?” I ask.
“Awesome! Tony said I could be pro one day!”
His cousin nods. “He’s pretty good.”
“Better than you were at my age, admit it.” He sticks out his tongue.
Even though he doesn’t like hugs, I gather him in my arms and kiss his cheek.
“Ew!”
“I’m so proud of you, Timmy. I can’t wait to see you surf professionally.”
“We should surf together one day! Can we do it now? Please, please?”
Every part of me fills with regret. I’ll never be able to surf with him or anyone. My life has changed so much since I met Damarian, in ways I never imagined. It’s probably going to change a lot more as the years move on. It’s scary but also exciting, and I know that as long as we love one another and stand by each other’s side, we can get through anything.
I ruffle Timmy’s hair. “Maybe another time.”
He pouts. “Fine.” He raises his surfboard. “Look what Tony’s friend did.”
I study the board and see Kayla’s name painted with pink letters. “That’s beautiful.”
“I’m gonna be the best surfer in the world. The best. All for her.”
I kiss his cheek again. “I know you will be.”
“And Tony’s friend said he’ll tattoo her name right here.” He points to his upper arm. “When I’m older.”
I ruffle his hair again. “As long as your parents are cool with it.”
“They will be.” He looks out toward the waves. “The beach was closed yesterday because of the tsunami. Let’s go, Tony!” He waves as he runs toward the water. “Bye, Miss Cassie!”
Tony gives me a nod before chasing after him. My heart feels all warm as I watch Timmy paddle into the ocean and pop onto his board. He manages to stay on for a few minutes before wiping out. The little kid’s been through a lot, but he’s shown such an immense amount of strength. I learned a lot from him, and I can’t wait to see what lies in store for his future.
***
As soon as I walk through the door, I hear laughter. I step into the living room and find Mom, Damarian, and the kids bent over a board game on the coffee table. I smile at how happy they all look, especially Damarian who seems beyond intrigued.
“Hey, is there room for me?” I say as I plop down on the floor.
“We’re almost done,” Ruthie says.
I frown. “Okay.”
“I actually want to speak to both you and Damarian,” Mom says. “Continue the game without us, okay, kids?”
They nod.
Damarian and I follow her into the kitchen. She leans against the counter as she folds her arms over her chest. “I was thinking as I took the kids to the park.” She shakes her head in disbelief like she can’t believe the thoughts running through her head. “Taking care of kids is very hard. Extremely hard. I can’t imagine it would be easy for you to take them in.”
“We are prepared,” Damarian says. “I will do all I can to help Cassie.”
Mom cocks an eyebrow. “You, a merman, Damarian? You who needs to swim in a pool filled with sea water? Who needs to travel back to the ocean to visit his family?”
Damarian’s eyes move to mine.
“And you, Cassie,” Mom says. “Are you really prepared to take care of two kids? Two kids, honey. Having to care for one is hard enough. You’ll be in college and—”
“They’re my brother and sister.”
“I know.” She swallows. “Which is why…I think I’d like to take them in.”
I gape at her. “What?”
She laughs lightly. “I never in my wildest dreams thought I would ever want to have kids again. But when I watched them playing at the park, so full of life, it stirred something inside me. Maybe it was my motherly instinct kicking in or something. I don’t know. But I knew that these kids deserve to have the best life possible. And I think I can provide it for them.”
My mouth moves, but no sound comes out. I can’t believe this. I don’t even know what to think. “Your job,” I manage to get out. “You travel a lot.”
“They can move in with me in New York for the time being. I’ll speak to Martha and see if I can continue working from Florida.”
“Mom…are you serious?”
She laughs lightly again. “I am. Maybe I’ve lost my mind.”
I throw my arms around her. “Thank you so much!” I lean back. “But what about money? You said things are tight and we might lose the house and—”
“It’s okay, Cassie. We’ll figure everything out.”
“I will work as well,” Damarian says. “I shall help however I can.”
“We won’t be able to live here, though,” Mom says. “Not if you and Damarian hope to.” She glances at his legs.
“Oh,” I say. “Then we’ll sell the house or something. Damarian and I will find somewhere else to live, a place that has a pool. And you guys can find a place, too.”
Mom stretches her arms over us. “We’ll figure it all out.” She kisses the top of my head. “We’ll be a family. All of us.”
Tears swell in my eyes. “Thanks, Mom.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Damarian and I have been on land for two days. I’ve spent my time playing with the kids, visiting Leah, making sure my college things are taken care of—Fall semester starts in two weeks—and making out with my merman. As I lie nestled in Damarian’s arms, I know we’re both thinking the same thing. That it’s time we head back to the ocean.
“Are you certain you wish to leave?” Damarian asks when I tell him I want to go.
I nod. “There’s still so much we have to deal with.” Like my hearing. My throat gets all dried up.
“Will Leah be all right?”
“She’s…hanging in there.”
“Does she not need you by her side?”
“Yeah, but she also needs some time alone. To grieve and come to terms with her loss. It’ll be good to give her some space.”
He nods. Then his eyes circle over my face. He cups my cheek. “What worries you, my love?”
I tear my gaze from his. “Why didn’t you tell me about my hearing?”
At first, surprise creeps onto his face. Then guilt. He rests his forehead against mine. “Forgive me, my love. I did not wish to concern you with it, for you had many worries on your mind. I apologize if you are upset. I do not wish to cause you any pain.”
I slide my hands up his back. “No, I’m not upset. I’m just really nervous. When Doria told me that Kytero would have a hearing, I figured I’d have one, too.” I look into his eyes. “What if they ban me from the sea?”
“Kiander and Flora would do no such thing.”
“What if they realize that my being with you is putting all the children of the sea at risk? Ever since we met, I’ve caused so much pain to your people.”
Damarian shakes his head. “No, my sweet Cassie. You have not. I assure you that you will not be banned from the sea. Your hearing will be all right. I promise.” He trails kisses down my nose. “Fret not, my love. All will be well.”
I sink on the bed as his lips continue their trek down my throat. He pushes my tank top aside to expose my upper chest. When his lips brush against my skin, I feel like the bed disappears and I’m floating on a cloud. Every part of me throbs.
Then my alarm blares. I sit up so sharply my
head knocks into Damarian’s nose. “Sorry! Are you okay?”
He rubs it. “I am well.”
“I didn’t break it, did I?”
“No, I am all right.”
I reach over to shut the alarm. “Geez, we were awake!”
Damarian chuckles.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask.
“Yes, you do not need to worry.”
I sigh. “I can’t help but worry.” I lean forward to lay a soft kiss on his nose. “Now it’s for sure all better.”
He laughs again as he digs his lips into the side of my neck.
I gently push him back. “If we don’t stop, we’ll never get back to the ocean.”
He frowns. “Unfortunately, you are correct.”
“I’m going to text Leah to let her know we’re returning to the ocean.” I also text some soothing words, telling her how much I care about her and how strong she is. Then I grab my bag of essentials, and we get downstairs as quietly as possible. I write Mom a short note telling her we’re heading to the ocean and will be back in a few days. Once again, I thank her for agreeing to take care of Ruthie and Bobby. She has no idea how much I appreciate her for this.
“Perhaps we shall surprise Zarya with your worms?” Damarian asks.
I hit my forehead. “My gummy worms! I forgot all about them.” I hurry over to the cabinet and grab a bag. I hand a few to Damarian before throwing two into my mouth. I moan with pleasure. “Too bad they don’t make these in the ocean.” I toss two more into my mouth.
Damarian munches on three before packing some away for his little sister. He glances at the stuffed bag before reaching for another bag and filling it. “So it shall last,” he says.
“Good idea. Hopefully, they will make her feel better.”
His eyes fill with remorse. “I worry she struggles.”
I take his hand and kiss the back of it. “Me, too.”
Once we’re all set, we leave the house as quietly as we can and head for the beach, to our special place that has many rocks. Damarian and I strip and stuff our pajamas into my bag, and I bury it in the sand. It’s my hope that no one discovers it and takes it away. We’ll need it when we return to land.
Damarian fastens his arms around me and we leap into the ocean. Once we’ve undergone the change, we swim toward the merpeople colony. Despite the destruction the sea serpents have caused, I’m glad to see the ocean still striving. The coral is as breathtaking as ever, the many species of fish are remarkable, and the water has a healthy, natural look. Even though I carry the guilt in my heart and will carry it for the rest of my life, I’m glad to see that life here continues.
I come to a halt when I see a massive form in the distance. The blue whale. Damarian and I make our way toward him. When I saw him the first time in the ocean, he kept to himself and didn’t pay much attention to me, but this time, he nods. Damarian and I swim closer and touch his smooth body. “Thanks for all your help,” I tell him. “The ocean is safe for all of us because of you.”
He nods. I bend to kiss his skin.
“Be well,” Damarian says.
We watch him swim away before continuing our journey. After a few minutes, we reach the merpeople colony and pass through the opening. But instead of making our way to the Sapphire colony, I take Damarian’s hand and lead him toward the Rubies. We’ve been away from the ocean for two days, and I wonder how they’re settling in their old home.
As we near their colony, I see many swimming around. Some of them hurry over and lower their heads. To my utter shock, a female flings her arms around me. “I offer many thanks to you, Cassie Price of the Sapphire clan. You have returned our home to us.” She does the same to Damarian. “To you as well, Damarian of the Sapphire clan.”
She lowers her head again before swimming off.
I stare after her. “I think my human ways might be rubbing off on some of the people here.”
Damarian laughs. “Perhaps.”
I can’t believe my eyes when we enter the Ruby colony. True it’s nighttime, but the place has blossomed. Every single cave is inhabited by a family, and many of them swim around and chat, like they’re having a party.
Damarian and I exchange a smile before swimming to the Sapphire colony. Unlike the Rubies, the Sapphires seem to all be in bed, only an occasional merperson swimming around. We head to Damarian’s home, where Shoney, Fiske, and Syren’s shark are stationed outside.
I swim over to Shoney and put my arms around her, and she nuzzles her nose into the side of my neck. I kiss the top of her and Fiske’s heads before following Damarian into the cave. Every member of his family is asleep.
Damarian tucks me close to his body as we settle down in his oyster shell.
***
The sound of many voices enters my ears as Damarian and I make our way to the main room the next morning. The table is surrounded with Syren, Kiandra, Ryter, Doria, Syd, Syndin, Zarya, and there’s a new addition: Kytero. No one seems surprised to see us here—I’m assuming they either heard us come in last night or saw us lying in Damarian’s shell, since the rooms don’t have doors.
We exchange good mornings with everyone.
“Good morning!” Doria’s face is shining so bright I swear she swallowed the sun. I haven’t seen her this happy since…never. I’m guessing Kytero’s hearing went well. I’m so happy for her.
“Please join us,” Kiandra says, gesturing to the piles of fish on the table. When we left the ocean, food was scarce because of the war. I’m glad things seem to be getting back on course.
Damarian swims over to Zarya, gently grabs her, and spins her around. She squeals, but her whole demeanor is quiet, too quiet for her usual bubbly self, and it looks like she’s trying to hide her tail by curving it to the side. I know it’ll take some time before she starts to accept herself, and Damarian and I will be there for her every step of the way.
“Hey, kiddo,” I say.
She flashes me a smile and swims over, her little tail pumping frantically. What usually takes only seconds will take her a few minutes, and every single person in the room waits patiently until she reaches me.
“Well, where’s my hug?” I ask. She raises her arms, but I say, “No, I want you to give me a hug a child of the sea gives.”
Her eyes slowly trek to her tail. A look of disgust flashes across her eyes, as though she can’t stand the sight of it. Reluctantly, she wraps it around me, though not as tight as she had done in the past.
I put my arms around her. “Am I hurting you, sweetie?”
She shakes her head. “I no longer feel pain.”
I stroke her head. “That’s good. Look what Damarian and I brought you.” I nod to him, who holds out the two baggies stuffed with gummy worms.
Her gloomy expression is chased away and is replaced with glee. “The scrumptious treat!” She unwraps her tail from around me and heads over to Damarian, her little tail once again pumping vigorously. When she meets him, she snatches one of the bags, rips it open, and throws at least five in her mouth. “Thank you!”
“Will you not share?” both Syd and Syndin demand.
Zarya juts out her chin as she continues to devour them.
Damarian laughs, then hands the other baggie to the twins, who fight over it. To my surprise, Zarya makes her way to her grandfather and sits on his lap, shoving a gummy worm in his face. He looks somewhat uncomfortable, as though he’s still not used to being this close to his family, but then he closes his mouth over the worm, producing a small giggle from Zarya.
Damarian swims over to Kytero, laying a hand on his shoulder. “I am glad you are here with us.”
“Thank you.”
“What of your family?”
A dark look passes over his face. “I am afraid they have been found guilty of consorting with the enemy and are being held in the palace prison.”
“I offer my condolences.”
He slightly nods. Doria slips her hand through his arm.
“For
how long?” I ask. My eyes move to Syren. “Are all the rebels being held there?”
“Those who have been found guilty are being held,” Syren says. “But only temporarily. They will return to their colonies and families in a few moons, hopefully filled with remorse.”
“Many did not quite fully understand the extent of Gyron’s plans,” Kiandra says. “They felt they were not wrong by wishing the true king to take the throne. They were not aware of the sea serpents. Kiander and Flora cannot hold them accountable for that.”
“What about Gyron?” I ask.
“His fate is still unknown,” Syren says. “At the present time, he remains in the palace cellar. There has been talk of banishing him to land, but Flora feels that is too much of a harsh punishment. Perhaps he will repent after a while.”
I swallow hard as I look from Syren, to Kiandra, to Damarian, then back at Syren. “What about my hearing?”
Syren exchanges a look with his wife, then focuses his attention on me. “The king and queen informed me you are to have your hearing as soon as you have returned to sea.”
I swallow again. That would be now.
Kiandra swims over and pats my hand. “Do not fret. It is only required that you have a hearing, for you have consorted with the enemy as well.”
Yeah, and killed many of their own people and other ocean life.
“It would not be fair for the others to have a hearing and not you,” Syren explains. “But as my mate has stated, there is no need to be concerned. All will be well.”
The fact that Syren says this should relax me, but it doesn’t. I have no idea what will go down at my hearing. I can’t bear to be banned from the ocean, torn away from Damarian and his life that has become so much part of me.
“Please eat,” Kiandra says. “We will need to travel to Eteria soon.”
As if I’ll be able to get anything down.
I manage to eat half a fish, trying to shove away the memories of what I’ve done from my head. A certain memory causes me to look at Syren. “The Linni eels. What will happen to them?”
“They do not show their presence before us,” he says. “Many of us have thought their existence as a myth. I do not know how the sea serpents managed to make use of them.” He shakes his head. “Perhaps they feared them, just as they had many moons ago. But they will not be held accountable, for they were manipulated by the sea serpents. They are not dangerous and pose no threat to us. We will allow them to continue to live as they had since the beginning of time.”