by Anne Bourne
“Much.” He impulsively kissed her.
He’d kissed a few girls in pools but it wasn’t the same in the open ocean with Ephyra. The heat between them dispelled any cold currents and he felt his heart beating faster. She pulled away quickly though.
“What’s wrong?” he asked and cupped her face.
“I, um, it’s hard … ”
“Ephyra, what is it? You don’t think I can do this?”
Ephyra gave him a sad smile but shook her head. She took his hand and they started swimming again.
“It’s not that. As champion there are certain rules,” she began with a quiver. “Gabriel, if you beat Erebos, we can’t be together.”
“If?” was Gabriel’s first thought followed by, “I figured on that. I’m not a mermaid, er man.” He gave her a lopsided grin.
“That’s the other thing … ” Ephyra groaned. “As the champion victor, you would be condemned to remain in this form. There’s only been one other who’s done this and he rebelled, killed half the royal family to earn his freedom.”
Gabriel drifted for a moment.
“I see,” was all he said for a few minutes.
“I have a plan,” Ephyra said in a rush. “If we can find Scyllane we can reverse the champion mark and you can go back. I am sure I can find someone else … ”
Gabriel’s face turned dark. “I’m not sure if you’re insulting me or protecting me.”
Gabriel let go of her hand and saw the hurt on her face.
“The champion is a slave, Gabriel. The title is fancy but the victor is still in my command, in my military services. He or she cannot be anything more than a protector of the realm. We could not be together in the way we want.”
Gabriel mulled this over, his frown increasing. No more family, no teaching, no cars. Was this worth his life? He wanted to say it was but his own well-being and pride wouldn’t let him. He glanced at his tail and sighed. Suddenly a lifetime of living underwater didn’t seem as appealing as before. His future now held no family of his own, no free choice.
“What do you want me to do?” he asked simply and stopped, floating. Ephyra turned to face him, her eyes clouded with anxiety.
“I want you to not sacrifice yourself for me,” she whispered. “I didn’t think being on land in your world would change me so much. I should have told you sooner but I didn’t … I mean you weren’t supposed to … ”
“And what would I have to do if I lived as your slave?” Gabriel asked with steel in his voice.
“I wouldn’t command you to do anything, but you wouldn’t be able to leave,” she responded brokenly.
“Well, I volunteered didn’t I? I’m going to do this, even if you think I won’t succeed,” he said and turned away.
“Gabriel, that’s not what I think!” Ephyra cried desperately and reached out for his arm. He slid just out of reach.
“Please,” she whispered but he was far ahead, swimming with purpose.
Gabriel flashed his tail hard, trying to exert as much of his anger out on the currents of the water and not Ephyra. It wasn’t her fault he’d fallen in love with her. He sighed. He knew she felt worse about it than he did.
A life as a merman couldn’t be all that bad, he tried to convince himself, but he knew he wouldn’t make it that long. Perhaps she could grant him one day to say goodbye to Marcus and his mother. Gabriel wondered how he could explain that.
He glanced back at Ephyra who was trailing miserably behind him. For a moment it seemed as if his heart were hanging out on his sleeve. Promise or not there was no way he’d ever not protect her. The love between them was far beyond what any physical barrier could stop. She was what was missing in him and he’d never understood that until now. She complemented him. To live as her slave would be better than not living with her at all.
Gabriel slowed a bit and let her catch up, then caught her hand in his. He gave her a slow, sad look, but it told her he was hers until the end. Ephyra’s tears floated away and she crushed him in a hug. He savored her touch as long as he could.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The currents were getting stronger and Jake could guess that above the water the weather wasn’t much better. He could sometimes hear thunder since they weren’t in deep waters. Seaweed swayed briskly and fish took to hiding places. He only imagined what devastation Erebos was wreaking on the shores of the human realm.
Jake led the company of guards in a large loop that bypassed the main guard at the front of the palace. He knew parading in with only forty mermen wouldn’t exactly impress Erebos. He wanted to go in the side pass and surprise the Shoal leader, give him a reason to think he didn’t know the palace as well as those who lived there before.
“Who’s that?” asked the merman to his right as he pointed his spear at two figures swimming quickly by the coral banks.
Jake squinted and tried to make out if they were armed. Then he caught the dark bloom of ebony hair and the gold spirals in a tail.
“Ephyra?” he called, hardly daring to believe his eyes. A rush of heat soared through him as he hurried toward her.
The mermaid instantly perked her head and called back with a smile. She rushed into his open arms and gave him a fierce hug. Jake then noticed the merman behind her and with a start recognized the human man. They regarded each other for a tense moment.
“Gabriel.”
“Jake.” Gabriel extended his hand. The mermen behind Jake murmured amongst themselves. Jake took the offered hand in a firm grip.
“Thank you for returning the princess safely,” he dismissed Gabriel.
Gabriel gave Ephyra a sharp look and she stepped between them.
“Jake, he’s here on my behalf.”
“We don’t need someone who doesn’t know our customs, Ephyra. Erebos is building the arena and the battle will take place soon,” he said and shuttled her a few feet away for a private conversation.
“We only have a few days remaining and I need your help. Are you a General?” she asked in confusion at seeing the badges on his uniform.
Jake smiled at her proudly.
“They sought me, they need my knowledge of the ancient laws and legends. I would like to ask you something though,” Jake said and his eyes implored hers.
Ephyra nodded.
“I would pledge myself your champion and will fight for your throne,” he said solemnly and lowered his eyes.
“Jake, I … ” Ephyra stammered and saw his face fall slightly.
“Am I unworthy?” he asked tightly.
“It’s not that. You’re one of the most studied warriors. But a champion has already been declared,” she said in a hoarse voice.
Jake’s brows shot up in surprise and he peered behind her.
“Where is he then?” He was expecting to see some monstrous beast Ephyra had found.
“Um,” Gabriel cleared his throat and held up his marked hand.
Jake looked at his rival as though he had sprouted tentacles.
“It can’t be,” he said harshly. “He’s not even one of us!”
“He is right now and I need you to train him,” Ephyra said firmly.
Jake knew this time she had not chosen a champion, she’d chosen the man she loved. He turned to survey Gabriel, swimming around him and inspecting his tail. Gabriel remained still, but his eyes never left the merman.
“You know nothing of this war.”
“You annoyed my tail is bigger than yours?” he snorted as Jake whipped around and splayed his fins.
Gabriel’s fins were indeed slightly larger than Jake’s and he had no retort.
“I’m her bodyguard.”
“I’m her champion.” Gabriel leveled him with a solid stare. “If this is your decision, then I have no more to do here,” Jake said to Ephy
ra and bowed.
“It is my decision, but I still have need of you. Of all of you,” she addressed the mermen as well. They floated at attention and listened intently.
“Gabriel is my champion, but he will need training. I would have your help.”
“You are the last hope we have, princess,” Horatio said and bowed, as did the mermen behind him.
“Thank you.”
Jake remained stonily silent, his hands in loose fists. Ephyra went over to him and put a hand on his shoulder to lead him away from prying ears.
“I need you,” she said softly. He tried to mask his hurt pride with a tight smile.
“I should have told you when I knew I loved you,” he said repentantly. “It’s too late now.”
“Jake, I won’t apologize for loving him. I am sorry for not seeing how you felt sooner. Please, give me your support.”
The silence was deafening. Jake heard the authority in her voice, as a true princess should sound. She was ready to rule and he couldn’t destroy her only chance of avenging her parents.
He turned to her and gently touched her face with his hand, stroking it like he’d done since they were merlings.
“I would have done anything for you, Ephyra. But this is one thing I would refuse,” he paused. “You must order me to do this, properly.”
“You know Gabriel and I won’t be together after this,” she said harshly, her eyes blazing.
“And you would still not choose me.”
Ephyra squared her shoulders, having nothing to say to that. Jake knew he was the only one she could trust to give Gabriel the tools to succeed. She moved closer to the army of mermen and Gabriel. He could already see her decision and his heart tried to accept it.
“I am commanding Jahyl to begin Gabriel’s training immediately. You’re to help in any exercises required, and we have only two days before the fight. He will be ready by the night of the sixth day,” Ephyra backed no argument.
Jake nodded stiffly and the mermen all bowed once more. Gabriel went to stand by her and Ephyra held his hand up, showing the mark.
“The champion.” The merman saluted him and dropped lower.
Jake bowed his head but his body rigid with irritation. He wondered what it would be like to have an enemy for the rest of his life.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“Again!” Jake barked.
Gabriel gritted his teeth but tried the evasive maneuver another time, still not fast enough. The projectile spear, made of wood, splintered as it hit his tail. Gabriel felt mild pain and saw a few scales fall off, flashing silver. He was surprised at how fast the weapon could be used under the water. If he could sweat underwater, he was sure he would be dripping.
“Maybe if you threw it straight I could avoid it,” he teased Jake, but the other was not in a laughing mood.
Jake had done what Ephyra asked him to but nothing more. Gabriel was tired of trying to make the merman an ally. He shrugged and concentrated on avoiding the two spears Jake hurled at him. Gabriel found that if he flipped his tail just so, he could avoid the weapons and pivot; much like the fish he saw disappear in a flash.
The guards helped Jake further his torture by surrounding him in a ring of sharp coral knives and Gabriel was instructed to block every thrust. He was good at that, using an incredibly strong piece of sharpened coral. Gabriel thought it didn’t hurt that Ephyra watched his practices. What would it be like to remain under the water?
“You should recognize this one,” Jake said and handed him the rams’ horn gun.
Gabriel smiled and aimed. Spines shot out and decimated the targets yards away. He wondered if such long-range weapons were allowed in the enclosed arena.
“Unfortunately, you won’t be able to use it,” Jake said with a smirk.
Gabriel raised his brows.
“Was that an attempt at humor, Jake?” he asked, equally snarky.
The merman frowned at him and handed him an object that resembled a sword except it was light, had no hilt and was corn colored.
“Is this food?” Gabriel guessed to aggravate Jake further.
“Sword. It’s made from crushed coral, crab shell, and obsidian. It won’t ever break but it can be used against you if you lose it. Fight.”
Gabriel wasn’t prepared for Jake to brandish a similar sword at him. He felt a punishing whack on his shoulder and pain blossomed. Anger flared hot and ready. He swung back but Jake parried. They fought until Gabriel was used to the weapon and he could wield it with ease. The sword wasn’t exactly King Arthur worthy but he liked the lightness of it.
Ephyra came over to him with a colorful platter filled with food. Food, he learned, was a loose definition. Gabriel had a hard time swallowing crab shell but fish, scallops, mollusks and even octopi were tolerable. Gabriel wondered if they could have someone throw a few cheeseburgers into the water once in a while. Turning into a merman was different from being born one.
“You are doing well,” she said with a smile. Ephyra watched him taste all the food on the plate. He knew she wanted to help him at any cost, including shielding him from Jake’s painful glares.
“Thanks.” Gabriel liked that he didn’t have to drink under the water. His gills filtered enough in and out all the time so that he was never thirsty.
“Next, I have to teach you to feel your power,” Ephyra told him when he was finished.
“Power?” he asked skeptically.
“Magic, energy, life force. In some it is stronger, like in you. Merfolk could not have existed without it. It can help us to be invisible to humans, outwit hungry sharks, establish the laws not unlike the ones Erebos has unleashed.”
“Oh, magic,” he said thoughtfully. It was a concept that he knew only as a show on stage with a man in a top hat and tails.
“Close your eyes,” Ephyra said gently and led him to a rock that formed a seat.
Gabriel tried to feel something but could only hear the soft hum of the ocean, swishing of fish, the guards nearby mumbling.
“Remember when you found Erebos in my room?” she prompted and he tensed.
“Yes.”
“Try to call it back.”
Gabriel didn’t want the violent image in his mind, but he pictured Ephyra bloody and helpless. A sudden surge of energy filled his veins and he could almost feel his muscles surging with pent up aggression. It felt like lines of electricity pulsed through him and made all his senses sharper. He opened his eyes. The energy stayed with him for a few minutes before fading.
“Yes, bring it back,” Ephyra said excitedly.
Gabriel tried to think of nothing, just summon whatever that was so he didn’t need to think of Ephyra in danger. The magic raced back to him and nearly bolted from his fingertips. He could feel it waiting like a snake in the grass.
“See that rock?” Ephyra pointed to a large piece of stone to the left and Gabriel nodded. “Try to break it.”
Gabriel figured if he commanded several middle school children, he could do this. Sparks of light shot from his fingertips and the boulder splintered into pieces.
He smiled triumphantly at Ephyra and she gave him an impulsive hug. Gabriel saw the sadness in her eyes when she pulled back but didn’t comment.
He spent the rest of the afternoon practicing until the currents became so violent everyone took shelter.
“Erebos must be in a bad mood,” Ephyra said darkly, looking toward the palace to see black clouds rising from the towers.
“This will be just a fit compared to how angry he’ll be when he loses,” Gabriel told her confidently. He was still intrigued by the simple biological concept of being half a fish and his mind wasn’t centered.
“One more night,” Ephyra said bitterly. She took his hand and led him away.
Gabriel followed willingly, ma
rveling that even down here he could feel it was evening. The moon’s pull on the tides and currents was stronger here than on land.
“So, how much power is one allowed to use in this fight?” he asked as she led him into a large cave.
“As much as you have.”
Gabriel stopped to stare at the beautiful lichens that glowed inside, the reflections creating the illusion the cave was above water. Tiny holes let in the moonlight so that it shafted in sparkles. Moss covered rocks stacked to either side and there was a school of glowing blue fish that circled inside like a disco ball.
“This is beautiful,” he said, his eyes roving over every little detail.
“I wanted to have one night alone with you,” Ephyra confessed gently. She pulled him to her and folded her tail around herself. Her hair shone in the moonlight and floated softly past her shoulders.
Gabriel sat next to her and tried to fold his tail, too. He ended up falling off the rock seat while Ephyra giggled.
“I’m sure this turns you on,” he muttered good naturedly.
“I can’t ever repay you,” she said and wrapped her tail around his.
“It’s been worth it,” Gabriel said softly and meant it. “I was just going through the motions of life before I met you, Ephyra. My father’s passing is hard still. Do you think I’d get to see my family again?” Even Marcus, he thought. He had pretty much left him to deal with Sanchez alone in a hurricane.
Ephyra sighed against him.
“I don’t know. I wish I could promise you your life back. I’m sorry,” she said and looked up into his eyes.
Their lips met instantly, hungrily. Ephyra rubbed herself against him slowly, agonizingly. Gabriel groaned, wishing he knew how merfolk procreated. He was too embarrassed to ask. Ephyra seemed to sense this and guided his hand to her breasts.
“Some is the same,” she whispered and bent his head to suck at her taut nipples. The scales had disappeared. Gabriel complied, licking and nipping.
“We are not the same as humans. Mermaids don’t get, what is the word, pregnant?”
Gabriel drew back; suddenly his arousal was not quite as strong. He raised an eyebrow and pursed his lips.