To Enchant a Mermaid

by S. L. Williams

  I whipped around and all but ran back to Etan’s side. I pulled on his arm and pointed up at the portrait. “Who is that?” I mouthed.

  “What?” He looked up at the woman. “Do you like the dress? It was Mother’s favorite.”

  His mother? My brain stuttered, and my ability to think stopped. It felt like I had stumbled on an answer to a question I never thought to ask.

  Nothing in life is a coincidence. A voice in the back of my mind brought me back to the room.

  Everyone was staring at me as if I had lost my mind. My body felt numb. I looked at Cyntheria, who stood across the room, and for a second, I was sure she had walked through me.

  The creature’s tail flicked back and forth. “I don’t recall sending an invitation or receiving an announcement.”

  “You haven’t changed.” Etan sucked his teeth. “You should remain a cat. It fits you.”

  The cat yawned and turned in a circle. In the blink of an eye, it shifted into a man. My mouth dropped.

  “A shifter!” Xiomara gasped.

  I had heard stories of merfolk who used to be able to change into dolphins and turtles, but I always believed it to be a mertale. To find out that walkers truly had the ability was incredible.

  “You came unannounced. And you know how I feel about visitors.” He looked at me and sniffed before walking up to Rylo. “Now this is a face I am happy to see.”

  “Look at you.” Rylo looked him up and down as they clasped hands. “The last time I saw you, you were still pulling on the queen’s skirts.”

  “Unfortunately.” The man frowned. “Even I cannot escape time.”

  “Kamryn—” Etan started.

  The man held up a hand and stopped Etan from speaking. “Come. Let’s share a glass of iced tamarind juice before you bore me with your drama.” He turned and walked into another room.

  Etan groaned as we followed Kamryn into the room. “I have to talk to you in private.”

  “Sit down, sit down.” Kamryn pointed at a table long enough to easily sit us and fifteen others. He pulled five glasses from a low shelf, and with a wave of his hand, a sweaty pitcher of an iced brown beverage appeared. “So.” He sat down at the head of the table. “Why are you here?”

  “I need your help.” Etan poured the juice and slid each of us a glass.

  “You know I’m not partial to new faces.” Kamryn stared straight at Etan. “And you have brought a Silenda and a merprincess into my home. But not just any princess,” he purred as he poured. “You brought Queen Myrena’s gifted daughter. It has been ages since I last saw you. You’ve grown.”

  “You were the one in the garden.” Relief and confusion rolled through me. I knew it hadn’t been a bump to the head or the dreams of an imaginative child.

  “You were the one from the garden,” he said in a high-pitched voice.

  I bristled at the disrespect. His high and mighty attitude wasn’t necessary. I placed my glass down and glared at him from across the table.

  “You look just like Myrena when you’re angry.” He took a long drink from his sweaty glass.

  Etan’s jaw clenched. “Don’t start."

  “Tell me, Princess, what did this asinine boy promise you? I’m sure it wasn’t his pretty face that lured you out of the sea.” Kamryn waved his glass in the air. “What’s wrong with you, girl? Does your mouth work?”

  My vision went red. I swallowed, but my mouth was dry. Etan was speaking, but I couldn’t hear him through the pounding of my heart.

  “Stop.” Rylo's deep voice broke through the haze and yanked me back to reality. “Kamryn, you know better.” He rose to his feet and slammed both hands against the table. “I will take the princess and lady Xiomara to the guest rooms for the evening so that they may dine in peace.”

  Xiomara and I left our seats and followed him out of the room. He guided us down a long hall that was crowded with potted plants and led us into a large, extremely luxurious room.

  “I don’t know what’s wrong with those two.” He scrubbed his hand down his face. “They need to get it together.”

  I ignored him and sat down in one of the fluffy pink chairs that circled a low wooden table.

  I had so many questions. How did that parrotfish of a man know Mother? How could Etan fail to mention he knew Mother? And why did Mother hide the fact that she knew walkers? She had lied to me. She was no different than Father or Grandmother.

  “Sarai,” Rylo pulled on my arms, “all this must be an immense shock to you.” He swept a hand around the room. “I’ve never visited an ocean kingdom, but I am sure they are nothing like ours. If I were in your shoes, I’m sure I would have had a major culture shock myself. They should both be ashamed. They are siblings, but they are constantly at each other’s throats.” He looked at me and sighed. “Etan hasn’t told me much, but he has told me enough. If you need someone to vent to, I’m here.”

  Etan was dark-haired, stormy-eyed, with a sunny disposition while Kamryn was composed of long bright hair, jewel-toned eyes, and a condescending presence. It was hard to believe they were brothers.

  “My mother,” I mouthed. “Did you know her?”

  His eyes scanned my face, and whatever he saw had him running his large hands through his curls. “I have heard of her and the Sirensia, but I never personally met her.” He sighed and shook his head. “She was close friends with the late queen. It would be best if Etan tells it.”

  He stood up and looked at Xio. “I’ll be back. Let me go separate these simpleminded misfits.”

  He left, his steps as silent as his shadow. Xio sat down beside me and didn’t say a word. She just sat there, and I was thankful for that.

  I searched my memories for any mention of Sirensia and came up blank. Mother had been so secretive about her life that I didn’t even know the name of my grandparents. She never mentioned her childhood or her life before us.

  Was it because she was from the surface? Did Father know? Did Grandmother?

  An hour later, the door creaked open, and a small silver-haired girl with beaded braids twirled into the room. She dipped into a low curtsy. The tips of her braids brushed the shiny floor, and the click of the beads on tile seemed loud in the somber room.

  “The prince asks that you please join him for dinner.” Her voice was the clink of glass against glass. “I can guide you to the dining room.”

  I shook my head. I didn’t want to see Etan or his sour brother. That man did not want our company. I wasn’t going to dine with someone who didn’t want me around.

  Xio firmly denied the invitation. “The princess would like some privacy. If the prince would be kind enough to send something up, that would be very generous.”

  The small girl dipped even lower. “I will relay your message.” She stood and shook out her braids. “Excuse me.”

  I stared at her back where translucent wings gently fluttered. I looked at Xio, who also stared in rapt fascination.

  “This world is indescribable. The clan would never believe me.”

  If someone would have told me about all this, I probably wouldn’t believe them either. A world with red mountains and fire-breathing guardians, a village full of spirits, and shining children with glittering wings. It was truly magical.

  I tapped on her leg. “You spent time spying on my grandmother. Did you hear anything about my mother?”

  Her eyes darkened. “When your mother became queen, we had every kingdom asking us to investigate. No information was ever discovered. It was as if your mother just…appeared.”

  Why was her past such a mystery? If Mother was from the surface, why didn’t she tell us?

  I could understand my father’s reluctance. He had always been wary of walkers, but Mother? This was her world, her culture, and she’d left it all behind and started a family far from her own. What could make someone leave all they knew behind? How did Mother end up in Rotan and why did she hide her past from us?

  Why did she hide the truth from me?

  C
hapter Seventeen

  Sarai

  The winged girl brought me dinner and remained in the room while I ate. She sat on the ground and stared at the ceiling. Xio had run off to gather some items so she could wash and braid my hair, so it was just me and the girl.

  It was awkward, but I didn’t want to dismiss her. I was afraid of being alone. My thoughts grew too loud, and guilt liked to creep in when I didn’t expect it.

  “You smell like the sea.” The little girl sniffed. “Like salt, sandalwood, and storms.” Her bright little eyes unnerved me. She fluidly unfurled herself from the floor. “You’re not scary though, probably cus' you can’t steal my soul with your voice. I don’t see why he fears you.”

  Surprise wiped away my unease at the girl’s company. Kamryn feared me? I would have laughed if it hadn’t been so ridiculous. He knew I was mute. Without my voice, I was as harmless as a shark without teeth.

  She cleaned up and danced out of the room with the tray in hand. “The prince is sorry, you know. He can’t help his mouth. It gets him in lots of trouble. The queen used to say that it would get him killed, but he won’t listen.”

  The door closed with a click, and I was left with silence as a companion. I wasn’t ready to be alone with my thoughts. Sitting in the room and asking myself why my parents were liars would drive me crazy.

  I stood up and walked out of the room. I didn’t know where I was going, but the eccentric palace was the perfect place to get lost.

  Down the hall and around a corner hung a floor-to-ceiling portrait of two infants lying on plush fur. They wore nothing but the smiles on their chubby faces. Farther down, there was another portrait, this time of two older boys and the woman. This time, her hair was blue, and she wore a dress made of bright red and blue feathers.

  “It feels as if this portrait was painted an entire lifetime ago.”

  I whipped around and tripped on my feet in my rush.

  Etan grabbed my elbow. “Careful.”

  “Don’t touch me,” I mouthed.

  Etan dropped his hand and took a step back. He stared into my eyes. “I came looking for you. I wanted to apologize. I want to talk. Please.”

  “My mother,” I slowly mouthed. He could read my lips, but he wasn’t as good as Xio. “How did you know her?”

  “I didn’t personally know her. She was gone before I was born. I do know that she was the only daughter of the king and queen of Sirensia. No one knew what happened to her. Some said she was swallowed by the earth, taken by the goblin king for her beauty. Others believed she was abducted by the Forest Lord while on a hunt. Everyone had their own version of the story, but Mother claimed she entranced a merking with her voice.”

  My stomach rolled, and rage brought hot tears to my eyes. How could Father hide such a thing from us? All my life, he’d told us that the walkers were our enemies. He said they lied and stole and didn’t respect our oceans or the merfolk.

  “Sarai?” Etan called my name and shook my shoulder. I tried to answer, but my lips couldn’t move. “Sarai.” He snapped his fingers.

  To learn that Father had fallen in love with a walker and made her his wife was a slap to the face. I saved Etan, and he was ready to marry me off. The hypocrisy was unbelievable.

  “I’m sorry you had to find out this way.” Etan looked down at me with emotionless eyes. He wasn’t sorry. He’d known the truth about my mother all along and didn’t have the decency to tell me.

  I placed my finger against his lips. “I’m just a joke to you and your brother. Did you bring me here for your entertainment?”

  “No. Gods, no.” He leaned against the wall. “My brother, believe it or not, is very talented. I thought he could help us get your voice back.” His brow furrowed. “Coming here was a bad idea.”

  “He doesn’t look like he wishes to help me.” I crossed my arms and looked at the painting above our heads.

  “He may seem difficult, but he will help. I know it.” He stood up and put his hands in his pockets. “It’s my fault that your voice is gone. I should have been thorough. I should have looked for the locket. I didn’t know your soul—”

  I turned back to face him and let out a silent laugh. “I am from the ocean,” I slowly mouthed. “We don’t have souls. We are made of water and salt. When we die, we return to the sea.”

  “Every living creature has a soul. The gods breathe life into us, and they gift us their magic. Where do you believe your captivating voice comes from?” He placed his hand against my cheek. “And those eyes. You carry the night sky in your eyes.”

  “Pretty words.” I pulled away and put some distance between us. I didn’t forget he had also lied to me. Did he believe some sweet words would make me forget? “But your words mean nothing to me when they are not true.”

  “I feel horrible for what I’ve done.” His voice deepened. “I should’ve told you.”

  He should have told me everything from the beginning. He could have given me a chance to decide to leave the sea. I would have gone, and maybe I would still have my voice. Even so, I couldn’t forget what he did for me.

  I placed the tips of my fingers on his chin and raised his head so I could meet his gaze. “You could have left me there, bound to Sitario and lost within myself, but you put your life at risk when you didn’t have to. You have done so much.” His eyes didn’t veer from my lips. “I will regain my voice. I can be patient.”

  Yes, I was hurt that he hadn’t told me about my mother prior to our arrival, but I was grateful he had saved me and Xio. The goddess only knew what Sitario would have done with me once I left the safety of my home.

  “I do not like your brother,” I added.

  “We have that and our love for bread in common. Sometimes I don’t even think he likes himself.”

  “Why are you doing all this?” I watched as his dark lashes brushed his cheeks. “If my magic isn’t what you’re after, why go through all this?”

  “Come, let me show you something.” He offered me his elbow. I placed my hand in the crook of his arm and followed him down the never-ending hallway. “This palace used to belong to my mother. It was where she disappeared to when the weight of the kingdom felt too heavy on her shoulders. No one was allowed to step foot in these halls for years.”

  I looked at the bright green walls and the eccentric paintings. In one portrait, a tall man with hollowed-out eye sockets and missing teeth smiled as he stood beside a skeletal horse with green scales and red wings.

  “That is my great-great-great-uncle Nheil and his wife, Ofelia. She was part kelpie. They met when she tried to drown him during a fishing trip.”

  “How nice.” I was sure their story was a favorite at family gatherings.

  We turned a corner and arrived at a wooden door with a large, curved handle.

  “They didn’t last long. She was abusive.” He pushed a door open and revealed an open garden filled with hundreds of different flowers and plants.

  A stream steadily flowed in the distance. It was a welcoming sight, the sound of water flowing over stone an unexpected luxury. I didn’t realize how much I missed the sound of moving water. It was comforting like a lullaby at bedtime.

  He led me down a stone path and named off flowers as we walked. Orchids, jade vines, kadupul, and an assortment of lilies. They were all beautiful, but one flower caught my eye.

  I stopped in front of a bush and reached out without thinking. A frisson of pain shot up my hand. I pulled back and hissed. Drops of blood pooled on the tip of my throbbing finger.

  “Careful,” Etan warned a little too late. “Those have thorns.”

  “What are they?” I recognized the red flower from my memories. I wiped my blood on my tunic. The green instantly faded into the black.

  “Roses. We are in luck. These have never bloomed before. They are truly glorious.” He admired the soft red petals. “Mother personally tended to this rose bush. It meant a lot to her.”

  He steered me away from the bush and toward a stream. �
�These plants come from different corners of the world. No other garden can compare to this one. This stream,” he sat down on the ground and began pulling off his boots, “is fed by a spring.”

  He threw his shoes over his shoulder. “The spring is sacred to our river folk. It is where the Sun God laid with the Sea Goddess and the first Undine was born. This is one of only three streams where the magic in the water is at its purest.”

  He took off his robes and set them to the side. My eyes automatically slid down to the wound on his abdomen. The skin was tight and bruised.

  He winced as he bent over the stream and splashed the cut with the crystal-clear water. He grunted and sat back.

  I placed my hand on his shoulder. “I am so sorry,” I tried to apologize.

  He raised his head. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve dealt with worse.” He struggled to breathe through his pain. “I’m not able to use my magic to patch a wound, but the water has the ability to speed up healing. See.” He moved his hand. His skin was smooth, brown, and healed. “Good as new.”

  I reached out and ran a finger down the fading scar. His skin was cool to the touch. The fact that water could heal was incredible. It was another thing to add to my list of things I loved about the surface.

  He chuckled at the expression on my face, fell onto his back, and closed his eyes. “I just need a second.” His chest rapidly rose and fell.

  I wanted to reach out and run my fingers down his chest. I wanted to feel the warmth that seemed to radiate from him like the sun and its rays.

  “I wish that time could stand still,” he said with his eyes still closed. He raised a hand in the air. Magic flowed from his fingers like a shining veil. A plush blanket appeared and floated down to the ground.

  “Come, sit with me.” He smiled up at me. “These past few weeks have been mentally draining. I thought finding a wife would be an easy task. A few jewels here and there, stolen kisses in a closet, and a trunk full of gowns. Isn’t that what all females wish for?” His tone was teasing. “I had to swim across an ocean, take a stabbing, and blind my competition just so I could get close to you.”