Three Rings (The Fairytail Saga)

by S. K Munt

  ‘Do I hear a Scottish accent?’ Saraya asked, her doe-like brown eyes wide.

  ‘You do.’ Ivyanne said grimly. She took the stairs two at a time, the feelings within her too conflicting to detangle. Ardhi’s Lux was there and she was terrified of having to face her, and seeing the accusation in Lux’s remarkable eyes. But there was so much more to the other woman’s arrival to distress Ivyanne than that-a suspicion confirmed when she came to a halt at the foot of the steps to see Lux holding Lincoln’s face close to hers under the guise of studying him.

  But it wouldn’t be a guise. It never was with Lux. The only man she’d never made a play for, was the one she had come to mourn. Aside from Ardhi, the oversexed mermaid regarded every man as fair game. And because she’d been turned after being rendered infertile as a human-every man actually was a potential lover for her, human or mer. The rules didn’t, and never would limit her options, the way they did every other mer.

  And Lincoln’s face was in the grip of her perfectly polished red nails. Ivyanne’s stomach tightened.

  ‘..Just so damn adorable!’ Lux was murmuring. ‘Gosh honey, if she doesn’t snap you up, swear to god that you’ll hunt me down. Or prepare to be hunted.’

  ‘Lux!’ Ivyanne tried to sound eager, but jealousy tightened her teeth around the greeting. ‘Where have you been? Have you seen the Kayu-Api’s yet? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?’

  Heads turned to Ivyanne, and their expressions were varied. Vana looked perplexed, Tristan looked smug, Lincoln looked dazed, and Lux’s expression lost its animation. There had been an undercurrent of tension between them every time they’d crossed paths in the past, which wasn’t often. Probably because they were polar opposites of each other, and possibly because they’d both considered themselves Ardhi’s closest confidante.

  And now, Ivyanne had inadvertently brought upon that boy’s death, and the accusation was written all over Lux’s face. As the guilt and worry was on Tristan’s face beside her. He didn’t think she knew, but she knew. It was just one more piece of information her father had dropped into her lap as part of case-building against Tristan.

  Lux released Lincoln’s jaw and turned to Ivyanne, extending her arms. Ivyanne stepped into them, allowing herself to be encased in a wet embrace.

  ‘I’ve been all over, no I can’t find them, that’s why I’m here, and because I didn’t know when I’d arrive.’ Lux said softly into her ear, squeezing Ivyanne more tightly. She pulled back after a moment, her eyes watering. ‘Oh honey, look at you. You look-’

  ‘Like I lost my best friend? Just got yelled at by my dad? Worried that I might be pregnant?’ Ivyanne attempted to make a joke of it, but her voice caught on the emotion in her throat. It had been three days since she’d stopped weeping over Ardhi on an hourly basis, and she feared that Lux’s presence would send her back to the dark.

  ‘Pretty much.’ Lux smiled sadly, her hostility shelved for the significance of mourning, Ivyanne supposed. But then she looked over her shoulder, at Lincoln, before returning to Ivyanne. ‘Still...I’ve spied a silver lining or two…’

  Tristan snorted. Lincoln flushed.

  Ivyanne relaxed somewhat. That was the thing about Lux; Even though she’d make a play for your man, she’d warn you first. It was honest in a refreshing way, similar to how Tristan handled his personal life. Unapologetic. As Ivyanne had to be, if she was going to guard her interests.

  ‘Yes. But I should preface your introduction by warning you that these two men are off-limits Lux-even to you.’ Ivyanne smiled warmly. ‘And believe me when I say, that Ardhi would have wanted it that way.’

  Lux threw back her head and laughed, then pivoted, keeping one arm around Ivyanne’s shoulders as she gestured to Lincoln with the other.

  ‘Naw, really? But he’s so hot!’ Lux grinned at Lincoln, who was still staring at her, bewildered, and then gave Ivyanne a sidelong look. ‘Is he mute, though? How very Disney of you!’

  ‘Nah,’ Tristan piped up, leaning against the kitchen bench. ‘He’s just not used to being called good-looking.’ He winked at Ivyanne, a cheeky gesture that made her heart (womb?) skip a beat, even though she was already offended on Lincoln’s behalf.

  ‘Tall, yes. Intruding yes, deluded-definitely….but never good-looking.’

  Vana cleared her throat and turned to shut the laptop on the dining table behind her, not quickly enough though, to keep her smirk hidden from her daughter’s eyes. Saraya didn’t even manage that-her titter floated down the stairs from above.

  Ivyanne was at a loss for words-even when Tristan went too far, he did it with such panache that it made laughter damn near unavoidable.

  Lincoln, however, thawed at the comment. He turned to Tristan and snarled : ‘You right mate?’

  ‘Of course.’ Tristan blinked, looking innocent. ‘Why do you ask?’

  ‘Because for a second there, I foresaw your death.’ Lincoln’s eyes found Lux’s again and he beamed. ‘It’s nice to meet you. And yes, I’m quite capable of speech.’

  ‘Except around blondes.’ Tristan nudged him with his elbow. ‘Caught sight of the girl your dad was interviewing this morning when I went in for breakfast, and guess what?’

  Lincoln rolled his head on his neck, his expression between exasperated and foreboding. ‘What?’

  Tristan smiled. ‘Daddy’s hired you a new employee to fixate on!’

  Ivyanne groaned lightly. Lux was watching Tristan with wry amusement.

  ‘Excuse you?’ Lincoln’s voice was icy.

  ‘No seriously-she’s exactly your type. Bit shorter and flatter chested than Ivyanne, but more in your league.’ Tristan included Ivyanne in his cunning smile before addressing Lincoln again. ‘First was a socialite, second was a princess...and this one’s a bit of a pixie! You could be engaged-’ he clicked his fingers ‘-by the end of the week!’

  ‘Tristan…!’ Ivyanne moaned, louder than she needed to. She was trying to draw focus from her mother, who’s shoulders were shaking with silent laughter. ‘For a forty year old man, you can be a real infant, you know?’

  ‘Guilty as charged.’ Tristan pushed himself up onto the kitchen bench and ruffled Lincoln’s hair. ‘But Link likes it, don’t yah Link? Makes him feel all included in our watery embrace.’

  ‘Yeah. Your love warms me so.’ Lincoln deadpanned, then looked directly at Ivyanne, his expression serious. ‘You know I’m not going to hit on some new waitress, right?’

  Ivyanne smiled. ‘Of course.’ But she had to admit, Tristan had sort of made a good point. Lincoln was going into work that afternoon without her for the first time in weeks, to work with the new girl. What if she was his type? What if he got sick of waiting and….? She blinked the thought away, thinking of how hypocritical it was for her to get jealous and paranoid when she was the one making them all do the waiting.

  ‘Is this at that resort Ardhi’s mentioned?’ Lux asked, looking at Lincoln curiously. ‘And does it have a bar? Because I could go a cocktail or two.’

  ‘Yeah. I own it.’ Lincoln straightened somewhat. ‘And we have some killer cocktails.’

  ‘You mean, your dad owns it.’ Tristan corrected.

  ‘All right!’ Lincoln wheeled on him. ‘What’s your problem? You’re spewing more bile in my direction today than usual. And given what I just heard outside, that’s a very dangerous thing for you to be-’

  ‘Go on, fight dirty!’ Tristan jumped off the bench and stepped up to Lincoln, all levity draining from his posture. ‘It’s about time you acted like the sneaky little shit you are.’

  ‘Tristan!’ Ivyanne shrugged off Lux’s hold, ready to intervene. Tristan was an inch or two shorter than Lincoln, and yet the combination of his build, and his sudden change of mood, seemed to take up all the space in the room. If it came to a fight, Tristan would decimate Lincoln-there was no question about it. ‘What’s gotten into you?’

  Tristan glanced at Lux, scowling, then to Ivyanne. ‘Nothing you won’t find out about soon enoug
h, I’m sure.’

  Ivyanne rolled her eyes. ‘Oh...Tristan I already know.’

  Tristan blinked at her. ‘What?’

  ‘You do?’ Lux’s voice was smaller than usual.

  Ivyanne nodded, trying not to see the slightly disappointed expression on Lincoln’s face. ‘Dad told me, okay? And Ardhi told him. So if you’re lashing out at Lincoln in paranoia, save your breath.’

  ‘Nothing paranoid about it,’ Tristan grumbled. ‘You should have seen the look on his face when he overheard it mentioned. Like someone had given him five hammocks at once!’

  ‘What?’ Ivyanne was confused. ‘Hammocks?’

  ‘Right there with ya…’ Lux drawled.

  ‘You are such a smart arse.’ Lincoln sneered, standing taller himself.

  ‘And you are such a brown noser!’ Tristan shot back. ‘Admit it, you couldn’t wait to tell her. Just like you can’t wait to meet Ash and give him as many more reasons to hate me as you can manage.’

  ‘Tristan..’ Ivyanne whined. ‘Back off, okay?’

  Tristan’s head whipped around to include her in his glare. ‘And Ivyanne takes poor wittle Wink’s side again!’ He shook his head at Lincoln, looking disgusted. ‘How nice it must be for you, to feel so protected. By. A. Girl. No wonder I’m more of a smart-ass lately than usual! The kingdom needs me to step up!’ He gestured to the room. ‘Why don’t you just admit that you’ve played as dirty as I have from the beginning huh? Own it, asshole, and stop trying to make me look bad, because you don’t know how to make yourself look better.’

  ‘Come on Loveridge!’ Lux whined. ‘I didn’t come all this way to see you bully someone because you’re jealous.’

  ‘Jealous?’ He repeated after glancing back to her. ‘Yeah. You’re right, I am.’ His eyes flicked back to Ivyanne’s own. ‘Pissed off too, and I’m entitled to both feelings. I’ve had a lot of alone time to dwell on them lately, after all, while you’ve been swimming into the sunset with this clown-who already has your dad’s approval, sight unseen! It’s not fair!’

  Ivyanne blinked, hurt. The conversation that she’d just had with her father came back to her, and anger joined the pain. She’d just stood up for Tristan, and now he was ripping Lincoln to shreds over imagined insecurities! Angry tears pricked at her eyes. ‘I’m not discussing this,’ she said through clenched teeth. ‘The rules, remember? I know seeing Lux scared you, and apparently Link’s reaction disarmed you, but that’s no reason to turn into a bully.’

  ‘Agreed.’ The queen turned, fixing Tristan with an empathetic, though firm look. ‘I know you’re dealing with a lot. Ash’s attitude towards you is unfair, and unwarranted, but you can’t take that out on Link, Tristan. It’s not his doing.’

  ‘Perhaps not.’ Tristan cut her off and turned back to Lincoln, who was frozen like an incredibly tall statue. ‘But I’ll bet Link doesn’t think it’s unfair. I’ll bet Link can’t wait to take advantage of it.’ He shoved Lincoln lightly. ‘You can’t wait to take everything from me. And even if she is pregnant, you’re not going to back off, are you? Because the fact that I saved your life, and the possibility that I might have fathered her child, doesn’t override the connection you think you have with her, does it?’

  All eyes turned to Lincoln, including Ivyanne’s own. She was holding herself, resisting the urge to leap between them, as it would only incense Tristan further if he interpreted it as a protective act on Lincoln’s behalf. Which it would have been. She held her breath instead, morbidly curious about Lincoln’s answer.

  ‘No.’ Lincoln answered coolly, making Ivyanne’s scalp prickle. ‘I won’t stop until she’s my wife. And I don’t care if you have six children with her first. Nothing you do will convince me that she doesn’t belong with me.’ His brow twitched. ‘And though I’m grateful to you for having come after me that night...I would have preferred death, to losing her again. Just like Ardhi did.’

  Ivyanne was overcome with sudden nausea, and she curled her arm around her stomach. ‘Guys…’ her voice was tissue soft, echoing how she felt. ‘Please-’

  ‘Yes, please, let’s not have a scene.’ Vana placed a hand on Tristan’s shoulder. ‘You’ve both made it this far. Tristan…’

  He turned to look at her, eyes still tight. ‘Yes your majesty?’

  Vana exhaled a shaky breath. ‘You know how I feel on the matter, it’s no secret….’ She darted Lincoln an apologetic look. ‘But my daughter’s feelings, and the welfare of a child she might be carrying, outweigh them...so please, don’t make me ask you to leave on your last afternoon with us. I don’t want to do it, but I will, if this escalates.’

  The hurt in Tristan’s expression was absolute, but fleeting, causing a hard lump to rise to the back of Ivyanne’s throat. She wanted to move to him, to hug him and apologize for any hurt she was causing without having realized it, but what was the point? If he didn’t know how hard this was for her, then he didn’t know her at all, and she’d explained herself enough by then. So she remained mute.

  Tristan pressed his lips into a hard line for a moment, looking from the queen, to Lux, to Ivyanne, then finally-to Lincoln. Then he took a step backwards.

  ‘I won’t make you ask me to leave, your majesty.’ He said coldly. ‘I’ll show myself out.’

  Ivyanne’s heart skipped a beat. ‘But-your flight isn’t for hours.’

  ‘And yet I can’t take this noble suffering high road shit for one more minute.’ He stepped back. ‘You’ve got some mad skills when it comes to ignoring me when we’re in a room together, so just think of how much easier it’ll be with me hiding my pretty little head on my boat for the rest of the day.’

  Ivyanne flinched at the expression he’d emphasized- a reference to a conversation they’d had mere minutes before he’d deflowered her. She’d told him she wouldn’t make him hide his ‘pretty little head’ and she hadn’t. She’d hidden her own, and hurt him all the same.

  ‘Don’t bother.’ Lincoln snapped. ‘I’ve got to get to work anyway. Consider this your last chance to trap her into a marriage-while she’s not too busy protecting me, that is.’

  Ivyanne made a face at her mother, but Vana’s eyes were locked on Tristan, and they were watering tellingly. Seeing that hurt on her mother’s face was the biggest blow of all, and Ivyanne hated herself in that moment, for having caused so much disquiet among the people she cared for the most.

  ‘I’ll come.’ Lux stepped to Lincoln’s side, smiling sadly at Ivyanne. ‘It’s a little tense here, sorry. I needed a drink before, but I could use eight now.’

  ‘Sure.’ Ivyanne said quietly, nodding. She was glad that someone would go with Lincoln-she was originally going to volunteer, but now she knew that such a move would be detrimental to her relationship with Tristan. Whatever was left of it.

  All the same, she didn’t want Lincoln swimming off alone, and feeling lonely to boot.

  I guess I do protect him. She thought, ashamed without knowing why. But, I just try to give what’s needed of me. And Tristan is a rock. All he wants is my hand, and since I can’t give him that yet, what other compensation is there? He’s had my time. Just not alone time. It wouldn’t be fitting, not in light of what happened the last time...

  ‘I’ll come too.’ Saraya came barreling down the stairs. ‘This whole situation would be so much easier to live with if I was hammered.’ She looked to the queen. ‘With uh, your permission of course, highness.’

  Vana nodded, still not looking away from Tristan. ‘Of course. I think Ivyanne and I could do with a bit of time to ourselves.’ She turned to Lincoln. ‘If I give you the keys to my boat, to take them over, will you be capable of driving them back? I won’t have drunken mermaids navigating themselves home.’

  I’m not even queen yet, and I’m driving my people to drink! She thought morosely. Some leader I’ll be!

  Lincoln paused, eyebrows drawing together tightly. ‘Is it hard?’

  ‘I’ll show you on the way over. If you can’t work it out, Lux and
I can just crash there.’ Saraya said. ‘That way she and I can dress first.’

  Lincoln nodded. ‘Okay. Either sounds good.’

  Ivyanne’s breathing hitched. ‘You’re going to drive a boat?’

  Lincoln smiled tightly. ‘Don’t be protecting me again, my love.’ He said this as though he were oblivious to Tristan and his phobia of marine craft, but the trembling hand he extended to Vana to take the silvery keys, said otherwise. ‘A mer king ought to know how to do these sorts of things.’

  There was a blur of activity as Tristan spun and pushed open the screen door, stomped out, and let it slam shut behind him. Silence followed his exit. Everyone looked everywhere, but each other.

  3.

  ‘Okay so…’ Lincoln was too busy watching Lux and Saraya drinking up a storm in the centre most table of the room to focus completely on the new girl ringing up the order at his elbow. The dazzling mermaids looked like they were having so much fun, and Lincoln longed to be with them. He could almost taste the rum sloshing down the back of his throat. He knew it would smooth the residual tremble from his hands-the result of having steered Vana’s sleek white motorboat to the resort at Saraya’s breakneck pace.

  It had been..an experience. Not an awful one, but all consuming. So consuming, in fact, that he hadn’t even begun to fret about what was going on back on Bracken until they’d docked down at the marina.

  I can’t believe I had to leave her almost completely alone with him. He thought morosely, scratching the back of his head in agitation. Sand slid under his fingernails. What if she’s trying to comfort him now? How will she be going about it?

  How about, how are your staff going to go about making you money when you’re too spacey to show them how? Another thought intervened. Get a grip man!

  ‘….So you hit the buttons for the meals on this side of the register...and then the drinks on the other….then sub-total-’

  ‘-Done.’

  Lincoln looked down at Sherri’s smiling, pixie-like face and blinked back his surprise. ‘What?’