by S. K Munt
‘Happy Valentines Day handsome.’ A sultry, female voice whispered in his ear.
Lincoln’s heart skipped a beat. Valentines Day? He’d completely blanked! But his initial panic was wiped by the feeling of joy knowing that Ivyanne had sought him out to bring it to his attention! She wasn’t mad any more! He spun around to plant the biggest kiss on history on her perfect lips and almost jumped out of his skin when he found himself nose-to-nose with Sherri.
‘Whoa!’ Lincoln disentangled her hands from his waist. ‘I thought you were Ivyanne!’
Sherri pouted. ‘Not the response I was hoping for.’
‘Aww come on Sherri.’ Lincoln slid his notebook further down the bar, creating distance between them. ‘Don’t take it personal. You know how it is.’
Sherri sighed, slipping her small leather bag under the bar into one of the cupboards she’d had Ivyanne clean and then adjusted the red bandana tied around her cropped blonde hair. ‘Yeah yeah.’
Lincoln felt exasperated. What kind of reaction could this girl possibly expect from him? When was she going to move beyond her pointless crush? ‘Is it really Valentines Day?’
‘Yep.’ Sherri said flatly, signing in on the hours book in loopy, childlike writing. ‘You forgot? Like you aren’t in enough trouble as it is.’
Lincoln rolled his eyes. That was a low blow. Sherri knew damn well that she’d been the one to get him in Ivyanne’s dirty books the night before. He reached for the phone on the wall. ‘Well that ends now. I’m sending over flowers and a dinner invitation for tonight. ’
Sherri whirled around, frowning. ‘But Link, you said yesterday that you’d take me on a long swim after work tonight so I could work on my breathing! Now you’re going to ditch?’
‘For my girlfriend? On Valentines Day? Yes.’ Lincoln said shortly. ‘In the meantime I have a list there for things we can get done for the party today. The function room is almost up and running so if you want to take the box with the decorations and stuff in there to start, that would be good.’
‘Fine.’ Sherri snapped. ‘Anything else you need me to do? Shall I go hand pick the flowers for her and ask to polish her crown?’
He ignored her snarky questions, surprised at the venom in them, and thinking of how often people had concealed their true natures from him because of his naivety. Well no more. ‘If you want to do something for me Sherri, keeping your hands to yourself is a good start. There is no us, and there’s never going to be. And the next time you wrap your arms around me-I’ll be asking the queen to deal with it instead of handling it myself. And something tells me, that I’m a hell of a lot nicer about it than she will be.’
Sherri’s mouth fell open, but she snapped it shut and turned on her heel, fleeing the room. It was hard for Lincoln to go against his instincts to follow her and brush her tears away, but he turned his back to the door, realizing for the first time that he wasn’t the boss who took advantage of his pretty wait staff-but the one taken advantage of.
Well I was, he thought, fishing into his pocket for his credit card. But I’m not going to be anymore.
⁓
Ardhi’s mouth went dry when he saw Ivyanne emerge on the shore in front of the house, looking like a water-bound angel as she rolled onto her back and tilted her pelvis to the sky, fastening the triangle of her swimsuit at her hip with a loopy knot-completely unaware that he was watching from the hammock.
Ardhi had spent two days in a bad mood that he’d been trying to pass off as contemplative and serene. It was a necessary maneuver- for as much as he wanted to run off after Ivyanne and get in her face and force her to realize that she missed him there, he knew it would be counterproductive. He needed everyone’s trust, and if he chased the princess like the lovesick boy he was, he’d only serve to convince people that he was still a threat. It was true of course, but they didn’t need to know that.
They needed to look away.
Ardhi couldn’t look away though. Not then. Ivyanne’s bikini had become displaced during her swim, exposing the majority of her left breast to the air. He stared at it, his teeth sinking into his lip as the strongest wave of arousal he’d ever ridden dumped him in the froth, stole his breath. She twisted, working her swimmers into place, flashing a glimpse of the mound between her legs that had been the catalyst for his insanity and he groaned, rubbing himself quickly, trying to quell the ache. In that moment, he couldn’t blame Lincoln or Tristan for having conquered her without regard for their kind-it was something to die for, something to kill for.
Ivyanne sat up and Ardhi closed his eyes, feigning sleep, wondering if she’d see him, or hear his heartbeat?
‘Hey Ardhi,’ Ivyanne’s voice was breathless, no doubt from wrestling her curves into her clothes where they clearly resisted. ‘Are you awake?’
‘Hmm?’ Ardhi lifted his chin, then opened his eyes slowly. She was only a foot away, leaning over him, smiling tentatively. Her hair swung wetly like a curtain over one shoulder, staining the dry sand. ‘Oh..hey Ivyanne. God...you’re beautiful.’
Her eyes widened slightly, but then she smiled. ‘I’ll let that one go because you’re half asleep and I could do with a compliment today.’
Ardhi smiled and sat up. ‘Really?’ He openly checked her out. ‘Because I have about thirteen at the moment, and they’re just for your legs.’ He mock scowled at her. ‘The fact that you were surprised that a man would kill another man over you doesn’t say much for your intelligence, hon. Either that or you don’t own a mirror. Hating on me for it isn’t really fair.’
She snorted, but he could tell she appreciated him making light of it. ‘Actually Ardhi, you’d be disappointed in me, because I’ve been looking in the mirror a lot more lately, and I don’t mind what I see so much now.’ She ducked her head. ‘Its kind of nice to feel pretty. And it can be kind of comforting, while other woman are moving on your territory.’
He laughed. ‘Uh-oh. Someone’s becoming human.’
‘I am. It’s scary.’ Ivyanne extended her hand. ‘Anyway...I came out here to see you. I want to apologize for the other day. I mean, I won’t take it back-but I’m sorry I felt the compulsion to piss you off to the best of my ability, to check you for crazy.’
It was his turn to snort. ‘So am I.’ He let her pull him to his feet, and for the first time in weeks, he felt warm, and welcome, and necessary to someone. It was nice, like sinking into a bubble bath. ‘But I can forgive you, like you forgave me.’
‘Thank you. And pass my apologies onto Lux, okay? I didn’t want her in my house, given the way she was speaking to me-but I don’t begrudge you her friendship.’ She glanced at him as they walked towards the house. ‘You can tell her to come back, okay? I’ll even arrange a room for her at the resort. You need her, and I need you to have all the support that’s available to you-especially since I’ve withdrawn so much of my own.’
Tears sprang to Ardhi’s eyes and he looked away, horrified. Lux! God...Lux. The memory of burying her body, letting the dirt rain down on her face, kept him awake at night, torturing him. He didn’t know how he’d gone through with it, and it was almost as though he hadn’t-like some entity had possessed him in that moment of rage, seizing control of his mind, forcing his actions like he was more puppet than man.
Sometimes Ardhi looked back on the things he had done, and wondered if maybe he was possessed-and in those moments, the good remaining within him, the perfection of the mer spirit he’d once embraced-took comfort in the fantasy. If only he could blame something else for his darkness! How freeing that would be!
But then there were the times when he was okay, and he was in his mother’s arms, and she was telling him what a good boy he was and for a moment-he’d believe her. But then he’d catch sight of a picture of Tristan or Lux-and smile triumphantly, pleased with himself for not only taking out those who would do him harm-but keeping his mother’s love in the process and fooling them all.
That’s when he knew he was the monster. Not the puppet. The only th
ing he was a slave to, was his heart.
‘She’s pretty mad at me for not going with her,’ he said. ‘I don’t think she’ll take my calls yet, but I’ll try again in a day or so. I know Lux, she needs to cool down for awhile after an upset, and if I don’t stand to my guns, she’ll only hate me more for being weak.’
‘Well...fair enough.’ Ivyanne said, looking a bit bewildered. ‘In the meantime then, can we hang?’
His grin was genuine. ‘You want to hang with me?’
‘Sure.’ She nudged him with her shoulder. ‘I love you, you dopey bastard. I never stopped.’
‘I never stopped loving you either.’ He reached down and wove his fingers through her wet, sandy ones. ‘If all I get is your time every now and then, I’ll get through this Ivyanne.’
She raised their interwoven fingers to her lips and kissed them, green eyes glowing. ‘Then let’s hang.’
⁓
‘Man, I’m sorry-I know this is a romantic movie but I would kick his ass if I was that chick’s fiancé!’ Ardhi indicated to the screen. ‘Okay he’s bad, I get it, but he’s also funding a trans-Atlantic trip for her and her pain in the ass mother and what does she do? Seduces someone in third class? Jack’s cool, but he wouldn’t shower much!’
Ivyanne giggled. She’d forgotten how much fun it was to watch movies with Ardhi. ‘You know it’s a shame you’re so adverse to the internet. You’d make a hilarious movie critic or blogger.’
Ardhi snorted. ‘If that’s my calling in life, I may as well hang myself now.’
‘You have a calling?’ She teased.
He looked at her. ‘I think I do. What do you think?’
‘I think you were given your powers for a reason,’ she said softly. ‘You’ll find out what, eventually. Until then, your calling is to watch movies with me and make fun of them.’ Ivyanne turned in time to see the actress in the scene lift the fingers of the male character to her lips and kiss them hesitantly.
‘Oh...man!’ She made a face, twisting towards Ardhi to pull her knees up so she could stretch back and rub her aching feet. ‘This is so awkward.’
‘I think it’s actually kind of sweet,’ he said. ‘To see the woman make the move.’
‘But she’s a virgin!’ Ivyanne said. ‘He should take charge. If he’d pounced when they were on the couch this would have played out much better.’
Ardhi didn’t say anything to this. Ivyanne glanced at him, a chill running down her spine when she discovered that his grey were trained on her, not the screen. When he’d glanced at her last, they’d been twinkling with merriment. Now, however, his look was dark and contemplative.
‘Maybe he’s nervous.’ He said quietly, his gaze lowering to her mouth. ‘Maybe she’s so beautiful, so out of his grasp, that even though he wanted to pounce her, he was terrified of what would happen if he did.’ His eyes moved down her neck, lingering there, and he wet his lips. ‘Maybe he’s a virgin too, and wouldn’t know where to start.’
Ivyanne replayed what she’d said last in her mind and, and almost cringed on the phrase: ‘He should have just pounced while they were on the couch.’
I am so stupid. She thought, mortified and rendered speechless by her own idiocy. No wonder The Little Mermaid had her tongue cut out! I could stand to be turned to sea foam, right now!
Knowing she had nothing to say in response to that, that wouldn’t make her feel like a bigger heel, or embarrass poor Ardhi, she turned back to the screen, heart racing as she was forced to come to terms with the obstacle lying between them, and the prospect of a renewed friendship. He was still in love with her. And his flirtatious words, whether spoken because he thought he’d been provoked, or merely because he wanted to be-indicated that he still wanted more than she could ever give.
The question was-could he grow out of it? Was he even going to try? Or was his stubborn nature going to keep lighting torches for her until he burned them all to cinders?
‘Or maybe the actors just couldn’t work up some decent chemistry. I mean, you can’t force that kind of thing, can you?’ She nodded towards the screen again, and went for a subject change. ‘Doesn’t she look a bit like Lux?’
Ardhi draped his arm across the back of the couch, resting it against her hair, and inched closer. ‘A little…’ he said softly. ‘As for the lack of chemistry-well he hasn’t kissed her yet, has he? I dare say that when he does, it’ll heat up.’
Ivyanne’s stomach rolled. Oh no oh no! She thought, wildly searching for a valid reason to extricate herself from the situation without looking desperate.
‘Ivyanne?’ Her mother’s voice carried over the top of the movie easily. ‘Have you seen my crown? I had it out the other day remember? Only now, it’s gone missing.’
‘Oh!’ Ivyanne tried to conceal her relief as she sprang to her feet. ‘Yeah, Lux had it the other night. I took it up to my room. I’ll go get it now, so you can lock it away until the wedding.’
‘Want me to pause the movie?’ Ardhi asked.
‘Nah, I can miss this part. It’s just not working for me.’ Ivyanne said, practically trotting across the dining room.
‘Oh...okay.’ Ardhi sounded somewhat disgruntled. ‘Hurry back.’
‘Sure.’ The lie left her lips even as she was thinking of reasons to have to return to the mainland immediately. When she turned to pass her mother and head up the stairs, Vana’s hand shot out, gripped hers briefly, and squeezed.
Ivyanne looked at her, startled, and then realized that her mother knew she had just bailed her out of an uncomfortable situation. She mouthed a ‘thank you’ and Vana nodded, releasing her.
‘You know what Ardhi?’ Vana’s voice followed her up the stairs. ‘I might watch this with you two. Lincoln was raving about it at Saraya’s party, so I might give it another shot.’
‘Ahhh...yeah okay…’ Ardhi sounded less than enthused.
When Ivyanne arrived in her bedroom, she gripped the door jamb and bent over, sighing in relief to be alone and let the shiver of repulsion roll down her spine unchecked.
Dammit Ardhi! How can you love someone who is repelled by your intimacy? How can you be so oblivious to it? How can I make you see that I was more comfortable when there was hatred in your eyes, instead of lust?
When that was out of her system, she moved to her antique white-washed dresser and picked up the square box she’d dumped there the other night while furious with Lux. The dresser was bare, as was most of her room, stripped except for a few comforts she’d left behind for when she visited.
Mum will wear this on Saturday night, she thought, opening the box and smiling fondly down at the circlet for the first time ever. It was tradition for the crown to be worn by the queen at all significant events. I hope the humans just think she’s eccentric. I hope it makes Ardhi realize this is actually happening!
But something was off- instead of being perched directly on it’s blue velvet backing, the crown was atop a piece of folded paper. Ivyanne put the box down, moved the crown to the dressing table surface, and opened the piece of paper. It was a note, written like a letter, in beautiful script. And it was addressed to her.
Dear Ivyanne,
If you are reading this near Ardhi, hide it now. Read alone.
I wanted to apologize for any unnecessary strain I’ve put on your relationship with Lincoln. He is a wonderful man-but I don’t want him. I merely don’t want you together right now, and have been trying to drive him out of your arms, and out of harm’s way.
I recently returned to my house in New Zealand, and was disturbed to find evidence that someone had been staying there. I don’t know all the facts yet, and I am hesitant to put anything to paper that will incriminate Ardhi unfairly-and will do my best to prove him innocent of my disloyal instincts before I say more...but his return today was not as much of a surprise to me as you might have expected-I’ve come to Seaview believing that it was imminent.
In my house, hidden in my closet, was a note, written in lipstick warning me tha
t if something happened to Lincoln or Tristan-that it was Ardhi’s doing. But that I shouldn’t raise the issue until I was in a position to kill him. It was unsigned.
I love Ardhi, and I have to have faith that he is a good boy, and not capable of doing harm more than he already has. But caring for him means getting to the root of the issue.
I am not prepared to kill him, as instructed by the note in my closet. I never could be. But I will implore him to be honest. God willing, he is.
I will say nothing more now, and will come to destroy this note, or tell you I was wrong, if warranted.
But if I learn something sinister, I will meet you at sunrise on the beach in front of your house-Ardhi never was a morning person- every morning until you come, to confess all I know without him being aware of it.
Please, use caution, and keep your darling Lincoln safe.
-Lux.
Ivyanne’s hands curled around the note, crushing it. Her mind had been wiped of everything but panic. Had Lux come? The note had been written on Saturday, before she’d picked the fight with Ivyanne, shoving the box into her arms-on purpose. Planted. Executed beautifully.
And it was still there. Lux hadn’t come to take it, or her warning back. So what did that mean? Dread filled her stomach and suddenly, sunrise couldn’t come fast enough.
‘Ivyanne?’ Her mother’s voice called up the stairs. ‘Lincoln is on the phone! He sounds quite desperate to talk to you honey!’
Ivyanne acted quickly, pulling open one of the empty drawers in her dresser and stuffing the note towards the back, behind some odd socks. Then she replaced the crown in it’s box and snapped the lid shut. Blood pounding in her ears, she hurried downstairs, trying to compose her face.
‘Yeah, here she is,’ Vana covered the mouthpiece of the phone and held it out. ‘Are you two okay?’ She asked quietly, frowning. ‘He sounds nervous.’
Ivyanne glanced over at the back of Ardhi’s head, Lux’s warning foremost in her mind-especially the Lincoln part.