Silent Mermaid: A Retelling of The Little Mermaid (The Classical Kingdoms Collection Book 5)

by Brittany Fichter

  Arrogant man. Impudent, presumptuous, self-centered, self-righteous man! Arianna fumed as she stormed along the halls toward her room. Too long she’d been held captive by his pathetic gaze. Well, she would be duped by his personal allure no longer! From now on she was finished helping him. She would help the girls and no one else.

  Arianna turned a corner so fast she nearly stumbled, but she didn’t slow as she continued to her room. Why had she ever made excuses for him? His life wasn’t the only one that was difficult, and if such hardships were revealing the true nature of his heart, then she, for one, was thankful that she was never the recipient of the attention of such a—

  Running footsteps in the hall behind her interrupted her personal vent. She refused to turn and give him the impression that she might want his attention. So she continued striding until a hand grasped her arm and spun her back around.

  She glared up defiantly at the prince. She would have nothing to say to him, even if she could.

  He did not apologize, as she expected, however. He only held up the parchment she had fixed and held it in the air. His mouth opened, but it was a long moment before anything came out. Finally, he said,

  “Meet me tomorrow morning at the stables. There’s something you need to see.”

  20

  An Outing

  As he saddled the horses, Michael was still cursing himself for his assumptions the night before. Not only had she saved the crown a bag of gold with her figures, but the incident had proved once and for all what a cold, distant churl he was becoming. He hadn’t been the one to verbally assault her, he tried to argue with his conscience. His mother had. But he had stood by and said nothing. And the way Arianna marched into the stables confirmed that.

  Her little glance up at the horse, however, confirmed that she was also terrified.

  Michael, you are a dolt. Mermaids don’t ride horses. Why for the love of all that’s holy would you suggest this?

  “I’m . . . sorry. I didn’t think—”

  But she only shook her head and placed one foot awkwardly in the horse’s stirrup. Without thinking, Michael extended his hand to help her up, but she swatted it away and continued trying to haul herself up onto the horse. After two minutes without success, however, she let out a huff and held out her hand, still not looking at him.

  Although still as angry as he was with himself, Michael suppressed a grin as he hoisted her up into the saddle. It was like watching a stubborn little bird trying to fly while her wings were still wet. She squeezed the saddle horn until her knuckles went white, and all thoughts of helping her learn to sit sidesaddle vanished from his mind. That she was on the horse was enough.

  He didn’t try to talk with her again until they were both seated and he had started their animals down to the path toward the city.

  “I would offer an apology for the way I’ve behaved lately,” he began, sure he would lose his nerve if he waited any longer to speak. “Since you’ve gotten here, really. But I’m afraid no single apology would do. I have been detached, suspicious, unhelpful, temperamental at best, and a spineless louse at worst.” He turned just enough to sneak a glance back at her.

  She was glaring down at her mount.

  I know she’s listening, but let her hear me, he prayed to the Maker. “I . . . I can’t blame you for distrusting or being angry with me. I mean, my mother is technically queen, but it is not as though she actually takes . . .” He let the words trail off, however, when her mouth tightened slightly. This wasn’t going the way he had hoped. Perhaps he should have left her at home that morning after all.

  “My mother is technically queen,” he hurried on before his courage left him again, though he couldn’t really say why he was nervous at all. “She holds all the legal power of the land until I am married. But as she has no desire to fulfill such duties, and I am next in line, most of those responsibilities have fallen to me. This would be agreeable, except that she likes to take the power back whenever it suits her. Of course, she likes to remind me that it would be easier for all if I just . . .”

  He sighed and shook his head to himself. What was he doing? She wasn’t even listening to him. “ . . . if I just got married,” he finished to himself.

  When he turned to check on her horse, however, he found that she was staring at him with wide sky-blue eyes, her head slightly tilted to the side. When he met her stare, she made a rolling motion with her hand.

  “What?”

  She held up her hand and pretended to slip a ring on her finger then pointed to him.

  “Oh, you mean about me getting married?”

  She nodded and Michael smiled a little at the intensity of her stare. “Nothing you would want to hear about. Here, relax your grip a little. Your fingers will fall off if you squeeze the saddle that tightly the whole ride.”

  They slowly made their way down the gentle slope of the Sun Palace’s great hill to where the path opened up. Michael used the opportunity to draw her horse up beside his and study her discreetly. Even without his mother’s gown or jewels, she was uncommonly pretty. Of course, he had thought she was lovely all those years before when she’d saved him, but in a moment of peril, one might think an old salty sailor beautiful for saving one’s life. Now that she was here in the weak light of the cloudy morning, though, he was surprised that he hadn’t really seen the depth of her beauty before. Not that he had time to be admiring women at the moment . . . but still . . . he wondered what her hair would look like if she let it down. Then it dawned on him that he had never seen her hair in anything other than a practical knot at the back of her head. Curls so pale they were nearly white spilled down in a few places, framing an oval face with eyes the color of the sky. Michael racked his memory to find another merperson with features so fair, but he couldn’t remember even if his life had depended upon it. Every merperson he’d ever met had had shockingly white skin, even whiter than hers, and hair and eyes just a little browner than ebony. Her skin, though very light, looked as if she had actually seen the sun once or twice in her life.

  They came to the bluffs that overlooked the city and bay. It was one of Michael’s favorite spots on the royal grounds. Close enough to the palace that his mother hadn’t been able to nag him about wandering, and far enough away not to hear her voice. The only sounds this morning were gulls harmonizing with the wind and the waves. Often he craved such quiet, but now there was one voice he suddenly wished very much to hear.

  “I’m afraid I will apologize again and again for my behavior until I feel it is completely pardonable, but I think you might find my actions easier to forgive if you knew what a predicament I’m in.”

  He didn’t miss the spark in her eyes at his mention of his behavior. Good. She was listening, if nothing else. Emboldened, Michael went on. “Unfortunately, it seems that my grandfather was not only involved with the pirates, but he was also frivolous. After growing up in a time of plenty, he had never learned to want. As a result, my mother never learned to want. Everything they wanted they simply had.” His throat was suddenly thick.

  “My father was different, though. I don’t know if you’re aware of it or not, but he wasn’t like them at all.” He felt bitterness sprouting up within him all over again. “He wasn’t the direct heir, so he would only have been the interim king after my grandfather passed, had he made it that far.” He was very close to choking on his words now. How had this wound reopened so quickly after nearly six years?

  Another glance at his companion revealed a much softer look on her face than he’d seen all morning. Her blue eyes were wide, and her lips were slightly parted. Something told him that even in his deepest pain, he was in good company. What sorrows have you seen? he wanted to ask her. But instead, he turned back to the path as it wound down the side of the bluff and to the bay.

  The city was mostly hidden from view of the castle by the thin line of tropical forest that ran the length of the peninsula. Michael had always wished that he could see the city better from the palac
e towers, for he had always thought it a pretty scene with buildings bleached white by the sun. The way Arianna’s mouth fell open would have been highly gratifying now, had the city been as splendorous as it was six years before.

  But now Michael kept his head high and his eyes trained on the royal port as they came to the bottom of the hill and began to move into the streets through the horses, carts, and the throng of people who no longer could afford to keep their own animals. A few of the passersby dropped bows or curtsies, but many only stared as their prince passed by. He nodded vaguely at the ones who showed homage, but the others he ignored, or tried to, anyway. He didn’t look at their worn, tattered clothes, nor did he see their thin, hungry faces. He didn’t have to. He had them memorized already.

  After moving past the first few clusters of homes, Michael turned back to Arianna and mumbled, “the market,” without even stopping. If it could even be called that anymore. He’d planned to say nothing more about the pathetic line of stalls, but her eyes implored him so greatly when he glanced back at her that he pulled her horse up beside his again.

  “Before the war,” he said in a low voice, “this was a thriving center of trade. See how its length is the same as the four streets that meet it? Merchants and traders came from not only the western realm, but even from the east, south, and the far north to gain our treasures from the deep.” He gestured to a cart that was selling a load of mottled, skinny carrots and a few bushels of dry corn. “But now we have nothing to trade. Your people were our source of sea goods. And now that they’re gone, the fishermen can’t fish outside the bay for fear of the sea monsters that lurk even in shallow waters. Like the one that got you.”

  She turned and looked up at the peninsula’s hills, covered in trees.

  Michael shook his head. “Our soil is too sandy to grow much more than a few kinds of food, and without trade, we have no money to purchase grain, cotton, and timber from anyone else.” He gave a dark chuckle. “Cook doesn’t make soup every night because we like it.”

  He watched her carefully as she frowned in thought. After a moment, her eyes widened and horror washed over her features. She whipped her head around again and began to study the people anew.

  Michael felt his heart thump unevenly. “Please do not think I’m blaming you,” he said quickly. “You saved my life. Without you, I would have been dead like my father.” His throat tightened. “My mother would be interim queen for my brother, who, don’t tell him I said this, is a genius with the sword but a dunce when it comes to monetary matters.”

  She tore her gaze away from the people and watched him with wide, unreadable eyes.

  He took a deep breath, suddenly feeling like a fool. “I suppose I just wanted you to know why I’ve been a slave to my duty. I wasn’t always like this . . .” He looked back at the throng they were leaving behind. “I’m just trying to save them the best way I know how.” His voice cracked in an annoying way, and he looked back at her, suddenly wishing greatly for her to understand. “Wouldn’t you?”

  With a sad smile, she hesitated before reaching out and squeezing his hand. She let go immediately, but her message was clear.

  Yes. Yes, she would.

  They didn’t speak again until they reached the naval port. As they rode toward their destination, however, Michael realized that the quiet solitude he so often sought on his horse was not what he wanted now at all.

  Emotions flitted across her face faster than he could decipher them, and her silence was charged with tension. She was like a butterfly trying to burst forth from its encasement. What would her voice sound like, he wondered.

  “You made it! I was about to send Gilly after you!” Lucas hopped down from the ship onto the dock and held his arms out dramatically.

  “Arianna has never ridden a horse before. I didn’t want to rush her. All things considered, though, I think she did quite well.” Michael dismounted then turned to help Arianna. He had quite forgotten, however, how difficult riding is in the beginning. The look of shock on Arianna’s face brought him another round of self-scorn when her legs buckled. Michael caught her just before she hit the ground. A few of the men on the ship chuckled, but one look from Lucas silenced them immediately.

  “You had her ride all the way here on her first try?” Lucas leaned over and whispered as he took her other arm. “Are you daft?”

  “Apparently.” Michael wanted to kick himself. “I am so sorry,” he said to Arianna. “You were doing so well that I completely forgot it was your first ride. Will you be all right?”

  Arianna’s fair face turned pink as she gritted her teeth and let them lead her to an empty barrel. Her strides were wide and bowed, and she continued to clench her teeth. Michael felt relief, however, when she sat and looked as though she might actually laugh.

  “So, what was it that you wanted to see me about today?” Michael straightened and looked at his brother.

  “Do you recognize her?” Lucas bounded back to the ship and slapped her side.

  Michael squinted, then had to suppress a gasp. “Is that our flagship?”

  “Lady Elisabet? Yes, she is. And she had a run-in with a few of Bras’s little shag boats.”

  Michael let out a whistle as he walked down the dock to see more of the holes that had been blown into the sides of the once-whitewashed ship. Her name was unreadable for the chunks of wood missing from the massive hull, and her sides had been stained black and brown from the explosions of casum ball dust. He felt even more disappointed, silly as it was, when he realized the elegant, shiny red railings had all been either damaged beyond repair or were gone completely.

  “How many were injured?”

  “By the Maker’s mercy, just three. And none of them were mortal wounds. But as you can see, the ship’s going nowhere fast. Unless . . .” Lucas gave him a meaningful look, but Michael was already shaking his head.

  “I told you. The Council of Lords must approve it first. I’ve sent missives to them telling them to come to the palace tomorrow. We’ll—” Before he could finish, a ruckus to his right turned both their heads.

  “What kind of evil have you brought upon us?” An old sailor hollered at Arianna. He had grabbed her arm and was trying to yank her off the barrel.

  Michael had his knife out and at the man’s throat in an instant, pressing him into the ground. Lucas took Arianna. The old man struggled, but Michael kept his knife steady.

  “Since when is it acceptable to assault maidens in the streets?” he growled.

  “’Twouldn’t be if she was human!” The old man spat in Arianna’s direction. “But I seen this one when I was fishing! She’d perch up and stare at the palace for hours!” He glared at Arianna and hissed at her when they made eye contact. “Sure as day, this one’s a mermaid.” He looked around at the small crowd that was beginning to gather. “Must’ve used black magic of sorts. Look at her legs!” He leered. “Not bad ones, though.”

  Michael jerked the old man back and pressed his knife even harder against his throat. And though he didn’t have a violent nature, Michael suddenly had the urge to teach the old sailor some manners he wouldn’t forget.

  “You would insult your future king this way?” Lucas snapped, his hazel eyes boring into the old man’s round, leathered face.

  “He’ll never be king at this rate.” The old man sneered. “Have to be married before becoming king! Besides, can’t put me in the stocks. I’ve it on very good authority that you hadn’t enough coin to keep your stocks master.”

  Michael kept his knife pressed hard as he yanked a key from his shirt pocket. “I know perfectly well how to operate the stocks myself. I also hold the key.” He shook the long gnarled brass key in the man’s face. “So do not for a moment think I have any qualms about locking you up and leaving you to the birds myself.”

  At this, the old man’s eyes glazed over, and Michael stared him down for a moment longer, daring him to say anything else. When he didn’t, Michael handed his brother the key and took Arianna
protectively in his arms. She turned her face into his chest and pressed herself against him. The way she shook beneath his arms, which he had instinctively wrapped around her, made him burn inside. Michael looked at his brother.

  “Have him locked up until his mind is clear of ale. And if he starts on again, return him to me and I will do it myself.”

  When the man had been hauled away, Michael turned back to Arianna. Her face had lost what little color it had, and her eyes were the size of teacup saucers.

  “Did he hurt you?” Without waiting for an answer, Michael took her arms and began to look for bruises. As he did, she continued to stare after the man with a look of horror on her face. Why was she so afraid of the old man? She had, after all, struck a pirate lord without hesitation. And Bras was far more dangerous than an old drunk. Then it hit him.

  The pirate lord hadn’t known her secret.

  “Lucas!” But when Michael looked up, Lucas was already gone. So Michael called over to one of the sailors. “Go find Prince Lucas. Tell him instead to take the old man to the palace dungeon. I don’t want the lout anywhere near the public!”

  As soon as the sailor was gone, Michael led Arianna to a low wall that looked out over the pier. She was still shaking, and Michael felt a new kind of helplessness overtake him.

  “What can I do?” he asked. His hands felt awkward and useless hanging at his sides as she wrapped her arms around herself and shivered. It was a position he’d seen Claire take often after her parents had died. And he hated it. What had he done on those horrible days when he’d very nearly lost her? Would his little tricks help Arianna, too?

  “Would you like to go out on the water?” he asked.

  She looked at him as though he’d lost his mind.

  “I mean,” he stumbled to clarify, “out on a boat. It’s pretty out on the bay, and the sea monsters haven’t made it there as of yet.”