I almost want to defend him. But the truth is, grandfather’s ruling has unfairly shielded us from not only the danger of the human world, but also the pleasures of it, pleasures I myself craved so strongly I was willing to sacrifice the shoal and everything I knew for a chance to experience them.
But what if I could have both? What if I could live like these merfolk, halfway in between? The thought is mesmerizing.
My mind drifts back to all the other merfolk in my shoal who’ve been imprisoned there by Grandfather’s fear, or stubbornness, or selfishness. Don’t they deserve to know the truth?
“So, are you gonna get in trouble if he finds out you came here? Do you need to get back right away?”
I choke back a laugh and it quickly turns to a sob. I wonder what Grandfather thinks happened to me. A small part of me hopes that he doesn’t know the curse is a lie. Maybe the sea witch tricked him, as well. If so, he probably believes I’m dead. But if he knows the truth, would that be worse for him, thinking I chose the land over him?
“Coral, are you okay?” Llyr wraps an arm around my shaking shoulders, pulling me into his firm chest.
I let myself wallow in my sadness for a moment before wiping my tears and lifting my head. “I’ll be all right. It’s just been a rough day.”
“You could probably use some rest. We can hang out here for a while and wait for the ferry to leave if you’re anxious to get going, or we can go back to my house, if you’d like.”
“Here in the shoal?” I glance at the ferry.
“Yeah, I don’t have a place on land yet, but hopefully someday. I still live with my parents,” he admits with a wrinkle of his nose.
“I’d love to meet your family.” I am curious to meet more of these merfolk and find out about their lives. I won’t stay long; I’m eager to return to the land and the men I love, but knowing I have a guaranteed way back soothes some of my anxiety.
Llyr and I walk around the outside of the building on the wide deck. Racks stacked with dry towels and bins filled with wet ones are spaced along the length. A few merfolk swim up to the deck and climb aboard, and a few others drop their towels in the bins and dive into the water.
“Bye, Galon.” Llyr waves when he sees his friend coming out of the door near the restaurant.
“You’re not gonna take the ferry tonight?” he asks, chewing on the last bite of his dinner.
Llyr shrugs. “Coral wants to rest a bit, so I’m going to take her to my house, let her meet my folks, then I might show her around the shoal.”
Galon nods. “Well, while you’re out and about, you ought to introduce her to that mermaid from Persephone’s Cradle. Maybe they even know each other. Actually, she’s who your friend reminds me of.”
I grab Llyr’s arm, my eyes going wide. “There’s someone here from my shoal?”
“Yeah, she’s been here all my life, I forgot that’s where she came from. Her name is Pearl. I doubt you know her, though. She’s probably old enough to be your mother.”
The blood drains from my head, turning my face pale, and rushes to my legs, making me off balance. I wobble for a moment before collapsing.
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Kellie McAllen is a USA Today bestselling author who loves to read, write, and watch fun, flirty, contemporary and paranormal romance stories with quirky, relatable characters and happily ever after endings.
She also likes to guest judge on DWTS (from her living room), watch cat videos with her two kitties, and eat chocolate after every meal.
She lives in North Carolina with her hubby and a teenage kiddo.
www.kelliemcallen.com
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