“I told you, no matter how old you get I will always be able to best you,” Titus bragged.
“One day I will beat you and I will not give up until I do,” said Makoa taunting him.
“We shall see.” Titus grinned and gave a nod to Makoa.
“What’cha guys been up to?” Lana smiled to see how much Titus and Makoa loved each other; they really were brothers in her eyes. Makoa had been abandoned as a young mer and Titus’ father and mother raised him as their own.
“Today we have hunted the large squid that was eating our food supply,” said Makoa proudly. He raised his arms to show the small circular wounds that he received while wrestling with the tentacles. They were on his torso, neck and all over his arms.
“Wow, are you guys okay?” Lana asked looking to Titus and then Tarrock as she realized that her son had also been on the hunt.
“Tarrock is fine and I only received a few wounds after I saw that Makoa might lose the battle,” Titus chuckled.
“I was besting the beast and you did not need to interfere,” Makoa said with a grin.
“I’m not so sure that was the case,” said Talei with a smile as she swam to the ledge where Lana and Rose were sitting. She now wore her crown of black pearls.
“You were no where near me,” said Makoa and then splashed Talei.
Talei held onto the rock ledge and kicked water at Makoa with her feet, “Yes I was!”
Makoa grabbed her feet and then pulled her under the water. When Makoa surfaced, Talei clung to his neck as she rode upon his back laughing and then she let go of him and swam back to the ledge near Lana and Rose.
Lana couldn’t help but watch Rose as she watched the two of them. She also noticed that Makoa never looked at Rose.
Rose sensed her mother watching and quickly looked away and said to Talei, “I am glad that you enjoyed the hunt for Makoa’s Birthday.”
“It was so fun Rose, you should’ve come,” said Talei with a bright smile.
“I was not invited, but I would not have come even if I had been,” Rose said as she looked up to Prince Makoa and timidly said, “Happy Birthday.”
Before Makoa could even say thank you, Rose dove into the water and swam away. Makoa looked to Titus and Titus nodded his head with a stern expression and Makoa quickly jumped into the water to follow after her.
Rose swam into the coral reef gardens and passed many statues of dolphins, mermaids and mermen standing among the coral. She swam through several marble archways that led to her favorite spot, which was also the favorite of her parents. There was a bench near the statues of Queen Horaios and King Titan. They were also made of marble and had the resemblance of Princess Lana and Prince Titus. The coral was especially beautiful in this section of the gardens with several shades of purple and orange. Princess Rose thought it the most beautiful of all the coral reefs she had seen throughout the Oceans she had traveled.
Prince Makoa slowed his pace; he knew where Princess Rose would be. He had seen her there many times before. Why do my words leave me when I am near her? Makoa thought. And why do I always frighten her so? He swam through the last archway where he knew her to be and saw her swimming over the coral and playing with the tiny orange and white clown fish that darted in and out. She was the fairest of all maidens to him. She still seemed so young and yet, she now had the form of a mermaid with her long hair beginning to turn and her delicate white skin and glistening blue-green tail. She favored her mother in beauty. He could not help but stare at her; he had never allowed himself to look upon her so intently before.
Rose looked up with surprise and was somewhat frightened. She never suspected that Prince Makoa would follow her and would be so near to her and alone; he had never done so before.
“I do not wish to frighten you Princess Rose, I only wish to offer my apology for not inviting you to the hunt. I did not think that you would wish to join or I would have done so.” He couldn’t believe he just said that.
“It is well Prince Makoa; I would not go on any hunt. I know my cousin Talei enjoys them and I could see why you would have invited her.
“Yes, she does enjoy hunting,” Makoa chuckled.
“Yes she does,” Rose giggled, but also realized that he had invited Talei. Rose looked at his wounds and said, “Do they hurt?”
“No, I have had worse, but the squid was a worthy opponent and a prize to be had. I have sent a portion to your family. After all, your father did help me.” Prince Makoa grinned.
Rose could not help but look beyond his wounds and to his broad muscular chest. He was one of the strongest mermen in her father’s guard and second in command. Although he was of Native-American human descent, he was a Prince and was a suitable mate for a Princess like her. Even she had some of the same ancestry from her mother. Rose continued to stare at his strong arms that could crush her in an instant and she felt fear rising within her once more with his closeness.
Prince Makoa sensed that Rose was still frightened of his nearness and he said, “I must go, your father and Micah have other plans for me this night.” He smiled and bowed his head to her and then looked directly at her as though he might say more, but then turned and swam away.
Rose was speechless, why am I always so frightened of him, she thought. Will I never be able to calm my fears in his presence?
~~~
When Rose returned to her home, she was glad to find it empty. She had so many emotions stirred up by Prince Makoa in the gardens. She had grown up with him being close to her and her family. He was older and had always been a comfort to her before. She had memories of riding his back on occasion when the mer migrated to the South Pacific and the North Atlantic, not to mention horse play with him and her cousins during the years of her youth. Rose could not understand why she now felt afraid of him. Where is this fear coming from? You know him Rose, you always have, she thought.
Lana swam through the entrance of her home and was glad to see that Rose had returned. She sensed that perhaps something had happened between Rose and Prince Makoa. “Are you alright Rose?”
“Yes mother, why would I not be?”
“I don’t know, I wondered if you and Prince Makoa had a chance to talk.”
“Yes, he spoke briefly to me in the gardens.”
“Oh, that’s nice. Do you wanna talk about it?”
“I do and I do not; I am quite confused by all of it.” Rose gave a half grin.
“Confused by what?” Lana tried to hold back a smile.
“I have always thought Prince Makoa to be like one of my uncles and now I find him to be different.”
“Did he try and harm you Rose?” Lana asked as she felt fear in her daughter.
“No mother, how could you think that of him? He would never harm me, and yet, I do fear him.” Rose looked down as she twisted her hair in her fingers.
“Oh, I see. You know, I was afraid of your dad the first time I met him, and even after getting to know him a little; he was so big and strong.”
Rose smiled and said, “You afraid of father, I cannot imagine it. He would never harm you mother,” Rose giggled.
“Yeah I know that now, but I didn’t know it then. I can see how your feelings might be changing for your uncle.” Lana gave a wide grin.
“I really did not think of him in such a way until today. I saw the way he and Talei were together and I know that it is his birthday.” Rose bit her lower lip.
“That doesn’t mean he cares for her other than a niece. You two grew up with Prince Makoa helping to look after you and all of your cousins. Time will tell Rose.”
“I know mother, I just do not know if I want him to care for me, or for my cousin Talei whom I love and would wish only happiness for them both,” Rose sighed.
“Yeah, love can get a little crazy sometimes. Again, time will tell which one it’s to be. Kid if you do like him, you might wanna give him a hint,” Lana giggled.
“Mother, I could never do such a thing! I will pray that Arius will choose
the one for Prince Makoa and that He would bless them both with many years together.”
“That’s really beautiful Rose,” Lana said as she smiled and gave her daughter a hug.
~~~
When Prince Makoa surfaced inside the cavern, only the men remained and Jedediah and Cole had joined them.
“Well, if it isn’t the birthday boy!” called out Cole with a grin.
“Hey, Happy Birthday!” said Jedediah and then gave Makoa a fist bump as he swam to the ledge.
Makoa jumped up on the ledge next to Titus and saw that the men were playing cards on an old coffee table that Micah had salvaged.
Titus laid down a card and then spoke in his mind to Makoa, “How did it go?”
“About the same,” said Makoa disappointedly.
All of the men, except for the Fijians, had heard their thoughts but acted as though they hadn’t and continued to play cards.
“These things take time,” said Titus with a grin and slapped Makoa on the back.
“Okay, you gonna join us birthday boy?” Cole taunted him.
“I shall; Jedediah you will have to tell me if I mess up.” Makoa grinned.
“Okay, just remember, the bird is the most important one.” Jedediah grabbed a handful of peanuts and cracked open one offering it to Makoa, knowing he wouldn’t take it.
“Yes, that one I do remember and no thank you I have had my fill of squid,” Makoa said with a chuckle.
“Would you like a soda?” Micah offered with raised brows.
“The Sea provides all the drink I need.” Makoa grinned once more, knowing they were toying with him.
“Well let’s get to it boys, we don’t have all night,” said Cole with a mischievous grin; he knew he had the best hand and was guarding his thoughts about the matter.
~~~~~
CHAPTER 7
GUARDING SECRETS
With a hurricane in the forecast, Jedediah couldn’t resist the chance for some big-time surfing; with the help of Robbie. He was able to ride the front of his performance board on the back of Robbie’s Jet Ski and hold on as Robbie and Lizzy drove him out to deeper water where the swells were really picking up.
Lizzy held on tight around Robbie’s waist. She had made sure to pin up her hair and even put combs on either side to hold her bangs in place. She spoke to Jedediah in her mind, “Are you sure you really wanna do this?”
“Yep,” answered Jedediah and he let go of the Jet Ski and quickly paddled his board at just the right angle and began to feel the swell and stood up quickly shredding the wave and even ripped it up on one double-overhead swell.
“Woo hoo that is sick! You know your brother’s crazy right!” Robbie said as he looked back to Lizzy.
“Yeah, I know it.” Lizzy grinned and gripped Robbie tighter as the winds were picking up.
“Man, I can’t believe your dad doesn’t mind you guys surfin in this weather.”
“I guess he knows we’re pretty good swimmers,” Lizzy said, but inside wished she could tell him why they were such good swimmers and that they have at least a dozen relatives swimming below them at this very moment.
Jedediah rode the wave closer to shore and then sat on his board as the surf died down and waited for Robbie and Lizzy to return. As he did, he felt Makoa beneath him.
“How are the waves today?” Makoa smiled just below the water’s surface as he swam by him.
“A little rough, nothing I can’t handle,” Jedediah said in his mind.
“I wish I could ride the Jet Ski,” said Prince Keola.
“Hey, believe me, I wish I had your tail to swim with,” Jedediah chuckled as he paddled toward Robbie and Lizzy.
“You wanna go again?” Robbie asked as he drove up.
“I think I’ll let Lizzy have a turn.” Jedediah grinned.
Lizzy answered with a half grin, “Jed I didn’t bring my board and I wasn’t exactly expecting to surf.”
“Do it if you want to.” Robbie smiled back to her.
“Come on Sis, it’s only gonna get rougher,” Jedediah teased.
“Okay, I guess I’ll do it just this once.” Lizzy jumped off of Robbie’s Jet Ski and traded places with Jedediah. She got the surfboard secure and held on as Robbie began to take her out.
“Go Lizzy go!” said Talei and Rose beneath them.
Lizzy said back in her mind, “Yeah, us girls gotta prove that we can do it too.”
The water was getting rougher, but even though Lizzy didn’t have the strength of Jedediah, she did have the capability of staying under water nearly as long as he could.
Robbie drove out to the same area and saw it was beginning to rain and he looked back to Lizzy, “Sure you wanna do this?” He smiled with raised brows.
“Yep,” Lizzy said as she slid the board off the back of the Jet Ski and looked for the right swell and paddled with it. She wasn’t used to the performance board, but she was able to carve off the top of a big one with it. This is great! She thought.
A speed boat filled with guys from their high school drove by Robbie and Jedediah. They swung wide and a skier sprayed them both. “Hey Jedediah!” waved a dark haired tanned girl in a neon-green bikini.
“Hey Josie!” Jedediah waved with a wide grin. “Man Robbie, why do those guys always get the babes?”
“I don’t know, I think I’ve got one better. You could do so much better too Jed.” Robbie grinned back to him.
“Hey, you know you’re talking about my sister,” Jedediah chuckled. If only I could let go and allow myself to get close to someone without giving away our family secret, Jedediah thought.
Lizzy quickly shredded the wave, while riding it towards the shore.
A green and black Jet Ski sped right in front of her and she lost her balance and was thrown into the surf and felt the crushing force of the wave. When she surfaced, she saw who it was.
Billy, with Bo Baldwin behind him, sped donuts around Lizzy with his Jet Ski.
“Look, its little Lizzy tryin to surf,” said Bo and both the boys laughed at her.
“Leave me alone!” Lizzy yelled as she tried to pull Bo Baldwin off of the back of the Jet Ski by grabbing onto his leg.
Bo reached down and pulled one of Lizzy’s combs out of her hair as they passed.
Billy revved up just as he saw Robbie coming for him, “If you want your comb back, then you better dive for it!” said Billy and Bo threw it into the water. Billy took off as quick as the Jet Ski could go.
Jedediah jumped from the back of Robbie’s Jet Ski and tried to grab them as they passed but they were too quick for him.
“Are you okay Lizzy?” Robbie asked as he drove next to her.
“I’m alright, I just lost one of my combs that used to belong to my grandmother, I’ll find it,” she said and then dove below. When she swam beneath, she was met by Maiele who held her comb in his hand and gave it to her. “Thanks.” Lizzy smiled.
“You are welcome,” said Maiele with a wink.
“Prince Makoa swam after those boys,” Talei said with a grin.
“Good, serves em right.” Lizzy smiled.
“Is that your Robbie?” Rose asked.
Lizzy looked up to see Robbie swimming down to her. “Ah oh, better go,” she said to her cousins and then swam up quickly to meet him before he got too close to the mer.
Robbie wrapped his arms around Lizzy as they surfaced. “Lizzy are you okay, you frightened me to death. I can’t believe you tried to swim for that comb.” Robbie helped her onto the Jet Ski.
“I’m okay Robbie and I found it, see.” She showed him the whale bone comb within her hand.
“How’d you do that?” Robbie was in shock.
“Actually I got it halfway down; I guess it didn’t sink as fast as I thought it would.” I’m not exactly lying to Robbie about the comb, she thought.
Jedediah watched the Baldwins until he couldn’t see them anymore, boy you guys are in some serious trouble, he thought and then swam and got his board and slid it
back onto Robbie’s Jet Ski and they all three drove home.
~~~
Prince Makoa swam beneath the Baldwins and knew they needed a lesson in manners. As he followed, he began to push the Jet Ski upward with his hand on the bottom, causing it to bounce off the surface of the water.
With the wind, rain and swells, the Baldwin brothers weren’t sure what they were hitting. “You think we’re gonna make it?” Bo called out to Billy.
“Yeah, just hang on tight!” said Billy as he revved the Jet Ski as much as he dared, trying to get into the Harbor before things turned worse.
Legend of the Mer II THE NEW GUARDIAN Page 7