by Starla Night
“Tell me what you desire,” he said.
“Please don’t be angry.”
“I am not angry.”
“You sound angry.”
“I do not wish to frighten you, human female.”
“Human female,” she repeated with a small laugh. “Right. Ha ha. That’s what I am to you.”
He ducked his head.
“No! Mon—er, ah. I mean.” She blew out a long stream of air. “I’m not scared. Not anymore. But I would like, if you aren’t busy, to talk.”
“We are talking.”
“In the raft. I mean. I mean, um, please come into the raft and talk.” She rubbed her elbows. “It’s a little lonely up here.”
He clambered into the raft.
She pushed as far away from him as possible. Her soul light plunged to black, and her gasp filled with horror. “You’re naked!”
He rested one knee on the floor of the raft. “Yes.”
“Wh-what happened to your clothes?”
“I left them on the Coast Guard cutter.”
“Why?!”
“They restrict movement.”
She stared.
He looked down at the body that paralyzed her with horror.
Thick, ropey scars crisscrossed every plane of his body. His two separate thighs, knees, calves, ankles, and long mer fins. Marks of weapons he had not evaded. Wounds that had never healed.
Despite growing a castle in Atlantis, he looked like an exile.
Embarrassing.
And, in her eyes, horrifying.
“Excuse me.” He slipped over the side, into the dark, masking water once more.
“N-no. Wait.” She rocked onto her knees. Her desperate request chased him. “It’s okay. Please don’t mind me. You surprised me. That’s all.”
He lingered.
Her soul light remained steady. She meant her words. She wanted him to sit in the raft subjecting her to his disfigured body.
Perhaps he could risk this. Soon, the darkness would obscure him. She could endure his form for a short time in this twilight.
“Please come back,” she begged.
He heaved himself into the raft once more. His long mer fins snapped into human feet. He crept as far away from her side as he could.
Which was his least-scarred side? He twisted in the spot where he’d deposited her fish.
The spot was empty.
He rose to leave. “I will hunt another fish.”
“No!” She patted the trio of offerings she had stacked beside her, reminding him that she had deliberately hidden the offerings to lure him to the surface. “No. I am, uh, hungry for something other than fish.”
“I will acquire another food. Sal. It is common in these waters. You will like it.”
“Oh! But I’m hungriest for something that’s not food.” She gestured for him to sit again. “Please. Please.”
He sat on his toes.
“Thank you. Thank you.” She touched her forehead and averted her eyes. Her elevated heart rate thudded with the stress of forcing this conversation with a disgusting creature like him. “Now, I can’t keep calling you—uh. Okay. What’s your name?”
“Faier of Atlantis.”
“Of Atlantis?” She brightened with awe. “That’s where you’re from? The mythical Atlantis?”
“No.”
“Oh.” She darkened and hugged herself like she was afraid he was going to be mad. “Um, okay. Uh…”
“Ancient Atlantis sank a thousand years ago. The Great Catastrophe when mer females died out and mankind turned on mer.”
“We did?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“The reason for the war was lost in the catastrophe.”
“I guess that makes sense.” She rubbed her knees, trying to forge ahead but worried about how to speak with him. “You lost your women a thousand years ago?”
“Yes. And because humans hunted us, the All-Council forged an ancient covenant with sacred islands. They saved our race.”
“And that’s what I am. Although my tribe’s island got destroyed before I was born.”
“That happened to many sacred islands. It is the reason for our revolution.”
“And you are from…uh, not Atlantis…”
“Rebel King Kadir planted his Life Tree in the shadow of the ancient wreckage. His new city is also called Atlantis.”
Her thin brows drew together and a hint of a skeptical smile tugged at her lips. “Did you really explain this on Jersey Shore?”
“I have explained it many times. Most recently to the United States Congress. Before that, to the United Nations.”
“Oh. Wow. Oh!” She pressed one hand to her chest and glowed with welcome. “I’m Harmony, by the way.”
“Hello, Harmony of The Way.”
“Huh? Oh! It’s just Harmony.”
“Harmony,” he repeated. “From?”
“From…hah.” She smoothed her threadbare dress. “That’s a complicated question. I guess I’m from nowhere, actually.”
“Where is Nowhere, Actually?” he asked politely.
“It’s nowhere.” She snorted. Her eyes flicked to his—a brief flash of gray-green—and away. “It’s not the name of a place. It’s no place. I’m from nowhere.”
A stab of recognition jolted him. “You are an exile?”
“Yeah. I guess I am.”
“But your injuries…” They were healing. Fading from purple to yellowish green and lifting from her skin.
She rubbed her wrists. “I never would have gotten these in America. That’s where I’m from originally. Omaha. The Iowa side. Well, actually, it’s Council Bluffs. Right next to Omaha. It’s in a landlocked state. Do you know it?”
He shook his head.
His chest froze to ice.
He should not remain here. He should not listen to her story.
He should not believe for one moment they shared a tragic past.
“It’s real America,” she continued in a friendly, nostalgic tone, unaware of his pain. “Casinos, frozen food, meat packing, a pipe plant. I never cared when I lived there, but after a decade in Haiti, I’d give anything to stroll into the Mall of the Bluffs and eat, like, a ten-piece KFC with coleslaw and biscuits and honey.”
“You miss your ancestral foods.”
“I’m not insulting your fish. I swear. My complaints must sound kind of dumb.”
They did not sound dumb.
Her soul light dimmed as if she worried that she’d hurt his feelings. “Sorry. Um, what were we talking about? Oh, how to survive—”
“A certain palm frond only grew in the king’s courtyard of Nerissa.” He lifted his hands to illustrate its size. “Its lavender flowers tasted like your sweet raisins. And long bamboo sticks grew in every nook. They had a satisfying crunch like your potato chip.” He rested his hands in his lap. “I too would give anything to taste these plants again.”
“Did you get deported from Nerissa?”
“It was destroyed in a natural disaster.”
“I’m so sorry.” She rubbed her hands. “Losing your safe home is the worst feeling in the world, isn’t it? Having nowhere to turn to. All your friends and family gone. No money, no job, no nothing.”
“At times, I preferred death.”
She gave his statement a respectful silence.
His torn heart swelled.
This human, Harmony, understood.
Humans did not depend on a Life Tree to survive. They did not swear fealty to a king or defend a city with their lives. Losing her Council Bluffs did not mean her blood would sicken or she would die.
But she understood.
And because of her kind silence, tendrils of healing seeped into the broken cracks of his chest. They burned where they touched his heart.
She sucked in a breath as though shaking off the melancholy. “Now you live in Atlantis. Do you like it? You have friends there?”
“Yes. And also in the rebel cit
y Dragao Azul.”
“I made friends in Haiti too. Even though I’d give anything to go home, I want to make sure my cousins are okay.” She frowned. “Oh. You’ve been gone for days too. Your friends must be worried.”
“Perhaps they will be glad of my absence.”
“Then they’re not very good friends,” she said, coming to his defense.
“My presence on the surface has caused pain.”
“What do you mean?”
“I did not find my bride in New York. So my king sent more warriors starting with Healer Balim.”
Balim had surfaced to lecture humans on the healing properties of Sea Opals. The skeptical healer had also examined Faier. Why had Faier failed to find his bride? What was his problem?
Aside from the obvious, of course.
King Kadir had not expressed discouragement. No, he had worried about exposing Faier to the recently-established, deadly, anti-mer terrorist organization, the Sons of Hercules.
“Perhaps, during my absence, more successful warriors will find their brides,” he finished. “And our city will thrive.”
“Faier…” Her soul glowed with a soft light. “You’ll find a bride.”
“I do not want a bride. I want my bride.”
But she did not desire him. She would never desire him.
And right now, her soul called to him. Her gaze flitted across his scarred body and a strange expression crossed his face. She looked interested. No, not interested. Hungry.
His cock pulsed.
What was this sensation? She was disgusted by his body. Not intrigued by it.
Her slender pink lips parted. Her tongue touched her lips.
He wanted to taste her again so badly his bones ached.
Faier rose and slipped into the water.
“Wait!” Harmony flung herself to the edge of the raft and held out her hand as if to clasp his arm. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“I am not offended.” He was heartbroken. And she was in danger. He might forget her true feelings. His own desires seemed to overwhelm his better sense.
“Ah…” She lowered her outstretched hand to rest on the side of the boat. “Can you still talk?”
“Yes. If you wish.”
“I wish. I really wish.”
She truly wished to prolong their conversation?
He shook his head. “I am a warrior of action. Not words. I cannot give you comfort.”
“I don’t know.” She swirled her fingers in the water. “You’re doing fine to comfort me.”
A strange tightness closed his throat.
He sucked in a breath. His feet unfurled into fins. Part of him wanted to dive beneath the water. Escape these tender feelings. But more wanted him to remain and feel her embrace.
“Then, what do you wish to talk about?” he replied.
“I don’t know. Anything. I like hearing your voice. You’re so steady.” She swirled her fingers in the water again. “It makes me calm.”
Tiny creatures glowed blue in the darkness. Her touch sparkled. Suddenly the creatures swirled around his body surrounding him in bright blue stars.
She rose on her elbows. “Oh! How did you do that? It’s so pretty.”
“I did nothing. You caused this pretty image.”
“It’s like all the stars have fallen into the water. I kind of want to get in.” She danced her own fingers across the surface and the bright colors followed her. “Is this how you always see the ocean?”
“These creatures dwell only on the surface.”
“So we’re both seeing this it for the first time.” She swirled the magical colors. “It’s so beautiful and soothing like the ocean itself is saying, ‘Don’t worry. You’re stranded right now but you’re together. Everything’s going to work out for you.’”
His throat tightened again. “My presence truly gives you comfort?”
“Of course.” She smiled at him like he was missing something important. “You saved my life, Faier. I’m sorry I reacted so badly but I am sincere about my thank you. I’ll never have the chance to save your life because I’m not exactly a super hero, but if I can do anything like…like if we’re ever in Council Bluffs, I’ll treat you to a breaded pork tenderloin.”
He swallowed. “You would do this?”
“Absolutely. I also owe one to Evens and Fab and Monsieur Joseph. We’re all going to meet someday in Council Bluffs. My treat.”
He momentarily couldn’t speak. “…You would invite me into your home?”
“Of course,” she said again, tilting her head. “We’re in this together now. Why are you so surprised?”
He shook his head.
“Ha ha. I know that’s crazy. But if there is anything I can do, I’ll try to help you.”
Her lack of fear in the way she looked directly into his eyes was all the help and thanks he needed. Trust and hope sparkled in chest. He, too, suddenly felt like everything would be all right.
The sparkles faded as the night deepened but Harmony’s warmth kept him near the raft. She peppered him with questions throughout the long night and then, conscious of her human eyes, he slipped away when pink touched the dawn skies. The next evening, Harmony asked him again to remain with her through the night. And the night after as well.
It was madness to return. Madness to obey. Madness to allow her soul to entwine with his when he could not stop his cravings.
During the days, Faier checked through broken slats multiple times to deliver fresh fish before she hungered.
He sorted the surface detritus for the long poles and plastic sheets she had requested to improve her human water collection and shelter.
And at night—for many nights—he engaged in warm conversation from the blue sparkles of twilight until the first light of dawn.
He refused to torture her with his disgusting appearance in daylight.
He refused to torture himself by allowing her any closer. He had already sworn to protect her with his life. His soul cried for more. He must have an illness to desire her when she did not desire him. Humans fell in love by accident. Mer could see another’s soul light. Harmony did not desire him.
And despite their long conversations, Harmony still believed many of her great-grandmother’s fearful tales.
A sacred island bride!
Faier kicked hard, testing his injured right leg as twilight approached on yet another night.
His leg collapsed.
Of all the human females he could have rescued, he’d ended up touching the one female claimed by a hostile, traditional mer city. Any of their warriors would slice his fingers off for touching her and remove his tongue for daring to address her.
He had to return her to Haiti. Then fly away. Fast. Before her warriors avenged her.
Before he cared too deeply.
Never mind that she had kissed him.
Sometimes, her gaze lingered strangely on his scarred chest, and even though he knew she could not see him in the dark, he began to imagine curious desire glowing hot in her soul light. Could she cross the raft, rest her soft hand on his chest, yield her lips once more to his taste? Draw him atop her slim body, dress bunched up around her waist, and smile with welcome while she guided his cock deep into her wet, feminine center—
No. That would never happen.
She feared his nudity and hated his scars. She’d told him so the first day. Her lingering gaze was morbid curiosity. She would never, ever welcome his touch or want him for her husband.
He shoved that painful thought from his mind.
Splish! Splish! Splish! It was twilight two weeks into their long isolation and she summoned him.
He arose with news. “I have found a current that will take us to land.”
Harmony clapped eagerly. “Which land?”
“I do not know.”
Her clapping slowed. “Is it ‘land’ like an island? Or ‘land’ like the Continental United States?”
He shook his head.
; Her shoulders sloped in disappointment.
He’d caused her sadness.
The ocean was a vast place. The surface world, vaster. And until Atlantis had rebelled against the traditional All-Council, exposing the mer’s existence to all humans, no warrior had spent more than the briefest hours on the surface.
He pushed through the sad feeling. “Do you wish to steer to the land?”
“Yeah.” She sighed heavily. “Maybe we can still get home. After freeing Evens, I mean.”
He felt her ache in his soul.
Harmony was an exile. Like him. She was heroically trying to rescue her young cousin from dangerous human warriors and give him a better life. Unlike his Nerissa, her Omaha/Council Bluffs still existed.
“Harmony.”
She shivered. “Yes, Faier?”
“No matter where we land, I will return you to your Council Bluffs in America. I swear it.”
“Thank you.” She hugged her knees and wiggled her adorable unblemished pink toes. “Supposing we get to civilization in one piece, I appreciate the thought. And also thank you for listening to me all these nights, and being kind, and not dragging me back to Atlantis to consume my soul.”
“Mer do not consume souls.”
“Right, I know.” She smiled softly, sharing their joke.
It made his heart clench.
He pushed through his feelings. “And, Harmony, no warrior can ‘drag’ you back to a city. If you do not wish to go then you must not.”
Her smile faded to resignation. “I’m a sacred bride, Faier. Your explanation isn’t that far off from my great-grandmother’s prophecy, which makes me a hot commodity, whether I like it or not.”
“Whether you like it is the most important. If you do not like a warrior, you cannot sync souls. You will never transform. You will remain on the surface.”
“Or else I’ll drown.”
“No, Harmony. Harming a female breaks the first law of the mer. No warrior will force you to do anything. It is dishonorable.”
She snorted. “And no ‘warrior’ ever acts dishonorably, right?”
“Warriors have done so,” he admitted, uncomfortably aware of his own wrong desires. “But even if a warrior did coerce you to transform, female mer can summon great powers. Much greater than any male.”
“Oh, so I have the power over wind and sea? Well, heck, transform me!”
His heart squeezed. “You jest.”