Tears of the Sea

by Marylu Tyndall

  Perdita would have said yes, save for the knot of emotion stuck in her throat.

  “How incredibly lonely,” he added.

  Her eyes burned, and she fought back tears and turned aside. If only he knew. Nay, she wouldn’t want him to know, to ever experience the agony of such loneliness.

  Lightning etched across the sky in the opening above them as a cream-topped swell charged into the cave, then backed out quickly.

  Savion shifted on the rock and dangled his feet in the water. “During your month on land, how do you break this curse?”

  ♥♥♥

  Savion waited for her answer, his mind still reeling from everything that had happened, everything she had told him. How was any sane man supposed to believe her crazy story? Evil warlocks and curses? It was the stuff of fables and myths.

  “Zost!” she exclaimed as she slipped back into the water. Had it been twenty minutes already?

  Savion breathed a sigh of relief. He was having trouble keeping his eyes off her legs. At least he’d worn a shirt that was thick enough to shield her curves from view. Though the rips and tears in the fabric offered him enough glimpses.

  Beneath the surface, her tail formed again. She was indeed a mermaid. And he was not insane. That much he knew.

  After a few minutes, her head emerged, water sliding back off her silky hair and skin. Green eyes—filled with shame—slowly met his. She started to talk, hesitated, then started again, her chin lowering. “To break the curse, I must find a man who loves me enough to die for me.”

  Thunder growled, closer this time.

  Her words, though simple enough, muddled in his mind. Finally, when their meaning sank in, fury lit in his belly.

  “You followed me.” He started, slowly … methodically … so he could keep his temper in check. “After you saved me, you followed me, pretended to be accosted on the beach so I would carry you aboard my ship. That’s why I couldn’t get rid of you!” His breath came hot. His pulse pounded. “You jumped overboard in the storm. You stole the major’s money in Kadon! You wanted me to die for you! Didn’t you?” His roar echoed through the cave, matching the thunder outside.

  She slid backward in the water. “At first, yes.”

  “It makes sense now. Why you seemed disappointed when I lived!” Savion pushed off the rock into the swirling water, his face heating. “You jumped off a cliff so I would follow you!”

  “Nay.” She shook her head pleading. “I didn’t mean to do that.”

  “The panther. You made noise so he’d attack us!”

  “I was angry and hopeless. You rejected me.” Agony poured in her voice.

  Trying to control his fury, he grabbed the medallion for help. Father, what is going on? What do I do now? There was no answer, save Perdita’s pleading.

  “’Tis true that I started out trying to get you to die for me, but after … after… I came to care for you, I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t stand the thought of hurting you.” Her eyes begged him to believe her.

  “Care? What do you know about caring for anyone but yourself? So many lies! So much deception! All to save yourself. No matter the cost to others.”

  Tears slipped down her cheeks, turning into pearls as they dropped in the water. Sniffing, she wiped the back of her hand over her face. “When I escaped Damien’s ship, I could have swum far away. But I came back to distract him, so you could be safe.” Her lips trembled. “Doesn’t that count for anything?”

  “How do I know you didn’t return so I’d risk my life for you again?”

  “Because it’s too late now. My month is up. I’m trapped for another ten years.” Black hair floated around her face like an ebony halo.

  Savion turned from her and leaned back against the rock. “This entire past month, you’ve done nothing but lie to me about who you are, where you come from, and what you were doing with me—nothing but lies and more lies.”

  “I just wanted you to love me,” she whispered.

  He was too angry to respond. “So, every ten years you come on land, chose some fool, and throw yourself at him. Just like you did with me. I’d wager most of them fell for it too.”

  “All but you,” she said, her voice cracking. “I … I never wanted to hurt anyone. I just wanted to be free.”

  Another rush of water spilled into the cave and swept over her. She turned her back to him as sobs racked her body.

  Savion swallowed. His anger faded. Yes, she’d done horrible things—to him and many others—yet he could never imagine the pain of her curse. The loneliness, the despair, the heartache.

  She spoke through sobs. “Each professed his love, but none meant it. Nobody loved me. Not Sir Ivan of Moorehead and not any of the men since then. In truth, I am not worthy of love.”

  Thunder rumbled and the cave darkened even more. She became but a gray blur in the distance, her weeping a song tugging on the chords of his heart. Regardless of all she had done—her lies, her immoral behavior, her selfishness—he still loved her.

  “Come here,” he said gently, holding out his hand.

  His soft tone turned her around. Blinking back tears, she swam toward him.

  He took her hand in his. “Didn’t I tell you that love is so much more than physical joining? True love is caring more about the one you love than for yourself.”

  She nodded. “I see that now. Because of you. Do you forgive me, Savion? Please say you forgive me.”

  Placing a finger beneath her chin, he raised her eyes to his. “I do. I don’t know why, but I do.”

  A half sob-half laugh emerged from her lips. “You are too good to me, Savion. Too good, too kind, too merciful for the likes of me.” She shook her head. “Why did you come? You could have escaped, and now you are at great risk.”

  “I will always come for you.” He caressed her cheek.

  She leaned her head in his palm and closed her eyes.

  “I love you, Perdita.”

  Her eyes opened and she stared at him. “You love me?”

  Smiling, he eased a lock of wet hair behind her ear. “Surprising, isn’t it?”

  “But …” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’ve done naught to earn your love. Quite the opposite in fact.”

  “True.” He kissed her forehead. “Love is not based on performance—it’s a choice of the heart. I don’t know how it happened exactly, but I do love you, dear, sweet Perdita.”

  “I love you too, Savion. Mayhap my love isn’t as pure as yours, but it’s strong. It’s so strong.” A tear slid down her cheek, transforming into a pearl. He caught it and held it up in the fading light.

  “You may keep it,” she said. “To remember me by.”

  “It is a treasure of great price.”

  She looked down. “It is nothing. I have many more where that came from.”

  “But this one”—he kissed it and slid it into the pocket of his breeches—“was a tear of true love.”

  She snuggled against him, and he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight as another foamy wave tumbled through the opening around them. “I will never forget you, Savion.”

  “I don’t believe I’ll allow you to.” He lifted her head up again, a warm smile on his face.

  She shook her head and pulled away. “I won’t subject you to the pain of my curse. You must be free to love another—a real woman.”

  “How boring.” He chuckled.

  “You tease me, sir.”

  “We’ll discuss it later. At the moment, we have bigger problems.” Savion studied the cave. “We need to find a way out of here. Damien and his men guard the front.”

  “There is no other way. I went through the entire maze of cliffs before I ended up here.”

  He pulled her close again. “Then we will have to go out the way we came in.”

  “But they’ll kill you and trap me.”

  “I won’t let them do either. Besides, I have a plan in place. Hona awaits my signal.” He kissed her forehead. “Do you trust me?” He held
out his hand.

  Despite the terror in her eyes, she nodded, took his hand, and allowed him to lead her from the cave.

  Chapter 29

  Perdita’s mind and emotions spun in a whirlwind as Savion led her from the cave down the water-logged channels of the cliffs. He loved her! She could hardly believe it. Finally, someone truly loved her. Not just anyone, but the most honorable, kind, generous, noble man she’d ever known. It was too much for her heart to absorb. Even now as he forged through the undulating surf, he stopped to throw his body over her, protecting her from incoming waves and taking the brunt of the torrent himself—adding even more cuts to his body from the sharp walls.

  No man had willingly taken wounds that were her due, nor risked his life when she was the one who deserved to die for the things she’d done. Finally, she understood the real meaning of true love.

  Finally, after several minutes of constant bashing, they emerged through a jagged opening to a dark, seething sky and a band of men waiting with muskets and knives.

  Savion dragged her behind a boulder.

  But it was too late. They’d been seen.

  “Come out, Savion! And bring the mermaid with you,” Damien shouted over the crash of waves.

  Savion’s breath wafted over her cheek as he crouched beside her in the water, his eyes scanning the scene, assessing their predicament.

  “Wait, I can take you under …” Perdita frantically searched for an opening where she could slip beneath the waves and drag Savion safely into the deep. But they were caged in by boulders, and the water was too shallow for them to swim away unseen.

  “It will be all right.” Savion’s eyes met hers, confidence brimming in their golden depths.

  “How can you say that?”

  “You got ten seconds!” Damien’s shout was followed by the cock of several pistols.

  Lightning flashed. A wave tumbled around a boulder, bathing them in bubbling foam. It rose on Savion’s chest, then retreated. But he never took his eyes off her.

  The amulet around his neck glowed. He eased his thumb over her cheek. “Will you marry me, Perdita?”

  She laughed even as her heart swelled. “You ask me this now? When we are about to die?”

  Smiling, he brushed hair from her face and leaned to kiss her—a gentle, tender kiss of promise that almost made her believe all would be well. Almost.

  The sound of a pistol shot separated them.

  But it did naught to erase the smile from Savion’s face. “Your answer, milady?”

  “You’re mad.” She ran a finger over the bristle on his chin. “Of course I will marry you.”

  He kissed her again, then extended his hand for hers. “Then let’s get this over with, shall we?”

  “Nay. They want me, not you. Let me go to them.” She gripped his hand and pulled him closer. “After they take me away, you and your men can leave. Please, Savion. I don’t want you hurt.”

  He smiled at her with such awe and approval, her heart nearly burst. Another wave sent foam dancing around them as he leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Damien will not let me go. He serves Natas, and Natas wants me dead.”

  “Then I’ve all but killed you.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I cannot bear it.”

  “It was my choice, and my choice alone, to come save you. I love you, Perdita. I’m not going to leave you. Ever.”

  She didn’t know whether to cry or shout for joy, push him away or fall into his arms. Instead, she merely stared into his eyes so filled with love. “Promise?”

  He stood. “Forever.” And extended his hand once again.

  Drawing a deep breath, she nodded and followed him as he waded through waist-high water around boulders and beds of coral. The water grew shallow, and Savion helped Perdita along while she propelled herself forward by shoving her tail against the sand. All the while her heart seemed to sink into that very sand. She glanced out to sea, seeking an escape—any escape—but there was no way out save through Damien’s men.

  When they emerged from the maze of rocks, Damien and ten of his men waited, waves swirling about their knees, guns leveled at Savion and Perdita.

  A maniacal grin twisted Damien’s lips. “You thought you could escape, mermaid. But you are mine! And so is your gallant hero.” He eyed Savion with disdain and then shook his head. “I heard you were smart, Savion Ryne, but now I see you’re nothing but a fool.” He spit to the side and chuckled. “Natas will reward me greatly for your capture.” He turned to a man beside him. “Take her.”

  A large black man approached.

  Savion blocked his path. “You will not touch her.”

  The man lifted the handle of his musket, no doubt to strike Savion, but Savion blocked the blow with his arm and then slugged him across the jaw. The man’s head spun, arms flailing, as he tumbled backward into the water with a mighty splash. His head struck a rock—hard—and he slumped over, gun still in his grip.

  A pistol fired. Perdita felt the shot whiz in the small space between her and Savion.

  “No, imbecile! I want them both alive!” Damien bellowed.

  Unfazed, Savion crossed arms over his bare chest—cut and bruised and bulging with strength. “Then we are at a standstill, Mr. Gund, for you are not taking either of us.”

  Perdita’s heart twisted. She could not see how they would get out of this alive. At least not Savion. Yet, there he stood with all the confidence of a prince, his eyes shifting over his enemy and then curiously over to his ship.

  She hefted herself onto a nearby rock, dragging her tail through the sand. The fallen man’s musket lay atop the boulder he’d struck—just outside her reach. “Let him go, Damien!” she shouted. “And his ship, and I’ll come with you peacefully.”

  Savion gave her a stern look. “No, Perdita. We discussed this.” He followed her gaze to the pistol and shook his head.

  Damien growled and ordered two more men to grab her.

  Thunder bellowed so loud it seemed the sky would crack. A white spire of lightning brought the men’s glances up—and off Perdita. She leapt for the gun. Cocking it, she leveled it at Damien. “I will kill you where you stand, Damien Gund. Order your men to back away and toss their weapons into the water.” She tilted her head toward the island. “The men on the beach too.”

  “No, Perdita.” Savion moaned.

  Foam whirled around Damien’s legs as he grinned and fingered his goatee. “You won’t shoot me.”

  “You know I will.” She narrowed her eyes. “You—of all people—know what I am capable of.”

  His smile faded. A momentary flash of fear crossed his eyes.

  “Do it now!” she shouted, ignoring Savion’s commands to lower the weapon.

  Damien snorted. “You have but one shot, and I doubt your aim is very good.”

  “Shall we find out?” She closed one eye and brought the gun up for better aim.

  Beyond Damien, Perdita spotted one of his men on the beach raise his musket toward her.

  After that, everything became a blur—a slow, agonizing blur.

  She heard Savion’s “No!” and saw him leap in front of her.

  The crack of a musket whipped the dark sky. Perdita dropped her weapon. It sank into the water. Savion’s body jerked in the air. He tumbled backward and landed with a splash. Blood gushed from a hole in his chest, spilling out in an advancing pool across the water.

  “No!” She heard herself scream, but it came out hollow and distant as if she were watching the events unfold and wasn’t part of them. Gripping Savion’s shoulders, she drew him out of the water and laid him across the rock. Fear like she’d never known spiked through her, numbing her senses. She pressed her hand on the wound. “Savion, Savion!”

  Darkness as thick as tar descended.

  Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Explosions rocked the bay, trembling the water and shooting wood and fire into the sky. Perdita covered Savion’s body with her own as flaming spikes rained down on them. When she glanced up, Damien’s ship was ablaze. Sail
s lit like candles. Flames reached for the sky. Black smoke poured from jagged holes in the hull. Bodies and debris floated in the water. What? How?

  Men emerged from the jungle framing the shore—Savion’s crew—muskets and swords in hand. They must have circled around the island. But Damien didn’t see them yet. His attention was on what once was his ship, his face white, his jaw hanging.

  Gunshots peppered the dark sky. Damien spun to face the beach, weapon at the ready, but the barrels of a dozen pistols greeted him. Savion’s crew had subdued his men and had them surrounded.

  But Perdita didn’t care. All she cared about was Savion.

  “Savion! Savion!” Blood gurgled up between her fingers as she pressed her hand on the bullet hole. With her other hand, she felt for a pulse.

  Nothing.

  He can’t be gone. Not to save someone like her. Where were his guardians? The men of light who protected him? She frantically glanced about, but they were nowhere to be seen. Finally, she lay on top of him, sobbing.

  A strange sensation spiraled around her tail and rose upward toward her waist. Not the itching she always felt when she transformed into a human, nor was it the pain she felt when she changed back into a mermaid. This was a pleasant feeling: a warmth, a tingling, a lightness—as if an enormous weight were being lifted from her. Mayhap she was dying. She hoped so.

  She didn’t want to live without Savion.

  She laid her head back on his chest, tears spilling down her cheeks. The amulet warmed beneath her skin, and she rose and studied it. A strong wind swirled about her, and the amulet lifted off Savion and floated toward her as if it were drawn to her somehow. But that wasn’t possible. She tried to press it down, but it rose toward her again. Tears still trickling down her cheeks, she relented and eased it over Savion’s head. Then, laying a gentle kiss upon it, she slipped it around her neck and tucked it beneath her shirt—his shirt. She pressed it and felt its warmth through the wet fabric. It would be a reminder of him. One she would cherish forever. She hung her head and sobbed, then swiped tears from her face.