Mythos

by Heather McLaren

  Jordan lifted the veil from the poster bed. “Hold still one more little moment.”

  Faren smiled back nervously at her but obeyed. Jordan fastened the veil to her chignon with more bobby pins. She fluffed it until she was satisfied with the way it trailed down her back. “I would ask you if you wanted to borrow my perfume,” she said, “but it smells like you’re already wearing some. It smells nice.”

  Luna and Cindel joined Jordan and Faren by the window. “Are you really that nervous?” Luna asked.

  “I guess I am, but I don’t know why. I mean, David is–”

  “I do,” Luna interrupted her, raising an eyebrow. “Have you shown him how much you love him yet, or is that something you’re saving for the honeymoon?”

  Faren was shocked at her friend’s lack of modesty. She shot Cindel a quick glimpse and took Luna to the side. “A little tact, please,” she said, trying not to laugh. “And… that’s none of your business.”

  There was a quiet knock at the door. “Miss Sands,” a naval officer called. “The boat’s at the dock. It’s almost four-thirty. Are you ready?”

  Faren looked back at her companions and smiled. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly through pursed lips. “Absolutely.”

  * * *

  The beach was spotless and the forest was alive with the sounds of content animals when the girls made it to Seneca. Servio stood by the surf, waiting patiently for them to come ashore. He walked up to Faren and reached out to her, a soft smile playing across his lips. “You look beautiful,” he said, stepping back to admire her.

  It warmed Faren’s heart to hear him say that. “Thank you,” she said, “but I know this wouldn’t be happening without you. I want you to know how grateful David and I are for this chance you’re giving us. We’re forever in your debt.”

  “There’s no debt to repay. You’ve already done enough,” Servio said. “Just promise me you’ll be happy. That’s all I want for you.”

  Down the beach, soft music played and mers, humans and selkies gathered as if they had known one another all their lives.

  “I’m glad we decided to keep the wedding small,” Faren commented with a nervous laugh. “Not as many witnesses if I fall on my face.”

  Luna gave her a quick hug. “You’ll do great,” she said, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes. “Remember... this is your day.” She joined Jordan and started down the beach toward the waiting guests. Faren could hear them complimenting the decorator on the set up awaiting them.

  Cindel kissed Faren on the cheek. “I’ll see you down there,” she said and ran after the girls. “Hey, wait for me!”

  “I know I could never take your father’s place,” Servio said when Faren turned back to him, “but if it’s all right with you, my dear, I would be honored to walk you down the aisle.”

  Servio’s offer took Faren by surprise. Her throat tightened around a sob that wanted to escape. Even though Faren couldn’t help but wish her father were by her side, Servio’s kind gesture meant so much to her. It was true–the epic battle had changed people. The loss of life had been great, but she hoped the friendships it formed would be everlasting.

  “Shall we?” Servio asked.

  Faren smiled and intertwined her arm in his. “I’d love to.”

  He handed her a bouquet of yellow flowers and led her away from the forest to their waiting guests. Everyone watched Faren’s grand entrance, but she only had eyes for David. He waited for her at the steps of the altar wearing a suit and tie. Faren was relieved she wasn’t the only nervous one when she noticed him picking at his cast and fidgeting with his fingers.

  She and Servio stepped up to the archway covered in bright canary and ginger flowers and heavily draped in snow white tulle. The band began to play a soft instrumental piece that magically set the backdrop for the perfect romantic day. Faren couldn’t concentrate on anything but the man waiting for her at the end of the aisle. It was funny how the last leg of her journey seemed to be the longest. She was moments away from becoming David’s wife, but it might as well have been a lifetime.

  Right foot, left foot, right foot, Faren repeated in her head. It was as if her mother were right next to her, telling her what to do.

  She and Servio walked past dozens of flaming tiki torches. The yellow satin ribbon and brightly colored blooms streamed from one to the next. The lilies’ sweet scent mingled with that of the mers to create a hypnotic aroma.

  Faren’s arm trembled against Servio, and even though she felt like racing the rest of the way to the altar and into the arms of the man she loved, her legs felt like jelly, hardly able to hold her up. Faren could feel the soft flower petals under her bare feet. They added the perfect touch, decorating the sand in orange and yellow.

  Faren looked over to see Cindel, dreamy-eyed and excited, and she couldn’t help but stifle a small laugh when Luna gave her a thumbs up. Leave it to her best friend to lighten the mood.

  When Faren made it to the end of the aisle, David took her hand in his. There were still a few fading bruises on his face, but despite his injuries, he was just as handsome as the day they first met. In his new attire, with his dark hair shining in the afternoon sun, he looked more like a prince than a self-acclaimed beach bum.

  “You’re so beautiful,” David whispered, staring into her eyes. “How did I get so lucky?”

  “I’m the lucky one,” Faren said. “I like the new look by the way.”

  David reached up to his face and rubbed his bare skin. “I shaved,” he said.

  Faren giggled. “I see that.”

  Before they could say anything more, Salene began the ceremony. “We have come together today to witness the union of these two souls,” she declared. “The same two souls who have helped bring our species together as one.”

  The wedding vows may have been similar to those spoken many times over, but when it signified her own union, they held a special quality Faren had never noticed before.

  “What we need to…” Salene’s words ran together indistinctly when Faren looked at David. All of a sudden, the rest of the world drifted away. Only he existed.

  “Do… this… your…”

  “Do you take David to be your husband?” Salene asked again, leaning toward her. And when Faren stalled, “Honey, this is where you say I do.”

  Faren smiled and blushed. “I do,” she said, sliding the gold ring on his finger.

  Salene turned to David. “Do you take Faren to be your wife?”

  “I do.”

  As soon as they had said those enchanting words, Faren knew she could start her life anew. She could leave the painful memories behind her.

  David gave her a sexy smile and rubbed her wrist in seductive circles. As the familiar heat spread through her, Faren fought to keep from toppling over.

  “To represent these two lives that stand before us, David and Faren will seal their union with a sand ceremony,” Salene said, turning to the table set up behind her. She poured the orange sand in one bowl and the yellow in another as she spoke. “As with the crystals that make up the sea floor, their souls will forever float together on the great beyond. Their infinite journey will bestow upon them a blessing of eternal happiness.” She handed Faren and David the bowls and gestured for them to make their way down the steps to the waiting surf. “This moment represents the death of two individuals, yet from it the life of one being springs forth–one soul that shall be connected for all eternity.”

  The couple walked to the water’s edge. They each took a handful of sand and clasped their fingers together, mixing the bright colors into one.

  “I love you,” David whispered.

  “I love you, too.”

  They tossed the sand into the sea and watched it drift along the crystal clear waves before reuniting on the ocean bottom. Hand in hand, they made their way back to Salene’s side.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife in the eyes of Atlantis and in the eyes of the Spirit who reigns above us
in His heavenly kingdom,” she announced. “This union will abolish the wall built to separate the above world and our mighty civilization beneath the waves. May the sanctity of your beloved union withstand the test of time. You may kiss your bride.”

  David looked into Faren’s eyes and cupped her face in his hands. His kiss was a soothing, caressing breeze that not only warmed her lips but also made its way into her soul. Faren felt as though she were falling, not into a world of darkness and misery, but instead, into a world where everything surrounding them embraced them in a never-ending sense of enchantment. When they parted, the small crowd applauded and cheered.

  “All right, Faren!” Cindel hollered above the applause. Faren and David laughed at the sound of her voice. So did many of their guests.

  When they made their way back down the aisle, Faren thought of the life she and David would share. It all seemed too good to be true.

  Please… no one pinch me.

  “Faren,” a woman spoke up. Faren turned to see a stranger standing there.

  “I’m Claire–David’s mother. I want you to know I’m thrilled to have you in our family.” She took Faren’s hands in her own. “I’ve dreamed of mermaids since childhood, and to find out you aren’t just a legend was one of the most inspiring moments of my life.”

  “So… David told you about us?”

  Claire’s smile faded. “Please don’t be mad at him… did I say something wrong?” She dropped Faren’s hands. “I’m always opening my mouth when I shouldn’t.”

  “No, no,” Faren said, trying to reassure her. “I’m glad you know. Now there aren’t any secrets between us.” She smiled at the woman, as nervous as she was. Maybe more.

  When Claire hugged her, Faren couldn’t believe how genuine it was. At once, she knew she had made a friend for life.

  * * *

  Once they had made it back to Thesil’s house, Faren gazed over at the lovely reception set up in her and David’s honor. Tables bestowing white satin cloths and wonderfully decorative centerpieces brought class to the backyard, and the newly installed fountain and purple and blue lights installed in the bottom of the pool turned the water a brilliant cerulean. White string lights intermingled with snow white tulle strewn from tree to tree, twinkling in the late afternoon sun.

  When Faren and David made their way from the boat and up the concrete steps, everyone clapped. Their happy faces made Faren’s heart soar. It seemed like she couldn’t smile enough. Her dream day had turned out to be just that–a wonderful dream come true.

  “May I introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. David Cooley,” Thesil’s voice boomed from the microphone.

  David led Faren to the dance floor and took her in his arms. They held each other close, moving with the music. A soft pink glow illuminated the square tiles from underneath with each step they took. David bent down and kissed Faren’s forehead, letting his lips linger a few seconds before pulling away.

  Faren leaned her head against his chest and closed her eyes to savor the moment. The love song continued to play, but the steady beat of David’s heart led this dance. Faren swayed to its rhythmic melody, lost in the private moment. Even when the music stopped, she didn’t want to let him go. Only when a faster beat resounded through the reception area did the couple leave the dance floor arm in arm.

  Salene stepped up to them. “You make the loveliest bride,” she told Faren, “and you, my boy, are very lucky to have found someone like Miss Sands. Take care of her.”

  “I plan on it,” David said, squeezing Faren tight.

  Salene hugged them both before joining Servio at one of the food bars.

  Faren and David mingled with their guests, receiving many congratulations. Claire talked about David’s childhood and how happy she was to see them together, but Faren didn’t mind her excited chatter. It was a comfort to know his mother accepted her so readily.

  “I’m going to get something to eat,” Claire said, looking back at the table loaded down with a vast variety of fruit and cold cuts. Before she walked away, she turned back to the couple. “I almost forgot. Do you have the same wedding traditions that we do?” When Faren looked confused, she added, “What I mean is do you have cake and throw the bouquet?”

  David chuckled. “Mom, they don’t know what those things are.”

  Claire turned three shades of red. “I’m sorry. There goes my mouth again.” She gave Faren and David another hug and slipped into the crowd.

  “Well, you did it,” Luna commented, walking up to the couple. “You did the impossible. You got the man you wanted and kept the peace. You need to tell me your secret sometime.”

  Faren leaned into David and gave her friend a slight smile. “I still can’t believe–”

  “Come and dance with me!” Cindel hollered, running up. She was so excited she never noticed her intrusion into the conversation. “Come on,” she whined again, pulling on Luna’s arm.

  “I can’t say no to that face,” Luna said, letting Cindel drag her away. “I’ll see you later.” As the younger mer pulled her into the crowd, Luna complained in good nature. “I’m not a good dancer.”

  Cindel laughed. “I know. I just like to see your arms and legs flopping around when you try.”

  “Come on,” David said once they were alone again. “I would like to have you all to myself for a while.” He and Faren left the reception area and walked to the canal’s edge. They sat down on the grass and watched the boats coming and going. A house on the other side of the canal was also having a party. The guests were mingling and dancing to faint music.

  “The ceremony turned out beautifully,” Servio said, walking up behind them. “I feel honored to have been a part of it.”

  Faren and David stood, giving him their full attention.

  “I’m the honored one,” David said. “You’ve allowed me to live my life with the girl I love, and I will always be grateful for that.”

  “We love you as if you were one of us,” Servio said. “I hope this proves that.” He handed David a white hand-made breech cloth.

  David turned it over in his hands, his eyes tearing up. “Thank you,” he said. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”

  “It means a lot to both of us,” Faren added.

  Servio nodded. “Now maybe you won’t feel so different from the rest of us,” he said. “And I wanted to tell you personally that I hope you choose to stay with us in Atlantis. You’re always welcome.” He smiled at the couple one last time before he made his way back to the party.

  “I never imagined they would accept me,” David said. “Especially after I found out you went to prison because of us.”

  When Faren saw the guilt returning to his eyes, she wrapped her arms around his waist. “That’s the past,” she said. “Let’s not go back there. Let’s live in this moment forever.”

  David pulled her closer and raised her chin with a soft touch. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” Then he stood and reached out to her. “What do you say we get out of here before the sun goes down?”

  Faren got to her feet and looked back at their guests dancing and mingling around the pool. “We can’t just leave without saying… mmm.”

  Like a gentle breeze, their lips barely touched, but their love ignited a spark that sizzled just beneath the surface.

  When the kiss ended, Faren smiled. “Where do you want to go?”

  “Anywhere but here. I want you all to myself for a while longer.” David dug a set of keys from his pocket. “Thesil said we could use his powerboat.”

  Faren kissed him again. “Let’s go,” she whispered with a mischievous smile.

  They made their way down the concrete steps to the luxurious white speedboat docked a few feet away. David climbed onto the back and helped Faren aboard. The fiberglass felt smooth and warm under her bare feet.

  After they made their way inside, and Faren relaxed in the passenger seat, David started the engine and maneuvered them through the canal, passing beautiful homes and
expensive yachts. A family grilled out in the backyard and a small group of teens splashed around in their pool. Hip-hop music filled the air.

  Minutes later, they were speeding across the Atlantic. They quickly left the islands in their wake as tiny dots on the horizon and the surface of the water a blue and white smear bouncing past.

  Faren could not take her eyes off her new husband. He looked so sexy in the late afternoon sun, with a strand of his dark hair falling over one eye. She took a deep breath and looked out the wraparound windshield at the water, counting down the minutes until they reached their destination.

  Seneca rose up before them in the distance. Its majestic mountaintops and lush rainforests welcomed them as if the epic battle had never tainted its soil. The island’s most recent memories of joyous unity dominated this serene wonderland.

  When they reached the beach, David anchored the boat and helped Faren ashore. She suddenly felt shy, knowing what came next. But David began to walk down the beach, in no hurry, and she fell into step beside him. Together, they strolled along the surf, watching the waves reunite with the sea. Monkeys called out to one another from the secrecy of the forest, and the sound of flapping wings and chirps sounded over the surf.

  David took Faren’s hand without looking away from the water. It trembled in his. “It’s pretty here,” he said. “Peaceful.” He sat down in the sand and cuddled up to her when she joined him.

  Faren laid her head against his shoulder, lost in the splendor surrounding them. “I think the open ocean is the most beautiful thing there is.”

  David laced his arm about her waist and looked into her eyes. “I think you’re wrong about that, Mrs. Cooley,” he whispered in a husky voice. “I see something more beautiful right in front of me.” With a seductive hand, David took Faren’s hair down. He raked his fingers through her tresses, without another word, and lowered her to the sand and kissed her. Faren returned the kiss with equal need. “Are you scared?” he asked as her body trembling beneath him.

  “Yes and yet… I’ve never felt surer of anything in my life.” She grabbed the back of his head and pulled him toward her, kissing him. As David trailed kisses down her exposed throat, she let out a small moan and arched her back to his touch. Images of their first meeting, their first touch and first kiss flashed though her mind a fleeting glimpse.