Merlicious 3

by Cara Preston, Cheryl Bonner, Laura Kitchell

  "So are you letting him fight for you alone?"

  She turned to find the voice. No one was behind her. People in the checkout line didn't appear to hear.

  "Jessica, when does the running stop?"

  Panic sent goosebumps up her spine.

  "Lady, are you ready?” the cashier asked.

  She paid for the water and headed back to her vehicle. As she approached, the skateboarding kid was leaning against her car. “Who are you? Where did you come from? Better yet, how did you find me?"

  "It's not hard. You smell like him. Didn't Nick tell you anything? It's just like my brother to leave out major details.” He stepped on the board and skated around her.

  "What are you talking about?” Jess glanced around for help, just in case he turned out to be a nut. She looked at the young man closer. He did resemble a younger version of Nick. Tall, skinny and muscles not fully developed.

  "He couldn't wipe your mind. You're his ocean, human,” the kid said.

  "Human. Of course, I'm human. That doesn't have anything to do with you following me. What's your name?"

  "You non-mers call me Heath. You're his. You're connected. I think you call it soul mates."

  She slumped against the car door and shook her head.

  "There's nothing anyone can do to you. Nick, on the other hand, is another story. Mr. Marin is going to pin his fins back, scale him. And that's only if Nick lets him know where you are. So, Nick can make it easy or hard on himself. He can never live airside again. And he'll remember you."

  "He can't tell them anything."

  "So what ya going to do?” Heath picked up his skateboard and placed it in the car. “Let him suffer?"

  "The only thing I can do. Get in.” Jess opened the car door, got in and headed back. Nick needed her.

  * * * *

  "Are you sure you know where we're going?” Jess demanded as Heath trekked her through the water.

  "Yeah.” Heath moved through the overgrowth with ease.

  "You're sure, or you know where we're going?” she repeated and slapped at a bug on her body.

  "Just yeah."

  "Great, I'm riding around with a directionally challenged merman. I guess it's the same for all males,” she quipped.

  "I resemble that remark,” he whispered.

  "The expression is resent that remark,” she snapped.

  "No, I said what I meant."

  "The moon is almost at the high point. Where's the cove?” The hysteria took hold of her. Please, don't let us be to late.

  "There through the trees. Look to your left.” Heath pointed to a small trail.

  Light flashed between the thick foliage and distorted her vision. “I can't see anything."

  "His life depends on you,” he said off to her right shoulder.

  "Heath?” She closed her eyes to adjust to the darkness. When she turned around, he wasn't there. “Did you get me lost so I couldn't help Nick? You freshwater scum. Wait till I get my hands on your neck. We'll see how much good those damn gills do you out of water."

  "It's nice of you to make this easy, Ms York,” another merman said.

  She turned to face the voice. “Where is Nick?"

  "We've been keeping him company while waiting for your arrival.” Devin stepped out of the shadows.

  She started to respond, but the shimmering crowd standing behind him stopped her for a moment. “I want to see Nick."

  "You ask for much."

  "It's my right.” She worked to keep the fear at bay.

  "You have no rights."

  "I have the same as any mated mer.” She heard the collective gasp from some of the others. Murmuring broke out in the different groups.

  "Take her to him."

  Jessie gasped when her gaze settled on Nick.

  "He's not so handsome now, is he? He's given it all up for you. Funny, if he'd wiped your mind, the CEO position was his for the asking."

  Jess ignored the crazed merman's ramblings. She scrambled into the shallow body of water and positioned Nick so it covered his side gills better. The beautiful colored fins lay scattered along the edges. She placed her hands on his chest. His skin felt sticky and cold.

  "Are we that bad that you would harm your own to save yourselves?” Tears streamed down her face.

  "You are an abomination and have worked hard to destroy all that mer holds sacred."

  She heard the madness creep into Devin's voice. “You think you're better. I thought we humans were the only cruel ones. I'm again proven wrong.” She laughed sarcastically.

  "You find this funny, human."

  "It's funny. Nick defended your way of life.” Jess stroked his face. “He told me mer-folk were humane.” She cradled his head in her hands and lowered her lips to his. His lips tasted of salt and mint. She pulled him further into the shallow water.

  His eyes fluttered opened. “Jess?” His arms moved to grab her.

  "Have you been dating someone else?” She tried to smile but couldn't.

  "This is touching. Say your last goodbyes,” Devin snarled.

  The sea began to churn and foam around Jess and Nick. It swelled and then seemed to swallow them whole. A moonbeam cut through the ocean and illuminated them in the water. Not a human and a mer, nor two humans, but two mers were visible. When the water receded, Nick stood naked beside her.

  "What just happened?” Jess looked at him in awe. His body showed none of the signs of damage.

  "We're one. Life-bonded.” Nick pulled her closer.

  "Isn't that special, but it does not solve your problems, Nick,” Devin said.

  "I think it does, Devin,” the gray-haired man said as he moved through the group.

  "Mr. Marin I—"

  "You didn't expect me so soon.” Mr. Marin stopped in front of the crowd.

  "I took care of things for you. ‘By any means necessary’ is what you said. I was helping you out.” Devin nodded to the group of mer and other world creatures behind him.

  The man looked familiar to Jess. She remembered now, the old man on the sidewalk.

  "So this is how you treat your brother?"

  "We need to get the right kind of folks in charge of the council, someone who shares our dislike of things human. To go back to the old days where we ruled and the humans were a source of enjoyment."

  "You don't understand, Devin. Nick and Jessica aren't the problem, you are. For failure to hold all life sacred you are banished from the mer world until you learn to love something more than your ambition."

  "No—” The angry sea engulfed Devin and took him away.

  When everything and everyone was handled, Mr. Marin turned to Jess and Nick. “Jess, I can wipe your memories of Nick. You can go back to your normal life."

  "What would happen to Nick?” Jess placed her hand on his chest to feel his heartbeat. He was safe. She hoped she had the strength to do what was needed.

  "It depends on your answer."

  "I want what's best for Nick.” She turned toward him and gazed into his eyes. “I'll do whatever it takes to make him safe."

  "Even if it means living without you?"

  She nodded as the tears streamed down her face.

  "Mr. Marin, I can't let you wipe Jess. She's my sea-heart. I would die without her."

  "Then I have no choice."

  * * * *

  Birds squawking disturbed Jess’ sleep. She rolled and bumped against a warm body. Memories of last night flooded her brain.

  "Open your eyes, Jess.” Nick's velvet voice poured over her.

  "I must be dreaming,” she muttered.

  His lips brushed across her mouth.

  Her eyes popped open. “Nick.” She flung herself into his arms.

  "Not a dream, only the beginning.” He kissed her.

  She was his. He was hers. Sea-hearts.

  The End

  Tails You Win

  by

  Andrea Jackson

  Time for the annual Mermaid Games where merfolk often find
their mates. But Stella is focused only on winning the prize so that she can afford to go to school and help her family. Will handsome mer-prince Seth be able to make her see that his heart is a prize she's already won?

  www.pbdiva.com

  Tails You Win

  by

  Andrea Jackson

  Chapter One

  Opening Ceremony

  "If anybody laughs at me..."

  Eileen's words brought Stella to a halt to stare at her friend's face as they floated just outside of Calladora City's central gathering place. Tall girders spun in the water, bubbling with a carnival atmosphere. Merfolk flicked vivid-colored tails as they swam through all the landings and enclosures of the girder. The annual Sea Festival was four days of rousing celebration each year, bringing together the natives of Calladora as well as many visitors from other undersea cities.

  Stella grabbed Eileen's hand. “But you promised me you'd do this with me. We have as much right as anyone else to participate in the annual games."

  Eileen waved her other arm, the undersized one. “But why? You're not interested in mating. And everyone's knows that Dell and I..."

  "I don't want to mate.” Stella felt her cheeks redden. “But the prize—"

  Eileen tilted her head with an inquiring look. The young mermaid looked small and frail with her delicate lavender scales and curly silver-pink hair. Although her father was the city king, her handicap made it difficult for her to swim and to communicate in the merfolk's language, which combined sounds and gestures.

  Eileen's friendship had supported and warmed Stella since they were children. Despite that, she had held one dream secret even from her friend. But now that it seemed so close—"I want to win, Eileen. I want the purse so I can go to Quantikko and study dolphin life.” She held her breath, waiting for Eileen's reaction.

  Eileen's mouth pursed in a surprised smile. “Stella! Really? Work with them and train them? Oh, I'm so glad!” She surged forward to hug her friend.

  Stella grinned back. As one of fifteen children of the local web-weaver, there was no way she could afford tuition as well as living expenses for the two-year program. She was expected to join the family business like most of her siblings. However, the prize cowries would bring her secret savings a lot closer to her goal.

  Stella and Eileen moved into the registration circle to fill out the forms. They received bright-colored flurrie strips to tie on their bodies. Some contestants put them on their wrists or biceps, others around their throats and others around the narrow part of their tails. The loose ends fluttered in the water as they swam. The object of the game was to collect as many of these banners as possible. The moderators would distribute new ones after each challenge.

  "Hey, Stella, what are you doing here?"

  Swirling around, Stella saw Leo in all his golden beauty surge toward her through the water. A look of astonishment colored his welcoming grin.

  Her neck muscles tightened, but she didn't show any reaction. After all, this wasn't a place her friends would expect her to be.

  "Hey, Leo.” She shrugged. “Oh, you know. We thought we'd give it a shot. Should be fun.” She flicked her tail to create a swirl of bubbles in the water.

  Leo turned to greet Eileen, and they joked back and forth while Stella laughed. Leo's golden hair and skin reflected the dazzle of the bronze shading of the scales on his strong muscled tail. Each movement of his lower body rippled with power. Today, for the games, he wore a kelp-braided vest similar to what other mermen wore. A thick belt hung low on his hips to hold various necessities. He already had his flurrie tied around his head, the ends mingling with his hair.

  "Leo, darling, we're wasting time,” came a crooning female call. A beautiful young mermaid eased to his side, slipping her arm possessively through his and fluttering her eyelashes at him.

  He pulled her close. “I'm ready, Cassandra. I wanted to say hello to Eileen and Stella."

  She gave a dramatic start of surprise. “Oh! I didn't see you girls there. Eileen, dear, are you sure you're up to this challenge?"

  Eileen's tail swished in a subdued flash of anger. “Don't worry about me."

  "What was that you said?” Cassandra gave a small laugh. “I have so much trouble understanding you. But of course you've got your little friend with you to interpret."

  Stella's fists curled at her side, but she managed to remain silent.

  Leo flipped backwards through the water. “Come on, girls, let's go. They should be calling the opening of the games soon."

  With Eileen, she ambled after them. Stella was surprised when Cassandra sidled over, brushing her side. Her long floating hair shielded them from the other two just ahead.

  "Listen to me, you sneak. I'm not having you steal Leo from me again. I'll be watching your every move."

  A slow smile of triumph bubbled inside Stella. She answered with taunting sweetness. “It's for Leo to make his own choice, isn't it?"

  Leo had introduced Stella to the joy of lovemaking when she'd had her first opening last summer. Stella remembered how furious Cassandra had been. She'd somehow gotten the idea that Leo was Stella's particular beau, even though merpeople enjoyed sex without inhibition until they chose a life-partner. Then it was forever.

  The games afforded unattached people an opportunity to try out partners and prove themselves worthy of mating. That hadn't been her intention, but Cassandra didn't know that.

  Stella gloated inwardly at the thought of arousing Cassandra's envy. She quelled the thought. She wasn't interested in a mate. Her dream was to study and build a new career. She probably wouldn't even be living here afterwards. But it was still fun to tease the other mermaid.

  The opening call of the conch shell sent ripples reverberating throughout the area, drawing the attention of the attendants to the central dais. King Julian presided as host as he did every year. He was well-liked, funny and personable. Since he was also Eileen's father, Stella knew him well.

  His booming call brought silence from the crowd. “Welcome, sea folk of Calladora, to the annual Sea Games. One of the timeless traditions of our people is to compete for the respect of our peers by a display of fitness and courage. Our challengers have come out today to test their abilities. Although there will be prizes, the main reward of these games is the opportunity for each contestant to push their personal limits and grow strong and confident. The further you go in the tests, the more opportunities will open to you in both your career and your marriage. With this test, we will know the most eligible to carry on the ancient race of sea folk!"

  The crowd cheered. Stella waved at her brother, Cyril, floating near Julian. This year Cyril would be lead game moderator, a position of respect and trust. She and the rest of the family were proud of him. However, most of the others couldn't be present today because a busy web-weaving business demanded many hands.

  "And, of course,” Julian continued with a sly smile, “This is an excellent opportunity for the uncommitted merfolk to enjoy a little consorting while they check out potential mates."

  Raucous laughing burst out, and some of the registrants came under some good-natured ribbing. Eileen smiled at Dell while Stella shot a look at Leo. Others watched him too, but Cassandra's flirty chatter kept his attention.

  A tickling stroke down her spine made Stella jerk around in a swirl of bubbles, the beginning of a curse squelched when she saw the face of Seth, Eileen's older brother.

  "You!” She gave him a playful shove in the center of his chest. Laughing, he let himself flip backwards and then floated close again.

  She was used to Seth's playful indulgence. He wasn't sociable like his father, preferring to hunt and study in remote ruins, a respected scholar. He was quiet and wiry with a lean ascetic face and tousled dark hair. As usual, he wore a loose fish-skin vest and a backpack with various necessities.

  "Seth!” Eileen exclaimed. “When did you get back? Are you here to watch the games?"

  "I got home late last night. I've decided to
enter the games this year.” He held up his arm to show her the game flurrie wrapped around his biceps.

  Eileen gurgled, speechless.

  "You're kidding?” Stella's eyes widened. “Finally decided to settle down?"

  "Why shouldn't I?” A small scowl wrinkled his brow as he fiddled with the dangling tail of the flurrie around his arm. “This seemed like a good time."

  "Did you have someone in mind?” Eileen asked in a teasing voice.

  His lips tightened, silence answering his sister's question.

  Stella exchanged an incredulous look with Eileen. Seth had never shown any interest in a female, focusing his interest on his studies and explorations. Some of the merwomen—led by Cassandra, Stella remembered—whispered that something was wrong with him to make him shun females. He acted as if he was scared of them. Had he even opened yet for his first sexual experience?

  Stella didn't know if he had or not, she just knew that he'd always been nice to her and was fun when you got past his reserve.

  A disruption at the dais saved them from further embarrassment. Timeus, a pudgy, glistening merman, lumbered to Julius's side. His bronze skin looked thick and wrinkled, and his tail was a clunky burden with stiff bristles covering it. He had thick arm scales as well. As the owner of several fish breeding farms and food-producing fields, he was one of the wealthiest businessmen in this part of the ocean.

  "Julian, please allow me to address the gathering a moment.” Timeus was already edging Julian out of position.

  "Of course.” Julian's tone flowed polite, though his smile was stiff as he yielded center stage to the other man with a graceful flourish of his hand.

  "Thank you, thank you,” Timeus responded to the faint applause. He beamed at the expectant faces. “As you know, my lovely daughter Cassandra will be participating in the games this year.” He pointed her out in proud presentation.

  Cassandra floated near the back of the crowd. When they turned to look at her, she smiled and waved with regal disdain. Her long luxurious black hair floated in an inky cloud around her. With silver scales on her breast and lower torso, she was a shimmering jewel caught in a net of black gossamer.