"Good, because I don't know anything about dolphins."
Stella gaped at Seth. “What? I can't believe that. How can you not know dolphins?"
"I'm more interested in studying and traveling. I just never spent a lot of time playing with dolphins."
Stella pressed her lips together, reminded once more how different their life situations were. “Well, I'm sorry I just don't have a useful life."
"I didn't say that!"
"You don't have to. I know how you see me. I'm just a stupid web weaver's daughter who'll never amount to anything."
He grabbed her arm when she would have swished away from him.
She saw real anger in his eyes. “Don't ever say that! Don't let anybody, including me, tell you that."
Pulling her arm free, frustration still sparked inside her. She needed to be taken seriously for a change.
She moved to harness her dolphin, stroking its snout, looking directly into the eye. She felt consciousness course through her veins.
Come play, Stella. Let's go have fun. Forget everything, the job, the family and the shortcomings. Just play. Live!
Seth spoke. “You seem to have a way with it."
She could swear that was true. “We understand each other.” She tapped the dolphin's snout. As long as she could remember, she'd shared a kind of sixth sense with dolphins.
"It seems to be talking to you,” Seth's tone was admiring, mollifying her.
"Sometimes I think we are."
One thing she knew she was good at was dolphin handling. It was why she wanted to go to training school. She would learn how to manage them, to study their behavior and physiology, be their caretakers.
"They're supposed to be exceptionally intelligent, aren't they?"
She saw that his intellectual curiosity had been piqued. She hesitated a moment before she spoke up. “There is a theory that we evolved from a parallel line with the dolphin, that they are our siblings in the sea. We were once a lot closer to each other."
"I've heard that. But do you suppose they can really communicate with us?” He reached out for the sea creature with a hesitant hand.
Cautiously, she spoke, “There are people who are working on it. There's a training center at Quantikko."
"Serious researchers?” He nodded. “That could be interesting."
She was pleased that he found the idea challenging rather than wasteful. She flashed him a quick grin as she finished the clamps. “Ready to ride?"
Seth buckled himself close behind her, his fins hanging on the opposite side. That way they could help one another stay upright. At the signal, Stella took off, barely even aware of the other merfolk. Instead, she merged into the dolphin's consciousness.
The rules of this game were for a rider to drop off his partner at a designated point. The partner climbed an underwater matrix to capture a ring for the dolphin rider to jump through after capturing a flag. Together again, they had to get back to the buoy and hoist their flag. Then both would mount the dolphin and ride back to the starting point.
Stella settled her mind into the spirit of the water and the day. There was no future or past. Only now and the wash of the sea. She could help her mount dominate this dance they called swimming.
Stella's skill gained the lead. She forged the water beneath the surface for as long as possible. While merfolk had the ability to breathe underwater indefinitely, dolphins had to come to the surface for air once every hour or so. Her hands ached from clinging to the bridle. She was used to it, but she realized Seth might find it a challenge to hold on at this speed. She signaled to him, “Are you okay?"
He signaled back, “Fine!"
They broke the surface in a high leap that had water cascading off their bodies and Seth and Stella straining their arm and tail muscles to cling to the dolphin's back as he went straight up.
She glanced back to see they had a slight lead ahead of Dell and his partner. They were back under the water in the next instant. Feeling Seth pressed tight behind her on the dolphin, his virile strength excited her. She was beginning to see a new side of him. His prowess brought a strong sexual thrill. Her head filled with a vision of the pleasure of him touching her body, her breasts, sliding against her fins, giving her the ache that would bring her tail quivering apart so they could join their bodies for the hours of lovemaking that brought passion and bliss. And completion.
Damn! She bit her lip, struggling to control her reactions. What a time to come into her cycle, especially teamed with Seth like this. For a moment, the mental union with the dolphin wavered. Had Seth felt her arousal? She forced her mind back into the state that merged her with the dolphin. And Seth. It didn't matter. For these few minutes, their emotions fed off one another.
While she'd been distracted, Dell had caught up with her and was easing past. Leaning almost flat on the dolphin, she pushed for the quay. She and Dell entered the interconnected metal rods of the matrix at the same time, with another dolphin on their tail. They managed a minute advantage because Seth had unbuckled and slid free before she even slowed down. With a quick glance to make sure he was all right, Stella tickled the dolphin back into full speed, making for the flags a few yards ahead.
She rounded the flag station, leaning far to the left to grab one without dismounting. Her fingertips were a millimeter from the flag when her body slipped from the dolphin caught up in the whirlpool of water. She managed to hold on to the long leash attached to her dolphin, her shoulder screaming from the pain as the dolphin's momentum dragged her through the water. Agitated waves buffeted her body, plugged her ears and mouth. Straining, she tried to pull herself back to her mount. Another swirling vortex of water spun her out again, and she felt another dolphin's slick body streak by, its fin slicing her back. The water pressure made her eyes feel like they were about to explode.
Up! She urged her dolphin, and it responded instantly. She managed to mount as they broke the surface. Two dolphins, another couple's and Dell's, were headed back to the starting station at the sea mountain while two flags waved above the surface. The rest of the racers rushed straight for her and the flag station just behind her.
She had to find Seth with one of the hoops. As she plunged below the churning water again, beneath the other racers, she sensed him. Visibility was limited, but she aimed without hesitation for the hoops. She didn't even need to see Seth. Her awareness of him guided her to where he hung. Sub-sensory vibrations told her how his arms ached from the effort of holding the huge hoop upright and steady. She streaked through without even touching the sides. A graceful circle brought her back to where Seth now mounted back up behind her with a single powerful heave.
They streamed back for the finish line intent on catching the two dolphins ahead of them. The racers behind had trouble with their hoops. She moved up to second place with comparative ease. Only Dell was ahead of her, and he was nearly as good at dolphin racing as she was. She leaned into a torpedo run. This time she didn't even question Seth's ability. They were a team.
In a flurry of bubbles and foam, they crossed the finish line. Her heart pounded with expectation. She'd been neck and neck with Dell at the finish, she was sure. And returning visibility showed that although they had tied, Dell had lost his teammate—disqualified!
Stella and Seth slid from their dolphin, yelling in triumph, the water flowing in and out of their mouths. They embraced, leaped and danced in the water. The rest of the racers arrived, surrounding them with congratulations and groans.
Stella clung to Seth, even when Eileen and Dell came up to her. The feel of his strong arms around her waist exhilarated her, and the friction of her skin and scales against his body aroused her. She could almost smell sex, strong, overpowering, intoxicating. And awareness kindled between them. Stella saw her own uncertainty reflected in his eyes. She started to pull away and was startled by the sight of blood staining the water behind her. She had almost forgotten her encounter with the dolphin fin during the race.
"Stella!
” Seth's face paled in distress.
"It's nothing.” The scrape did sting with a vengeance, but she didn't want to interrupt the high of the moment.
Seth grabbed her by the shoulder, his mouth tight. “You'll see a doctor. Now."
His forcefulness startled her. Then made her heart flutter.
"I think he's right,” Eileen murmured.
Covering her confusion, Stella agreed.
She returned just in time for Cyril to award tokens of the wins. The winners received four each. Stella was overwhelmed, even more so when Seth made a big production of presenting her with his flurries too. Everyone cheered and smiled at her, talking about her skill at dolphin racing. Stella grinned.
Cassandra's voice shrilled, “You can't give your flurries away! That's cheating."
When Cyril stated you could do anything you wanted with them, she subsided, muttering that she would see there was an investigation when she got back.
Chapter Four
Night Games
Dinner was a quiet affair that night. Stella could tell that both Eileen and Dell were unhappy, but they didn't want to talk.
They settled down for the night on the beach of one island. Some of the couples were slipping away for some privacy. Seth stayed near her.
"Is your sister all right?” Gazing at Eileen, her mood darkened. Stella noticed that the out-of-town guy, Peter, wasn't with her anymore. He had made friends with a group of single players.
"I think she will be. Maybe she and Dell needed a little shaking up."
"But they were so happy together."
Seth studied her. “Do you believe so much in an exclusive love?"
Stella ducked her head. “Not for me."
There was silence for a few minutes. They sat side by side staring at their flippers in the water. When she glanced up, he was looking at her.
Both started to talk at the same time.
"What will you do after the games?"
"Have you planned your next trip?"
They stopped with self-conscious grins. Seth gestured to her.
"It depends.” She gave a shrug. She didn't feel like telling him about her dream. She had a good chance right now. But if she failed, he'd feel sorry for her. “What about you?"
"I don't know."
"You'll have the prize."
"I don't really care about that."
"That's easy for you to say. You're the son of a king.” She couldn't keep a note of bitterness out of her voice.
"That's never been important to me."
Now her brow wrinkled. “It may not be important to you but, nevertheless, it's who you are."
His expression rapt but solemn, he answered, “What I am, Stella, is a man who wants nothing more than to have interesting work, the freedom to create and a family I can work for."
She started to shiver, and he put his arm around her. In minutes, the sexual heat began to flare between them. Stella shifted, still uncertain how to handle these feelings.
Seth kept his arm around her but didn't look at her now. “Have you had your first opening, Stella?
"Yes."
"How was it?"
She shifted, shaking her short curls back from her face. “Okay. You know the first time is awkward."
"Is it?"
She stared. “You haven't opened yet?"
Now it was Seth's turn to color, a flush creeping up his throat. “Well, when I did, I was out in the abyssal plains somewhere in the middle of the ocean away from merwomen.” He pulled his arm away and hunched up as she continued to stare at him.
"Great. Now you think I'm some kind of weirdo just like the rest of the women around here,” he muttered.
She placed her fingers on his shoulder, leaning close. “No. I don't."
Seth's muscles rippled under her fingertips. She let her hand slide down the wet curve of his shoulder. He half-turned his head to look at her, a question burning in his eyes.
"You'll like it, Seth.” Her smile stroked him like warm honey. “You should find someone special to have your first experience with. Someone who makes it special for you."
His gaze darted away. “Who was your first time with?"
"Leo.” Her gaze drifted to where he lay with Cassandra snuggled over him.
His look followed hers. “Was he a good teacher?"
Stella's hands slowed down over Seth's skin as she felt an odd disorientation. Her lovemaking with Leo seemed very far away.
She hesitated over her answer, startled by her uncertainty. “Yes. Of course.” Other girls had said so. So why couldn't she remember the feelings?
"So your experience would make you a good teacher. Yes?” prompted Seth.
Her belly warmed as a smile slid across her face. “I might be."
He turned to face her, reaching to the place where the skin of her hip met the scales of her tail. His hand trembled just the slightest bit.
"I hope you can. I feel drawn to you, Stella.” His expression sobered. “I haven't wanted to ask you before because you seemed so young. But now ... you're all grown up."
"Just in time to be your first, Seth."
His dark eyes flashed a challenge at her. “Is that all?"
"Is that all?” she echoed with mock outrage. She couldn't hold back a laugh. “Oh, Seth, you are in for a big treat.” She had a feeling that so was she. Her body thrilled with the anticipation. She was going to be Seth's first! Nothing could be more flattering.
Reluctantly she drew away. “For now we need to conserve our strength for the games. But later, Seth—” She stroked the curve of his cheek. “Later I can teach you. If you want me."
Desire flared in the inky depths of his eyes, but he struggled to give a good-natured laugh. “Do we have to stay in the game? I say we drop out. There's always next year."
Stella's eyes widened at the thought of giving up on this year's plump prize package. She played with the ends of the flurries tied from her wrist to her elbow. No one else had this many. She could actually win.
"No. We wait till afterwards.” She took a deep breath, pushing down the potent attraction.
Chapter Five
Waterfall Test
After breakfast the next morning, Cyril and the moderators gathered the contestants around for instructions.
"For this test,” Cyril said, “Your adaptability and intelligence will be challenged. There's a series of waterfalls flowing from the peak of this island. Along the way, we've sunk bags containing the pieces of a giant puzzle. Each of you will need to make your way upstream and gather four bags of a single color so your puzzle pieces match. Then you'll come back down the falls as quickly as you can with all four loaded bags. Back at the game station, you'll empty your bags to take out the puzzle pieces and put it together. The first one finished will receive five flurries.” He paused to let the murmurs of excitement play out. “The next three finishers will receive one each."
Stella accompanied Eileen to the pool where the waterfall emptied. Water splashed and roared. They held onto the rocky banks to keep from being knocked about in the water. Stella lifted her eyes to examine the path. Waterfalls plunged into a gorge that sliced through the mountain. The gorge wasn't very high, but the attempt to reach the peak would be treacherous.
Seth was near her, eyeing the gorge with a calculating look.
"What do you think?” She was nervous. She had the most flurries now, but someone coming in first could overtake her.
"I was just looking at the trajectory,” explained Seth. He leaned closer to her, pointing as he shouted to be heard over the booming of the water. “Do you see how the gorge is shallower on one side? If you stick to that side, it'll be easier. At the higher elevation, I think you may be able to maneuver behind the higher falls."
Cassandra jerked around to stare at him, a calculating look lighting her eyes. Swimming closer, she opened her eyes wide. “Goodness, Seth, you're so smart! Do you really think that would work?"
His face impassive, Seth didn't
speak.
Cassandra wasn't daunted. “And you gave away all your flurries in the last race. That was absolutely noble of you to help poor Stella.” She smiled at him and moved even closer so that tendrils of her long hair flowed around to embrace him
Stella moved in front of Seth, glaring at Cassandra. Cassandra laughed with mean smugness. She flipped her tail to make a lazy turn then looked at Seth over her shoulder with a flirtatious smile. “I may have underestimated you. After all, you are a prince.” She undulated off, letting her rounded butt rise and fall as she swam.
A low growl of fury rumbled from Stella's throat. She was surprised by a soft laugh from Seth behind her. Turning, she found him close and smiling with enjoyment. Stella flushed, then grinned and gave him a slight push in the center of his chest. They moved to join Cyril who was calling for the race start.
Eileen caught Stella's arm to hold her back. “What is going on with you two?” she demanded, her grin knowing.
Stella blushed. “What do you mean?"
A delighted laugh tumbled from Eileen. “Your flukes are practically flapping! And so are his. I've never seen my brother so besotted."
Stella gave up her innocent act and laughed. “He's always been so sexy. But I didn't think he could possibly be interested in me."
"Seth? Sexy?” Eileen looked astounded.
There was no more time to talk about him. They lined up for the start of the race. One of the moderators called the start, and they were off.
Stella muscled her arms in a butterfly stroke to slice through the water. She followed Seth's path. She spotted a yellow bag on the floor of the gorge and kicked down to get it. Heavy!
Heaving the strap over her shoulder, she persevered. Carrying four of these would test her endurance.
She saw the second one further along and dove for it. She ran head first into Cassandra. She didn't have any bags yet, but Stella knew she could see that she was carrying yellow already so it was hers. Instead, Cassandra's eyes narrowed, and she yanked at the strap around Stella's neck with a powerful back glide. Stella yelped in pain and surprise. In reaction, she pulled back with an unintended back swing of her tail, which caught Cassandra right in the chin.
Merlicious 3 Page 17