We remained close, my arms locked around him and his around mine. When he pulled away for a moment to trail kisses along my chin, I let out a sigh and felt as though my heart was going to explode out of my chest. He gently pulled back; placing one final brush of his lips to my cheek before meeting my gaze.
I slid my hands down from around his neck and onto his chest. They rose and fell gently with the heavy breaths he took. Sprays of water spun around us in the stirring breeze and droplets clung to his eyelashes, making the brown depths crackle with a kindled flame.
“Well that was,” he broke off and brushed his lips against mine once more, “interesting.”
I was thinking of a different word and pulled back to look at him more fully. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, we aren’t as close as we’ve been before,” he said and slid one of his hands from my back and down the side of my leg, “but it was still—” He broke off again as he placed a soft kiss on my other cheek.
“What did you expect?” I asked and shook my head wondering where he got some of his notions. “Did you think I lost my ability to kiss you, now that I’m a mermaid?” I pushed against his chest in mock anger.
“No,” he shook his head and the ends of his hair tickled my forehead. “I just didn’t expect it to be the same.”
I knew exactly what he was referring to, even if he wouldn’t say the words. The feeling I had had lingering over me the last few days had grown to an understanding, and I realized the difference I felt around him now.
It wasn’t the change in his manner toward the Lathmorians, or even the way he had led them into battle; the change was all on my side. I understood him more than I ever had before, maybe it was the siren part of me, or maybe it was the anger which rose when I used the voice. Whatever it happened to be, I now knew him in a way I never would have thought possible.
“What is it?” he asked, his finger tracing the frown line around my mouth.
“Nothing,” I shook my head as I tried to clear the thought, unsure of whether or not he would want to know.
“Tell me.”
“It’s just I feel closer to you, now.” I said and bit my lip.
“And?” he prodded, kissing me on the forehead.
“I used to feel this close to you, before,” I waved my hand as though I could brush away what had happened to him. “When I first met you, we were the same. We both had been partially transformed and we didn’t know what would happen if Morven got a hold of us.”
I bit my lip again, uncertain if I should say the rest of the words. Until now, I hadn’t realized how much it mattered to me, the difference between us.
“But now,” I said and felt the lump gather in my throat even as the corners of my mouth lifted, “we’re the same again. You and I.” Somehow the depths of his brown gaze seemed to warm.
“I love you,” he said. I felt his legs brush against mine.
I nodded and whispered the words back to him, even as a shiver ran along my spine. This time it had nothing to do with pleasure or fear, but merely instinct. Slipping out of his strong embrace, I dove through the white cloud, returning only a moment later fully transformed.
In the dark alcove, my fins almost sparkled beneath the gray depths. My soldier’s pants and shirt drifted to the bottom of the pool beneath the roaring water, weighted down by the two knives looped into the waistband.
The crooked smile I loved so much tugged at the side of his mouth and before I could say anything, he disappeared. I waited for him to return, but when he didn’t, I ventured out from behind the torrent and into the frothing foam of the pool.
The lavender in my fins shimmered as the tail flicked back and forth keeping my shoulders above the water with ease. I looked around the pool wondering where he could have gone without letting him see my concern. I tried to deter any worry I had as I maintained a casual façade while looking beneath me.
The dinge of the water was perfectly colored to hide the shimmering black of his fins. He could easily blend into the depths beneath me and I would never see him.
Pretending I could care less about what he was doing, I made my way to the flat rock which jutted out over the top of the water. So many times I had sat there before, but only as a human.
A sly grin lifted the edges of my mouth and with a small kick, I landed on top of the ledge. The movement was about as ungraceful as the first time I had tried to transform in midair. Remembering the way Kryssa had laughed at me was enough to make my cheeks flush. It all seemed so long ago.
Looking down at my body, my eyes took in what I had seen so many times before, but never out of the water. Part of my mind wondered what my father would say if he could see me now. My torso was bare, my breasts discretely covered by smooth scales stretched across my skin; their color matching the flicking fins drifting on the surface of the water. All around me was lavender and I bit my lip, as I realized what I had really become.
Beckoning my blades to appear, I took in the fullness of the creature I was, in one glance. It was breathtaking and astounding, all at the same time, and still I felt as though I knew myself.
“Hello?” a familiar voice cried out.
“In here!” I called back and watched as Kryssa came into view through the break in the trees. I retracted my blades and watched her take in my appearance, her eyes widened for a moment before she smiled.
“Having fun?” she asked and stopped at the water’s edge, folding her arms over her chest.
“Maybe a little,” I agreed and let a little laughter leave me.
“Good,” she said and looked toward the waterfall and down into the depths of the pool. A small break in the clouds let in a little sunlight and I wondered if the sky would clear before nightfall. “Where’s Zale?”
I rolled my eyes, “Down there. I don’t know wha—”
A great whoosh sounded and a dark shape slammed into my side, wrapping me into a vice embrace as I was hurtled into the water.
The loud slap of fins on the surface resounded before we came to a stop at the bottom of the pool. My breath having been knocked out of me, it took a moment before I could actually try and squirm away from him; all to no avail.
Looking up, I could see the distorted shape of Kryssa staring down at us from up above. I suddenly became very aware of how tight he was holding me, and the way his black fins twisted around my own. Her face disappeared and before I could reprimand him, there was another splash from up above.
A flash of electric blue glided toward the bottom of the pool and when Kryssa came to a halt, her eyebrows were raised and lips pursed. I suddenly felt like a child caught stealing, and again tried to push away from Zale.
He held me tight for a moment longer before releasing me into the embrace of the water. My cheeks were flushed, and when I looked back to Kryssa her humorous expression only made me blush further.
You were saying? I asked, not sure of how else to make the situation more casual.
Her gaze shifted between the two of us as we all floated in the water, the tips of our tails kicking up little puffs of powdered dust on the pool’s floor.
There’s going to be another attack.
My eyes seemed to widen of their own accord. Zale’s posture straightened, somehow the scar along the back of his shoulder darkened.
Let’s go, the warrior beside me made a move toward the surface, but stopped when Kryssa held out her hand.
She shook her head, No, I said it wrong. We’re going to attack.
Glancing to the side, Zale’s hand twitched. When he murmured in the merlanguage we spoke, the sound was ethereal. When? he asked.
Soon, she said, without looking at me. They exchanged a glance, and I looked back and forth between the two of them. A sense of dread began to build within me.
There’s more, isn’t there? I asked, and she sighed, an odd wisp of a murmur beneath the water.
Yes, she said turning back my way. Tunder wants this to be the end. A final battle.
The
words ran through my mind over and over again as I realized what she meant. Lathmor was done being taken by surprise, the attack would be a result of last night’s events. Lathmor had the advantage, and Tunder would take the chance for all it was worth.
And there’s more, she said as her arms drifted toward her sides. He wants both of you to stay here.
There was only a brief moment before the rebuttal began. Even as he spoke, I could see the rage within him rear up, making his chest heave as though from extreme exertion.
That’s not possible, he said. We’re going, whether he wants us to or not.
You can’t, she shook her head, the black tendrils of hair drifting slowly behind her making the motion appear less urgent. He won’t allow it. He wants to know you’re both safe.
Is this about trust? he asked, his words cutting deep. I think we’ve proven ourselves enough for your king.
No, it’s about safety. If Morven captured either of you, the plan would fail. She spoke quickly, the murmuring language passing through her lips. Slowly putting the pieces together, my brain registered what she was really telling us.
It doesn’t make sense, I said, even though I had no interest in being part of the battle. The sights I had seen last night were enough to prove to me I wasn’t ready for hand to hand combat. Sure, Zale had trained me as best he could, but that was training. When it came down to actually fighting and defending myself in a real battle, I didn’t think I stood a chance. Why wouldn’t he want us to be there? With his skill and my voice, we could have a huge advantage.
But that’s just it, she pointed out. I crossed my arms over my chest. He thinks we can do it without you two, and he doesn’t want to risk Morven capturing either of you in the action.
As if anyone can get to him, I hooked my thumb in Zale’s direction. My tone was bitter and I knew I sounded ridiculous, but logic was winning over the threat of what might happen.
It made no sense to keep your best soldier on the sidelines when he could be the determining factor in a battle. And though I hadn’t tried my voice since I had used it on Verna, I had a notion it might be much stronger now that I was fully transformed.
I don’t think he’s going to change his mind, she replied and shook her head.
He will, Zale said with all the arrogance that used to annoy me to no end. For once, I was on his side about this matter.
She heaved another sigh. Elik was the one to convince him. Tunder wanted you both to go at first.
But you and Elik convinced him otherwise? I asked, already knowing the answer. I wasn’t sure why, but for some reason it felt as though she had slapped me across the face.
Just think for a moment about what you are asking us to do, she prompted. You’re asking us to put our two most valuable assets in the middle of a battle, where being captured is a possibility.
Who could take me? After the light-pitch of our voices, the deep guttural groan from Zale’s throat seemed to darken the conversation with an immediate threat.
Kryssa turned her sharp gaze on him, You aren’t the one I’m worried about.
I felt the fire in my eyes and heat filled my cheeks. Even though I had been thinking the same thing moments ago, it was one thing to doubt myself, but to have someone else feel the same way hurt.
She’ll be fine, his words were softer this time and I wondered if he doubted me too. It stung to know everyone thought me incapable of defending myself; incompetent of helping.
I’m sorry, but I don’t think she will be. She shrugged her shoulders in response and I wondered if now that I was fully transformed, she no longer felt bad about hurting my feelings. But Kryssa had always been that way. You’ll try and protect her, we all will, and that is a weakness Morven will know we have.
It hurt, and she knew it, but what hurt more was the way Zale’s anger slowly died and his chest settled. He was in agreement with her, and even though he didn’t look my way, I knew he worried for me.
I could see it all in front of me clearly, the battle unfolding, hordes of Hyven swimming toward me, and the only thing between us, was Zale. He would die trying to save me, I knew he would, and yet, I couldn’t ask it of him.
Feeling as though I was a child, I looked away from both of them and heaved a sigh of my own. There might be some way to convince them I could be useful, my voice might help, but now was not the time.
Fine, was all I said and looked away. Up above, the sun was beginning to break through the clouds, little sparkles of light beginning to dance upon the surface of the water. This time the sun didn’t feel as welcoming. If you need me to stay behind on Lathmor, or here, I’ll do it. But take him with you.
Even as I waved my hand in his direction, I knew I sounded bitter. Part of me wanted to make sure they understood my unhappiness, even though I was acting like a child. It was all a matter of what had changed in the past moments.
My revelation of once again being Zale’s equal was still true, but it was tainted by the prospect of continuing to be a burden to those around me. I didn’t enjoy waiting behind, standing on the sidelines, hoping those I cared about weren’t hurt, but it appeared there was nothing I could do about it. At least for the time being.
I’ll speak with Tunder, Kryssa said in my direction, but I didn’t look at her.
And next time you don’t have to try and be so careful. If you think I’m useless in a battle, then just say it to my face. This time I turned my full gaze on her and was pleased to see her shift her shoulders in discomfort.
Okay, was all she said before turning to look at Zale again. You can report to Lathmor in two days. We should be ready by then.
He nodded in response and when she flicked her fins with a giant kick toward the surface, his eyes remained on her. She disappeared as quickly as she had come, and part of me was happy she was gone.
18. Supremacy
After a moment of silence, I glided to the top of the pool, pulling myself onto the outcropping of rock where I had been sitting before Kryssa arrived. The spot was dry, having been kissed by the small rays of sunlight breaking through the chunky clouds.
I watched the lavender scales sparkle and shimmer, casting colors all around, until a hand reached out and slid along them.
He was solemn, his mouth turned down at the corners and the crease between his eyes pinched in an angle. If it hadn’t been for the anticipation in his gaze, I wouldn’t have felt the sting of abandonment. He was looking forward to the oncoming battle, and once again, I would have to sit and wait behind.
The desperation and fear was coming back, clinging to my throat and knocking me immobile. Too many times I had had to endure the waiting. Every time the Lathmorians had left on a rescue attempt to Hyvar, I had remained on the island desperate with worry for those involved and wondering if Patrick was still alive.
Left alone with my thoughts, I watched him gather our pants and shirts from the depths of the pool, along with the belt of knives and place them on the other side of the waterfall. He came back to sit next to me after some time, and it took more control than I thought it would to remain calm. There was no use for tears. There was only one way to fix this.
“Will you help me?” I asked. “I want to fight better.”
“Of course,” was all he said, the deep timber of his voice washing over me like water over rippling sand.
“I want to be able to help,” I explained.
“Then we had better get to work,” he said and slipped into the water, his chest high above the surface. I could just see the black scar across his hip, the flicker of it matching his fins.
Glancing at my own scar, I bit my lip and fell headlong into the water where he began to put me through the courses. This time it was more powerful and dangerous than before. My blades were drawn, as were his. He could have killed me a dozen times, but stopped right before the final cut could be made. Each time he berated me, pushing me to improve, move quicker, use my skills to get around him.
He was beating me soundly, his stren
gth and speed matching both merman and mermaid alike. As he came in for another combat ending move, I suddenly realized he was playing dirty. He wasn’t letting me have the benefit of feeling as though I could accomplish anything. The sting from earlier, came back again and I felt my rage rise with the moment. He berated me, coaxing me to reach deeper.
With every thrust and parry, I felt my anger grow and when he came at me again, I took the offensive. As though it was instinct, my voice rose sharply in the waters and reached him almost instantly.
Stop! I commanded, the tune more musical than when I spoke the merlanguage in the depths of the water.
It was the same sound I had used when interrogating him before the Lathmorians. He halted for a moment, and then charged forward. I was ready and shot across the pool faster than him. Reaching the other side, I called to him again.
Come here, I cried breathless, even though he was charging toward me. I won’t hurt you, and you won’t hurt me. He shot forward again and I fled to the other side. You know you want to be near me, need to be near me. His eyes grew dull, but he still raced forward with obvious intent. I disappeared in a swirl of lavender and he hunted me down.
Now stop, I said more calmly than I felt. He stuttered, and I pressed my advantage. Stop!
He slowed down, our eyes fixed together. He came close to my face, his blades merely inches from my body. He was struggling, trying to fight the hold I had over him, and somehow, I was able to maintain my control without tiring.
This is what you want, what you need. Put those away, you know you won’t need them. We are together, you and I. There is no reason to fight while we are here. Together. We are together.
For a moment, a battle warred between us. His eyes kindled with the fire, and a part of me rejoiced. It was a pure feeling of revenge for the way he and Kryssa had made me feel. Simply remembering the way I had felt, the way they had made me think I was useless, had forced the frustration and anger to take over.
Torrents (DROPLETS Trilogy Book 3) Page 26