Forever

by Ashley L. Knight

  I opened my eyes to a very worried looking Thayde kneeling before me.

  “Are you okay?” He asked, prying my hands from their death grip on the covers.

  “She’s going to die unless I find a way to stop her aging.”

  Thayde looked at the floor. “There isn’t any way that I’m aware of.”

  “It’s not been done before.”

  He shook his head. Thayde thought it was impossible, but I couldn’t believe that. Nothing is impossible. I wiped my sweaty forehead and watched him pull a tee shirt over his head. When he offered his hand, I let him pull me to my feet.

  “The Maître’d will mail our things back to Vero for us.” Thayde suddenly added.

  “They do that?”

  “When you have money, Morgan, you can do anything.” He pulled me to him.

  “You ready?” I asked.

  “Yup,” he gritted his teeth.

  “Here we go,”

  Seconds later, The Leap threw us back to Vero Beach.

  CHAPTER THREE

  BACK TO VERO

  Leaping had its benefits, but it wasn’t the most pleasant of experiences. Thayde and I slammed together as it threw us to Vero. We alighted on Tammer’s pretty lawn by the side of his one-of-a-kind mansion on the edge of the ocean. The pool looked like it hadn’t been used in weeks. I’d never seen Tammer cover it before.

  Thayde and I made our way across the thick green grass to the sliding glass doors of the living room. The house was like walking into a morgue. Tammer’s best friend, David, and Mom’s best friend, Vitahl, greeted us somberly as we walked in. Vitahl simply pointed to my parents’ bedroom.

  I wasn’t prepared to see Naira in such a horrific state. To begin, her already startling growth spurts had more than doubled and she no longer looked four – she was the size of a ten year old. Deathly pale, the whites of her eyes red and her body soaked in sweat, she resembled a mere shell of a person. Catatonic, she didn’t even notice me enter the room and wave at her from the top of her special sunken bed.

  Mom was in a sad state herself; her long blonde hair looking like aged seaweed. Her face was gaunt and troubled. She sat on Naira’s bed holding her hand and when I entered the room, she frowned and looked away.

  “It looks as if her body is beginning to age as quickly as we mature.” I whispered to Tammer, ignoring Mom’s strange reaction. He leaned, hunched against the wall, his arms wrapped around himself in an embrace. When he didn’t answer, I placed my hand on his shoulder and he jumped.

  “Sorry,” he apologized and moved away from me to the end of Naira’s bed. My parents were in shock. Too much had happened at once and I wasn’t sure if they were going to be prepared for the bad news I had to share. I hoped there might be something they could remember from their teachings that would help.

  Praying for a miracle, I knelt on the bed.

  “Naira?” Her blank gaze focused on me. No recognition swept her face. It was odd to think that just a few weeks ago she had been a happy, content little girl.

  “How are you feeling?” I asked, hoping she would smile and answer in her sweet little voice. But there was nothing. Forcing a smile, I lay my hand on her arm. The heat her body emitted was unnatural and I looked to Mom in alarm. Her face said it all; there was nothing more she could do.

  I leaned forward, my lips close to her ear. “I’m going to find a way to make you better. You just hang in there okay?” I kissed her hot cheek and stood. “I need to speak with both of you.”

  Mom and Tammer didn’t move. They continued to stare at Naira in a trance-like state. “Hello?” I said a bit louder and their weary eyes turned to me. “We need to talk.”

  I exited Naira’s bedroom and made my way to the living room. Tammer followed and a

  few moments later, Mom emerged from their room. My parents stood next to each other, not touching. I dropped next to Thayde on the couch.

  I didn’t know where to begin. “When did this start?”

  “Three days ago,” Mom’s voice was hollow.

  “What did you do to help her?”

  “Everything I could! Do you think I wouldn’t try everything?” Her tone was accusatory.“Have you contacted Aletheia?” I tried.

  “Yes,” Tammer clasped his hands together. “She’s on her way. The only thing she said she knew for certain was that The Link has never had siblings and we’re walking on new ground here. She’s bringing a friend with her – Hada or something.”

  If my aunt didn’t know what was going on, I didn’t hold out much hope of finding a way to fix this. I had already wracked my brain and found nothing. My parents read the emotions in my face and Mom leaped to her feet, her hands shaking.

  “You have to find a cure for her! You’re The Link – you can’t just let her die!”

  “I will try my best, Mom.” I said, grasping at straws. “I promise you, I will.”

  “I don’t care what you have to do. Fix her!”

  I’d never seen her so angry and I didn’t know what more to say.

  “Elan,” Tammer interrupted and Mom turned on him, her face full of rage.

  “I won’t let my baby die, Tammer! If Morgandy wasn’t The Link, Naira would be just fine!”

  Tammer’s mouth fell open. “Elan!”

  Thayde’s grip on my hand tightened.

  “It’s true!” She cried. “Why is this happening to us? We’re good merpeople! It’s not as if we broke laws or signed up for this. First we have to deal with the effects Morgandy had to go through and now we have to deal with Naira possibly…” Her voice broke and she collapsed into Tammer’s arms.

  I knew she was saying this because she was desperate for answers, but it still hurt. Mom and I never had a fantastic relationship to begin with and this wasn’t making me feel any better.

  Thayde tried to offer support. “I think a lot has been thrown at you these past few days. I know Morgan will find a way to help Naira. If anyone can do it, it’s her.”

  “I’m sorry Morgan,” Tammer said over Mom’s shoulder.

  “It’s okay,” I lied, “I know she’s upset.”

  “Upset doesn’t even begin to describe it!” She mumbled into Tammer’s neck.

  “If I could trade places with her I would!” The sting of Mom’s rejection was a needle in my heart. Naira would always be her baby.

  Mom stiffened. “I’m not going to talk about this anymore. I’m going to be with my baby.” She pulled away from Tammer and disappeared into their room. Tammer gazed at the doorway before holding his head in his hands.

  Are you going to be okay? I thought and he shook his head.

  “Elan’s upset, but it’s…” he trailed off.

  Concerning?

  Frightening. He looked straight at me. I think she might be having a mental breakdown. His words were terrifying.

  Thayde glanced nervously at Tammer. She has to be just, Thayde searched for the words, afraid.

  There’s nothing really wrong with Mom, is there?

  Tammer looked defeated. “Honestly, I don’t know. She’s different. She thinks she’s the only one going through this. I’m very worried.”

  Shirley, Naira’s nanny and the Riddick Family housekeeper, brought Tammer a goblet of water and he took it from her as if it was the last thing he wanted.

  “I’m sorry she spoke to you like that. She’s not herself at the moment.” He swallowed all of the water in two gulps and handed the glass back to Shirley. “Excuse me,” he said, and followed Mom back to his little girl.

  I leaned against Thayde and his arms circled me. “What do we do?” He asked.

  The last thing I wanted to do was admit to myself I didn’t know. I considered my options and allowed him to read my mind as I did. I could wait for Aletheia and her friend to arrive and counsel me. I’d already pulled all the memories I knew to see if there was anything like this in our histories. Again, it was all just speculation. I wondered if I could force her to heal – try and ‘cure’ her myself. Thayde
clicked his tongue.

  I don’t think it’s wise to do that, Morgan. There are rules to merpeople meddling with the dying. It’s frowned upon because the results can be disastrous.

  She can’t be dying! I thought, shuddering at the thought of losing my baby sister.

  Sweetheart, I’m sorry, but you and I both know she is. His arms tightened. As The Link, I don’t think the rules apply to you, but with it being a possibility that something awful could happen, is it a chance you’re willing to take?

  I’ll wait for Aletheia.

  Aletheia arrived within hours and embraced me as though she hadn’t seen me in years. She was accompanied by her fiancé, Lars, who bowed gallantly before pulling me into a giant bear hug. The two lovers met during our time in Idaho and had been together since. Though a wedding date had not been set, the entire family eagerly awaited the announcement.

  My attention shifted to a woman who hung on the edge of our little group, patiently waiting to be introduced. Aletheia linked her arm through hers and brought her forward.

  “Morgan, this is my friend, Hadassah.”

  To say she was beautiful wouldn’t be saying much; everyone from the merworld looked as if they’d walked out of the pages of Vogue. However, Hadassah was not typical. Tall, muscular yet voluptuous, she was graceful and walked with a confidence that made everyone turn their heads. Power radiated from her, her ebony skin actually glowed. Violet colored eyes such as Aletheia’s bore into mine as she regarded me from where she stood. Her long, velvet-like hair hung around her like a black shawl and she extended her hand in a way that made me feel lucky to have been offered it.

  “It is an honor to finally meet you,” her African voice was flavored with honey – the earthiness was intoxicating.

  “How do you do?” I asked, smiling as best I could despite the circumstances. It must not have been enough to mask my worry.

  “Your sister is very ill,” she answered, erasing my smile. “I apologize for my bluntness, but she was never intended to make it pass her fifteenth birthday.”

  “I’m not so sure she’ll make it to the end of this week.” I admitted.

  “Hadassah and I were in lessons together,” Aletheia was quiet, “we do not know more than speculation from the teachings and gossip. This situation has never been dealt with before.”

  I nodded. She wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t already know.

  “Can’t I just fix her?” I asked. “You know, will her body to recover?”

  “Not in this case,” Hadassah shook her head. “You are in unfamiliar territory and it would not be wise to treat it as if it were familiar.”

  “You cannot just ‘fix’ everything,” Aletheia continued. “Despite the fact that you’re The Link, not everything is fixable.”

  “You’re telling me we should just give up?” My throat tightened.

  “No, we’re telling you that you must find another way.” Hadassah rubbed her fingertips across her lips. “I know you are young – the youngest ruler we’ve ever had. But you inherited the memories and teachings of every ruler before you. Have you attempted to access them?”

  “Yes, I have.”

  Aletheia’s eyes grew wide. “When?”

  “In Moorea just after I found out.”

  “You don’t wait around, do you?” Hadassah smiled warmly.

  “I thought rulers were supposed to do that.”

  “No, they will take a moment to think. You must think before you act, otherwise you will not be a good ruler. Many times, problems will solve themselves.”

  “Yeah, so I’ve learned.” I felt defeated before I began.

  Thayde’s cell phone rang, filling the pause in conversation. “I’m sorry!” He pulled it from his pocket and regarded the screen with trepidation. “I’ve got to take this,” he said and left the room as he answered the phone.

  I looked back at my aunt and Hadassah sitting elegantly on my parent’s white couches. Aletheia wore the same attire she always wore; silky, flowing, colorful dresses. This time, she was clad in ice blue.

  Hadassah was wrapped in yards of magenta fabric that popped against her skin and the couch. With their strange eye color, they were a magnificent looking pair.

  Lars plopped down beside Aletheia. As usual, he was a definite contrast to her. Clothed in blue jeans and a white long sleeved shirt, he looked from a different time all together. He pushed his sun glasses further back on his head, clearing his long blonde hair from his face.

  “So Morgan,” he began, his Australian accent heavy, “how’s the honeymoon been?”

  “Good Lars, how’ve you been?” I threw the question back, annoyed to make small talk.

  “I’ve been very good. You’ll be happy to know I’ve stopped hunting for sport.”

  This was a surprise and I couldn’t help but smile. “Really? What made you change your mind?”

  “Not what, but who,” he retorted and poked Aletheia in the side.

  Aletheia had changed his mind. Clearly, she was able to control Lars’ uncontrollable behavior – I would have killed him by now. Don’t get me wrong, Lars was a good guy, but he irritated me to no end.

  “Thank you Lars, many good creatures will thank you as well.” I said and he nodded. “Okay, let’s get back to the problem at hand.” Both women glanced at each other. “What can we do to stop this? I’ve searched through all the memories and I’ve come up with nothing. Is there nothing in your teachings, no gossip I can use to try and save Naira?”

  “All I can suggest is meeting with Naira,” Hadassah said leaning forward. “This you must do while in limbo.”

  “A meeting? Just what exactly am I supposed to do in this ‘meeting’?” I asked, amazed she was suggesting such a thing.

  “You must ask her if she wishes to continue living,”

  “What? Of course she’ll want to continue to live! Are you crazy?”

  “You must let me finish,” Hadassah’s accent grew stronger. “Sometimes, being in limbo is easier than dealing with the pain. You know this.”

  She was right. Limbo was painless and an easy way to maneuver. Hadassah continued.

  “But you also know the longer you are in limbo, the quicker your body dies. If she wishes to stay in limbo, she shall die for certain. If she chooses to come back, she may live longer, but regretfully, I do not foresee her getting better.”

  “And she’ll be in agony the entire time? That’s it? Those are the choices?”

  Both agreed.

  “That’s not good enough,” I stood, the weight of the world breaking my shoulders. “It’s not good enough.” My voice rose with my despair.

  Hadassah watched me pace the room. Her next comment brought me to a complete stand still.

  “You must also consider, not everyone you meet will necessarily need or want your help. Not everyone wants to be healed. Not everyone is as unhappy as they seem. As a ruler, you must think before you act. This situation with Naira is not all it seems. Think before you act, always.”

  It was too much too soon. I crossed my arms and closed my eyes. I wasn’t able to focus.

  “Sorry about that!” Thayde stepped back into the living room, slipping his cell phone into his pocket. “Morgan, we need to go. Now.”

  I didn’t want to go anywhere.

  “Why? What’s wrong?”

  Thayde slid one of the glass doors open. “I have to go to Limus’s house.”

  “What?” Aletheia pulled away from Lars. “Why?”

  “It’s my brother,”

  “Akin?”

  Thayde shook his head. “No, it’s Gavran. He needs me. I have to bring him back here.” He paused, noting everyone’s astonished faces. “He knows who tipped off Herra about our honeymoon whereabouts.”

  I didn’t want to leave my sister. “Can’t you just get him and come back?”

  Thayde’s look was exasperated. “Morgan, I need you to put a shield around me.”

  Not uttering another word, I placed my hand in his
outstretched palm and walked out the door with him.

  My beautiful silver Cobra Venom car was waiting for me in the garage. It had been so long since I had driven it, I melted over it as we passed by. Thayde rolled his eyes and climbed into Mom’s BMW SUV.

  “Let’s go, he’s waiting for us outside the main gates.”

  “Why do you get to drive?” I grumbled, sliding into the passenger seat.

  “Because I’m a better driver.” He dodged a playful slap as he started the engine.

  The Dartmoth mansion was a mere ten miles away and we arrived within minutes. The saying in Florida is ‘five you’re fine, ten you’re mine’, meaning if you sped five miles an hour over the speed limit, no one really cared, but God help you if you were caught at ten! We sped the whole way.

  It was strange, pulling up to the place I hadn’t visited since witnessing The Judgment on Thayde. I remembered it like it was yesterday and it sent a deep shiver down my back. Gavran had been part of that judgment, although he had been an unwilling participant. It made me hate him, but he had helped my mother in the battle that ensued. Could we trust him? I’d have to do a mind sweep.

  Leaning against the gates stood a very slim young man with platinum hair. Dressed from head to toe in black, he stood straight when we pulled up and plunged his hands into his pockets. Gavran sat hunched in the corner where the gates and the wall met. Thayde turned to me.

  “Just keep me covered while I’m with these two, okay?” He asked and I nodded. Placing a shield around Thayde was one of the easiest things I could do.

  Thayde slowly opened the door and moved around the front of it. The blonde boy didn’t move when he greeted him. When Thayde reached him, Gavran fell into his embrace, his shoulders shaking as he cried. His friend politely averted his eyes and focused on me. Something about him was very different.

  Thayde released Gavran, leaving his hands on either side of his shoulders and spoke quietly to him. I kept away from their thoughts and resisted the urge to listen in on their conversation. The death-like stare from Gavran’s friend was beginning to irritate me. He looked like a ghost and I wondered what part of the world he was from.