Resurfaced_A Little Mermaid Retelling_

by Wendi Wilson

I keep quiet, listening to my mother and father explain the king’s change of heart, his protection of them both while they’ve been here, and his desire to get all three of us out here, alive and safe. When they finish speaking, Adrian stares across the room, his eyes unfocused.

  The silence is deafening, so I break it. “I think we should tell him, Adrian.”

  He shakes himself and meets my eyes. “Tell what to whom?”

  “Tell my grandfather that you want to help us and become human.”

  “What?”

  I rear back at his shout. “Calm down,” I say, motioning with my hands for him to keep it down.

  “How do you expect me to calm down, Kailani Ericson, when you want to expose my treasonous thoughts to the one Mer who would ostracize, or kill, any Mer who dared to think them?”

  “We told you, Adrian. He doesn’t feel that way anymore. He’s looking for a way to get us out of here without causing a civil war and you’re the perfect scapegoat. You get us out of here and become human. No one from this city can touch you once that happens. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

  “I do not know…”

  His words trail off, his face torn. I repeat my original question, hoping he’ll reveal something I can use as ammo to convince him. “Why do you want to become human?”

  “I don’t really belong here, Kai,” he says, my nickname passing his lips easily this time. “The Mer are a strong, prideful people. The hatred of all things human runs deep in most hearts, but I have always been…curious.”

  “I know that feeling,” my mom says quietly.

  Adrian nods at her, continuing, “I found a cavern while on patrol. It was filled with objects, human objects, and it mystified me.”

  A rush of bubbles flies from my mom’s mouth as she exhales sharply. “My treasures…”

  “You did that?” Adrian asks her. At her nod, he continues, “It is amazing. A hidden cave filled, floor to ceiling, with…treasures. Statues of humans, precious metals, strange contraptions. Where did you acquire these things?”

  “Sunken ships, mostly. I did a lot of exploring before I met Dante and left Delmare.”

  Adrian looks back at me. “It only served to intensify my curiosity. I began visiting the surface. Watching people on passing boats. Once, I even swam to an island and watched children playing in the sand. I felt something that day. Something that had nothing to do with honor, duty or the constant hatred of all things human. I felt…joy.”

  I don’t know what to say. I can’t really relate because I didn’t grow up here. I don’t know what it’s like to have your entire existence revolve around pride and the hatred of another species. So, I nod, hoping the response is enough to keep him talking.

  It is. “I became somewhat obsessed. I did everything I could to learn more about humans, sneaking around so as not to arouse suspicion among the Mer. The more I learned, the more I began to resent this city and its people. I want to be a part of that world. I want to be human.”

  Chapter Eleven

  After his admission, Adrian made some excuse about being here too long and arousing suspicion. He promised to talk more when he delivers dinner, then swam out of here as fast as he could. That was three hours ago.

  “Do you think he’ll agree to do it?” I ask to no one in particular.

  “Kai,” my mom says, “you’ve already asked that question a dozen times. We have no idea and won’t until he comes back.”

  “But he said he’d come back with dinner. What about lunch? Why can’t we talk then?”

  “My father usually brings lunch and eats with us.”

  “He does?”

  I don’t know why this shocks me. I met him and he was polite, courteous and somewhat affectionate. Maybe it’s because he’s an actual king. I can’t wrap my mind around the fact that he’d take time to have lunch with prisoners. Even if they are family.

  My last thought is punctuated with the sound of the lock on the door clicking. The three of us turn as one, watching the door swing open. King Merric, himself, swims through the door with a large tray in his hands. My mother springs into action, swimming forward to close the door behind him. My father takes the tray and sets it on the table. As soon as Merric’s arms are free, he spreads them wide. Something that sounds like “daddy” erupts from my mother’s lips and instantly she’s wrapped in those arms, her face pressed against his bare chest.

  I can’t keep my mouth from dropping open. This is so weird. My eyes dart to my father, who is watching them with a soft smile on his lips. He glances at me and shrugs, giving his head a little shake. Obviously, he’s used to seeing this type of whole-hearted greeting between them. I snap my mouth shut and swim to his side.

  Mom and Grandad…should I call him Grandad? Grandpa? Grandfather? Ugh, I don’t know. Mom and King Merric release each other and turn to us, presenting a united front. My mother has lied to me since birth, worked as a servant to that horrible old witch, and lost the love of her life all to keep me safe from this person, and now they’re side by side, touching and hugging and happy? I don’t know if I should feel relieved or infuriated. I guess I’m a little of both.

  Mom knows me too well. She glides away from King Merric and takes up a position next to my dad. Dad slings an arm over her shoulder and kisses her temple. The silence stretches between the four of us, making me edgy.

  “So,” I say, drawing out the word, “what should I call you? Grandfather? Grandad? Your Highness?” I throw that last one out with a slight sneer.

  He chuckles. “Grandad is fine when we are in private. In public, you should stick with your highness. Or my liege.”

  I snort. Who knew you could snort underwater? And when did I become so impertinent? This man could order my death with a flick of his wrist. In fact, he already has. Crap.

  Merric throws his head back and laughs. “You are truly a delight, my dear granddaughter. Merryn,” he turns his attention back to my mom, “do you remember asking me about your mother and what she was like?” He nods in my direction. “She was just like her.”

  Mom’s face lights up, pride emanating from her. “Then, I can see why you loved her so much,” she says, smiling broadly in my direction.

  “Indeed,” Merric says. Rubbing his hands together, he says, “Now, let us eat and discuss any ideas we have to extricate ourselves from this predicament.”

  Mom takes the lid from the serving tray and sets it aside. More seaweed and fish. My nose wrinkles instinctively, even though I had it this morning and it was delicious. Dad chuckles and hands me a long strip of seaweed.

  I take a bite and chew, my mind drifting to our situation. “King…Grandad. I still don’t understand why you can’t just rescind the laws.”

  “Well, Kai, I assure you I have put much thought and consideration into this. I have even discussed it with some trusted advisors, and they agree. If I try to rescind the laws, now that I have you and your parents in my custody, the Mer will revolt. It will look as if I only want to reverse the laws to save my family. It will be seen as an injustice when other families have suffered the consequences.”

  “Other families?”

  He looks at the floor, shaking his head. “I am ashamed to admit it, but yes, I have enforced the laws on two occasions. One was a mermaid that approached a ship and showed herself to its crew. Rather than luring them to their deaths, she sang and flashed her tail before diving under and returning to Delmare.”

  “Flashed her tail?”

  “It’s how mermaids…entice a merman,” my mom interjects.

  “Oh,” I say, blushing.

  “She flirted with the human men,” Grandad continues, “and left them alive to tell the tale. A sentry saw the whole thing and reported the situation to me. She was banished that same day.”

  “That’s terrible,” I mumble.

  “I am sorry to say that is not the worst of it. The second instance occurred when a merman swam to shallow waters and transformed his tail into legs. Apparently, he had purcha
sed a potion from the sea witch before she was banished and had been working up the courage to use it for years. Despite the laws, he decided to drink it, to experience…laying…with a human woman. He found a woman on the beach and enticed her with his voice.”

  “That’s crazy,” I say. “She just had sex with a strange guy that appeared out of the ocean?”

  “If she had any reservations, his voice would have superseded them. A Mer’s voice is very persuasive. Most humans cannot resist it.”

  “That sounds a lot like a roofie.”

  “A what?”

  “Nothing. Never mind. Go on.”

  “The Mer returned to Delmare and bragged about his conquest to a friend. His friend turned him in, rather than chance his own banishment for keeping the secret. The Mer was executed the following day, in front of the entire city.”

  “How awful,” I say.

  He nods at me. “I know. This was years ago, before I learned forgiveness and regret. Unfortunately, those occurrences are what prohibit me from rescinding the laws now. The family and friends of those Mer would revolt should I excuse my own blood when theirs was not. My people would turn against me. You would all die and I would be, at the very least, banished.”

  “What if there’s another way?” I ask.

  “Kailani, don’t,” my mother hisses, but I wave her off.

  “I am listening. What do you have in mind, granddaughter?” Merric says, crossing his arms over his chest.

  “What if there were a citizen of this city that doesn’t hate all things human?”

  “A sympathizer?”

  “Yes, a sympathizer. Let’s say this merperson sneaks in and helps us escape. We get away and you’re off the hook. Easy peasy.”

  “It sounds as if you have it all figured out. Please tell me, how will you find such a Mer?”

  “I, uh, don’t know. But if it were to happen, it’s probably best you don’t know about it. Plausible deniability and all that.”

  I look down and if I had feet, they’d be scuffing the ground. I don’t want to get Adrian in trouble. He hasn’t even agreed to this yet.

  “Plausible deniability, eh? This hypothetical Mer wouldn’t happen to be Adrian, would he?”

  “What? No. I mean, I don’t know.” I pause and suck water into my lungs. “Yes,” I mumble, knowing my lying skills are subpar, at best.

  He laughs. An actual full out belly laugh. I look at my parents, who have the same bewildered look on their face that I probably have on mine. I look back at Merric, who has a soft smile on his lips.

  “Why do you think he was the Mer to retrieve you? I chose him, because I know he has a fascination with all things human and that you would come to no harm under his care.”

  “How did you know?” I ask, somewhat dumbstruck.

  “I know my people, particularly the members of my elite guard. He shies away when other Mer begin discussing their hatred of humans, or what they would do should they ever encounter one. He gives his battalion extra duty if he catches them insulting Merryn and her decision to become human and leave this place. And let us not forget to mention the cavern of human artifacts he visits.”

  “You know about that?” my mom chimes in.

  “Yes, I know about it. I was out for a solitary swim one evening and I saw him sneaking off, looking extremely nervous. I followed him at a distance and saw him enter the cave behind a large boulder. I was curious, so after he left, I investigated. Imagine my surprise when I found it filled floor to ceiling with human things.” He looks at my mom. “Some of them belonging to your mother before she died.”

  “It’s true,” Mom replies. “I was exploring this very room as a child and found those things in a chest. I didn’t want to get caught with them, so I hid them in the cave. It just kind of grew from there. I would explore sunken ships and find human tools and objects. It turned into a sort of collection.”

  “At any rate, I realized that at least one of my citizens did not have a heart filled with hate, and it gave me hope. Hope that one day, things will change.”

  “He hasn’t agreed to a plan yet, but he would only consider helping us if Bryce and his parents make him human.”

  “Human? Who is this Bryce you speak of?”

  “He’s my, uh, boyfriend.” I don’t know why I’m stammering. Clearing my throat, I continue, “He’s my soul mate, actually, and a witch. His whole family are witches. They cast the spell on me that allowed me to be a mermaid in the water and a human on land. They are looking for the spell that Ms. Coraline used on mom, so all three of us will be human full-time again.”

  “Coraline,” he spits out. “Anything she does serves herself more than anyone she is supposedly helping. It is why I banished her in the first place. I do not know how you brought yourself to go to her.”

  “I was desperate, Daddy,” Mom says, knowing that last bit was directed at her.

  “Well, she’s not a problem anymore. Bryce and I, well, we vanquished her.”

  “Vanquished?”

  “When I said soul mates, I wasn’t speaking metaphorically. We have a…synergy…that is present when a witch meets his or her soul’s twin. He channeled his power through me and it amplified. We directed it at Coraline and poof! She disappeared.”

  “Disappeared? But, where did she go?”

  “I don’t know. We were running short on time, because the spell had to be cast at the full moon’s highest point, then Adrian showed up and declared that you would kill my parents if I didn’t come here, and…I guess we never really thought about it. She was gone and that was all that mattered.”

  He stares at me for a few moments, his eyes vacant. Coraline was a thorn in his side for many years, so I guess it must be a shock to learn that she’s really gone, not just hiding on land somewhere, finding and torturing new victims with her dark magic.

  “Okay,” he says straightening his spine. “I must go, now. I will think on this matter and try to come up with a viable plan. I shall see you all tomorrow.”

  “Oh, Grandad?” I try my best not to stutter the word. “Please don’t tell Adrian I told you. I would hate to break his trust and lose our shot at getting his help.”

  “Worry not, Kailani. I will not tell him. On that, you have my word.”

  With that, he turns and leaves the room, closing the door softly behind him. The sound of the lock clicking is followed by silence. I look at my mom and dad, giving them a hopeful smile that they both return. This may just work out for everybody involved.

  Bryce? Where are you?

  My psychic call is, once again, met with complete and total silence. Disappointment fills me, but I push it back down. Why didn’t I ask Adrian to search for Bryce when he delivered breakfast? I can’t believe I forgot. I got so caught up in the stupid food that Bryce completely slipped my mind. Shame heats my face.

  Suck it up, Kai. One thing at a time. I’ve got to get us out of here first, then we can find Bryce. I just need to talk to Adrian. I can convince him. I know it.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Finally!”

  I push the door closed behind Adrian after he swims through with our dinner tray. I follow behind him, my tail swishing in nervous agitation. I feel like I’ve been waiting forever to talk to him. Being locked in this room all day hasn’t helped. My parents tried several times to distract me, but it never lasted for long.

  “I am actually right on time,” Adrian says, placing the tray on the table and removing the lid with a slight flourish.

  “Is that crab legs?”

  Adrian’s face darkens slightly with a blush. “Yes, I asked the food preparers to add them. It is a bit of a delicacy here, but I thought you may appreciate something a little more familiar.”

  “But they’re not cooked?” I say, more a question than a statement.

  Adrian rolls his eyes. “Must we go over this again? Underwater,” he states, waving his arms around the room. “No fire. No heat.”

  “Okay, okay. I get it. No need t
o be a smartass.”

  “What is this smart-ass?”

  “Nothing,” I say quickly, my eyes darting toward my mother. “Never mind.”

  I swim forward and pluck a spiky leg from the platter. “Do we have a crab cracker?”

  Adrian’s face scrunches in confusion, so I glance at my parents. My dad is grinning and my mom looks sympathetic. She drifts forward and selects a leg, holding it out in front of her.

  “We use our teeth,” she says, “like this.”

  Sticking the end of the appendage into her mouth, she bites down with her molars with a loud crunch. Twisting, she yanks it and shows me the opening at the end. She picks up a bronze bowl from the platter and spits the sharp shell pieces from her mouth. Setting the bowl down, she places the now-open end of the crab leg against her lips and sucks on it. I hear a loud slurping sound, then she’s chewing and showing me the hollow shell of the leg.

  “Well, that’s not weird or disgusting at all,” I say. I return my attention to Adrian. “We need to talk.”

  “Would you not like to dine, first?”

  “The food can wait,” I say. His face drops, so I add, “Thank you for thinking of me, Adrian. It was very considerate and I’m sure I’ll love it.” Not really. But he doesn’t need to know that.

  Looking somewhat appeased, he says, “I suppose you would like to discuss our agreement and my thoughts on the matter of telling King Merric.”

  “Yes, but first, I need to tell you about our conversation with him at lunch.”

  I relate our conversation with Grandad, only leaving out the part about him guessing the Mer was Adrian. I don’t want to scare him off. He already looks ready to bolt as it is. That can’t happen. We need him.

  “What if his highness’s agreement to this plan is only a ruse meant to entrap a traitor?”

  “Oh my God, Adrian, it’s not!”

  I close my eyes and force myself to calm down. Sucking a big gulp of briny water into my lungs, I expel it slowly and lift my eyelids. I’m going to have to tell him the truth. Otherwise he won’t risk it and help us. I just need to ask him something first.