SAGE (Tales of the Merman Book 1)

by E. M. Leya

  "You'll need to show me some of your paintings sometime."

  They turned into the Chinese restaurant and the discussion turned to picking out food. By the time they had their food and headed back to the apartment, Gary was starving. He set the food on the coffee table and got them both beers from the kitchen, and then put on an action movie neither of them had seen yet.

  Derrick pushed the coffee table back a bit and took a seat on the floor, his back against the couch. Gary sat down beside him and they started pulling food from the bag. Steam rose from the boxes as they opened them and started to eat.

  Gary struggled with the chopsticks and finally set them down with a sigh. "I give up. I'll never get anything with these things. You want silverware?"

  Derrick laughed. "Here let me help." He reached over and took Gary's sticks and then his hand. He placed the sticks in the proper position and showed him how to work his fingers.

  Gary tried, and still the food dropped off and back into the box. "Ugh."

  "This way." Derrick moved closer and wrapped his hand around Gary's moving his fingers the right way as he dipped the sticks into the box.

  Gary laughed as the food once again fell off the sticks. "See I told you, I'll never get it down." He glanced up at Derrick and paused, his face becoming serious as he realized how close they were.

  He inhaled sharply, but didn't move back. His gaze fell to Derrick's lips and then back up to his eyes. His pulse quickened as Derrick's hold on his hand changed to something more intimate as he caressed his fingers.

  "Tell me to stop now," Derrick whispered.

  Gary hesitated for only a moment before he closed the distance and kissed him.

  Derrick's lips were warm against his own. He moaned slightly as Derrick parted his lips and he felt his tongue caress over his mouth, and Gary brought his free hand up to wrap around Derrick and hold him close.

  He closed his eyes, enjoying the tenderness of the kiss, exploring and testing each other as they sucked and licked at each other's mouths. The kiss lasted several minutes, before they finally pulled back and stared at each other.

  Gary dropped his gaze for a moment, feeling guilty for what happened even though he really didn't have reason to. Sage had made it clear that there wasn't anything serious between them. Derrick continued to hold his hand and Gary realized he still had his hand pressed to his shoulder.

  He rubbed his hand down Derrick's arm as he tried to figure out what he was feeling.

  "You regret that?" Derrick pulled back slightly as he stared into Gary's eyes.

  "Not regret. I liked it, liked it a lot."

  "But you're seeing someone else, right?"

  "I don't know. I was, but I haven't seen or heard from him in almost two weeks. I don't have any way to contact him to know what's going on."

  "You don't have his number?"

  "He wouldn't give it to me. Said he would be in contact. It didn't sit well with me when he said that, but I figured I would give him a chance. I really like him." Gary hung his head. "I don't know what to think."

  "I'm not going to push you. You know I want more between us, but I didn't come over here expecting anything tonight."

  "I know that. I'm attracted to you, but I'm still hung up on this other guy. I know it's stupid. After this long without a word I should just let it go, but…" He bit his lip. "I'm sorry."

  "Hey, it's okay. I think we have all been there. I know I have. I understand." Derrick reached up and cupped Gary's cheek with his palm. "I'm happy for you if he comes back. If he doesn't, well, I'm not going anywhere. Maybe we can try later."

  Gary turned his head and kissed Derrick's palm. "I'm sorry. I know I'm stupid for holding on. I mean, he doesn't give me any way to contact him, he doesn't call or come around for almost two weeks. That should tell me something."

  "Some people are just harder to get over than others. He must have been someone very special to affect you that way." Derrick lowered his hand but didn't move away.

  "He was different. I can't explain it. Even though everything points to him just using me, it's like I can't believe that of him. He wasn’t the type. At least if he was, he had me fooled."

  "How long did you know him?"

  Gary blushed and looked away. "It makes it sound even worse. About a week."

  Derrick smiled. "It doesn't make it worse. Like I said, sometimes people come into your life who are just that way. They are someone you will never forget."

  Gary shrugged. The urge to just forget Sage and just move forward with Derrick was strong, but there was still something keeping him from taking that step. The guilt from just the kiss was enough to warn him not to do anything yet. "Thanks for understanding. I know I must be sending mixed signals to you. I'm attracted to you. I really like you. I just need to deal with this before we can…" Gary smiled. "Anyway, thank you."

  Derrick bent forward and kissed his forehead. "You have nothing to thank me for. I'm not as innocent as I seem. I'm just patient. I hope we have a long friendship, no matter what happens with you and this other guy, but if he isn't around in a few weeks, and you're ready to move on, I will be here. Now, go get your silverware. I think you're right, you will never get the hang of chopsticks."

  Gary laughed and stood. "I used to try as a kid to get them to work. Watched all my friends master it. I feel like an idiot whenever I try."

  Gary made his way to the kitchen, got two sets of silverware, and came back. Once he was able to grab the food, they ate quickly. Conversation trailed off as they started to get caught up in the movie.

  Once they finished eating, Derrick moved from the floor to the couch and Gary rose to turn off the light before taking a seat on the sofa beside him. Halfway through the movie, Derrick shifted, relaxing back farther on the couch. Gary glanced over at him, and when Derrick opened his arms to welcome Gary against him, he didn't hesitate to turn and rest back with him and enjoy the feel of someone holding him.

  He closed his eyes, wishing that man was Sage.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Sage was restless. He stared at the daily reports on his desk and tried to focus, but his mind kept going back to Gary. He needed to see him, let him know that things had happened to keep him away. He could only imagine what Gary thought of him by now.

  He couldn't leave, at least not until the meeting with the other clans took place in an hour, but even then, he wasn't sure he would be able to go to the mainland.

  "You look almost panicked." Heath walked in and took a seat in front of the stone desk. "You worried about the meeting?"

  Sage frowned. "I was thinking about the human I met. He probably thinks I'm an ass by now for not being in touch."

  "Is it that serious?" Heath raised a brow.

  "I think it could be." Sage tossed the pen he was holding on the desk. "I should let him go. I'll only put him in danger with all this shit going on."

  "All this shit is going on so that people like you can go see your humans." Heath pointed out. "Why don't you send someone with a message for him?"

  "Right now I don't trust anyone. Balick is still free. I wouldn't put it past him to still be loyal to Father, and if they found out about Gary, it could put his life in danger. I can see Father blaming all this on him. He and his guards are watching everyone who comes and goes from the caves."

  "True. Then wait till after the meeting. We will know more then." Heath glanced back at the entry. "Several more clan leaders showed up overnight. Hopefully things will move fast now."

  "I need to talk to you about something." Sage folded his hands on the desk as he leaned forward. "I want to nominate you for king. You should be the one to represent our clan."

  Heath didn't look surprised. "Still have no urge to lead the people?"

  Sage shook his head. "I'd go nuts dealing with this shit every day." He nodded at the paperwork on his desk. "I want to be out salvaging and searching. I can't stand to be trapped in here."

  Heath frowned. "You think others would vote for me?"


  "I don't see a difference between you or me. You know as much as I do. If there is anything you don't know, I'm always here to help. The men respect you and have always looked at you as a leader. I've thought long and hard about this. I just don't think I'm the right one for this."

  "But am I?"

  "We can ask Randy to be king."

  "Okay, point made." Heath smiled. "If you are sure you don't want to do this, we can nominate me. But I can't help feeling like I'm taking something that is rightfully yours."

  "It isn't mine if I'm not happy doing it. If I don't want it. I've been looking at these reports for an hour already today and I don't know what to do with them. I understand them, but when do I pull a crew off one site and send them to another, how do I deal with this problem of theft that crew seven reported? And the sighting of human divers in area ten?"

  Heath stared at him hard. "You watched Father for years. You know the answer to each one of those issues. I think the problem is you don't like having to be the bad guy sometimes and pissing people off."

  "See? You're much better at pissing people off than I am."

  Heath reached for the reports and read over them. "One question. How much of this is because of your human?"

  "I don't even know if he's mine anymore, Heath. He might have moved on or be so mad that he won't talk to me. But none of this has to do with him. You know how long I have complained about becoming king. I've never wanted the job. It should be yours. You have always been the leader among us."

  Heath brushed his hand through his long blond hair. "Okay. I will let you put my name up for nomination. However, I expect you to help me with shit I don't know. You are the one who has studied the history and laws. I need you by my side."

  "I promise. Thank you, Heath."

  "Don't thank me yet. I may go and fuck it all up. Besides, who says I will get the votes. The new king could be anyone."

  "True. I can't say I would be upset to see the stress taken from our clan, from our family."

  "They're ready to meet," Everest called from the doorway.

  "Let's get this over." Sage stood, going to his brother and grasping his shoulder as they both followed Everest from the office to the meeting chamber down the hall.

  Several stone tables lined the room, carved hundreds of years ago. Sage always liked the room. Carvings and designs covered the walls, telling a visual history of his people. As a child he would spend hours in here, looking at the stories.

  Today, his heart was heavy as he took a seat beside his four brothers. He wished Barron had arrived already to join them. There was still no word if he'd even received the message, but Sage was sure rumors were spreading, and one way or another he would hear and come home.

  "I call this meeting to order." Tiko stood, taking the lead role.

  The room fell silent as everyone turned their attention to him. Around a dozen clan leaders had arrived. Over half the clans now represented. Sage recognized most of the faces.

  "You have all been briefed about the situation. As we wait for more members to arrive, I want each of you here now to start deciding on one member of your clan to nominate for king. We will vote in five days. This will give you time to research and question others about the nominees and hopefully you will be able to make a wise choice. Remember, you are not allowed to vote for your own clan. This keeps the voting fair. A list of rules is available to those who need them. Contact myself or Sage." Tiko pointed across the room. "Either of us will be able to get you what you need."

  Sage listened as the meeting went on, trying to convince himself that turning his father in had been the right thing to do. In his heart, he was sure they did the right thing, but his loyalty to family caused guilt to wash over him as he wondered about what his father thought of them now.

  He glanced at his brothers, reminding himself this was about more than family. Doing what they did, they saved lives, and hopefully would change the laws so that their people didn't suffer and had the freedom to live the lives they wished.

  When the meeting ended, Tiko approached Sage with a smile. "You have earned much respect for what you and your brothers did."

  "I'm sure there are many that would side with my father and keep the old ways." Sage glanced around the room. "Most of us are younger, but some of the older people don't like change. I expect some resistance if we pass laws allowing some to live among humans."

  "There is always resistance, but the laws of the people have brought us through many battles. As long as we put everything to vote and work together to make sure the people are safe, they will slowly come around." Tiko sat down one of the large stone tables. "I need to go over a few things with you today. The other clans should arrive tonight or tomorrow and I would like to have everything ready for them when they do. I have a partial list of nominees already. Surprisingly, several clans have chosen not to nominate anyone. You have a good chance of winning, Sage."

  Sage glanced over at Heath who was talking to several others across the room. "I'm not running. We have decided to nominate Heath. He is a stronger leader than I."

  Tiko raised his brows, a look of shock crossing his face. "This surprises me. You are the eldest son. It is rare that one would pass up such an honor as king."

  "I realize that, and I am honored, but the good of the people must come first, and Heath will serve them better if he should win. I would never be happy in the position."

  "That makes you an even stronger man for admitting this. We are all going hunting. Come join us. When we return, we will go over everything." Tiko turned and spoke louder to everyone who still lingered in the room. "We hunt in ten minutes for those who wish to feed with us."

  Respect kept Sage from refusing. As he followed Tiko and the others to the water, he thought once more about Gary. At least hunting would keep him distracted and from wondering if Gary was even thinking about him anymore.

  His chest ached at the thought of Gary hating him. The last thing he wanted was for Gary to feel like he'd used him. He hoped that somehow he would be able to explain what happened. That wasn't going to be easy since he couldn't very well tell him about everything that was going on.

  No matter how many times he told himself it was best to let Gary go, something inside him clung to the hope that somehow the two of them would be able to make things work. Sage shook his head as he watched the first few people dive into the water and shift. He would have to tell so many lies to be with a human. Hide so many things from him. How would they ever make a relationship work with so much deceit between them?

  As he dove into the water and shifted, the answer echoed in his head. They couldn't. There was just no way for it to work. The lies would eat Sage up inside, and the continuing questions Gary would have about him, ones he couldn't answer, would slowly destroy them.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Sage watched as the clan leaders around him cast their votes. His stomach turned nervously. There were several names nominated that he feared would be worse than his father, should they win. He hoped the others felt the same way he did and avoided voting for them.

  Heath sat at the table beside him, nervously wringing his hands together in his lap. Sage was proud of him. He'd done a great job talking to the other leaders and showing his leadership ability the past week. Sage was even more grateful after watching it all that he hadn't ran himself. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that Heath had what it took to lead.

  Unable to vote for his own clan, he voted for Tiko. He liked the man and even though it would move leadership to the other side of the globe, Sage trusted that Tiko would represent the people well and lead them forward instead of keeping them in the past like his father had wanted to.

  Sage frowned as he thought about his father. He had gone to talk to him several days ago and was refused. He overheard his father tell the guard who watched him that he no longer had sons and didn't wish to see him. It broke his heart to hear that, but Sage still had no regret that they chose the path they had. Seein
g the other clan leaders ready to embrace new ways gave Sage hope. Now all that mattered was crowing the new king.

  "You okay?" He glanced at Heath.

  "I shouldn't be so nervous. Chances of me winning are slim. There are so many stronger members running."

  "You have as good a chance as anyone. They like you. You have plans that interest them and ways to make them happen. Others I spoke to didn't have a clue what to do. They were full of empty words and promises. When you gave your speech the other day, you gave them plans and facts. You have watched Father for years. You know the job already."

  Heath frowned. "Still doesn't mean I will win."

  "We will know soon enough." Sage watched as the line of voters grew shorter.

  Once the new king was announced, the clan leaders would head back home to report to their people. Sage and Heath would hand over the financial handling of the people to the new king. Most of their assets were in businesses like the Coral Shop and other properties on the mainland, but there was some gold and other treasure that the Royal court held in case it was needed.

  It would be a long afternoon. One Sage wasn't looking forward to.

  Three weeks now, he had been unable to contact Gary. Balick watched him and his brothers like a hawk, and he was sure that sooner or later he would seek revenge for what they did to their father. Not only had they removed the King from his leadership, but Balick as well. A new leader now ran the small clan's army and Sage didn't doubt for a moment that Balick would be a problem for them all in the future.

  He warned Tiko of the problem, but until Balick acted, there wasn't much they could do. He wasn't guilty of any crime.

  Sage wanted nothing more than to make it to the mainland and speak to Gary, beg his forgiveness. He at least needed to apologize and explain that he never meant to hurt him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he thought about all the possible things Gary could be thinking.