by Janelle Peel
My faithful companion began shooing the others away with loud creaks and grumbles.
I was going to miss her, but there was no way she could come on my journey.
Swimming through the pod, I quickly located the female who had vouched for me. Lifting my hand, I patiently waited for her to make the connection. The raised scars on her flipper gave her a fierce look. They hadn’t healed properly, but it didn’t seem to deter her.
Gently, I touched the wound and wished I could help. Sure, I saved one of theirs, but they’d also protected and fed me.
Heat poured from my palm in a blinding light. I froze.
The female shrieked away in fear.
What the hell was that?
The pod immediately went on the defensive. Their friendly bumps turned into sharp blows as they herded me further from the main group.
A sharp squeal halted all motion as the female sliced through the water. Zipping forward, she brandished her wound with a chirp.
Where the scar had been, only smooth skin remained.
Shocked by the revelation, I blew a stream of bubbles. Somehow I had healed her. Whatever power I held was beginning to take on a life of its own. Now more than ever I had to figure out my other half before I inadvertently hurt someone.
Flipping my tail, I took advantage of their momentary distraction and left.
My mind rolled as I hunkered down inside the shell of an abandoned ship. The small amount of light from the sun had passed long ago, and proceeding through the dark depths alone was foolish. I could see, but creatures far bigger than I hunted at night.
At least the pearl had begun to glow. The dim illumination lit the rusted hull in a rather creepy fashion. Turning away from the sight, I perused the inside of my new accommodations.
Oh, how the mighty had fallen.
Tattered filthy sheets hung in disarray from what would have been the captain’s bed. Rotting furniture attributed to the grisly skeleton in the corner. The sea was treacherous. Why he’d felt the need to follow his ship to its final resting place was anyone’s guess.
Attracted to the light, tiny krill fluttered in from the broken window.
Pursing my lips, I vacated the room for something more appropriate.
A thump stopped my forward motion. Goosebumps broke out along my arms as it came again.
Just great. Yup. Stuck in an abandoned vessel with a dead man and an unknown entity. My luck was stellar.
Retreating back the way I’d come, I slipped beneath the bed. Hopefully it wouldn’t crush me if the aged wood gave way. I clenched the pearl in my fist, and full darkness settled.
I was left with nothing but the racing of my heart, and my thoughts invented every terrifying thing imaginable.
Being eaten alive by a kraken.
Attacked by a killer whale.
Giant squid.
Stung by a deadly jellyfish.
Eventually, I drifted off into a fitful sleep.
A deep baritone penetrated the fog littering my brain.
“We have to find her, Jin.”
Instantly awake, I frantically tried to calm the swishing of my gills. Not only could they hear it, but also, hyperventilating would not help me.
Rich laughter barked in reply. “She could be dead for all we know. We’re leagues away from the castle. Besides, Father wouldn’t lift a finger against me.”
Sarcasm laced the other man’s voice. “Right, Your Majesty. Just because you are firstborn doesn’t make you immune. Let us not forget what happened to your last betrothed when she failed to produce an heir.”
The sound of a smack met my ears followed by a grunt of pain.
“Never speak of her again, Collin. I indulge your outbursts because we are brothers, but don’t forget who is next in line.”
Collin and Jin. They were the Princes of the Arctic. Were they making their move on my home? Luna should have secured her rule by now. If she failed, we were vulnerable from the north and the west.
“Apologies. I spoke out of turn.”
“Yes, you did. Kena’s death weighs heavily on my mind. I loved her more than the sea. More than my crown. I stand by my opinion. Someone sabotaged our union.”
“I know what you think, Jin. But why and whom? It just doesn’t add up.”
Jin sighed in frustration. “I think it was Father. Kena was an obstacle for him to overcome. He’s been obsessed with the Atlanteans for as long as I can remember. Queen Nanu has ruled the Atlantic well, but it’s Riva our Father really wants.”
The mention of my mother sent chills skittering along my spine. Why was the Arctic King so interested in my family? Or me, for that matter?
Collin snorted. “Riva’s just a wisp of a female. I’d bet fifty conches she hasn’t even been mounted yet.”
His audacity stunned me. What a little prick!
Another smack sounded as Jin hissed, “Do not speak of her in that way. If she’s to be my future Mate, you will address her with respect.”
“Damn, Jin. I’m just messing around. I think you split my lip that time.”
I grinned. Serves you right, asshole.
Collin continued, “Why is she so special, though?”
“Father thinks she can control the oceans.”
Laughter echoed off the walls. “You’re joking. No one can do that. We can persuade it, sure, but control it?”
A commotion drew their conversation to a standstill.
“Sir, we’ve checked the ship and have found no sign of the Princess. Permission to move on?”
Jin answered, “Granted. Roving sweeps in both directions. Riva must be found.”
“Yes, sir!”
After a moment Jin quietly added, “Whoever she weds will share her power. Queen Nanu knew this and chose the Pacifians over us. Riva foiled her plans when she ran away. Luna’s marriage to Prince Titus has unified their people. If we’re to survive, we have to find her before they do.”
“What if her own people locate her before we can?”
“Pray they don’t, Collin. Nanu has left them no choice. As a contender for the throne, Riva’s life is forfeit.”
My lateral line pinged in tandem with their vibrations as they vacated the ship.
Hours later I slid out from under the bed.
No matter how I spun their words, I was left with more questions than answers.
Could I share my magic?
How did they find out about it?
Would my own family kill me? In my heart I knew Luna would never let such a thing happen… But, she was a tender soul. She was no match for our mother.
Shoving all the frustrating thoughts aside, I peered through the broken window.
It seemed the coast was clear.
Fisting the pearl, I bade my power to carry me further east.
Jin
Collin grumbled beside him on the sandbar. “What makes you so sure she’s in there? We checked from bow to stern. It’s empty, Jin. Let’s catch up with the others.”
Raising a brow, Jin took in his brother’s sulking face. The line of his nose hooked out farther than his own, but the brilliant jade shock of hair trimmed to the edge of his jaw was the same. Where his own lips were full, Collin’s were thin and drawn into a frown.
Frankly, Jin couldn’t explain it. He was drawn here for a reason, and her quick pants only confirmed what his gut had already known. She was there, only a few swishes away.
Gritting his teeth, Jin swallowed the sharp retort begging to fall from his mouth. “Patience, Brother. She needs to make sure we’re truly gone before she leaves the security of the ship.”
Having never met her, he wasn’t quite sure what to expect when she shot from the vessel faster than a sailfish. The hot-pink fin running from her ass to the tip of her tail was the most beautiful shade he’d ever seen. Her hair streamed behind her like a flag, in multiple hues of blue and silver. Strangely, a shock of magenta shone at the tips. The shimmering scales near her high cheekbones winked in and out of view.
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Then, she was gone.
He gasped as the snapshot replayed inside his mind. How could the Atlanteans keep such a treasure secret?
Collin grunted, “What was in the pouch at her waist?”
The inquiry halted Jin’s thoughts. “What?”
Rolling his green eyes, Collin gestured to where Riva had been. “The pack? You know, the one she had at her hip?”
Tipping his jaw, Jin struggled to focus.
Collin shook his head in disdain. “Okay. If you don’t remember, then at least tell me why we didn’t take her when we had the chance. You obviously knew she was there.”
“I don’t know.”
Motioning at the current quickly dwindling in Riva’s wake, Collin grunted, “Whatever. Are we following or what?”
If they hoped to catch up to her they’d better get a move on.
Jin nodded. “Yes.”
Riva
As the seafloor sped by, my thoughts wandered back to Jin’s words.
On the plus side Luna had succeeded in securing the throne. That was all Mother wanted, right? Their union made both of our peoples stronger. But I couldn’t figure out why she would go against father’s wishes, nor what made me so special.
She shouldn’t have been screwing someone else before her marriage, that’s for damned sure.
The bright pulse of the pearl halted my musing. Gripping the glowing ball between my thumb and forefinger, I stared at the flickering light.
I was close.
The halo of my multihued hair floated around my face and obscured my vision. Tipping my chin, I swiped at the annoying strands. I should have cut it ages ago, but mother forbid it.
I paused. When the hell had it begun to turn pink?
Shoving the sphere inside my pouch, I dove toward the ocean floor. A cord of kelp would suffice nicely.
Twisting around the swaying green shoots, I located the end of a vine. Using my teeth, I cut a short length.
Blech. Disgusting. The forest was pretty to look at, but only the leaves were edible.
Tethering my wayward tresses, I gathered a few fronds and tucked them away for my next meal.
The hum of a gray whale drew my attention skyward. Over eight times my height, she breached the surface with a tremendous splash. I’d seen them before but never this close.
I froze. Wait, was that a ship?
The steel hull bobbed in the water a mere fifty feet away. Dark triangular shapes appeared over the side, followed by a pair of tanned legs. Bright turquoise material covered the person’s hips. No, her hips. Faint lines crisscrossed her skin in a lacework design. Kicking the flipper-like appendages adorning her feet caused her pert breasts to jiggle with the motion. How her matching top was able to contain them was anyone’s guess.
Muffled voices slowly broke through my stunned state.
Excitedly, the female treading water shouted, “Kai! I think we’ve found her!”
A deep bass replied, “Good. Nudge her closer to shore. Hopefully her presence will reassure him.”
“On it!” Cerulean light lit her skin as the sea answered her call.
The current increased and tangled my body inside the strands of kelp. Confused and disoriented, I bid the flow to stop.
“What the hell? Kai, wait. It’s not working. Give me a minute. I’m going under.”
Before I could react, a masked face dipped beneath the surf.
Her blue eyes widened as she met my gaze.
I knew of humans. They were dangerous creatures who polluted the ocean with their trash. Lifting my lips, I bared my teeth in challenge.
Unimpressed, a single white brow rose.
Cocky, wasn’t she? I arrowed away from the forest, a sonar tone rolling from my mouth.
She flicked her fingers, and the water between us solidified into ice. My defense met it with a resounding crack.
Reaching to my well, I melted the remains in a flash of light.
Her answering smirk grated on my nerves. Lifting her palms in surrender, she nodded to the surface.
Curious as I was, I shook my head in refusal. I needed to find the Gate. Figuring out my other half had to be my priority. “No.”
Her kicks stilled for a moment. Bubbles fluttered from her mouth and distorted her answer. “Pl-ea-se?”
Down here I had the advantage, and I was not willing to give it up. Crossing my arms, I swished closer. “Why?”
She motioned toward me and touched her chest. Clasping her hands, she waited.
I frowned. “Are you saying we’re the same?”
Nodding enthusiastically, she mouthed, “Yes.”
I laughed. “I highly doubt that.”
She rolled her eyes, and her skin lit again.
Backpedaling, I readied my own magic. She seemed friendly, but I wasn’t taking any chances.
Gesturing for calm, she sent her power upward. Her brow furrowed in concentration as the sea began to spiral.
I gasped.
The funnel touched down on the sand below and expanded into an air-filled tube.
She had literally parted the ocean.
Descending, she wobbled onto the muddy floor with wet squelches. Tugging the mask from her face, she took a deep breath.
I marveled at her creation. It was as if she had created walls of glass to separate us. Ironically, it was similar to what we used inside the castle. How could a human possess such magic?
Hmm.
Drifting down beside her, I smirked. Not too shabby, but I could do better.
Cupping my hands, I bid my power to create a bubble. Oxygen quickly tore from the surrounding saltwater with the violent influx. The sphere expanded around me until it was large enough to support us both. My tail disappeared in a bright shimmer. The gills lining my ribs sealed as my lungs changed to filter the air.
Now it was time for the show. If she wanted my trust it would be on my terms. Pinching my nose, I motioned for her to do the same. “Hold your breath!”
I collapsed her tube.
Her expression of anger and shock was hilarious. Naturally, she panicked. We were a tad over thirty feet from her boat. I watched her flounder for a moment before I directed the current to spit her out inside my sphere. What I wasn’t expecting was the slap across my cheek.
She screeched, “What the fuck was that for!”
Rubbing away the sting, I snorted. “You’re the one who wanted to talk.”
Glaring, she rumbled, “That was entirely unnecessary.”
I chuckled. “Maybe, but I don’t like humans. In fact, you’re the first I’ve ever met.”
“How can you not like us if you’ve never met one?”
My nearly naked state didn’t seem to faze her one bit. The twin coral-colored starfish covering my breasts barely received a glance, nor did the thatch of hair shielding my lady bits. Heaving a sigh, I settled onto my rear. “Because all you do is pollute our waters. Question. What does the word fuck mean?”
Her lips thinned. “It’s a cuss word. I’m Bex, by the way. And I am not human.”
I squinted. “Then what the hell are you?”
She shrugged. “We don’t have time for this. My Mate will worry. I am equal parts Shifter and Fae. The Element I hold is Water.”
Fae? Shifter? Had this chick been stung by a pufferfish? I’d been warned at an early age to steer clear of them due to their hallucinogenic properties.
“What’s your name?”
Shelving her confusing answer, I nodded. “Riva.”
“Riva the Mermaid. It’s nice to meet you.” Turning awkwardly on the balls of her feet, she offered her hand. “We shake. It’s used when making a new acquaintance.”
Figuring it wouldn’t harm me, I gripped her palm. A zing of magic ripped up my arm and hit my well like a bolt of lightning.
Her confusion mirrored mine.
Biting her lip, Bex mumbled, “Huh, I guess that answers one question. Can you move your hair, please?”
Releasing her fingers, I p
aused. I’d purposely tied it at the nape of my neck to hide the tips.
She smiled encouragingly. “I’ll go first.” Tipping her chin, she exposed the point of one ear.
I sucked in a sharp breath. Blowing it out, I rigidly mirrored her.
Her brow creased. “What’s wrong?”
Wrinkling my nose, I let the strands settle. “I’m different from my own people and have been forced to keep them hidden.”
A deep growl began at the back of her throat. “That’s fucked up. You’ve nothing to be ashamed of. You’re Fae.”
Now the fuck word made sense. Fuck. It had a finality to it. Yes, I would be adding it to my repertoire. “What’s a fuck Fae?”
She chortled. “No, no. Fuck is either a verb, like I want to fuck. In that case it means to have sex. It can also be a noun, like I don’t give a fuck.” Noting my confusion, she sobered. “Never mind. There are four Elements. Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Each has a corresponding Fae. Like I said, I am Water. My Mate is Fire.”
Water was fucking Fire. How did that happen? I’d seen my fair share of fire as it spread across the oil-slicked tides left behind by human vessels. Countless lives had been lost due to their negligent ways. Shoving away the endless number of inquiries her answer elicited, I decided to switch topics. “Why are you in my ocean?”
“The gray whale. I think her partner beached himself. I was hoping if I could get her close enough, he would stop fighting me and let me help him.”
Ah. Finally, something that made sense. “I think I can help with that.”
Chapter 3
Bex
Pulling myself up the ladder, I took in Kai’s worried face.
Ginger hair feathered against his square jaw. His full lips were lined with stubble from our many days of hard work, and my fingers itched to lift the frown bowing them.
“Christ, Bex. You scared the hell out of me!”
Or not. I sighed. “I’m sorry, but there’s been a new development.” Adopting my best narrator voice, I solemnly added, “We are not alone.”
Rolling his hazel eyes, he chuckled. “I don’t know how you talked me into watching Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Pray tell, how are we not alone?”