Evermore (11 page)

My head snapped forward, and I woke up with a start, sucking in a loud breath. Georgia looked over the table at me with a concerned frown.

“That’s the third time you’ve almost fallen asleep during lunch. What’s going on?”

I wanted a bed. I wanted coffee. I wanted to be done with high school. Maybe I could just lower my stupid standards and have Fin mer mojo me A’s on my finals so I could quit. I’d let him quit so he could finish our house.

“Is that a pregnancy thing?”

“Georgia,” I scolded and looked around to see if anyone had heard. “I just didn’t sleep well, okay?”

“Sorry.” She clamped her lips shut. “They’re going to find out sooner or later.”

“I prefer later.” I took my aggressions out on my apple by taking a huge bite.

She sucked her straw extra loud. “So, wedding planning after school?”

I took another bite and looked beyond her, at all the seniors milling about, thinking about how different things were for me. College and swimming used to be my concerns, now I had a husband, a child on the way, and responsibilities. The weight of the wedding made me even more tired.

“Yeah,” I said with a yawn.

“How about you give me a list of what you need done and take a nap later.”

“Okay.” I leaned into my hand, too tired to chew, too tired to argue.

“Girra is just so funny, you know? Being homeschooled, she like knows stuff, but then doesn’t.”

I could imagine the conversation. “Yeah? Like what?”

“Oh, simple stuff, like driving for instance. She said something about pressing buttons to make the car go, I mean for really expensive cars, sure.” She laughed. “She probably was messing with me, but it’s good to hear that I’ll get to see Colin again.”

I swallowed hard. A piece of apple lodged in my throat. I swallowed again, but it wouldn’t go down. I tried to cough, but couldn’t get any air out. My feet hit the floor as my hands splayed on the table. I couldn’t breathe.

“Ash?” Georgia asked.

Panic settled in. I tried to suck in a breath, or press one out, unable to do either. The sides of my neck tingled. I reached up, feeling my gills just under the surface. They were going to pop out any second, wanting air. Then the seam of my jeans between my legs started to strain. The delicate skin ached from what had happened last night. I was going to fish out.

No, no, no.

“Are you choking?” she asked. “She’s choking!”

I backed away, lightheaded, tripping into my chair, trying to ready myself to run for the bathroom. No one could see this, especially if I sprouted my fin.

Arms slid around my middle, and whoever held me, made a fist. At the jerk of their hands upward, I coughed and the apple went flying across the room.

I pulled in a long breath, then turned to look up into Callahan’s chocolaty warm eyes. My body reset to human form.

“You okay?” he asked.

Tears formed in my eyes. Without thinking, I reached up and hugged his neck. Students around us were deathly quiet, then one lone person started clapping. More joined in, and the room burst into cheers.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

“I’m here for you, Ash,” he said. “Anytime.”

My heart warmed at his words. I let go and slunk down in my seat, embarrassed and relieved. The little baby merling leaped in my stomach as if to celebrate with everyone else.

All of these close calls last night, and then today, were going to put me in the grave. Why did we think the other mers with less experience could handle this better?

Georgia’s eyes were wide. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” I took a swig of my bottled water.

“That was like, wow.”

Heat crept along my cheeks up to my ears. People kept staring, and I wanted to leave.

“Can we talk about something else,” I suggested.

“Yeah, okay, so…”

My phone dinged with a text message. I looked down, scared Fin was checking up on me after he somehow felt my near death experience. It wasn’t from Fin.

UNKNOWN: Your secret isn’t safe much longer.

I blinked at the text, then looked around. Who had sent this? Then another text came. An image of Fin’s dad lying on our beach, finned up and looking at the camera, flashed on the screen.

My hand started shaking. I quickly clicked the phone off.

“What is it?” Georgia asked.

“Nothing.” I didn’t want to be there anymore, pretend anymore. Things were getting out of control. “I, uh… don’t feel good. I think I’m going to let the office know I’m going home.”

Her phone dinged, too.

“What the—?” She held the phone toward me. “It’s that Fin’s dad?”

My heart nearly stopped. The picture was the same. Whoever had texted me, had texted her, too.

I chuckled. “What? That’s so photoshopped.”

She studied it, tilting her head sideways. “Looks pretty real. Is Fin messing with us? I’m going to text him back.”

“No, don’t…” I started to say.

“Where is Fin, by the way?” At the sound of Brooke’s voice behind me, I nearly jumped out of my skin.

Lacking the mental energy to battle with her today, I plastered on a sneer. “Why do you care?”

She returned my look. “I care because he’s supposed to be my partner in Biology, and I’m not doing all the work by myself.”

Partner? Since when?

I continued to glare at her. “Well, you’ll have to find a new partner I guess, ‘cause he’s not coming back.”

“What?”

I gave her a fake smile. “Sorry.”

“Figures.” She gave me a snide look, then walked off.

Her entourage followed behind, all giving me smirks. I smiled sweetly at them.

“I so can’t wait until high school is over.”

Georgia watched on, clearly entertained by everything. “Me, too, though I’m totally going to miss you.”

The bell rang, startling me. Though I’d missed Georgia, too, all I wanted was for this wretched day to end.

At someone’s whistle, I stopped painting the wall in the cottage and strained to listen. My armpit pulsed in pain, reminding me of my blood loss from last night.

“Fin! Get yer mangy arse over here. Your lady needs ya!” Badge yelled somewhere in the distance.

My lady?
She was supposed to be at school.

My heart started pounding as I wrapped up the brush in plastic and tried to dart outside, my legs feeling too leaden down to get me anywhere fast. Slipping between the sheets we’d hung to keep the house a surprise for Ash, my eyes caught sight of her car. Ash smiled from the front seat when she saw me, her eyes tired but bright.

I walked up, still concerned, and kissed her through the open window.

“Everything okay? What are you doing home so early?”

Her eyes drifted to the scar on my neck. “What happened?”

I reached up and covered it with my hand. “Accident with… the… ladder.”

“Mean ladder.” A yawn escaped from her mouth. “I change my mind. You can sing me a diploma. I’m done.”

I laughed and shook my head, relieved whatever had happened wasn’t worse. “Oh, no. You made me promise not to.”

“And you also promised you’d go with me.”

I dipped my head. “I can’t go to school and finish our house in time. You know that.”

She let out a fake cry. “I hate it there.”

I sighed, hating to hear her so upset. “One more week, then you’re done. It gives you something to do.”

“I want to plan the wedding.”

My chin lifted toward the hubbub of mermaids huddled at tables on the dock. “I think that’s being handled.”

She leaned against her head rest, her lips pulled tight. I wanted to curl up with her in her room and kiss away her worries.

Taking out her phone, she touched the screen. “I think you need to see this.”

She held the phone toward me. What little blood I had in my system drained from my face.

I took the phone from her to get a closer look — Dad on the beach, fin and all. “Where’d you get this?”

She shrugged. “It was an anonymous text.”

The words underneath haunted me, then staggering backward, I ran my hand through my hair. “I need to show my dad.”

She reached her hand out of the window for the phone. “Let me forward it to you.”

Another yawn escaped from her lips.

“And you need a nap.” My lips touched the tip of her nose as I set the phone in her fingers.

“Should I be worried about this?” Her eyes lingered on the picture long after she sent me a copy.

I inhaled a long breath, warring with what to tell her.

“No,” I lied.

“When was it taken?”

We’d never had so much trouble staying hidden before.

“Last night. There was this guy and… we thought we’d get his attention.” I stopped when her eyes bugged, then I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Why did you want his attention?”

“We were running out of options, and in our fins, it wasn’t possible to get to you.” I couldn’t tell her about the near convertion.

Her eyes registered with understanding. “To persuade him?”

“Yeah… maybe.” I looked off toward the parking lot, then at her family’s house beyond, the terror still fresh in my tired muscles.

“That’ll never happen again. I promise you.”

Though I wanted to keep that promise, like it or not, one mistake could reveal our secret so easily. And without the song, we’d be fish out of water. The old laws insistence of male chaperones suddenly seemed logical and warranted.

Her eyes slid shut momentarily.

Badger walked up. “Aye, sorry to be interrupting ya, but the Queen… I mean, Regent Desirée is requestin’ audience.”

“With me?” I asked.

“No. With her daughter.” He leaned down to talk to Ash through the window. “Can ya see her? She shan’t stay long.”

She didn’t open her eyes right away. Had she fallen asleep?

“Now?” I asked weakly. “Can’t you see she’s exhausted?”

Badger shrugged. “Then, I’ll be telling her ye can’t.”

“No. I’ll go. She’s never able to come here, so…” Ash opened her car door, her face strained.

I helped lug it the rest of the way open. “Are you sure?”

She took a deep breath and shot me a coy look with her green eyes. Poseidon, she was getting more breathtaking every day, even when she was tired. She cracked a small smile.

She gnawed on her thumbnail. “Just… uh… if I go to sleep in the lake afterwards, can you persuade my family?”

I returned the smile, unable to help it. I loved how cute she was when she was eating crow.

“Please don’t give me any grief.” Her eyes flashed with a warning.

“I’d never dream of it.” My hands lifted in feigned defeat.

She slid her slender arms around me, squeezing. I wanted to promise once more I’d keep her safe forever, that this would be the worst we’d ever go through, but pictures were something we risked daily by living on land.

She let out a soft breath, relaxing in my arms. “I love you.”

The sweet scent of honeysuckle infused in her hair filled my lungs. “I love you, too, Ginger Girl. Don’t worry about this, just don’t say anything.”

“I won’t.”

Reluctantly, I let her go and disappeared behind the curtains as Badger escorted her to the dock. I needed to find Dad.

With Desirée popping in unannounced like she was, we needed to clean this up before any of the loose-lipped mer found out, exposing our mistake.

I gave Fin one last kiss before he returned to our cottage, craning my neck to try and peek between the curtains when he walked through them.

“Aye, you shan’t be lookin’ yet, Princess.” Badger proffered his arm. “Would ya like it if I be walkin’ ya?”

My shoulders softened in relief, glad to have his help getting to the dock. “Thank you.”

“I’m so happy for you and Fin. I wish me Sandy and I could have had a shoal of merlings.”

“Oh, I didn’t know. I’m so sorry,” I said as he led me around work tables covered in saws and tools. Several of the mermen stopped and tipped their heads.

“M’lady.”

“It ‘tis what it ‘tis.” Badger lifted his chin. “Besides, it gives me a chance to look after the wee ones who need a little extra attention on the field, like yer Fin. He was a wiry one when I met him.”

“And now he’s less wiry?”

“Ah… takin’ responsibility like a man. He came to me, green behind the ears. I’m right proud of how he shaped up.”

“Me, too.” My cheeks warmed.

Desirée caught my eye and lifted her hand in a greeting.

“Ash, my sweet.”

I turned to Badger and leaned in. “Thanks for taking care of him.”

Badger bowed his head. “Anytime, Princess.”

She hurried toward me, barefoot, but wearing a gorgeous red velvet, sleeveless dress that set off her white-blonde hair. I admired the lovely headpiece that circled her head, very mermaidish. She folded me into a hug.

“Mother, you’re here.”

“I hear that congratulations are in order,” she said while hugging me, her voice quivering momentarily. “I just… was overjoyed when I heard. Another grandmerling.”

My stomach sank as we pulled away. With everything, we’d forgotten to visit her in Natatoria and tell her the good news in person. “I’m sorry you found out before…”

There was happiness in her eyes, but also sadness.

“Oh… no, don’t think a thing of it. I understand with the distance and the planning. It’s not like you’re spending much time in Natatoria these days.” She tsked. “I had a feeling anyway.”

Behind her, Pearl walked up, and I knew exactly where the source of her elusive feelings came from.

“Oh, Princess. You are radiant.” She gave me a hug. “Congratulations.”

Desirée put her hands on her hips, inspecting the operation. “Girra has been coming home with daily reports of the progress. I didn’t think you could pull off a wedding in three weeks, but it appears you may just do that.”

“Not because of me,” I chuckled. “It helps when you have many eager hands.”

Several mermaids walked past holding long trains of blue and green ribbon. Mom followed with a handful of tulle, then caught my eye and stopped. Since when was she helping?

“Ash? How come you’re home early?”

Busted.

I cringed, waiting for her to yell at me. “I’m not feeling well, still.”

She stepped forward and balanced the tulle in one hand while she pressed her other hand to my forehead, completely opposite of what I’d expected her to do. “Oh. You are warm. You shouldn’t be out here.”

The mer in me always made me feel warmer than normal, but what was wrong with me today was my exhaustion, especially from the pregnancy. Not to mention I was starving — again.

“Is this—?” Desirée gestured to my mom.

“Oh, yes.” My stomach balled in nerves, dreading how this would all play out. “Desirée, this is Karen, my… mom.”

Mom stuck out her hand, her eyes scanning Desirée from head to her bare feet. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” Desirée shook her hand while eyeing Mom with what I suspected was jealousy.

I knew this awkward day would come, just not when I felt like crap. Desirée and I hadn’t had time to discuss an alias for her or anything for that matter.

“This is Fin’s Aunt,” I said quickly, as a cover.

Desirée’s head whipped to mine.

Mom nodded. “Are you Maggie’s sister?”

“Jack’s, actually,” Desirée said, her voice toneless.

My stomach seized.

“Oh… I should have seen the family resemblance.” Mom stepped closer to me. “Ash, let’s get you home.”

“Who’s minding the store today?” I asked.

Mom smiled. “Gran’s there. She’ll be fine until I check in later. It’s been slow since we’re between seasons, and there’s so much to do before the big day.”

Desirée’s lips pulled into a line. She leaned into Pearl. “Go get me Colin, please.”

“Colin?” Mom’s face lit up while my stomach soured. “Is that your son?”

Desirée’s eyes narrowed. “You know him?”

“Yes… nice boy. He and Ash had—”

“A friendship,” I interrupted while I gave Mom a sideways glance.

“Yes,” Mom agreed. “Friends.”

“He’s Jack’s other brother, Alaster’s son.”

Mom cocked her head. “You mean your brother.”

Desirée’s shoulders tightened. “Yes.”

Pearl eyed everyone nervously, then bowed before she walked off. I hoped it wasn’t to find Colin, the leech. He’d be bold to show his face here after he’d defected and gone back to his dad.

“I know you’re not feeling well, but I wanted to show you something before I left town.” Desirée leaned toward me. “Are you up for it?”

I opened my mouth, then I looked to Mom, unsure what to say.

Mom’s glance went to Desirée, then to me. “Make it quick.”

“Wonderful, my sweets.” Desirée held out her hand to me. “I have an early gift.”

“A gift?” Mom said, interest piqued.

Out of my peripheral vision, I could see Desirée’s jaw tighten. Clearly she wanted time alone with me. “Give me a minute, Mom.”

Mom’s expression grew saddened for a brief moment. “That’s fine, I need to, um, get the rest of this tulle to the house anyway. Don’t be long.”

I followed Desirée into the houseboat as Mom headed home.

“I’m sorry—” I started.

She smiled softly. “No, it was my fault. We should have discussed this.” She waved her hand as if to suggest my life on land.

“Is it okay that I told her you’re my aunt?”

“It’s…” she closed her eyes, then hardened her exterior, “fine. I’m glad she was a good mother to you. If I could go back in time…”

I stepped forward and hugged her. She stiffened, then her arms slid around me.

“I’ve forgiven you, Mother. There’s no need to explain. You… you did what you needed to survive.”

She held me for a long time, then let go of me and wiped away a tear.

“Thank you.” She sucked in a cleansing breath. “Now to the fun part. I wanted to show you this.”

She opened her bag and pulled out a crown that had delicate interlocking chains holding gems, tiny pearls, and something sparkling — diamonds perhaps.

“This was my mother’s and her mother’s.” She handed it down to me. “I’d love for you to wear it. For your
something old
tradition that Girra keeps telling me about.”

“It’s lovely,” I rasped, for more than the fact it was an exquisite piece.

“Turn. Let me put it on you.”

I did as she instructed and felt the crown encircle my head and the gems find homes in my hair, heavier than I imagined. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I sucked in a gasp.
So lovely. So regal.

What was I going to do? I couldn’t tell Desirée that my mom had offered hers first, not after the fiasco with the introduction. Nor could I tell my mom I didn’t want to wear hers, especially after it had strengthened our connection.

“Thank you,” I said as the tears fell. “It’s so beautiful.”

“I knew you’d love it.”

“You asked for me?” A male voice said.

My heart jumped into my throat at Colin’s husky voice. I hadn’t seen him since we’d encountered the Dradux guards when returning to Natatoria through the Tahoe Gate, and he decided to stay back with his dad.

“Ash,” he said while bowing. “So good to see you again.”

I quickly glanced at his left hand. No promising mark, not yet.

Desirée walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder. “We should turn this into a double ceremony.”

My heart jolted. “Double ceremony?”

“Colin has asked Garnet for her hand. He’s going to be your brother-in-law. Did you not hear?”

“Uh,” I started to say. There was no way in Hades I’d let Colin and Garnet steal my day, of all the mer. But promised? To Garnet? I never expected the two of them would ever hit it off.

“Thank you for the offer, Desirée, but Garnet wishes to get promised in Natatoria,” Colin said. “She’s not a fan of land.”

I breathed out a sigh of relief, then wondered why Desirée had saved her veil for me and not Garnet. Maybe this was a sign that I needed to stop thinking of Karen as my mother, first and foremost, and let Desirée have that place.

Whatever I decided, it needed to happen after a nap. Otherwise, I’d be dead on my feet.

“You’ll have to excuse me. I’m needed at home.” I kissed my mother’s cheek before I left the houseboat, half tempted to just dive into Tahoe and try to overhear their conversation instead.

I would have if I weren't so exhausted.