Into the Deep (21 page)

“Nerio’s very passionate in his opinion of humans and their actions. He couldn’t move past that part of me, so I had to show him I was me, even in that form.”

“He’d be a fool not to accept you as you are.” He rolls his shoulders. “Let’s get out of here. These rock walls are too heavy today.”

With our arms linked, we leave the throne room, laughing and talking. In the atrium, I spot Magdalena and Eustacia, who glare at us as we pass but do not utter a word. I shoot the twit a triumphant smirk, then keep my eyes trained ahead of me, ignoring the temptation to glimpse her reaction.

Once we’re far enough from them, Stavros whispers, “Don’t ever let those two make you feel less than you are. Your sister only thinks she’s superior because she believes she has something over you. Eustacia drifts farther from me each day.” Sadness washes over him and I recognize it hurts him deeply.

He continues talking candidly once we’re outside the palace walls.

“Since you’re learning to defend yourself, I’ll show you how we communicate with the animals. It can be a great source of information and you may need it since you seem determined to prepare for the coming war.”

We swim in companionable silence until we arrive at an area full of fish. They immediately begin doing their happy dance and some swirl around, surrounding me in a fish cyclone.

When they’re calm, I notice someone is missing. “I haven’t seen Kona lately. I hope he’s okay.”

“I forgot to tell you this morning. Kona volunteered to take a quick trip to the coast, to investigate, to see if he could discover anything new. They’re clever, observant creatures and I’m hoping the dolphins have information that will help.”

“Oh, good. I bet he was excited about offering his service.” I can’t stop the worry bubbling up though. He’s a little guy out there alone.

Stavros laughs. “Kona is always excited.”

We drift over to a slope of land dominated by a large school of fish and he begins explaining. “We don’t necessarily talk to the animals. It’s an exchange of images and feelings. Do the same as you would with the water, touch the fish and concentrate. Locate its energy and life force, then focus on that.”

It sounds similar to what I did yesterday with the big-eyed jacks, only more in depth.

A large stingray glides over and allows me to caress it. Its soft, slippery skin slides under my fingertips. Almost instantly, I sense its rapid heartbeat and the movement of its gills drawing air. Then a flurry of images flickers across my mind.

I see Stavros and me smiling, a school of rays doing the happy dance, and a picture of a clear vast ocean. A wave of happiness crashes over me. The purity of the emotion is overwhelming at first. It can only be coming from the fish.

In return, I send it gratitude and my own joy at being here. I show it my first moment as a mermaid and racing with Nerio and Kona through the water. The ray breaks contact and I hope it received the message. I don’t realize until after it leaves that my breath is coming out in pants. Already I’m planning how I can use that trick on a grander scale.

“It’s alarming, isn’t it?” Stavros states.

A giggle bursts out. “I have no clue what to think or say. That was amazing. It told me they are happy I’m here. The emotions were strong and the images bold.”

“I’m the one who’s amazed. You impress me every day and you’re truly in the world you belong. The speed with which you’ve adapted to your power stuns me, but so does your maturity and sensibility.”

I hug him, pushing aside the guilt over not divulging everything with him. If I have some super special type of power, why am I hesitant to share it? Is it because it’s so far out of my realm of possibility, that I don’t really believe it yet?

We spend the next hour playing and he shows me evasive maneuvers. Others may disapprove of a king frolicking with his daughter and racing her through the water. They’d be too busy sneering down their noses to recognize how happy he is or how he appears ten years younger.

No matter what the future brings, I’ll remember today with Stavros forever.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Tonight I’m restless.

The entire day passed without talking to Xander, so hopefully he had a chance to meet with the historian. Things were left hanging after his kiss and I feel bad about it. I left so quickly and he deserves to know where my heart truly lies.

Nerio’s kiss was devastating, not even close in comparison. Xander’s felt like kissing my brother, or a close friend.

Recalling that brings Eustacia to mind. She and I haven’t exchanged ten words and she has no right butting into my business. Fully aware I will probably regret it later, I set off to track her down. I’m worried what her conniving will do to Nerio’s position and reputation, not to mention our father.

I locate her in t
he atrium surrounded by three other mermaids about her age, two of which were with her at the island. It reminds me of high school and the rich, mean girls who reigned over the cafeteria. Apparently certain parts of society remain the same, even underwater.

Her friends are pretty, without a doubt, and draped in layers of jewelry. Their accessories border on ridiculous. One sports a tattoo, or painting, of vines that travel up her arm, to her neck and onto her cheek. It appears alive, moving when she does. Another’s hair is intertwined with dried starfish and other items. The hair itself is dyed deep orange. The third mermaid takes me by surprise. Her arms are bare, but there are seashells melded into her skin. Actually, on closer inspection, they’re under the skin somehow, giving the illusion they are part of her.

Surprisingly, Eustacia is the least done up of them all—unless I discount the piles of jewelry she has on and the dainty tiara fixed to her forehead. An amused little smirk crawls across her face as she catches sight of me.

“Can I help you,
human
?” Her emphasis and disdain placed on the word “human” sparks my already thin patience with her.

In a low tone I say, “What you did last night was mean and vindictive. I don’t get how you can possibly consider me a threat. You haven’t taken any time to actually know me, to ask what my plans are. And you had no right to threaten Nerio.”

She flushes deep red and a spark flashes in her eyes. In an instant, she’s inches from me. Obviously, she’s not used to being challenged in public.

“How dare you speak to me you filthy, one-legged primate? You can’t show up here and automatically understand our world. I find you disgusting and soon everyone else will too, including our father.”

Ouch, that hurts. Refusing to drop it, I spit back, “He knows. I told him. He hasn’t spoken to you yet?”

Betrayal turns her mouth into an ugly grimace. “The king may not care but others will. Nerio’s one of us, a merman. He’ll be bored in a matter of weeks. All he sees is a freak, a novelty. Everyone here does. Soon you’ll be gone and our lives will be normal again. You don’t belong here and I’ll make you regret ever thinking you did.”

“She has as much claim as you do,” a voice interrupts and Desma enters the fray. “People actually respect her. That must be hard to accept.”

I hide a smirk, grateful to have backup, even if she’s probably only doing it to protect her brother.

“You’re no better than she is,” Eustacia actually sticks her nose in the air. “A common maid. Unlike you, your brother has a chance to improve his station, unless my worthless half-sister ruins it for him.”

Desma inches closer. “My brother can take care of himself. What you need to worry about are the rumors about you,” she drops to a whisper, “and your mom. You have more scandalous tales to concern yourself with.”

Eustacia’s eyes widen in shock and fear, but she quickly covers it up. If she’s aware of what Magdalena is up to, she’s very practiced at hiding it. I’m startled that Desma went there, especially in a public place. The mermaid has more guts than I do.

“Just face the fact that I’m not going anywhere, sis,” I add to put a final emphasis on the fact I have a right to be in the Pacific, same as she does.

Color darkens her cheeks. She opens her mouth, as if to say more. Instead she flaunts off in a huff. My anger toward her hasn’t lessened and I glare at her, wishing she’d get a taste of her own medicine. Suddenly, my tail tingles, the way it does when I use my powers. The difference is this tingle is colder.

Then Eustacia begins to scream, clutching her head in her hands. Her friends cluster together. “What’s wrong?” one of them asks.

“My crown, it’s too tight.” Anguish fills her voice and as the sensation in my body increases, so does her cries.

It takes me a second to make the connection. Oh my God, I’m doing this! I squeeze my eyes shut in horror, focusing on making it stop. Instantly, her screams die into whimpers. When I glance again, a trail of blood is dripping into her face and there’s a red mark where the crown sat. She gawks at it in her trembling grip and then glances around the atrium.

Afraid she can read the guilt in my expression, I turn my back to her. What did I do? Can I really cause someone harm without knowing it, with a single thought? Stavros surely didn’t mention that and why hasn’t it happened before? Dread digs its claws into me, grasping me tight. I don’t want that kind of ability.

I sneak a peek over my shoulder only to lock gazes with her.

“I know this was you,” she says in a low tone and my stomach sinks.

Then she leaves, followed by her friends.

“What did she mean?” I ask, hoping to deflect some of Desma’s curiosity.

“I’m not sure. That was weird.” Her lip twitches. “And I won’t feel bad saying it made me happy deep down inside.”

I watch her depart also, slightly buoyed by her words. It wasn’t my intention to hurt Eustacia, but I’d been so mad at her. As I sort through the sensations flowing through me, I’m disturbed to stumble across a tiny sliver that is pleased. I bury it far, far down.

A few seconds later I notice a presence at my side and turn to face Xander.

Grinning, and burying my fretting until later, I say, “You’re stealthy. I never sense you coming.”

It’s funny how his presence comforts me, a trusted friend I’ve known forever, and it reminds me of Charlotte, chasing the shadows that remain behind. He’s watching Eustacia and her friends depart through a doorway with disgust.

“Don’t worry about her. It’s my fault she’s mad. I kissed you, not that I regret it, but I am sorry I pressed the issue. She probably hurt herself to make you look bad.” He shrugs his shoulder and crosses his arms. “Did you explain to Nerio? Should I talk to him and ensure him it was my lame decision?”

“You don’t need to do anything and I fixed it. It actually turned out for the best. He and I got to resolve a couple pretty big issues.”

He reaches up and touches my chin. I prepare to bring up the just being friends speech, but he keeps talking, “We leave tomorrow morning, very early. Is that okay? Will you be confident with only me as protection?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll come to you and we’ll exit out the rear. I’m guessing you haven’t told anyone about this?”

“I told Nerio, but not my father. Stavros has enough to fret about and, until I know for certain, there’s no reason to worry him.”

“Your decision, rebel. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Once he’s gone, the atrium starts to empty. It must be late. Making my way to my room, I don’t pass anyone in the halls and the palace feels deserted.

Briefly, I realize I’ll need to alert Nerio somehow that Xander and I are leaving. He won’t be happy, not being allowed to tag along. The desire to see him is strong and I wish I knew exactly where the guards slept. Hopefully, he’ll understand why we had to go so soon and why there wasn’t time to tell him.

After the incident with Eustacia, I’m determined to speak to this woman. Hopefully she can explain what happened, why the sensation was cold instead of warm, or why it hadn’t happened other times I was angry. And why it was so easy.

I can’t let it happen again.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Once I reach my room I can’t settle.

Even with my mermaid vision it is dark and I pull the cover off the bioluminescent fish on the vanity. Gazing in the mirror, I try to convince myself I should tell Stavros where I’m going tomorrow. The guilt is wearing on me. I no longer recognize the mermaid in the mirror. This one is full of secrets, her eyes ringed with dark circles.

Movement catches my attention. Spinning, I bump against the vanity and a bulky merman lurches out of the shadows. There isn’t time to note any details other than a large, very nasty sword in his grasp.

My moment of hesitation is almost too long. He swings at me and I duck to the side at the last possible second. With my heart pounding, I frantically search for the sword Stavros gave me to practice with, but can’t remember where I put it. Aware the mer is coming at me again, I catch sight of the hilt glinting beside my bed and swoop down to pick it up. I barely block his next swing. The impact is so strong it vibrates up my arms into my teeth and I almost drop the weapon.

I don’t have a chance to be scared, or to think, just react and go on the defense. His next couple swings strike in rapid succession and my limbs quiver like jelly. His constant eye contact is chilling, distracting, and that’s when I notice the star brand on his neck.

“Calandra sent you!” I gasp.

It catches him off guard and, seeing a miniscule opportunity, I raise the sword and bring it down toward his forearm with all my strength. I’m surprised when it connects and the water clouds with his blood. Without pause, he tosses me against the mirror, shattering it into dozens of shards that rip at my back.

It stuns me and I don’t have a chance to gather myself as he attacks. Terror grips me tight. I won’t be able to defend myself and, suddenly, a strange sensation pulses down my arm…this one warm. On instinct, I raise my hand and point it at the advancing merman, palm out. The water around him shimmers and he freezes, unable to move.

His eyes widen though, and he tries to talk. Torn between the desire to hear what he is attempting to say and fear, I thrust my palm forward and he flies back, slamming the wall. The impact knocks him unconscious.

Finally, overcome and shaking uncontrollably, I stare down at my hand in awe, as if I’ve never seen it before. It happened so fast, but the water responded to me instantly. After what happened with Eustacia, I’m even more mystified. If I’d had my wits about me, I may have been tempted to try what I did to her again. This reaction was different, though. It wasn’t harmful. It was protective, instinctual.

Why are these new abilities popping up all of a sudden?

I’m still searching for a solution a minute later when my door bursts open, causing me to jump about a foot and scream. Stavros explodes into the room, a fierce warrior desperate to protect his daughter, followed by Nerio and a couple other guards. Instantly, Stavros’s gaze flicks over the fallen merman, the broken vanity and, lastly, on me.

“You’re bleeding.” His voice trembles, betraying his strong stance.

As soon as he says it pain erupts, almost bringing me to my knees, if I had them, and he has to support me. “He pushed me into the mirror.”

Nerio’s fists are clenched at his sides, his features twisted in agony. I imagine Stavros’s presence is restraining him from rushing over. My father drops his guard and pulls me carefully into his embrace.

Then, holding me at arm’s length, he speaks with a wavering voice. “The guards responded to a disturbance in this hall, but somehow I knew it was you. I felt it. What happened?”

“I returned to my room after leaving Xander in the atrium. When I got here, it was dark and I opened the light. He came out of the shadows and I fought him.”

“You wounded him, yes, but how did he end up like that?”

I glance at the merman, who the guards are moving, and struggle to explain it, but the words won’t form. Before I can answer, Alexios and Xander rush in.

Oblivious to Nerio, Xander rushes over and touches my face. “Are you all right?”

I nod and Stavros says, “I need to mend her.”

He rotates my body and Xander gasps. I wish I could see what Stavros does, but I’m caught in Nerio’s gaze. It’s full of longing and pain. I want curl up in his arms and banish the terror. Keeping my focus on him, calm begins to envelop me.

Warmth spreads between my shoulder blades, intense sun on a hot, summer day. The skin is pulled tight, but there’s no pain. Without the mirror, I can’t watch what’s happening. From the paleness of Nerio’s face, the damage must be bad. Slowly, the warmth fades and as I move, rolling my shoulders, the skin has returned to normal.

“How did you do that?” I ask Stavros when he’s done, certain my skin will be unscathed.

“It’s part of our power.” He gathers himself back into a king. “I’ll send someone to clean up. Come with us to the throne room. I want to hear everything. We must figure out where he came from.” To only me, he lowers his voice and says, “I’ll give you two a moment.”

Stavros and Alexios leave ahead of us and I’m left alone with Xander and Nerio. Xander surprises me by squeezing my elbow, then disappearing as well.

No longer worried about who will see, Nerio holds me tight. Any lingering fear I have dissipates and, alone with him, the tremors finally start to cease. I feel his lips on my forehead and lift my head, wanting to be lost in his kiss for a few seconds and enjoying the oblivion it brings. He breaks away and smoothes my hair as I nestle into his embrace.

“It was a brilliant idea to have you train me,” I mumble into his shoulder.

“I should’ve been here to protect you.”

Because I’m positive he’s blaming himself, I try to lighten his mood. “That may have been a tad inappropriate.” He chuckles softly into my hair. “Hey, I did okay on my own. At least I did until he threw me into the mirror. Then the weirdest thing happened, but I’ll tell you all at once.”

We reluctantly pull apart and are about to exit into the hall when I stop. “Oh, I, ah, I told Stavros, about the island. About us.”

He raises his eyebrows impossibly high. “I assume since I have not been sentenced to death that he was fine with it.”

“He was. His only warning was to not go public with it. Others in the kingdom might not be as tolerant, not yet. And there are bigger problems for them to focus on. He respects what I want. Xander knows too.”

“Good,” he says as he guides me into the hall. “That’s one nose I won’t be breaking.”