The Mermaid's Curse (California Mermaids Book 1) (13 page)

Chapter Forty-One: Oceania

Xavier drags into the parlor, looking as though he’s just fought—and lost—a great battle. His gaze is trained on the floor, and his normally straight back is slumped in defeat.

Robert, however, is nowhere to be found. Perhaps, after the high emotion of the night, he simply needed to be left alone.

“Xavier, dear,” Arabella says. “What did your father say? I hope he wasn’t too hard on you.”

Xavier raises his head, his eyes glistening with tears. “Oh no, not too hard,” he says, his voice thick. “He just disowned me, that’s all.”

Amelie laughs uncomfortably and excuses herself. After she leaves the room, Arabella says, “We’ll talk about this later, dear. For now, I’m going to find your father.” To me, she adds, “Oceania, darling, I probably won’t see you again tonight, but do take care, and if you change your mind about staying, just let me know.”

I smile and thank her as she floats out of the room, her long, swishing skirts exuding the slightest trace of rosy perfume. I admire her so much; even in all the turmoil, she’s still the perfect hostess.

As soon as she’s pulled the parlor door shut behind her, Xavier turns to me, his face tight and drawn with anguish. I immediately throw back the blankets and stand up, flinging my arms around him.

“Tell me everything, love,” I say, my voice muffled in his chest.

Xavier takes a deep breath and my mouth falls open as he discloses all the painful details of Robert’s ultimatum, and the consequences of his disobedience.

“That’s horrible.” I pull Xavier down on the couch next to me, grasping his hand.

Xavier shrugs. “I don’t care about being disinherited. Amelie’s future husband can have Father’s business, for all I care. But I feel as though Father has shut himself off from me and rejected me forever, just because I’m not doing exactly what he wants. And that hurts. It makes me wonder whether he even loves me.”

“I’m sure he loves you,” I say. “He just doesn’t understand you, and probably thinks that running the business and living in wealth is best for you, when you know otherwise.”

Xavier shakes his head. “I know you’re trying to make me feel better, but I know the truth. He doesn’t love me at all.”

A single tear rolls down his cheek; he raises his hand to swipe it away, but I beat him to it, gently stroking my hand over his cheek. “Well, I love you.”

He hugs me tightly, as though he never wants to let go. “I love you, too.”

He lowers his mouth to mine, his lips soft and tentative at first, but becoming raw and passionate as he deepens the kiss. All the stress and sadness of the party fades away, and for a moment, the only sound I hear is the roaring in my ears as Xavier entirely takes over my senses.

“You know, I can’t stay with my family, not after my father said those things,” Xavier says breathlessly, after we finally pull apart. “Of course I’ll come back to visit them, but that will be mainly to see Mother and Amelie. Mr. Burgholt’s offer came at exactly the right time—for both of us.”

He pauses, his dark eyes suddenly becoming intense. I gasp as he rises from the couch and drops down on one knee, clasping both of my hands in his.

“Oceania, I love you, and even though we haven’t known each other for long, I feel as though I’ve been waiting to meet you forever. We’re bonded, in spirit, in love, and in music. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

I gape at him for what feels like a minute straight, startled and unable to even formulate a response. I’ve been dreaming of this moment all my life, but now that it’s here, with the right man, I’m speechless.

Swallowing hard, I clear my throat and finally open my mouth to respond.

Chapter Forty-Two: Xavier

I hold my breath, waiting for Oceania’s answer. This wasn’t the way I’d planned my dream proposal; I know that Oceania is the right girl for me, but the day has been so tiring, and so dramatic, and so terrible for both of us. Perhaps she’s taking such a long time to reply because I chose the wrong moment. Or maybe—

Before I can indulge my imagination further, Oceania gives me a shaky grin and says, “Yes.”

I exhale like a gust of wind, popping up from my bent knee and collapsing on the couch next to her. “I’m so happy,” I say, taking her in my arms. “I was afraid for a second that I’d picked the wrong day—”

“No, you didn’t,” Oceania says, nuzzling her nose into my neck. “You picked just the right day. Today was horrible, but now it’s the best ever.”

“You’re right. I can hardly wait to start our lives together.”

For a few minutes of pure bliss, we sit there on the couch, alternating sweet kisses with long interludes of staring into each other’s eyes. But after a few minutes, Oceania stiffens.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just…don’t know how I’m going to break the news to my family. I’ve thought a great deal about choosing land, even before you proposed, but there’s a finality to it, too.” Her voice quivers a bit as she adds, “Even though you’re choosing to leave your family, you’re not going away forever. You’ll be able to come back to visit whenever you want. But because of the curse, I’ll never be able to see my family again once I’ve committed to life on land with you.”

My heart goes out to Oceania as she wrinkles her forehead, looking young and scared. She’s just come out of a totally sheltered life on the ocean floor, and she loves her family so much. Suddenly, I have an idea.

“What if we forgot about San Francisco, and you chose the sea instead?” I ask. “You can see your family as much as you want, and we’ll both live underwater. Can humans change to mermaids? It might feel weird at first, but I’d become a merman for you.”

Oceania laughs and kisses me on the cheek. “Oh, Xav, you’re so sweet. I really appreciate that you’d do that for me. But, unfortunately, you can’t become a merman—you’ll never grow a tail, or be able to live down there permanently. Humans can only visit the mermaid realm the way you did before, with the magic of a mermaid’s kiss. And if I choose land, I’ll lose my tail and my immortality as well. I’ll be a human like you are, but if we have a daughter, she’ll become a mermaid at age eighteen.”

“That’s insane. What about a son?”

“The curse extends to women only, not men. So our son would be born human and mortal, and would stay that way.”

It feels odd to be discussing our unborn children when only a few minutes ago, we weren’t even engaged. But somehow, I’m exhilarated. Suddenly, my father’s rejection doesn’t matter; nothing does, except Oceania and our future together. We’re destined for each other.

Oceania, however, looks a bit less sure of herself. “I don’t know how I’m going to tell my parents.”

“We’ll tell them together,” I say, squeezing her shoulder. “I’ll come down with you again.”

“Tonight?” she asks.

“No, tomorrow. Why don’t you just stay the night here?”

“I told my parents I’d be home. And I really should keep my word, especially considering what I’m about to tell them.”

I nod. “You’re right. Okay, we’ll tell them tomorrow. For now, let’s get you safely to the water, my fiancée.”

Oceania giggles, and for a moment, she’s as carefree as she was when we whirled across the sand a few days ago. “I like the sound of that,
my
fiancé.”

Chapter Forty-Three: Oceania

By the time I return home that night, my parents are already asleep, and I curl up in my seaweed hammock, trying to rest as well. But it’s no use. I toss and turn for hours until I finally fall into a fitful slumber.

Early that morning, Mother floats into my bedroom to awaken me for the sunrise swim. She leans over the hammock, lightly shaking me. For a brief, blissful moment, my mind is entirely blank, and I don’t remember any of the happenings of last night. But after an instant, all the details of Xavier’s proposal and my decision to live on land rush back to me, and I fight back tears as I look into my mother’s beautiful eyes. How could I agree to leave her forever?

The decision feels even more heart-wrenching as I swim alongside my parents, admiring the brightly-colored fish, dodging a stingray, and gathering seaweed for breakfast, plus a collection of new shells and coral to decorate the table. Mother and Father smile at me, and I realize how little time I’ve actually spent with them since I turned eighteen. Somehow, even though I’m with them now, I feel oddly homesick and nostalgic for the past. I never knew that becoming an adult would be so hard.

Ula, Nereus, and little Doria come over for breakfast, and after we devour the spread of seaweed and help Mother to clean up, I corner Ula in the hallway.

“Ula? Can I talk to you?”

She nods; everyone else is still sitting around the table.

I lead Ula to my sleeping chamber, and we lower ourselves side-by-side onto the hammock. “I have so much to tell you. I don’t even know where to begin.”

Ula wrinkles her nose. “This has to do with the land boy, doesn’t it?”

“How did you know?” I try to laugh, but it comes out as a pitiful little giggle.

Ula drapes her arm around my shoulder. “You’re sad,” she says, her face somber. “Mother may have always said that we can face anything with a smile, but you don’t have to put on a brave face for me. It’s all right to cry, you know.”

My sister’s words are all the encouragement I need; I crumple into her arms, weeping softly as she strokes my hair and hums a soothing tune.

Finally, I raise my head. “I’m so happy, and so sad, all at the same time. Xavier proposed to me last night, and I told him that I’ll live on land with him, in a place called San Francisco. I’ve never been there, but after we performed at the party last night, a man offered us both positions in the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.”

Ula’s eyes widen as I disclose all the details of the party. “I’m proud that you’ve discovered your special talent, but how could you ever think of living on land? How could you give up your mermaid powers, and your immortality? You remember what happened to Grandmer Genevieve.” She shivers as she adds, “She got old and shriveled up and
died
.”

“I could give all that up because I love Xavier,” I say, twisting a few tendrils of hair around my finger. “The reason that it was so awful for Grandmer Genevieve to give up her immortality was because she did it alone—Xavier and I would grow old together. I feel as though he’s all I need, but at the same time, I can’t bear to leave you all forever. And I’m dreading telling Mother and Father today. I’m going to bring Xavier down with me later, and we’ll break the news together.”

“Good luck,” Ula says. “I’ll be here for the day, so I’ll try to keep everyone as happy as possible through the news.”

“Thanks.”

“Have you told Xavier’s parents yet?”

I shake my head. “He proposed late at night, and his parents were in another room. You wouldn’t believe how spacious their house is. Anyway, I don’t think his father is much of a factor—he did disown Xavier, after all. But I’m thinking he’ll at least tell his mother.”

“This really is complicated,” Ula says, raising an eyebrow.

I grit my teeth. “You can say that again.”

Chapter Forty-Four: Xavier

By the time I awaken the next morning, Father has already left to play a few rounds of golf with Mr. Roth, so the late breakfast consists of only Mother, Amelie, and me. Amelie barely touches her eggs and croissants as she presses me for every painful detail of last night’s discussion with Father.

After I finish telling her, she just stares at me for a moment before she finally says, “That’s awful.” Sipping her coffee, she continues, “I can’t believe that he would even think of disowning you. Do you really think he’ll stick to that? If he does, he’ll just have to donate all his money to a charity or something, because I don’t want his inheritance either.”

Mother, who has been silently nibbling her croissant, says, “I’m afraid he did seem rather determined. No matter how much I tried to talk him out of it, he remained as stubborn as a bull. He simply does not approve of this Oceania girl, nor does he approve of Xavier’s choice of careers.” She looks at me with sad eyes. “I’m so sorry. I wish that I could tell you differently, but at least he didn’t forbid you to visit.”

I pat Mother’s slender, delicate shoulder. “Don’t be sorry. You did your best. Anyway, it doesn’t matter whether Father approves of me playing in the symphony or being with Oceania.”

Just thinking of marrying Oceania and having the career of my dreams gives me a surge of energy, and my voice picks up speed. “I proposed to her last night, and she said yes. We’re moving to San Francisco together.”

Mother freezes with the last bite of her croissant midway to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. Amelie’s reaction, however, is exactly the opposite.

“What?” she sputters, choking on a mouthful of coffee. She coughs and gags, pounding her chest dramatically.

“Are you okay, dear?” Mother asks, rising from her chair to thump Amelie on the back.

Amelie finally nods and clears her throat. “Yes, Mother. Thank you.” She turns to me. “Xav, are you crazy? I know you love Oceania—I love her, too. But you’ve barely known her a week.”

“It doesn’t matter. I know that she’s my soulmate. I don’t need to court a woman for years to know that she’s the right one for me.”

“But—but—but she’s a mermaid,” Amelie stammers. “How is she even going to survive on land?”

“She’ll become human if she chooses land.”

“That’s horrible for her,” Amelie points out. “She’s giving up the only life she’s ever known.”

I nod. “I know. But she’s doing it for love. You might as well learn this now, sister: sometimes love requires sacrifice.”

Mother smiles. “Xavier, you are wise beyond your years. I gave up my career in the traveling opera company to marry your father and raise you two, and I did it for love. It was the best decision I ever made.”

I grin at her, happy that she understands, even though I find it strange that such a free-spirited, artistic social butterfly would fall in love with a strict, unyielding man like Father.

“Come with me.” Mother takes my hand and leads me out of the dining room, down the corridor, and into her boudoir, closely followed by Amelie. “I have something that I want to give you.”

Slowly, she opens her windup jewelry box, and I gasp as she extracts an antique-looking ring that I’ve never seen before. It’s white gold with a large flower-shaped diamond cluster. The gemstones shimmer and dance in the rays of sunlight beaming through the open window.

She hands the ring to me, and I stare at it, mesmerized by its timeless and unique beauty.

“This ring belonged to my grandmother,” she says softly. “I’ve always thought it would make the perfect engagement ring for your betrothed, although I was secretly hoping that it wouldn’t go to Victoria.” Laughing, she continues, “But it’s perfect for your Oceania. It’s as elegant and lovely as she is, don’t you think?”

I envelop Mother in an enthusiastic hug. “Almost,” I reply. “Thank you so much.”