Page 113 of Sea's Secret

“I will tell Uncle, but he has been such a shark the last little while without you. He regrets banishing you, I think.”

“Uncle?” I asked, looking at them both, back and forth.

“Yes–” Finn said, pulling Meria to his side and kissing her forehead. Meria did not look pleased and shoved him away.

I twitched, not liking that.

“Do not be so flippant with her!” I shouted.

“What?”

“She is a treasure, a gift, and a light; do not treat her so!”

“She knows I love her, my dear, little cousin; I am her favorite relation."

“Maybe,” she said with a laugh.

“Favorite mer then?” he interrupted, but I was still trying to wrap my head around one detail that I hoped I had heard correctly. I did not dare to conjure up any hope, though.

“That is accurate,” she said with a laugh.

“He is your cousin?” I asked Meria.

“Yes, he is. He has been my closest friend and family member all of my life.”

The pain constricting my heart, the despair within my soul, in that moment, all but vanished.

This is not her betrothed; she is not going to run off with him.

All I wanted was to pull Meria into my arms and kiss her until all the pains melted away, and all that was left was her–only her, forever and ever. I was a dunce. I assumed too quickly, but was it truly my fault when things did not usually go my way? When the bad was usually the truth?

I smiled for a moment.

She was not in love with Finn.

Is there still a chance that she could be in love with me? For I am, apparently and most deeply and ardently, in love with Meria.

I looked at her, smiled and strode over to stand right before her. She looked up at me with a questioning look. I bent my head down, and I smirked at her until her cheeks darkened. I dipped her down, closed my eyes, took her perfect face in my hands, and kissed her with joy at learning I had been wrong. I, there and then, released the pure desperation that I had felt during those moments when I believed Meria had chosen someone else. I pulled her back up and heard cheers from behind me. I turned around to see the crew, and Finn, clapping. I pulled away from Meria to address the crew.

“This is my mermaid.” But as I was speaking, Meria grabbed onto my jacket and drew my mouth back to hers–her addictive and perfect mouth. I gave her all of me within that kiss and kissed her until I could no longer hear the crew, and all that existed was Meria and me.

I loved that mermaid.

She was going to be mine, forever. I could never give her up, even if her real betrothed came. I would fight to the death for her. She was my mermaid, and I was never going to feel what it was like without her, ever again.

Chapter Forty

Meria

“Our captain seems happier than usual this morning. I believe we have you to thank for that. That kiss was something else,” Sands said with a chuckle. He walked over to me as I looked out at the island, which once we had crossed over, the Mirror Sea would be revealed to us.

“I doubt that. It has less to do with me, and more that he will find his sister soon.”

“No, I am sure you know why he is looking for his sister. That could never bring him such joy. This is due to waking up in your arms and knowing he has not lost you.”

“Lost me?” I asked.

“But be careful, Meria–” Sands began, not answering my question.