Page 128 of Sea's Secret

Meria

We arrived at Marren Island the next morning as Dominick had promised. But Marren Isle did not look the same. At least, the waters around it had changed. Mermaids and mermen–my people–were there, playing openly in the waves during the daytime. None of them had ventured onto the island, but they had risen up within the bay. I wondered if the Marren Lights had gone out during my absence, or if my people finally believed what my Mother, Finn, and I had told them. I moved to the front of the ship where Dominick stood at the wheel.

“I can stay back and anchor here, but the men have already seen them.”

“Do you think they will hurt my people?” I asked, a little afraid.

“If they dare, they shall be ripped in two,” Dominick said with a smile. Although it was a dark comment, I could not help but laugh. The Cruel Hand was not Dominick. His threats were only that–threats.

“Thank you,” I said, touching his cheek. I knew what I had to do. I was going to talk with my father and make sure that my people knew what would save them, permanently. I also needed to say ‘goodbye’ to my family, and goodbye to my mermaid life. I wanted to save Dominick from his curse, and that would leave me, forever, as a human. As I looked at Dominick, I knew that it would be worth it. I did not want to be a mermaid if it meant Dominick would never have the chance to be free. I could live the rest of my life as a human and be just fine. I liked having legs, I liked being with Dominick, and that felt like where I truly belonged. I would still be able to swim in the sea, although in shallower waters and for shorter periods of time, but that was okay. The sacrifice was worth it. My greatest desire to have a family with Dominick was worth it.

Before I could say anything, I dove into the sea and over to my people, toward freedom for both Dominick and myself, and for my people.

Chapter Forty-Five

Dominick

“Why are you so irritated?” I turned to see Peter and Sands on my right side. Great, they were teaming up against me. “There is a distance between you two,” Peter expressed, speaking of Meria and myself.

“We need to speak about a few things, but I have not had the time to think.”

“Emotions–they have never been his strong suit,” Sands said, crossing his arms. “It’s clear you love her. What is holding you back?”

“Sands, not now.”

“No, truly brother, What is holding you back from happiness; your curse? I’d never let a thing like that affect my feelings for someone,” Peter said, wiggling his eyebrows. Peter’s curse, while not pleasant, was a far cry better than mine. I looked at both of them, and I knew that I held strong feelings for Meria, more than I did for anyone else. I knew I wanted a life with her, everything with her, and yet something was holding me back from being fully open about it. Perhaps because my past was so much darker than Meria’s, I did not want to dim her light. Or maybe I did not want to feel vulnerable. I had always played a part, but with Meria, it was real, and something about that made me take a step back. Before Meria, my life was mostly an act.

“I am fine,” I said, watching Meria as she swam through the sea with the other mermaids. I then watched as they all turned their backs to her.

Is that because of her banishment? I asked myself. I clenched my jaw and glared down at them. How dare they treat her with such little respect.

“Ah, afraid she will fall for a merman?” Sands said with a chuckle, reading me wrong entirely.

I wanted to punch him.

“Shove off,” I said. He had no idea that I did have a slight fear that her betrothed would capture her attention again.

“Gah, you are so frustrating,” Peter said with a sigh.

“What?”

“Go to her–tell her how you feel, you big dolt. It is not so deep and complicated. I can coach you, help you know the right things to say, if you want. I am good with ladies,” Sands said. It was as if Peter and Sands had become friends and with one plan, to force me to spill my guts to Meria.

“Excuse me?” I growled at Sands, then glared at Peter.

Peter held up his hands. “Hey, just because you are not a mermaid, does not mean you cannot swim. Didn't Meria say her father and the mer were afraid of humans? Maybe you could change their minds,” Peter said as Sands nodded, wiggling his irritating eyebrows at me as he opened his eyes wide. I was going to punch Peter, then Sands, and I would have a pleasant time doing it.

I hated when Sands was right, but it was even worse when Peter, my newly rediscovered brother, was right. I shoved Sand’s shoulder and moved away from the wheel.

“Steer that for me, will you?” I said to Sands.

“Are we not anchored?” he asked.

“Just stay here,” I said, taking off my jacket, belt, and then my sword. I tugged off my boots and looked out at the sea. The mermaids were crowded around Meria, as if they were listening to her. I turned to look at my brother.

“Keep the ship a good distance away.”

Then, I dove into the sea.