Page 43 of Sea's Secret

“How?”

“By touching someone,” I said.

“Which is why you wear gloves?”

“Yes,” I said, glancing at the cave floor.

“But–I was not in pain when you touched me,” she said. She walked up to me and reached her hand out as if to pull my hand to hers–

“No–please–I could kill you.”

“What do you mean? You just touched me a moment ago–nothing happened.”

“I do not want to test it,” I said gruffly. I felt bad as I had let go of the darkness while on the island, but remembering my curse, seemed to bring it back. When had I last been in such a dire situation that it caused me to forget my curse?

Never.

“I will be back later,” I said as I walked away from the cave and kept walking until I was at the waves on the shore.

Chapter Seventeen

Meria

“They are coming; I think it will be about a week. Ships are slower than we are,” Finn said from the small pool where we sat, near the sunken ships I had found on the third day I spent on the island. I went there as often as I could. The little pool was surrounded by rocks, creating a good hiding spot in case Dominick was ever nearby. It had been twelve days on Marren Island, and the time spent with Dominick was so different than when I was with Finn, or Edmar, the only other males I had spent significant time with. I liked Dominick, I did. There was a roughness to him I had never before seen. And yet, he was kind, not at all like the humans Father spoke of. I felt like our friendship was growing. For a human, he was not at all what I had expected. It was interesting how I preferred Dominick's company way more than I ever did Edmar’s. Is that not odd? I had known Edmar most of my life, and I had not liked him right away. Perhaps, I simply enjoyed being around Dominick because he was a human, and it was so weird to be with a human. I swished my tail back and forth. It felt so good to be myself again. I missed the sea every day, even though it was just a short walk from our cave. I had to be careful that Dominick did not see me when I transformed back into a mermaid. I was not yet sure it was wise to let him know what I was. Part of me wanted to, but I could also still hear my father’s voice in my head, telling me how horrible humans were. But I had to slip away to release my tail. If I did not go into the water, at least every other day, my legs ached as if they needed a break, and I could feel my tail wanting to emerge. It had been far too long since Finn had last come, and I was grateful for him being there on that day.

“Good, although I am not sure Dominick can help.”

“But you said he is the Walden Prince,” Finn said.

“Yes, but he was banished, just like me, at least until he finds his sister, he said.”

“Maybe you could help him find his sister? If you did that, then he would have to help you find your mother,” Finn said with excitement.

It was a good idea. And if Dominick wanted to go across the Misted Seas, the only way he could even find them was with a magical sea creature, a mermaid–like me.

“That actually is a good idea, Finn.” It did mean one thing; I would have to reveal that I was a mermaid.

“I have splendid ideas from time to time,” Finn said with a smile.

“How are things in Marren?”

“Everyone is fine. I miss you, Meria; Everyone is so uptight in Marren.”

“I am uptight,” I said with a knowing look.

He laughed, “Yes, maybe at court and with your father and sisters–but not with me.”

“Thanks, Finn, I’ve missed you, too. This is so nice,” I said, stretching out before diving into the water. Finn joined me beneath the surface.

“Keep checking the horizon. I am sure you'll see the ship. They are slow, so maybe not for a few days.” Finn swam up to the edge of the little rock pool as if he were going back into the ocean.

“What are you doing?” I said, swimming closer to him as if I could prevent his leaving.

“I am on patrol,” he said, looking back at me before sliding back into the ocean. I popped out of the water and he smiled, turning around to face me. “I cannot spend all my time here. I don’t want anyone to become suspicious. The last thing we need is your father sending a merman here to hunt you down. Where would Marren be without you? We need you, Meria.”

“Are the lights?” I asked, biting my lip.

“Still dimming. More mer are sick. I will come as soon as I can,” he said with a smile, and he dove from our little hidden pool and into the ocean below.