Page 31 of Mermaid on Heels
“I have eyes.”
Liriya fought the urge to roll her eyes.
“You think he recognized us?”
Her eyebrows rose. “As mermaids? I doubt that.”
“Why?” Ella asked, and continued, “Do you not think he might have known a mermaid before if he is looking for one, or else how could he be sure when he met one?”
Liriya thought for a moment and sighed. “Yes, that makes sense, but how?”
Ella shrugged a shoulder. “For all I know, that man is full of mystery.”
Liriya smiled. “He sure is.”
Ella giggled lightly.
“What?” Liriya inquired, wondering at whatever she found amusing in the topic.
“You are smitten.”
Liriya gasped in horror. “What—no! I am not. What are you talking about?”
“I am talking about howyou, my big sister, have been daydreaming ever since we returned from the castle.” Ella’s voice was soaked in amusement.
“This is stupid, really.”
“You just do not realize—will notrealize it now.”
“And how didyou, little sister, realize it?” Liriya narrowed her eyes challengingly, ignoring the rapid beat of her heart.
Ella arched a skeptical eyebrow. “If you are trying to belittle me by calling melittlesister, it is not working.”
“No,I am asking howyourealized something I cannot—something I didnot evenfeel.”
“See, that is what I meant by you willnotrealize. But to answer your question, today, I saw a different versiontheLiriyalda of Pearltuna I had known all my life like the back of my hand.”
Liriya arched an eyebrow in spite of herself. “How so?”
“You were all aglow, flushed, and lost in thought every the time I looked at you.” Ella barely concealed her smirk.
“That was me after alongday under the sun, consumed by the thrill of an occasion like none I had been to in my entire life,” Liriya defended with narrowed eyes.
Ella snorted a short laugh. “Oh, and what about theaglowpart? Liriya, you know I am good at seeing through your lies.”
Liriya groaned in annoyance. “Ella, ugh, what is wrong with you? I. Am.Not. Lying.”
“Whatever, we shall find out soon.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Liriya narrowed her eyes again, demanding an explanation.
Ella rolled onto her other side and said, “No idea, good night.”
“Ella!”
No response.
Liriya sucked in a huge amount of breath and released it slowly. Her body felt like it was on fire and she kicked the blanket off her, sitting up and sliding out of the bed.