Page 49 of Mermaid on Heels
“Are you telling me it is hopeless?” Her eyes flared at him even though his words were nothing but gentle.
“No, Liriya, I was—”
“My mother is there, Luke, do you realize that? I cannot… I cannot simply give up on her and become a queen elsewhere, living happily. We lost our father… and she is the only family we have left…” Her voice wavered, and she blinked to take back her tears.
“Liriya, about your father…” Luke began, slowly. “Don’t you think he might’ve escaped those pirates since he can transform? What if he is alive somewhere on land, or somewhere in the ocean, looking for you and your sisters? Have you… have you given it a thought?”
Liriya squeezed her eyes shut. She wanted to believe that Oh,she wanted to! But she knew it was a deceiving fantasy.
Liriya opened her tear-filled eyes and met Luke’s concerned gaze. “Faelina had the pirates under her control. She promised us death on the surface because she had the pirates ready to kill us as soon as we got there. Papa knew it, and he saved us. But… they caught him in their net before he could get away. Do you not realize it? They werepreparedfor us, ready to end us. There is no hope… I do not want to hold onto a hope that might not exist.”
“I understand, Liriya. I apologize.” Luke heaved a deep breath, his voice rueful. “So, what are you going to do?”
Liriya straightened her posture in composure and cleared her throat. “I think it is time I start the real work. I am going to swim in every direction to find my way to any of the Tuna Kingdoms and tell the royal families about my evil half-sister’s invasion of our kingdom. With them, I shall find a way to take her down and break the enchantment. That is what I am going to do.”
“Liriya…” He sighed her name, frowning. “I’m not trying to scare you or dump your hope, but, can I be honest with you?”
She gave him a dumb nod, gesturing to him to continue.
“What if Faelina has all the Tuna kingdoms under her control already? Because to me, she sounds like a power hungry monster, and we both know about the grudge Sirens have against Merfolk. She could be a weapon Sirens are using on Merfolk. It’s been almost four months since that day, hasn’t it? The Creator knows what has happened down there. And whatever luck had you lose your track and end up in my sea, deserted of either race, I call it the Creator’s miracle.”
Liriya stared at his face. She hadn’t thought of it in that way, true. But a princess dutiful to her kingdom never gave up on her people. Liriya loved her kingdom, she was born to be the queen of Pearltuna, and she was not going to give up until she met hopelessness with her own eyes.
“I don’t want you to get hurt, Liriya, and I’m not willing to let you go somewhere I can’t defend you. I might be half merman, but I’m still a human and no match for mer-strength.”
Liriya was touched and appreciated his concern for her, but she couldn’t let it settle in her heart. “And I would not want you to risk your life for me; you or anyone.”
“Liriya…” Luke breathed her name. It sent goosebumps all over her skin and a tingle down her spine, making her toes curl in pleasure. “As monarchs, I know we put our kingdom first. Just don’t forget thatyouare all your sisters have. Don’t orphan them.”
Liriya exhaled in exasperation, the truth of his words feeling like a blade against her heart. “I know I sound like I am blinded by vengeance, but trust me, I am not. Faelina took away everything from me in a single day, except my sisters and my life, and it was notanyone’sfault that she was an orphan—to makeuseat this pain. My father did not know of her existence. If he did, he would never have abandoned her, he would never have done that.”
“I wish there was something I could do to help, I truly wish, Liriya,” Luke said earnestly.
“There is nothing…” Liriya began and trailed off as she remembered something. She hurried to add, “Wait, there might be something! Where did your father find your mother? Which sea was it? If I could get there, I could—”
“Liriya, you’re not going somewhere where the merfolk are under your evil half-sister’s enchantment,” he told her gently but firmly.
“Do you know which sea it was?” Liriya ignored his words and pressed on.
“No,” Luke said, his face tightening.
“No?” She arched an eyebrow.
“No.” He composed himself and confirmed, heaving a sigh.
“Alright…” Liriya nodded to herself slowly and hesitated for a moment before forcing out her words. “It was nice meeting you, Luke, but I must go.”
“Liriya, wait!” Luke grabbed her elbow before she moved. His face softened. “I want you.”
Liriya met his gaze and her insides squeezed, but she couldn’t give in to her feelings. “I am a mermaid. I do not belong here.”
“Liriya…”
“Please stopsighingmy name, Luke,” she pleaded in a desperate voice.
An unreadable look crossed Luke’s face and realization dawned on him. “You’re running away fromme.”
“What—no—”