FINNED (The Merworld Water Wars) (18 page)

“Tell me about eternal serendipity,” I whined for the one-hundredth time.

“Not getting why I have to talk about this when you won’t talk about being the Sav—”

I waved my hands and winced. “Ah, ugh, what was our deal?” Just the word…Savior…made my skin crawl. Fate choosing me as the Savior was about as rational as Dracula getting employed as an emergency room surgeon. Catastrophically bad.

“We don’t talk about Savior stuff,” he said, rolling his eyes.

“Uh-huh, exactly. Not ready, not willing, and definitely not able to face all of…
that
. On the other hand, you are very able to talk about eternal serendipity.”

“Funny, I’m not so ready or willing.”

“Please! Pretty please with a crab puff on top!”

“If you’ll stop whining, I’ll tell you,” he groaned.

“I’m a great whiner, huh?”

“No, you’re annoying!”

“Ah, then I’m great. Annoying is the mark of a great whiner.”

“And you’re kinda cute,” he said, sneaking a kiss.

I could hear the whispers growing louder around the cafeteria. “Well, that does undermine my ability to effectively whine, but if it gets me a kiss and the answers I want, I see no harm in it.”

“Brat.”

“You love it,” I teased.

“So I do. Eternal serendipity. It’s our belief that two souls are forever fated to live as one,” he said, playing with my hand. “The sea determines whether or not you and your chosen one are fated to be together. If the sea so finds, then a beam of diamond-filled light will break from the ocean floor, engulf the two lovers, and bind their souls together forever.”

“Have you ever seen this happen?”

“No. I’ve only heard the stories.” He frowned at his red snapper.

“What is it?”

“My mom and dad were supposedly bound together by the light, but they haven’t been together for years. I really don’t want to talk about it.”

I knew not to push him. “Well, maybe the ocean isn’t always right.”

“It’s not like human marriages, Marina. People in your world don’t always marry for love. Some marry for lust or money. Others marry for convenience, or because it’s the noble thing to do. Marriage in the human world is very rarely for true love,” he said, moving the snapper around on his plate.

“What happens when two people break the ocean’s bond? Is it like divorce?”

A small, sad grin crept across his rugged face. “Not even a little bit. When the ocean bonds two souls, it’s for eternity—they are fated to live and die together, then move to the afterlife as one. There is no way to break the bond once it’s made.”

“But, what about your mom and dad?”

“The merp who chooses to leave their soul mate will also leave behind their soul.”

I gasped. “So, that’s their punishment. If they leave their chosen love, they must forfeit their soul.”

“Yes. The mate left behind will have two souls and can never become bound to another. In a way, the sea forces love. Very unlike your world, of course. Divorce is a way to sever all bonds. The two former lovers move on to new people and new lives. It’s disgusting the way humans toss and trade lovers like a pair of jeans.”

“Not to point out the obvious, but you aren’t exactly Mr. Innocent. You’ve been with puss-in-really-ugly-boots, Katrina,” I said, my cheeks burning. “And I’m sure there have been others before her.”

He flashed his sexy little grin at me. “There have been a few. Then again, I haven’t bonded with someone. I’ve never been in love with anyone before you.”

I shuddered a bit. I still had not said those three little words—
I love you
. The thought made my stomach churn. I’m so screwed up! GAG.

“Ah, the dreaded gag. I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable, but I do love you, Marina, and I’m not shy about saying it.”

“I know, and I love to hear it. It’s just…”

“You’re not ready,” he said, kissing my hand. “I understand.” He continued pushing his food around the plate.

“You gonna eat that fish or play with it?”

“Not all that hungry, I guess. I’m bored with red snapper.” He shoved his tray to the side, frightening a small clownfish that was happily watching him.

“Apart from candy, have you ever tried anything other than seafood?”

“No.”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing. The only thing merps eat is seafood,” he said.

“Well, we have to change that. I’m meeting Airianna and a friend of hers tonight for dinner. Why don’t you come along?”

“Can’t. I’ve got to be somewhere.”

“Right. It’s Thursday.” I hadn’t forgotten. I just didn’t want him to think I was obsessing over his whereabouts. Truthfully, ever since we became an official couple, I’ve been bothered by his constant need to disappear every Thursday night and Friday afternoon. Where did he go? Every time I ask him about it, he simply shrugs and tells me to be patient. Patience was so not my virtue. “Come along after you’re done, then. I’m meeting them pretty late anyway.”

“Okay. Where and what time?”

“A place called Sprinkles. I’ll be there about nine, but Airi and Bobby are probably going to get there around eight.”

“Bobby Bubblestone? Oh, great,” he said, running his hands through his hair.

“What’s wrong with Bobby Bubblestone?”

“Have you met him?”

“No, why?”

“He’s the most boring fish under the sea, and pretension is his middle name. Is Airi dating that tadpole?”

“He asked her out, I know that. She begged me to come along. I thought she was nervous, but maybe she’s dreading it. All the more reason for you to join us. Think of all the wrong things I could say or do in front of him.”

“This is true.” He leaned across the table, weaved his fingers through my hair, and pulled my lips to his.

Amongst the sneers and jeers, I heard a dainty little clap, no doubt from Airianna.

After giving me clear directions to the restaurant, Troy gave me the keys to his truck. This gesture at least verified that his routine disappearances were underwater. At ten minutes to nine, I pulled up in front of what looked like a sand castle overgrown with wild palm leaves and bright blue grass. The front door even looked like a drawbridge. I parked the truck, hopped out, and nearly fell backward.

“Airi! You scared me.” Airianna had grabbed me from behind and flipped me around. “Why aren’t you inside?”

“Because…I’m in hell. He. Is. So. Persnickety. I can’t stand it, Marina. And I’m a tolerant person, right?” she said, looking quite frazzled.

“Probably the most tolerant person I know.”

“I’m about to lose my mind with this guy!”

“Okay, calm down, Airi. Let’s go in. Maybe it’s not that bad. Where are you sitting?”

“By the window overlooking the lagoon. If you can’t find the right table, and I magically disappear in the girl’s bathroom, just follow the sneezes,” she said, pushing a button on the outside of the drawbridge. “Move aside.”

“What? Whoa!” The drawbridge lowered, nearly whacking me on the head before I could scoot sideways.

“Neat little place, isn’t it?”

“Wow.”

The whole of the restaurant consisted of one small room with not more than about seven tables and seven booths. Fireflies provided the only source of light, and a lovely Fairhair girl—child prodigy, no doubt—played delicately on a piano. The lagoon itself sparkled with giant purple and yellow flowers and dewy leaves; lily pads floated amongst several small pink boats, which routinely vanished into a glowing tunnel.

“Gorgeous, isn’t it? ACHOO! It’s very nice to finally make your acquaintance. I’m Bobby Bubblestone, though I suppose the lovely Airianna has already told you about me,” he said, extending his hand.

“Um, yes, she has.” I quickly riffled through my bag for the hand sanitizer.

After wiping his nose with a personalized handkerchief, he straightened his blazer over his baby blue sweater vest and pulled my chair out for me. Bobby had a cute face, if not childlike. He was short and slender with perfectly coiffed hair.

“And how is your friend, the other Normal girl?” he asked

“Meikle’s in intensive care. The doctors still have her quarantined.”

“Oh, that’s so sad. Meikle seemed like a nice girl, albeit a little gloomy,” said Airianna thoughtfully.

“She’s prickly, but so nice, Airi. You would like her. And she would have loved a place like this—it’s just dark enough for her.”

“You know, there’s a poem dedicated to this place. It’s called
Ode to Magical Wonder
. Ode to magic, the wee ones went, ode to wonder, is what they meant…”

While Bobby continued his recitation of
Ode to Magical Wonder
, I drenched my hands in hand sanitizer. Airianna silently pleaded for the bottle, so I passed it to her under the table.

“Well, I see I haven’t missed much.” Troy took his seat next to me, looking sexy in a crisp white shirt and khakis. “Surprised you didn’t get trapped under the drawbridge.”

“It was close,” I muttered.

“May I take your order? Oh! Hiya, Troy! Haven’t seen you around here in a while. How have you been?”

Oh, I do NOT like this busty, blond waitress. Could she possibly bat her eyes any faster at my boyfriend?

“Sugar! Good to see you! I’ve been doing great. How about you? Any recent trips to Caloobla? That place can be wild.”

Sugar. What kind of a name was Sugar? And, um, being just a bit too friendly there, Troy.

She giggled, flipped her hair, and raised an eyebrow. “No, not since the last time you glided in.”

Troy gave a fake laugh and stole a glance at me. I continued reading my menu as though I didn’t notice her not-so-subtle flirting. Hopefully, he couldn’t see my knuckles turning white.

“Um, I think we should probably order,” said Airianna, sticking her menu between Troy and Sugar.

“Yeah, I’ll have the catfish,” said Troy, clearing his throat.

“You always loved catfish,” said Sugar. “I remember that time when you fed me—”

“Troy, I thought maybe you might want to try something other than fish. You looked so grumpy today with the same old food, I just thought, maybe…”

“Would it make you happy?” he asked.

“Very,” I smiled.

“But, fish is our diet, Troy,” whispered Sugar.

“Sugar, it’s okay. She knows.”

“You know? That is totally new news!” yelped Airianna, smirking.

Laughing, I said, “Clearly you already knew.”

“I figured it out a while back,” she said snootily. “I’m brighter than I look.”

“Sugar, this is my girlfriend, Marina Valentine.”

“Oh! Nice to meet you,” she said, reaching to shake my hand. “You’re a Normal.”

“She most certainly is. Can’t you smell her? Her stench is worse than a humpback fart.” Katrina and her new boy toy, Benji, had just walked in.

“Crap,” muttered Troy. “Marina, you’re with stupid.”

“What is it?” I asked.

“I was a dumb ass and told Benji where we would be tonight. She’s dating him, thinking it will get to me. And Benji thinks he’ll earn some higher place with King Zale if he dates her.”

“Forget them. We won’t let them ruin our meal, will we?” I asked.

“Certainly not! I intend to savor every delight our fine chef has in store to tickle our taste buds,” said Bobby, puffing out his slight chest.

Rolling her eyes, Airianna agreed. “Let’s order.”

“Marina, would you order for us?” Troy asked.

“Four Texas beef brisket sandwich meals with extra barbeque sauce on the side, Caesar salads, family size basket of home-style fries, and, for dessert, chocolate crème pie.”

Sugar diligently wrote everything down. “Are you all sure?”

“Yes,” said Troy.

“Affirmative. Always an adventure to try something new,” said Bobby.

“Absolutely,” said Airianna merrily.

“Just please make certain the fries are crisp. Not so crisp as would rival a lobster’s shell, but not as soft as a soft shell crab.” Bobby carried on for another five minutes about his ideal temperature for the barbeque sauce.

Throughout most of dinner, Troy, Airianna, and Bobby didn’t speak; their eyes seemed to glaze over from their very first bite of Normal food. Bobby even licked his plate.

“I take it y’all liked everything,” I said.

“Holy dolphin, Marina! Brisket is good!” said Airianna.

“You certainly know how to select dishes, Marina. I was so bold that I undid my collar and licked my plate! I have never done something so audacious in my entire life!”

I laughed. “I’m so glad you enjoyed everything, Bobby. And you, oh silent one? Did you like it?”

“No, I didn’t like it at all. I loved it. Every single bite.” Troy leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “Thank you, my little Rubylocks.”

“Yes, thank you for destroying tradition and forcing you and your American ideals upon our kind,” said Katrina, standing behind me. “Maybe we should have a parade to celebrate!”

Troy instinctively stood to block me; Airianna and, surprisingly, Bobby joined him.

“If you weren’t so rigid, you might actually like some of my American ideals.”

“Typical American, self-indulgent, selfish…”

Standing to face her, I said, “Insult me all you want, Katrina, but don’t you dare insult my country.”

“Hello, Tin Man, have you been standing out in the rain so long that it’s not only rusted your hair, but your brain cells, too? We got stuck with you because your own country didn’t want you in any of its ordinary cities. You’re in our town by default.”

“Yeah, and it’s still on human land. I’m not a lawyer, but I’m pretty sure this town belongs to Texas…to America. And in case you missed that day in history because you were busy getting your lip waxed, America was founded by—you guessed it—Normals.”

“I smite thee, Marina Valentine,” she said, digging her blood-red nails into Airianna and Troy, moving them aside.

“Who are you? Van Helsing?” I quipped.

“Take it back, Katrina! NOW!” Troy shouted, moving her back with ease.

“Oh, boo-fricking-hoo. What’s done is done,” she said, waving her hand. “I just figured I should salvage something worthwhile, since this ass-numbingly dull verbal spat has wasted valuable me time. So, let’s see how little miss mouth does against an element of mine.”