FINNED (The Merworld Water Wars) (22 page)

“Nice to see ya again, Percival,” said Troy, slapping him hard on the back. I giggled. “What?” whispered Troy. “His name? The color of his fin? A merp’s worst nightmare is to have a yellow fin—you look like you peed yourself for life.”

“None of the above,” I said, still laughing.

“What, then?”

“
Prince
Troy. You’re such a fairy tale character.”

“Ah, that,” he said, blushing a bit. “Just don’t expect me to spontaneously sing and dance.”

“Prince Troy, if you are ready, your father awaits you and your
friend’s
arrival,” said Percival, looking at me as if I smelled very badly. “Wait until old Waldorf sees who you’ve brought.”

“After you,” said Troy, helping me into the carriage.

“A seahorse-drawn carriage…clever,” I mused.

“Percival, kindly go through the park,” said Troy. “You’ll love the park.”

As we made a sweeping U-turn, I took in as much of the downtown area as I could. There were shops selling fin accessories, stores selling odd ornaments and fancy instruments, large showrooms filled with those floating mermobiles, and windows piled high with mini-tridents, storm-swell enhancing creams, and Mermish translators.

The carriage broached a tranquil area overgrown with colorful plant life. Moving through the golden archway, we entered the sea’s version of a secret garden. Fragrant sea flowers, illuminating fish, and towering seaweed lined the pathway to a dead end.

“How do we get through?” I asked, staring at a solid coral wall.

“You’ll see,” he said, smiling. Troy floated up a bit to face the wall. “Prince Troy Tombolo and guest requesting entrance.”

The coral cracked, slid apart, and revealed a village of stately homes.

“This is Fairhair Township. You’re safe here, Marina. This is our territory,” said Troy. “And this is my house.”

“Which one?” I asked, looking from side to side.

“Stand up, and look straight ahead. I’ll keep a hold of you, so you won’t float away.”

I did as he said. Ahead of us was not merely a house or a noble home—it was a fairy tale castle. The pale ivory palace, guarded by no less than fifty merp guards, seven battle-clad orcas, and about one hundred dolphins, radiated goodness, if that was even possible for an inanimate object.

Before long, we arrived at the front doors of Troy’s home.

“When we move through the protective gel covering, you’ll be able to walk normally, without floating. Your hair and clothing will be dry, just as if you were on land.” I know he could feel me trembling. “Don’t worry. Imagine walking through a thin shield of some gelatin dessert. That’s all it is, I promise.”

Little did he know that the source of my trembling wasn’t the gel covering; it was the knowledge that his father—the king—was somewhere behind those doors, waiting to see us…waiting to judge me.

Chapter Sixteen

Royal Flush

Troy carried me through the gel film and carefully set me down on the crystal floor. My knees had never been so wobbly.

“My hair feels flat,” I grumbled.

“It’s fine,” said Troy, looking strangely at the top of my head.

“No, I have cheddar string cheese head.”

“So, it’s a little flat. Who cares?”

“Troy, perhaps you are not familiar with Texas girls, but flat hair is a sacrilege.” Now, I not only feel unfit to meet Troy’s father—again, a king—but I look like I forgot to wash and comb my hair. Wonderful.

The tall marble doors of the palace swept open, and a lanky merman with a silver fin hurried towards us.

“Prince Troy! Prince Troy! It’s so good to see you again. And I see you have decided to use your legs.”

Although I failed to notice Troy’s transformation to his human form, I definitely caught the disapproval in the man’s voice.

“Good to see you again, Waldorf,” said Troy. “This is Marina Valentine…was Marina Valentine.”

I decided to hide behind Troy’s massive form. I was just not ready to see the horrified look on Waldorf’s face when he realizes my legs don’t go finny.

“Well, my dear, please swim forward. Don’t be shy,” he said merrily.

“It’s nice to meet you, Waldorf,” I said kindly. Double crud. “Oh, he sounds all wheezy. God, I’ve given him a cardiac arrest!”

“He’ll be fine. Waldorf, breathe,” said Troy. “I would like you to take us to my father.”

“But she’s a-a-a…” sputtered Waldorf.

“I’m a Normal,” I supplied, trying to fluff my pancake hair.

“Your father awaits you, Prince…and N-Normal.”

“You can call me Marina, if you like.”

“I will do no such thing, Normal. You should not be here,” he shrieked.

“Waldorf! Mind your tongue!” demanded Troy.

“I do apologize, Prince. This way, if you please,” he said, bowing.

We followed Waldorf to a large open room with crystal columns and sparkling chandeliers. Lavish benches and chaise lounges encircled the room. The stained-glass ceiling looked like moving dolphins, and the floor twinkled with gold and silver circles. An impressive figure occupied a bejeweled throne at the head of the room.

I could see Troy in every inch of his father. They had the same rugged face, shared the same thick, wavy hair, and both had the innate ability to make an outsider feel like a pariah with a simple stare.

“Come forward,” he said, rising to meet his son. “How I have missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, Father,” said Troy, walking into his father’s embrace.

“Using legs, I see,” he said, glancing at me. “I suppose she is the reason.”

“Father, I’d like you to meet—”

“Marina Valentine of Dallas, Texas. I know all about you,” said King Tombolo.

I couldn’t tell if his tone was playful, disapproving, or friendly. Aw, hell, how do I greet a king? Movies…think back to some movies.

“It is an honor to stand before you, King Tombolo,” I said, clicking my heels together and bowing.

The laughter could NOT have been any louder.

“Child, please stand,” said King Tombolo between laughs, slapping his hand against his emerald green fin. “You said she was an interesting human, but I had no idea!”

“Sorry,” I said, silently begging my brain to think of something remotely intelligent. “You know, I’ve seen every mermaid movie, like, a thousand times and…well…I have, so…wow, that’s the biggest trident I’ve ever seen! Bet you can smite the heck out of anyone you want.”

I’ve learned through experience that crinkled foreheads weren’t necessarily a good thing.

“Quirky little thing, aren’t you?” said King Tombolo.

“It’s charming after a while,” said Troy, rubbing my back.

“I’m sorry…again,” I groaned.

“Please, Marina, do not feel uneasy around me. I do not disapprove of my son’s relationship with you.”

“You don’t?”

“No. As a merman who has known love, I cannot possibly disapprove. As a king of Merpeople, however, I must never approve. When Troy wanted to bring you here, I had my concerns. Now, after seeing you together, I see the attraction is more than a casual affair.”

“I’m not that kind of Normal, King Tombolo.”

“I did not mean to offend you. I can see the kind of spirit you have.” He sighed. “You so remind me of…well, it doesn’t matter. I am sorry, Marina, but I cannot allow you to stay in the palace. Permitting you to stay one more second would compromise our peace.”

“Father, this is ridiculous! This is the safest place for her to stay! The city is too dangerous. Please, reconsider,” said Troy.

“No, Troy,” I said flatly. “I understand. May I ask you a question, King Tombolo?” Troy’s father nodded. “What kind of peace can you possibly have if you have to constantly worry about losing it?” The handsome king stared at me like I had purple and gold boils all over my face. “Let’s go. Pleasure meeting you, King Tombolo.”

Troy led me down the main hall, his brow permanently furrowed. We stopped near a tiny alcove concealed by a thick red curtain.

“What made me think I could even get through to him?” he said, pacing back and forth. “All I asked was for him to give you a room here. I didn’t even ask him to meet you. That was his idea.”

My mind wandered from Troy’s ranting. Leaving him pacing around the hall, muttering about where to have me stay, I followed a subtle whispering to the little cove. Moving the silky drapery aside, I gasped. A stunning mermaid stared down at me from within a turquoise frame, her violet eyes peeking through her mink-brown hair.

“That was my mother,” said Troy, startling me.

“She was a brunette?”

He nodded. “Father had this sand-painted before she left. Anyway, we have one more stop here before we leave. There’s someone else I’d like you to meet.”

After countless twists and turns through the palace corridors, we ended up in a lonely wing with a plethora of empty rooms. Troy knocked on the only closed door—a pink crab shell door.

“Wha-at? I’m busy!” shouted a woman from behind the door.

“Even for your brother?”

“You have a sister?”

“Yep. Just wait until you meet her,” he said.

I heard quickening thuds behind the door. When the door flew open, a beautiful woman with long, chestnut hair, violet eyes, fair skin, and a gorgeous smile greeted us. “Troy! My annoying baby brother!” she said, throwing her arms around Troy’s neck. She looked very much like their mother.

“Treeva, this is Marina.”

Giving me a big sisterly hug, she said, “Look at you, you cute little Normal! Good thing I wore my legs today!” she said, pointing to her shapely legs. “Oh, honey, your hair is tragic!”

“I know,” I groaned.

“Here,” she said, snatching a small pink bottle off a table covered with white coral crates. “Pouf Powder. Sprinkle it over your hair, and it will pouf right up!”

I did as she suggested. I could feel the roots of my hair lifting while each little strand straightened to silk across my back.

“Wow,” said Troy.

“It’s like magic for bad hair…it’s the
say goodbye to ghastly hair genie
,” I said, handing the pink bottle back to her.

“Oh, that should totally be its slogan. You keep it. Great little concoction. If you remember to sprinkle it on before you head out into the ocean, you’ll never again have flat hair. Now, come all the way in here you two!”

Her room was more like a condominium, fully equipped with a kitchen, living area, and bedroom suite. There was a scattering of clothes, boxes, and odd items about the place.

“See you still live like an octopus,” said Troy.

“See you’re still a bratty little twerp,” she snapped back. “I’m working on my new line of mermaid clothing. Why should we have to wear hard, unflattering shells on our boobs? I mean, could it get any more—”

“Caveman,” I said.

“Exactly. Unfortunately, mermen aren’t too keen on change, and the mermaids are too damn timid to go against the mighty merman’s wishes. I’m trying to get more mermaids to show an interest in these, though” she said, holding up a flowing halter top.

“They must want something different. I heard two younger mermaids complaining about those bra things outside one of the shops,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “I’d wear that in a heartbeat.”

“Then it’s yours,” she said, handing me the silky garment. “It’s made from sea star thread—similar to silk, except it changes color according to mood.”

“My sister is a sort of sorceress.”

“I just like to experiment. Reckon you’ve met our dad,” she said, recognizing Troy’s tightened jaw. “He didn’t give Marina a room, did he?”

“Sure didn’t. We’re going to a luxury hotel that he will pay for,” said Troy, grinning a little.

“Eh, he can afford it,” said Treeva, shrugging. “So, see any shops you might like to visit? I thought we could go to town while you’re here and shop, eat, shop some more.”

“Toys R Merps or whatever its name was…the big toy store downtown.”

Treeva started bouncing up and down, her bright pink fin flashing on and off when she did. “Oh! Sorry! When I get excited, I tend to flash a little fin. It’s a fintastic store! One of my favorites!”

“For a woman of thirty, you sure act like a kid. Shouldn’t you be married by now?” Troy teased.

“For a woman of thirty, I’m not a stuffy, stick-in-the-sand, boring sea hag. I’m fun, lively, and I don’t need a man who’ll suck all the life out of me. I like having my own life. Far fewer headaches. Now, Marina, I have something very important to ask you. Do you know the Deppster? Johnny-John? He’s a human I’d like to swim with, you know?”

I giggled. “No, I don’t know him. You can watch human movies down here?”

Treeva pressed a small crystal button on the wall. A massive screen dropped down from nowhere and floated before us. “This is a universal panel. It shows us mertelevision and Normal programming.”

“Expensive little item you have there,” said Troy. “Dad wouldn’t get that for you.”

“Of course not. I’m practically disinherited. Only reason I’m allowed to live here is because he wants to keep a distant eye on me. I bought it with my own money.”

“You aren’t going through your sand trust, are you?”

“Don’t be silly, Troy. I can take care of myself.”

“Yeah, yeah. We should get going, Tree,” said Troy.

“Of course,” she said, having to catch herself on her dresser.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Just a little woozy.”

We said our goodbyes, promising to have an Olympic-style shopping spree soon. Troy escorted me via seahorse-drawn carriage to the Dunesque Hotel. Magnificently decorated, the lofty Dunesque Hotel was a bright and airy masterpiece. Located just off a grand, sandy staircase was a majestic lobby with a winding crystal and coral front desk and concierge station. Sparkling lounges and luxury boutiques consumed the massive first floor.

“I got you a room,” said Troy. “Damn clerk didn’t want to accommodate a human, though.”

“I’m sure he caved once you turned on your princely charms.”

“Funny. Now, to the tubes.”

“The tubes?” I asked quizzically.

“No elevators here, my little human. We use tubes to quickly reach the upper levels.”