Into the Deep (13 page)

“You’re inquisitive, which is an advantage. Without questions, you cannot learn.” He puffs up proudly. “Let me start with a bit of history.

“Mer are direct descendants of the god of the sea. Most people recognize him as Poseidon. We were created from his blood to watch over the seas. When you hear someone talk about royal blood, that’s what they are referring to—an undiluted line direct from the source. Ours is some of the strongest. One day soon, I’ll divulge our entire history. This is a brief version. I’m certain you will find it fascinating.”

Nerio had told me about Poseidon, but I press Stavros for more. “And that concentration gives us power?”

“It gives us control over the power. The sea god can control the oceans and the creatures in them. By having that blood, we’re allowed the same luxury in a far lesser, but still potent, amount. Our power originates from the ocean and allows us to manipulate nature. Does that make sense?”

“It does. It’s logical that if we’re the descendants of a god, we have the same power and abilities. Do I have it, considering I’m a half-breed?”

He touches my cheek. “Never call yourself that. You do have it, but only in this form. And the same as any ability, it requires practice. Follow me.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Stavros shoots toward the surface and I race along beside him. The higher we go, the lighter the water becomes until it’s a soft, achingly clear blue and the number of fish quadruples. Most of the marine animals stop out of respect to let us pass and some give us the greeting I’ve grown accustomed to. Their happy dances are slightly subdued now that the king is with me.

With the rays of sun filtering down, my mood brightens and I realize I’ve actually missed the sunshine. I close my eyes and let the warmth soak into my skin. While I may have had reasons for avoiding sun-filled activities on land, it never meant I didn’t enjoy it. It’s like floating in a bath, an activity I don’t do too often.

Before we break through the waves, Stavros stops.

“You must be careful in these shallow depths. As you grow familiar with your senses, you’ll learn to recognize the sound of propellers or engine of a ship. Always stop to check.”

I grin. His protectiveness warms my heart.

“Okay, let’s go.”

Hesitation traps me below as he surfaces. He notices my absence and ducks back down.

“What’s wrong?”

“Will we need to go under for air?” At home, off the coast of San Diego, I’d been so intent on being in the water I didn’t pay attention to what I could do out of it. Then, belatedly, I remember the first time with Charlotte. I’d been able to breathe just fine.

He laughs. “No, our bodies are special. We can breathe as well as we can underwater. Mer truly are equal parts human and sea creature. We’re adapted to both worlds, a gift from Poseidon.”

He takes me by the elbow and I rise beside him, drawing in my first real breath of air in days. The sky stretches out above us, endless in every direction, equaled by the vastness of the ocean. There is not a single object other than water or air to be seen. Dark storm clouds hunch up against the horizon, a promise of more bad weather.

After a few moments Stavros says, “I’m going to show you how we can use our power to manipulate the sea.”

He lays his palm on the rippling waves and fixes his attention on a distant point. About twenty feet in front of us, a disturbance begins to swirl. It’s chaotic, but soon a frothy, bubbling figure starts to emerge. My heart stutters as the edges smooth out, resembling a leaping whale. It jumps into the air, solid in form, before coming down and merging seamlessly into the sea once again. A little farther off, it bursts free once again and executes a flip, then disappears.

“That is so cool. How do you do it?” I ask breathlessly.

He lifts his hand and, once everything returns to normal, answers. “You have to feel the water with every molecule of your body. You’ve already sensed how attuned you are to this world, like with that seahorse. I know you felt it. At least, I hope you have.” The corner of his mouth tips up. “Then you envision what you want it to do. Form a whirlpool, it will be easier. Picture it spinning in your mind and direct the ocean to obey. If you’re successful, it will respond to your touch. Go ahead.”

This startles me. “Me? Are you sure I’m ready?”

“Of course,” he scoffs. “You’re my daughter.”

I lay my hand down exactly as he did and my eyes drift shut. Letting the background fade, I focus on the movement of the waves. For a brief second, I’m no longer solid but part of the liquid surrounding me. The sensation is so alarming that I swish my tail to remind myself I’m whole.

Gradually, I’m aware of the sea life frolicking nearby and the current far beneath our feet. I recognize Kona’s exuberant energy to my left. Electricity washes over me, starting at my fingertips and sparking into my tail, filling me with what can only be described as life or the essence of it.

I imagine the ocean spinning in a lazy whirlpool, like a finger is dipping in to stir it, and picture the deep blue color at the center. I direct the water to flow into it and fuel the size. The fluid part of me reaches out, thirsting to actually be in inside it, twirling for hours.

Next to me, Stavros gasps. Opening my eyes, I’m shocked to see a whirlpool in front of us, exactly as I directed. Disbelief bubbles up in a laugh. The invisible electricity flows through me and exits out my fingertips.

“I did it,” I say, breathlessly. “I wasn’t sure I had it in me. It was hard to remember I wasn’t actually part of the water. Does that sound right?”

“It does, that’s exactly how I feel when I use it. There are some who prefer to spend most of their lives connected with the sea. It soothes them. They often live on their own, apart from society. They’re the hardcore, naturalistic ones.” He smoothes my hair. “I’m proud of you. I wasn’t sure you’d be able to do it so fast, but we carry a long line of unbroken blood in us. Maybe Poseidon has decided to bless my daughter.”

I lift my hand and the dervish stops spinning. Already, I miss the connection with the ocean and totally understand why the mer Stavros mentioned would choose to spend their time merged with this world.

“What else can we do?” I ask, eager for more.

Turning toward my father, I notice a shadow in his expression. Regardless of his praise, it seems as though the quickness of what I just did disturbs him. Suddenly, he rolls over and floats lazily, basking in the sun, and the moment is gone.

“You’ll learn eventually. I don’t want to overwhelm you,” he says. “We can use it to communicate with fish, it’s used to heal, and we can make humans forget they saw us with a touch. There’s more, but as I said, all in good time.”

I shift onto my back and float alongside him to stop the questions crowding my tongue. We remain this way for a while, bobbing in companionable silence.

After about twenty minutes, he says, “I should return to reality.”

With the dire threats he is facing, guilt jabs at me for keeping him from his duties. Of course, it doesn’t mean I’m not a tiny bit selfish and thankful he’s played hooky with me. It was more than I’d hoped for.

I follow him into the depths and immediately start to miss the sun. As I do, though, I relish being in the deep more. Using Stavros’s tip from earlier, I reach out and touch the world around me.

The ocean constantly moves in a rising and falling motion, as if it’s breathing. I stare out over this vast, rocky plain and the water is clear and crisp. But it’s not still. It pulses with energy. A school of huge grouper pass by, their bulky bodies swishing in a rhythm that echoes through me. On the floor beneath me, a sea worm crawls through the gravel and sand. When I concentrate on it, I swear I feel the grit sliding over my skin. Startled, I pull away from the feeling. Stavros didn’t mention being able to experience what a creature does. It’s perplexing. Maybe he just hasn’t gotten that far yet.

Stavros interrupts. “It’s important to me that you are at home here, but until we understand more about these dangers and if any more of Calandra’s people have infiltrated us, I’d prefer you have a guard when you leave the palace. You have a lot to learn about our world and you should take advantage of that, so I’ll assign a permanent one to you. “

This gives me an idea.

“What about Nerio?” He cuts me a sharp glance and I add, “I mean, I know him, so I’m already comfortable with him. He saved my life which means he’s obviously adequate.”

Emotions cross his face, turning from suspicion to understanding and, finally, agreement.

“I guess it’s sensible to have someone you are familiar with. I’ll send him over.” We reach the courtyard and Stavros kisses me on the forehead. “Explore and later you can dine with the queen and me.”

My stomach drops. I certainly do not anticipate that.

Chapter Twenty-Three

As I watch him leave, love blooms in my heart. Maybe it’s silly to let it after only a few hours, but at this point I can’t stop. Stavros has surpassed any expectations I had in coming here. He’s kind and smart and patient. I’m a girl again, one who only has eyes for her daddy.

Kona appears beside me. “Can we play?”

“You’re always popping up out of nowhere.” I meet his friendly stare. “I think we can. The king is sending Nerio to be my guard and then I’m free the rest of the day to explore.”

Kona’s excitement rubs off on me, but nerves entwine my stomach. Last time I saw him, Nerio wasn’t exactly the friendly guy I remembered. Hopefully he’s in a better mood.

By his stormy expression as he swims over to us, he certainly isn’t.

“Hi,” I say brightly.

He concentrates on a spot over my shoulder. “I’m at your disposal, princess.”

I decide to ignore his snarky tone. Once we’re out of the palace, he’ll probably relax.

“Stavros has been showing me some stuff and said I’m free to explore. So, take me somewhere.”

Instead of answering, he sets out at his normal, brisk pace and I struggle to keep up as usual, slower but addicted to the movement. Kona speeds alongside us, oblivious to the tension, and I let the passing scenery distract me.

Broad, sandy plains merge into rocky areas scarred by black canyons and rippled faults. The ocean floor reminds me of a scuffed up, wrinkled rug blanketed with silt. The sea creatures in this area are sparse and I remember from biology that most marine creatures live in shallow waters closer to shore. Again, the sensation of the ocean being lonely sweeps over me. It truly is an unexplored frontier.

It must be at least an hour later when Nerio stops, but I’m not sure. It’s still disconcerting not knowing how far we travel or how much time is passing. I’ve yet to glimpse a clock and we cover distances quicker than I dreamed possible.

“Where are we?” I ask in wonder. The shallow part of the ocean we’re in is extremely clear and full of life. No traces of turbulent seas or natural disasters in sight.

“The South Pacific. The reefs here are pretty spectacular and I thought you might enjoy them.” His tone remains cold, but at least he took me into consideration when he selected the destination. I chalk that up as a small victory.

“You should lighten up, Nerio.”

I don’t think he’s going to answer, but he grumbles, “Easy for you to say. I got pulled out of a training session to babysit.”

“Is it a custom of the guards to be grouchy?”

“What do you expect? We don’t spend all day painting ourselves.”

Visions of the heavily made up mer tempt me to giggle. “Why not?” I tease. “It’s a popular custom.”

He looks at me as if I’m mad. “If you ever see me paint myself up like a clownfish, slap me.”

“My pleasure.”

Nerio scowls at me again. Over his shoulder, I spy what’s left of a ship sticking up out of the seafloor a couple hundred yards to our left. Remembering how my side trip brought us closer on our journey to the palace, I form a plan. We’ll race. Besides, I’m curious to find out how fast I really am.

“See that shipwreck? I’ll race you to it.”

I zip off with Kona hot on my tail. It’s spectacular, gliding through the water, and I push myself faster. My speed increases and right when I congratulate myself for doing pretty dang good, Nerio appears beside me and flashes a grin.

I admire how he moves, sleek with power. Then, he passes and I have to struggle not to lose him. In the end Nerio wins, but not by much. The physical activity feels so good. My body is warm and loose, a sensation I’m quickly becoming addicted to. I itch to go again.

The race does exactly what I hoped. It lightens the mood between us. Nerio relaxes and says, “You’re doing all right for a beginner.”

“Careful. Don’t hurt yourself with a compliment, guard.” I wink.

Determined to keep it light, I spin over top of him and dart off, pleased when he chases. Soon I forget about the race and revel in the powerful movements of my new appendage, of having a fascinating merman at my side. We spend an hour playing and swimming among the fish in the reef. I should say Nerio and Kona play while I’m constantly distracted.

Almost exactly like at the aquarium, blue and yellow tangs search the coral for food as orange clownfish peek out from the anemones and tiny crabs scamper across the polyps. Giant eels fade into the background, camouflaging with the environment and waiting for a snack to unwittingly pass too close. I avert my gaze from them and the memories they represent, waiting for one to jump out and latch on.

Thick schools of fish churn, solid enough to block out the light. These are only a few of the creatures using the reef as a habitat. There are many nooks, crannies and tiny caves, each a home to different species of crustaceans. Shafts of sunlight cast strange shadows but also set afire the fish and vegetation. I decide these shallow seas are my favorite, they’re so lush. The taste on the water is slightly fishy, tinged by a hint of earth, but even then, it’s fresh on my taste buds.

It’d be easy to sit here for hours and watch. That day in the aquarium seems like an eternity ago, part of another person I worry I’m starting to forget.

Nerio shows me a few practical things—a piece of branch coral some mer use to comb their hair and a fat, yellow fish that enjoys having its belly tickled.

This is how I dreamed a mermaid would live, frolicking in the waves with no cares in the world. The palace, with its intrigue and rules, is a distant memory. Part of me doesn’t want to go back, which is surprising. While I’m starting to love my father, I long for this kind of freedom, the adventure of the open ocean. I’m no longer the timid, sensible girl who worries about her appearance and what sets her apart.

Eventually, Nerio pushes up onto a sandbar and reclines to absorb the sun, the rays dancing off his dark maroon scales. While the color shouldn’t be manly, it suits him, exotic and alluring. The water is about six inches deep so I join him, long past being shy. He’s so hot, resting on his elbows, and it’s not from the tropical climate. I settle as close to him as I can without being obvious and copy his position.

I delight in how my fins also glisten in the direct sunlight. As I lift the tail, the sun catches it at the right angle, fracturing the light in a million pieces. I practice rolling the partly translucent fin and am comforted by how it’s become an extension of me. Kona plays next to us, jumping and doing flips.

“I wish I could jump like he does,” I say, absently.

Nerio peeks out of one eye and watches Kona for a while before closing it again. “You can. When you’re a stronger swimmer, I’ll show you. You’re all about speed and the rush so you’ll love it.”

I want to mention that speed and jumping hasn’t really been an option for me and how this taste of freedom has opened me up, but I can’t. It’s too embarrassing, too personal. So I search for another subject.

“I met your sister.” I blurt.

One of his brows rises as his lids stay shut. “How?”

“According to Galina, she’s my handmaiden or whatever. She said you and I can’t be friends.”

“Galina? Why would she say that?” His eyes pin me with a confused stare.

“No! Your sister, silly.” I chuckle.

A relaxed and proud smile transforms his features. He obviously has a soft spot for his sibling. “Desma is strong willed, but I can’t imagine why she’d tell you that.”

“You said the same thing last night!”

His lip twitches. “Last night I was,” he searches for a word, “annoyed.”

“Because of Xander?”

“Because you looked as if you belonged with them and I was worried I’d been wrong about you. I was afraid you were more like Eusatcia.”

“Ouch, thanks. That’s not very nice.” He’s probably not the first to make that assumption.

“I apologize. I’m not known for my social graces.” He grins. “What else did my sister say?”

“That I’m not your type.” I flick my tail, splashing water absently. “What is your type?”

“I don’t know.” Color rises in his cheeks and he laughs. “I guess adventurous, brave, someone who respects nature. It’s impossible to say until I meet her and it hits me over the head.”

He moves closer and I wonder if he’s doing it intentionally or subconsciously. My words trip over my tongue and, when I meet his gaze, I’m lost in the dark, brown pools of his irises and the building drumbeat of my heart.

Our lips almost touch, but Nerio jerks up straight, listening. I detect a vibration coming from the water lapping at my waist. As I’m about to ask him what’s going on, he pulls me under.

“A big ship is traveling in our direction,” he informs me. “We need to get out of here.” Once we’re safe, he stops. “You felt the shudder?” I nod. “Good, that’s the easiest way to judge if a boat is nearby. The engines cause a disturbance and we can sense it.”

“Have any mer been caught?” It seems unlikely, especially since they’re still considered a myth and not flashed all over the news.

“Some have, but if they carry any royal blood in them at all, they can make the human forget.” As we draw closer to the palace, he asks, “When do you want to do this again?”

I wish we were back at the sandbar, with him leaning in to kiss me, only minus the interruption. Instead, I prepare myself for the scrutiny of the inquisitive mer. “I don’t know if Stavros has anything planned tomorrow or not. I’m sure we’ll spend some time together. How about the day after? Let’s do what we just did, only travel north instead. Show me someplace special.”

“I can do that.”

As the seamount housing the palace looms into view, his formal mask slips into position and he retreats from me, keeping us a respectable distance apart. I understand we have to be less familiar with each other when I’m being watched so closely. It sucks though. I’m starting to care for him, a lot, but there’s also hesitation.

“I’ll meet you here mid-morning, day after tomorrow.” Before departing, Nerio bows, Kona zipping along in his wake.

I watch him leave and brood over my hesitancy. It isn’t only his disdain for humankind, which I want to hear more about. Am I afraid Stavros will be disappointed? Am I afraid of doing something the other mer will perceive as rash? I saw how people watched me with Xander, but he doesn’t affect me at all. Nerio is dark and strong, brave. He saved me. I’m beginning to accept that we have a lot in common, we’re similar. Or at least this version of me is like him.

And I cannot deny how drawn to him I am. Twenty-four hours in the palace and I already have a crush. How typically human of me, I grin to myself.