Of Neptune (The Syrena Legacy) (31 page)

I think Rayna might like me now.

Mom is on my left and Grom stands directly in the middle—he’ll be officiating the ceremony. Close to the shore, I spot Grandfather in the water. Grandfather, who is supposed to be standing on shore with the rest of us. Grandfather, who apparently had no intention of changing into a tux. And beside him is Reed—accompanied by not one, but two female Syrena. I think I recognize one of them from the Triton kingdom. Reed notices me noticing him, and he gives a little encouraging wave.

Galen raises a brow at him. Reed’s smile falters, his hand lowering below the surface.

One day they’ll get along. Maybe.

When I reach Galen, he takes both my hands in his. If I remember correctly, he’s not supposed to do that until we’re repeating the vows—or whatever the Syrena call them. When Grom sees that Galen is one step ahead, he calls the ceremony to order.

“Let it be known that we are all witnesses to the union of Galen, Triton prince, and Emma, bearer of the Gift of Poseidon. As we all know, friends, this union is to be everlasting, a bond broken only by death.” A solemn murmur breaks out through the water. Grom is undeterred. If anything, he sounds more official when he says, “Let it also be known, for the memory of the Archives, that this is the first legal union recognized by the kingdoms between a Syrena and a Half-Breed since the destruction of Tartessos. That this day will forever be remembered as a symbol of peace and unity between the ocean dwellers and the land dwellers.”

This is unexpected.

Our mating ceremony is a symbol for all the kingdoms? It feels like it has taken on a life of its own now, a moment flash frozen in time. It’s not just about Galen and me, and our dedication to each other anymore. It’s an occasion that will be memorialized forevermore as something bigger than the union itself. But I distance myself from that thought.

Because to me, nothing could be bigger than becoming Galen’s mate. I don’t care if this is the last legal union between Syrena and Half-Breeds, so long as this one happens.

Grom keeps talking and I try to listen, I really do. He explains the separate and mutual duties of the male and female, how the law cherishes loyalty, and how it outlines punishment for infidelity. That as prince, Galen’s first duty is to the kingdoms, his second to me. That my duties are the same, given my Gift of Poseidon. Then he drolls on, something about raising fingerlings to respect the law and the council of the Archives, especially during these times of change.

Not exactly the replica of a human wedding, but I’ve been to half a dozen of those—who doesn’t agree that they tend to drag on and on? Besides, these are things that Grom has already reviewed with me and Galen a few days ago when he sat us down and asked if we’re really ready to do this.

I allow myself to let go then, to focus all my attention on Galen and his lips and his eyes and his hands in my hands. A warmth steals through me, a tiny wave of excitement that almost makes me squeal.

Here are the vows. And as Syrena tradition would have it, I go first. But I’ve got this. I’ve repeated it to myself a million times in front of the mirror. Behind me, I hear sniffling, and I tear up, knowing it can only be Mom.

Mom who doesn’t cry.

I clear my throat and start spouting the words. “Galen, Triton prince, I vow to cherish you as my mate for time everlasting. I vow to serve you within the boundaries of the law and the council of the Archives. I vow to be faithful to you always, and to honor you in word and deed. Galen, Triton prince, I take you for my mate.”

Galen doesn’t have to be told when it’s his turn. As soon as the last word leaves my lips, the first of his vows falls from his. “Emma, bearer of the Gift of Poseidon, I vow to cherish you as my mate for time everlasting. I vow to serve you within the boundaries of the law and the council of the Archives. I vow to be faithful to you always, and to honor you in word and deed. Emma, bearer of the Gift of Poseidon, I take you for my mate.”

Grom gives his brother a solemn nod. This is where we’re supposed to kiss each other’s cheek. “Friends, I present—”

“I’m not done,” Galen says. Then that Syrena prince gets on his knees in the wet sand. His eyes are wells leading to his soul, his very being. I think I’m going to swallow my own heart. “Emma, I will love you with every breath in my body, and beyond my own death. I swear to be your shield, your protector, your worshipper. There is nothing I will deny you. I am yours.”

I drop to my knees then, too, brought down by everything that is Galen. My dress splashes into an oncoming wave, and the saltwater licks up my hips and thighs, but I couldn’t care less. “I love you,” I tell him, but I’m not sure he can make out the words through my tears.

His mouth is on mine, covering over my sobs. All that he said in words, he puts into this kiss. I’m vaguely aware of a distant cheer surging up over the sound of the waves and of the seagulls and my heartbeat. I’m vaguely aware of Grom clearing his throat, of Mom’s hand on my shoulder, of Rayna giggling. But this kiss cannot be stopped.

And it shouldn’t be.

*   *   *

I straighten the corners of the sheet over the sand and settle in the middle. Galen takes the spot behind me, wrapping his arms and a light blanket around me. He pulls me to him, leaning me back against his chest. Our nakedness feels natural, like we’ve always been this way with each other. It’s odd to think that hours ago, this island was overrun with guests, congratulating us and cheering us, and bringing us fish for our first night together. To think that Mom was here, proudly clutching Grom’s arm while Rayna fretted over my soaked dress. Even now, the noise of the crowd seems to swirl around us in the wind as a ghost that reminds us of all that took place. Of all the privacy we didn’t have.

But the moment they were all gone, we took our solitude back with a vengeance.

Tonight Galen and I have loved each other fully, in a way we’ve never been able to before. I still feel breathless when I think of his touch, his tenderness, the warmth of his body. I will never be satisfied, and yet I am content, right now at this moment.

“I have a surprise for you,” Galen whispers in my ear. Tingles shimmy through me, commandeering my spine and taking my senses hostage. He runs a hand down my arm and extends it out toward the ocean, pointing to the horizon. And then I see it.

The water is glowing. Thousands and thousands of blue lights swarm just below the surface, forming a wide ring around the island. The illumination from the jellyfish is magnificent, a radiant constellation in the water, which taken together looks like a spill of florescent paint into the ocean.

“How?” I breathe.

“You’re not the only one with the Gift of Poseidon.”

“It’s like underwater fireworks.” He nuzzles his nose into my neck, planting a kiss just below my ear, which evokes an involuntary sigh from my lips.

I don’t want this night to end, but at the same time, I want tomorrow to begin.

And all the rest of the days with my Triton prince.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Where to begin? They say it takes a town to raise a child. And it just so happens that writing a book is like rearing a child from birth (the idea), all the way into its dramatic late teens (edits). At first it’s a delight, and you love playing with the child and just spending time with it in general. Then things get progressively more difficult to deal with. Terrible twos. Next thing you know it will be in middle school and back talking you like nobody’s business, refusing to shape itself into the working plot you imagined. But you still love it because it’s your baby. You created it. But you reach a threshold where you must cut it off (by copy edits, you’re ready) and launch it out in to the world whether you’re ready or not (seriously, by copy edits, you’re ready).

It takes a town to write a book.

And I’d like to thank my town, in no specific order:

My agent, Lucy Carson, for being so supportive. More than that, you’ve been absolutely vital to me. These have been a difficult few years and you’ve been nothing less than amazing. I’m so lucky to have you (and the rest of TFA team!). Liz Szabla, how could I have written this trilogy without you? There’s no way I could have. Not without your insight, not without your understanding, not without your support. Jean Feiwel, you have a way of making me feel at home. I can’t explain it.

Macmillan publicity. Holy crap, you guys are all rock stars. Do you sleep? Rich Deas, for designing the covers for the entire series. Fans might choose their favorite of the three, but they are all gorgeous, every one.

Thank you, Jessica Brody, for always being there with your positivity and support. Emmy Laybourne and Leigh Bardugo, we’ve grown up together. And I’ve loved every minute of it. Kaylie Austen, what would I do without your snarky-yet-encouraging texts? Heather Rebel, what would I do without you, in general?

All my sisters, Lisa, Teri, Tami, and Debbie. I’m a writer, but there are no words I can say that will adequately express my gratitude for all you’ve done for me. For all your support, even though it seemed like tragedy hunted us down at times. Maia, thank you so much for sharing me with the world and putting up with my absences. I love you. Jason, thanks for letting me talk it out with you, for being the constant recipient of my worries and fears and for putting up with me anyway.

Opa, you might be my biggest cheerleader. Thank you.

Thank you, Laura, for naming Reed.

To all my fans: Thank you. Infinity times infinity times infinity squared. You made this series what it is. You. Not me. Thank you. So much.

To the book blogger community: You guys are fan-flipping-tastic. Seriously. But you already knew that, didn’t you? Admit it. You know you own it. ☺

If I’ve missed your name I’m so deeply sorry. I’m writing these acknowledgments at 3:00 am—because my gratitude actually woke me from a dead sleep—so please forgive my brainlessness in not mentioning your vital contribution to this book, this series. Even if it’s not listed here, I’m grateful for it, believe me. And I am indebted to you always.

LETTER TO SYRENA LEGACY FANS

Dear Fantabulous Reader,

Thank you so much for signing up for this crazy adventure with me, starting with
Of Poseidon
and ending with
Of Neptune.
Thank you for coming out to see me on tour, for e-mailing me your gushing reports of Galen, for rooting for Emma, for laughing at Toraf’s antics, for washing your hands of Rayna, and for crying over Rachel. Thank you, from the bottom of my butt (my butt is bigger than my heart, so you’re getting a good deal) for making
Of Triton
a
New York Times
Bestseller.

What I hope you’re taking away from the Syrena Legacy Series is this: Be proud of
all
your gifts and embrace them, no matter how “different” they make you feel or how much they make you stand out from the crowd.

So, how’s it going? Are you sad that the series is ending? Are you going to be lost without Galen and Emma, Toraf and Rayna? Me, too.

But here’s the thing: Endings don’t always mean good-bye. Sure, we’re saying farewell to this cast of characters, but we’re also saying hello to a whole new set in my upcoming novel,
Joyride.
You’re going to meet Carly, a feisty young heroine who’s trying to stay under everybody’s radar because of her breathtaking secrets, and you’ll also meet Arden, a swoon-worthy hero who’s trying to convince Carly that she would make the perfect accomplice—but for what, you’ll have to read to find out!

Now, who’s with me???

Lots of love,

A
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