The Little Mermaid (Faerie Tale Collection) (3 page)

AFTER SUPPER THAT EVENING, Pearl set off to the surface again. This time, she brought Halyki along, her favorite of her father’s dolphins. The sweet girl was always good to warn her if danger was approaching. And since Pearl spent time with the dolphin nearly every day, no one would find it suspicious if she were to ride away upon her at this time.

Clutching the dolphin’s stiff dorsal fin, Pearl giggled as Halyki whipped them past the furthermost shimmering palace tower above the rows and rows of cultivated seaweed down below on the ocean floor. She loved the feel of the rush of water and bubbles as they zoomed toward the back colonies to head west toward Graystone Reef.

Just as they were nearing the last of the kingdom’s boundaries, Pearl heard a faint whistle behind them. Ugh. Who was that?

She pulled on the dolphin and turned around slightly to see Keel swimming toward them.

“Oh, it is just you,” she answered as she flipped back around and nudged Halyki to go.

“Tell me you are not heading to the reef again,” he panted for fluid as he approached. “Your father would have your head.”

“Fine, then. I will not tell you any such thing.”

He tugged upon Halyki’s fin to slow her. “Pearl, you know better than this. You cannot travel to the surface so much.”

“Why?” She nudged the dolphin, but Keel’s hold was stronger. Exasperated, she let go and continued to swim for herself toward the reef.

Keel was quick to follow, with Halyki close behind. “What would happen if you got caught? Have you ever thought of that?”

She grinned, knowing it would displease him immensely. “Oh, a hundred times a day at least.”

“Great kettlefish! Pearl, are you really that daft?”

“Are you really that ignorant?” she retaliated, her irritation beginning to mount. “Look, Keel, do not follow me if that is what you wish. ‘Tis fine with me. Go back to your part of the colony. I am sure there is someone down there who would appreciate your brutish ways!” She flicked her hair and whipped her fin faster as she darted from him.

There was only so much a girl could take before she felt the urge to do bodily damage to a certain merman.

He caught her easily enough. She should have known Keel was made of sterner stuff, though she was a bit surprised that he bothered.

With a sigh, he said quietly, “If you would only listen.”

That was it. Of all the things to say to her, that comment stung the most. How many times had she listened? How many times had she heard the woes of all those around her? How many times had she stopped to help those in need, to work, to labor, to mend, to fix, to heal—whatever was needed, she was there. Countless times, she had listened and helped and built for others. Now it was her turn. This was her dream.

Why could no one see that this time, she needed someone to listen to
her
?

Her heart clenched amongst the jolting thoughts. Was it selfish to want to feel as if she
belonged
somewhere? Was it wrong to wish for her own dreams too? Or was that not what was expected of her?

She thought of all the times she had halted herself for Keel’s dreams. Was she not the first to help him plan, design, and create his portion of the palace on the eastern colony? Did she not spend months with him building the best possible dream home? Each room tailored to his needs, his wishes, his dreams?

And yet now, when all she wanted was to sit upon Graystone Reef for a few minutes and soak in the sunshine and the dry world around her, he told her she was daft. He attempted to stop her. As if she truly was naïve. As if she would actually risk her life simply to enjoy a few moments of peace.

Of course, she would check to see if danger lurked first. Of course, she would be sensible and all things wise. He must have truly believed the worst of her.

Her heart clenched again.

“Pearl?”

She felt his hand upon her shoulder as he gently tugged her to face him. She had stopped swimming at some point because they were both floating.

He inhaled fluid. “My goodness, you have turned purple.”

Had she?

“Have you been crying, dearest?” he asked as his other arm came around her shoulders.

“No,” she lied as she eagerly snuggled into his chest. It must have been habit to hug him as she did, for why else would she wish to do so when he was upsetting her?

“I am sorry. I should not have said what I did.” He pulled her in tighter. “You have always listened to those around you. I know this. You know this. Forgive me?”

KEEL COULD BARELY MAKE out Pearl’s mumbling into his shoulder.

“What is so wrong with me wishing to explore the world above us?” she asked.

He placed a tender kiss upon the side of her head, his stomach turning in knots at her desires. How could she not understand how dangerous it was for her? How easily he could lose her to this foolish dream of hers. He could not bear a moment in this ocean knowing she had died, or worse—been tortured by the barbarian humans.

She had not sat upon the royals’ counsels as he did. She did not fully understand the horrors the monsters on the land could do to something as fascinating as she would be to them. She had not heard of the wars and countless battles the humans had given the other merfolk colonies, what his own father had experienced when they fled their kingdoms. She had no true knowledge of the cruel people she so admired.

The idea of someone as sweet and as giving and as lively as his Pearl losing her life and happiness to them nearly destroyed him.

She believed the things her father spoke of to be simple shark tales, and she did not fully comprehend how horrific life would be for her up there. She wanted to go. Nay, she craved going, living amongst such a malicious and unusual species.

He thought he would be ill, but seeing her misery, he felt he had no choice. Though he would rather die himself than allow her the realities that would be found, he knew she would never, ever be settled until she learned what he knew.

Wrapping his arms more tightly around her, he whispered into her ear, “Pearl, would you really like to see the landfolk? To live among them and be like them?”

“You know it is all I have wanted for years now,” she muttered into his chest.

He nodded and pursed his lips, his own flushed face no doubt turning purple as he released the tears above her head she would never know about. Keel hid the rocking of emotion in his chest by slowly moving side to side with her as he silently wept.

Their worlds would never be the same.

She would never be as bright and perfect as she was now.

And he chanced losing everything if word that he took her to land ever came about. But he loved her. He loved her more than he did all the riches and glories awaiting him. He loved her more than she could ever grasp in her untried state. She had to live. She had to see for herself.

She had to find out just what this world was really made of.

And so he promised her the only thing he could. The greatest secret he had vowed to keep as a great prince of the colonized kingdoms, to protect and shelter it from all those who might become suspect to it.

Running his hands through her long, vibrant locks of red and weeping until he finally had a voice again, he eventually spoke the words that would forever bind him to her, and her to the world she had always wanted.

“I know how you can grow legs and live there. Not just visit as a mermaid, but safely, as one of the landfolk.”

She pulled away, her wide, eager eyes and shocked smile being all the encouragement he needed to set their lives in stone. He wondered if she would defeat all known expectations and meet a human she wished to marry and settle down with and have a school of children. But by taking her to the land and creating legs for her, he had no choice. He would forever seal his own fate to hers.

He would never marry. He would eternally remain her protector, and he would sacrifice his future for that smile.

Because he loved her.

Because she, of anyone, deserved to find happiness too.

“You know how to grow legs?” she asked.

“Yes, and I will come with you and protect you so you can find your destiny and live how you have always wished to live.”

PEARL’S HEART BEGAN TO thud in ways she had never known before. “Keel, are you saying what I think you are saying?”

He nodded and grinned slightly, his eyes watching her intently. “Yes. If you wish to become human, I know a way that can happen.”

“Are you jesting? How long have you known about this?”

“Ever since I first vowed to uphold my princely duties years ago.”

“And you are just now speaking to me of such things?” She did not know whether to be appalled that he did not tell her until now, or amazed that he actually knew a way to make it happen.

“Yes. I have sworn never to reveal this secret to a soul.”

Her frantic heart slowed a bit. “What do you mean, you have sworn never to tell?”

He shrugged and switched his fin a bit from her. “Just that I vowed never to reveal it.”

“Yes, but what will happen to you if you do?” Usually, to swear something meant dire punishment for breaking the rule. A punishment her father no doubt would initiate.

He glanced away, refusing to meet her eyes. “Nothing too painful, I am sure.”

“Keel?”

His gaze flicked briefly over her before staring out into the deep. “Yes?”

“What are you hiding from me?”

He looked right at her then, those sharp, aqua-colored eyes piercing her heart for several moments. So much pain she saw hidden in their depths.

“What is it, Keel? What has happened?”

He kissed her then. He sprang forward, closed his eyes, and his mouth found hers. She was lost. Her arms went around his neck as she sighed into his mouth, forgetting to remember anything but his wonderful kiss.

When he was done, he pulled back and gently took her hand. “Come. I will explain everything to you upon the reef, away from listening ears.”

“Oh, the reef! I had nearly forgotten.” Pearl chuckled as she searched for Halyki. The happy dolphin was chasing a school of minnows. “Should we take her with?” she asked him.

“No. She will be perfectly fine out here for a bit. We should not be too long. And besides, she is still close enough to home that no one would suspect anything if they found her swimming about.” He gestured toward the surface. “Let us go now, before anyone is the wiser.”

Pearl needed no other persuasion. “Race you there!” she shouted behind her as she zoomed off.

“Hey!” Keel was quick to reach her and then soon passed.

She could just make out his trail of bubbles as she followed him ten or so miles a few feet under the surface to the reef. Pearl was a good, strong swimmer, but no one had ever been a match for Keel. It did not stop her from challenging him every chance she had, and even now, she was certain he was holding back so as not to lose her completely.

Her heart warmed. No matter what happened, he somehow found a way to protect her and think of her. She really did not deserve such a loyal and good friend as he was. And yet, there he was. Constantly, steadily, perfectly there.

In another life, without this mad, crushing weight upon her to explore and learn and grow, she could see herself somewhat happily settled with someone like Keel. He was so caring and strong, and like her own personal shield. There was great attractiveness in a partnership where one cared so much for the other.

Except that was the problem. She cared for him, yes. And she loved him—of course she did. But enough to care for him as he did about her?

Sighing, she surged forward, realizing she had lagged behind and did not want him to become worried.

She truly had a heart for no one in the sea. Her mind always lingered more on the world outside of the water. And until she had learned and seen all she could see, there really was no hope of marrying someone anyway. Especially not someone as wonderful as Keel. He deserved so much better than she could give him at this time. The merman needed a partner who thought the ocean of him. Who could devote her time and happiness to match what he would give her. Keel needed a woman who would love him with all her heart.