Merlicious 3 Page 3

  The torture subsided and he realized Sargo touched his wrist. Opening his eyes, he saw she propped her arms on the ledge beside him.

  "Can you swing your legs over?” she asked, her large, stunning green eyes caressing his face.

  Her beauty mesmerized him for a moment, but another wave of pain pulled his attention away. When the agony subsided to an ache, misery set in and he began to despair. “Leave me. I just want to die.” He bowed his head.

  Her soft fingertips trailed up his arm to his elbow. “It breaks my heart to see you suffer like this."

  "What's in this for you?"

  "You,” she said, offering him a small smile.

  A ringing in his ears dulled his hearing, and he slammed the butt of his hand against the side of his head to knock his ear canals clear. “What?"

  "You're what's in this for me. You're mine. I'm yours."

  An agonizing jolt ripped through him, making him feel like he tore in two. He yelled, “I can't take this!"

  "Come into the water. I'll try to help you. You're mine. I'm yours."

  The pain doubled and he made the association. She caused this with her words. Gasping, he gripped her wrist and said through his teeth, “Don't say another word. You're doing this to me."

  Looking aghast, she closed her lips and sank back down into the water. She shook her head in denial but respected his request.

  The pain released him from its paralyzing grasp, and he sucked in a lungful of air in relief. His heart pounded at the sight of his legs, now joined almost to the ankles. Stinging like sunburn, his skin felt tight and dry. Tiny tips of scales protruded at even intervals from waist to ankles.

  He rubbed his sore, parched throat. At the sides of his neck, the ridges he always despised itched and oozed moisture. Closing his eyes, he rubbed the lids. When he opened them, he could not see. Everything blurred and he blinked. A clear film lifted, tucking up inside his outer lids, and he could see again.

  "Whoa!"

  "What is it?” Sargo came close but stayed down in the water.

  Turning, he studied her over his shoulder. “There's something in my eyes that made my vision blur."

  She nodded. “Those are your water lenses. They retract when air hits them and you blink."

  Sighing, he asked, “This is really happening, isn't it?"

  She held her silence for a moment, then in a quiet, serious tone, said, “Yes, Paul. This is really happening."

  He sat contemplating the magnitude of this change. It explained so much. With a sudden, startling clarity, he understood. It seemed his life up to now had no purpose. The future she proposed, however, held promise. Despite his trepidation, he chose to consider that going with her might lead to happiness.

  "This is my chance at a new beginning,” he said.

  "What did you say?"

  The ache in his legs lessened to a dull throb, and he swung his still-forming tail over the ledge to dangle off the side of the boat. “Scoot over. I'm coming in."

  Beaming him a welcoming smile, she flicked her tail out of the water, which sent her gliding backward. A droplet of water flew up and landed on him. The wetness spread over his parched skin and his nerves sang.

  His eyebrows shot up. If a single drop felt this good, he imagined immersing himself would feel incredible. He did not hesitate. Dropping into the ocean, he lost himself in a barrage of sensation.

  Pleasure shot into every pore and his thirst evaporated as if his body drank through his very skin. Opening his eyes, his water lenses fell into place and he clearly saw the bottom of his boat and Sargo's tail floating above.

  The immediate ecstasy of entering the sea began to fade, and he evaluated his surroundings. He still held his breath, but his lungs did not ache as he hung suspended in the water.

  Looking down into the ocean's black depth, he felt blood racing through his veins as his heart raced. Delicate movement caught his attention and he saw side fins running down the length of his tail. Glowing pale purple against the darkness below as if lit from within, they fluttered in quick undulations down then up. He peered toward the surface and saw his boat moving away. Without thinking, he swam up and went after it.

  "Where are you going?” asked Sargo, at his side in an instant.

  "I need to stay with the boat."

  "Why?"

  He reached the Bertram but did not answer her.

  With a solemn expression, she asked, “How can I help you feel better about your new life in the ocean?"

  Turning his back to her, he said, “I don't know."

  "Will you come with me? We should find a place to sleep."

  He could not imagine sleeping in the water. “Let's sleep on the boat."

  "We can't. There's no way up. And how will we get off in the morning?” Taking his hand, she kept him next to her as the boat began to float away. He tried to shake her off but she held tight.

  "Let go. It's getting away!"

  "I know,” she said in a soft voice. “Let it go. That boat was part of your life as a human. You don't need it anymore."

  "I worked hard for that Moppie. And everything aboard.” He could not take his gaze from the boat as the current took it farther away. Slowly her words sunk in, and he realized she spoke the truth. He had made the decision to join her in the ocean. Now he had to say goodbye to the human part of himself.

  "Come with me,” she insisted.

  Pulling his hand out of hers, he said, “My whole world is upside down."

  He swished backward, putting distance between them. The moon shone bright above them, casting a glow on her face that made her skin appear pearlescent. She looked supernatural in her exquisite loveliness. His heart twisted in his chest.

  Tilting her head to the side, she said, “Your world isn't upside down. You've always been a merman. You just didn't know it."

  The sea went still. It intruded on his tension and he glanced around, noticing that the whales and dolphins had gone. He and Sargo floated alone in the ocean's vastness, unnerving him.

  "Fine,” he said. “Then I won't go to my boat.” He turned his back to her and swam away.

  She kept pace. “Now where are you going?"

  He stopped and looked around. Avoiding her gaze, he admitted, “I have no idea."

  She did not laugh, and he glanced up at her. Her lack of ridicule meant a lot, and he studied her with new eyes.

  Reaching out, she took his hand. “Tell me. Help me understand."

  He turned his attention to the stars and stared at their twinkling brilliance, running a finger along the bumps lining his neck. Searching the horizon, he found the pale hull of the Bertram, which continued on the current and now resembled a child's toy rather than a full-sized boat.

  He sighed. “These ridges on my neck, they're just like yours.” He switched his gaze to her gills. “They confirm what you said about me being a merman. And my tail's pretty damning evidence, too. So why was I given to humans to be raised? Why was I made to believe I was one of them?"

  Her large, gorgeous eyes caressed his features. “My mother told me that we know when the next king is born because the baby has legs instead of a tail. She said it's been that way from the beginning. I don't know why, but I hope you see that there was no choice. You had to be raised on land. And I doubt the people who raised you knew you were merkind. I'm sorry I don't know more. I only learned about it myself the day I left home to come here."

  She appeared genuine, though he missed the satisfaction that might come if he had a better understanding. As exhaustion overtook him, he rested back to float on top of the water. She followed his example, staying at his side.

  Staring up at the star-dusted sky, he said, “You told me your home is in the Sargasso Sea. Tell me about it."

  "It's our home. Sargasso weed is thick, and there's so much food. Millions of eels come to our sea to mate. It's quite a show. We live in a city made of coral on the seafloor, and lava flows heat it from beneath."

  It sounded interesting
, but some facts did not seem to make sense. “Isn't it dark? And how can we survive at such a depth? It's thousands of feet down, right?"

  "The depth is no problem. Merpeople rule the seas. There's no place we can't go. As for light, the coral glows. And parts of our tails glow, too. There are creatures living in and around the city that glow very brightly, and we use them to light our way."

  Her ready answer sounded logical, and he accepted her explanation. An itch on his stomach made him reach down to scratch, and his fingers rubbed over hard muscle he did not recognize. Raising his head out of the water, he stared down at himself.

  The light from the moon glistened on thick rope-like muscles wrapped across his abdomen. His chest rose and fell under two heavy slabs. Bulging biceps led to shoulders that would make a bodybuilder jealous and rested on lats that flared out over the back portion of his ribcage.

  "Damn,” he breathed, happy with his new physique.

  Turning to Sargo, his breath caught in his throat. With a hunger he could not mistake, she stared at him. Long, dark lashes stood at attention along heavy lids drooped low across jade eyes. Even in the low light, he saw her pupils dilate. Her gills wept clear moisture while long curls kissed her forehead and cheeks. Round, firm breasts, supported by a lovely, jewel-encrusted halter, sat atop delicate ribs that tapered to a tiny, tight waist.

  Her beauty struck him before his transformation, but now he struggled to resist her lure. Her very essence beckoned him. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath.

  "We should go to sleep. I'm worn out,” he said.

  Her sensual expression melted to disappointment but she did not argue. They slept atop the gentle ocean swells with the warm July air blanketing them in comfort.

  Chapter Six

  Sargo awoke with a song in her head. Paper-thin clouds stretched orange and pink across a pale blue backdrop, and a friendly splash greeted the morning, making her smile.

  Sinking her tail into the water, she found Paul asleep face-down. She trailed her fingertips along his bare shoulder and down his arm, admiring his overnight increase in size. His back spread across the water like a wall of muscle. Little stretch marks marred his skin at shoulder and armpit, attesting to his rapid growth. He was the largest merman she had ever seen, and her belly quivered with excitement at the sight of him.

  Reaching up, she combed her fingers through his hair, stifling a gasp at the softness of the strands. He stirred and suddenly thrashed about, coming upright with a sputter and a cough. Looking terrified, he blinked eyes bluer than the sky. She grinned. She could not help it.

  "Damn it!” Shaking his head, he sent water droplets flying in every direction.

  "Did you sleep well?"

  "Too well. And I could use a couple more hours.” He rubbed his eyes. “Hey, I can't see."

  "Blink."

  "Oh, yeah.” He raked his fingers through his hair and yawned. “I'm starving."

  Putting a hand on his solid arm, she went weak at the idea of having it wrapped around her in lovemaking. “Let's go, then. I'll show you how to catch something to eat."

  He reached his arms straight over his head and arched his back with a groan. “I'm so stiff. Give me a minute to loosen up."

  Her stomach growled. Not wanting to ask him to hunt with tight muscles, she said, “I'll get breakfast. You stay here and work your stiffness out. We have a lot of swimming to do today."

  Before he could respond, she sank low and searched out a migrating school of fish. In minutes, she returned with three.

  His eyebrows rose. “That was quick."

  "I'll show you how later. We need to go."

  They sank beneath the surface, and he pointed with exaggerated movements, expressing that he would follow her lead.

  Laughing, she said, “We can talk, you know."

  He appeared surprised then beamed a smile.

  Noticing his chest did not move, she said, “Breathe."

  He drew in a quick, agitated breath. His gills fluttered and he exhaled. A few breaths later, he said, “This isn't so bad."

  She chuckled. “I should hope not. Come on."

  They swam, their bodies undulating as they sped through the water. She ate her fish, and he watched her take her first couple bites. Following her example, he ate his own.

  "So tell me,” he said when they finished eating, “Is there anything I should be afraid of?"

  "Giant squid and hungry hammerhead sharks."

  "That's it?"

  "Yes. Our glands produce an oil that lets predators know we don't taste good. Giant squid don't care what we taste like. And very hungry hammerheads ignore our scent and take a bite. The sharks won't eat us because we taste bad, but they can do some serious damage."

  "I see. And are giant squid and ravenous hammerheads common?"

  "No. Only those who venture far from the city need to be watchful."

  "You mean like us.” His tone dripped with sarcasm.

  She laughed. “Don't worry. Giant squid stay deep and there's too much food this time of year for hammerheads to go hungry."

  "Okay. I feel better."

  She liked his humor. It reminded her of her father's. They swam in companionable silence while she pointed out whales and fish along their way. He seemed interested in everything, and she found his curiosity refreshing.

  At midday they rested. She taught him to call fish and how to issue a special trill to stun prey. While they ate, she told him more about the coral city. Then they went on their way. Her homing instinct urged her to turn shortly after lunch, and she adjusted their direction.

  "How do you know where to go?” he asked.

  "It's instinct. I just know."

  "Will I develop that instinct?"

  Smiling with warmth, she said, “Yes. After you've been in the city for a while, you'll always know how to return as long as you maintain contact with the ocean. We have other instincts, too."

  "Like what?"

  She tapped a finger on her chin in thought before saying, “Like when danger is near. Like when we meet our life-mate for the first time. And when merpeople are young, we have a revelation about what we'll do as adults."

  "What are some things adults do?” He flipped over and folded his hands behind his head, swimming without effort while watching her.

  "There are warriors who protect. Servants in the palace. District leaders who work with the king. Some bring food to the city every day. Some keep the city clean and tend the coral. Teachers, salvage collectors and those who help the sick and injured. There are many roles."

  "Sounds a lot like a human city."

  "Does it?” She wrinkled her nose.

  "You've never been interested in how humans live?"

  "Well, no. Why? Are humans interested in merpeople?"

  Grinning, he said, “Some are very interested. But most think mermaids are make-believe."

  She snickered. “We know too well that humans are real. They sink their ships often enough. And they swim through the Sargasso Sea inside their big, metal machines."

  "Submarines."

  Giving him a curious look, she said, “I think the world has changed a lot since my father lived with humans."

  "When was that?"

  "Two hundred years ago."

  He whistled. “Oh, yeah. Things have definitely changed. Your dad's two hundred years old?"

  "No. He's two hundred and twenty-five. Our kings take the throne at the age of twenty-five and reign two hundred years."

  Paul squinted and scratched his head. “This conversation is like déjà vu."

  "I talked to you about this when you were transforming on the boat."

  "Man, I don't remember. Your dad's really old, then."

  "Sort of.” She giggled.

  "What do you mean?"

  "Well, he's not about to die or anything. He'll be around for another seventy-five years."

  "I can't imagine living three hundred years."

  She smiled at him, reaching over to giv
e his hand a squeeze. “You better start imagining it. All merpeople live that long."

  He gave her a strange look. “And how old are you?"

  Despite their friction the day before, she found him easy to talk to. Growing comfortable in his company, she wondered how he would react if she joked with him. “Oh, I'm young. Only a hundred and two."

  He looked horrified.

  She guffawed. “I'm kidding. Though I could be. I won't look much different when I'm that age. No, I'm eighteen. Yesterday was my birthday."

  He laughed. Then his face softened. “Happy birthday."

  She delighted in his mirth, though his kind expression made her face heat up, and she turned away. “Thank you."

  That afternoon, a pod of dolphins joined them and gave Paul swimming lessons. She loved watching him play and hearing his laughter. After a lightening speed race where he surprised himself by winning, the dolphins enjoyed dinner with them then clicked their goodbyes and left.

  She led Paul to the surface to enjoy sunset. With the sun not yet touching the horizon, she trembled with excitement, knowing they had extra time to enjoy each other. Spreading her arms wide, she floated on her back with her eyes closed and enjoyed the sun's heat on her skin. When she glanced back at him, she caught him staring at her curves.

  Her heart created a heavy thudding in her chest and turned her blood to molten lava in her veins as she watched him devour her with his eyes. He came to her as if in a spell, and the magic of the moment sent her senses reeling.

  Reaching out, she ran a feather light caress along his gills and thrilled at her affect on him when he shivered. She moved toward him, her mouth seeking his, but he pulled back.

  "Wait a second,” he said, shaking his head.

  Some of the magic dissipated and she tried to recapture it by taking him by the shoulders and pulling him close again. “I'm tired of waiting. We should've done this last night."

  Shaking her off, he backed away. “You're playing this awfully easy. Are all mermaids this promiscuous?"

  She blinked. “I don't know what that word means."