Droplets (DROPLETS Trilogy Book 1) (19 page)

     The term was familiar to me, one I had heard in one of my high school English classes. Immediately an image of a ship rolling on the sea and beautiful half-human women singing and gesturing sinuously to ragged sailors popped into my mind. Was this really the foundation for such myths?

     “But,” Tunder continued for my benefit, “The practice of tempting humans died out when it became punishable by death. It wasn’t until Nerissa that humans
really
had any contact with our world.”

     “That still doesn’t answer what power you think Lissie has,” Shaylee pointed out to her husband.

     Tunder looked at each of us as though we were dense for not having connected the dots. “Her singing,” he said. “Morven is transforming her into something he can control and in turn use to control others.”
     “So he wants to use her to hypnotize fishermen?” Elik asked with a laugh in his voice. His words declared how ridiculous he thought Tunder’s hypothesis was; I couldn’t help but agree with him.

     “No,” Tunder shook his head slowly from side to side. “I think he means to control merfolk with her voice.”

     The whole room froze. No one moved. I glanced around, hoping this idea would be tested and expelled quickly, but no one was arguing the point. Instead they all recognized it as a clear possibility. Panic like I had never before felt flooded into my mind.

     “The power of seduction,” Kryssa mumbled softly under her breath, just loud enough for us to hear. Tunder bobbed his head in agreement and stood to pace around the room.

     “Yes, he will use her voice to help him take us over. When she turns eighteen, she will be more powerful than she is now.”

     “I’m sorry, what?” I blurted out, no longer able to contain myself. All eyes turned toward me. “You speak as if I already have this power. I haven’t been able to seduce
anyone
.” I hated saying the word—it made me feel like a sexual object trying to entice someone into lust.

     “But you have,” Tunder said. His eyes kindled in a sort of frenzy, finally realizing what was happening. “You were able to make all of us believe that you were a human. You may not know this, but it’s
very
difficult to lie to merfolk—we have a keen sense for falsehoods. The fact that you were able to fool us and persuade us to trust you only shows the power that you have.”

     Shaylee spoke softly, as if trying to break the news to me gently. “Was there ever a time you can remember making someone do what you wanted by simply suggesting it?”

     I started to shake my head no, but then a particular memory popped into my mind. The night Morven had visited me in Coveside, I had asked him why he had listened to me singing. I remembered watching his eyes go blank, if only for a fraction of a second, and then it had all cleared. But that was not what stood out in my mind. What sent confirming proof was the look he had given me just after it had happened. He had been satisfied. He knew then and there that I would fulfill his purpose.

     I let my silence be my confirmation. What I had just realized was too much for me to put into words.

     Kryssa’s cold fingers touched my arm gently, her expression pitying when I looked at her. I shrugged, not really sure how to respond.

     Everyone was uncertain of how to proceed, as though a trance had come over each of us. Daggin broke the spell by clearing his throat.

     “In that case, sir, do you wish for me to seek out the king?”

     Tunder nodded, but then changed his mind. “Actually no, tell him I will meet with him in his study. Shaylee, get dressed. We need to strategize.” Shaylee nodded and returned to her bedroom without hesitation. “Elik, go to Patrick and tell him of the new developments. Maybe it will help him to remember something. And Kryssa, keep Lissie with you. She can return to the island tomorrow.”

     His words were decrees for all to follow. Elik left the room quickly and we followed him out the door. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, we split to walk down different halls. I could still hear the tread of Elik’s feet on the other stone pathway. All I could think of was how each step only made me feel like more of an object than ever before. The haunting memory of that terrible name prodded my mind.

     For all I knew I was turning into her.

     I was becoming
Marina.

19. Returning

I awoke to darker skies than the morning before. Glancing around, it took me a moment or two before I realized where I was. Kryssa lay beside me on her large soft mattress and over on one of the small settees beside the wall was Nixie. She was curled into a tight ball beneath a thin blanket. I feared she might be cold, but her face was completely relaxed.

     The previous night had actually turned out better than predicted. Pitying me, Kryssa had done her best to cheer me up. Her efforts had worked and were only further successful when Nixie showed up. 

     We spent most of the night talking and both girls were all too happy to answer my questions about their childhood. Their upbringing and lifestyle fascinated me. They told me how humans were kept away from Lathmor; merfolk often had to either dislodge parts of the motor or steer the boats away without being seen. I found out that Lathmor was always being watched, guards constantly on the alert for any sign of trouble.

     They also told me that there was a system of mirrors surrounding the island. The reflection of the water hid the island from rare passing planes.

     While I found all of this fascinating, what was amusing was their equal interest in my normal human life. They wanted to know about everything: my family, school, the restaurant. Their questions were endless. It wasn’t until we could hardly keep our eyes open that we settled down and slowly drifted off to sleep.

     Like the sunshine creeping into the perky room, so did my worries from the night before return. In the morning light they were more direct and focused, though. What I was to Morven was inevitable, but what worried me most were the thoughts and anger I had seen in Patrick’s eyes. I craved for his presence though I wondered why I craved it so much.

     The way he had stood by my side, ready to protect me, was something I couldn’t forget. I wondered if he would do the same thing now that he knew the truth of what I was.

     Rolling to my side I watched the slanted square of morning sunshine on the wall slowly ascend in the room. I dreaded what I would face in the coming hours.

_______________

     Later that day when it was time to leave, Kryssa and I exited the palace through a back door on the bottom floor. It was obvious I was still being kept out of sight from the other Lathmorians, but that was fine by me. The hostility Voon had sent my way was enough to keep me from mingling with the general crowd. In reality, I craved the quiet solitude of the island. 

     We trudged along the dirt path toward the caves neither of us speaking. Rounding the curve which brought the caves into view, we saw Elik walking toward us. His head hung lower than usual and bobbed with each step he took. The moment I saw him, all I could think about was where he had come from. My heart raced in anticipation of what he could tell me.

     He saw us from a distance and made an effort to look more dignified, but his attempts were obvious. Upon reaching us, I could see the solemnity in his eyes and gulped while my stomach tightened.

     As I looked at him, I saw how weary he was. His shoulders were slightly slouched and there were bags under his eyes. When he blinked, it was rather slow as though he was having a hard time getting his eyes to readjust.

     “Kryssa, do you mind if I speak to Lissie alone for a moment?” He raised a tired eyebrow at her and she passed him to enter the cave. Before she was out of sight he called to her, “Do be careful when you leave, they just switched the watch but still be on your guard.”

     I thought Kryssa would snap at him in response as she usually did when he cautioned her, but this time she didn’t. Instead, she nodded her head in acceptance just before stepping into the shadows of the cave. For a moment Elik looked after her, his face betraying his raw emotions clearly. I looked away, not wanting him to know what I saw in his eyes. 

     “Lissie,” he said calmly and I turned back to him. “Patrick and I are very good friends. In fact we all are, Tunder, Patrick and I.” The information only confirmed what I believed, but made me wonder why the princesses so often visited the island while Elik and Tunder didn’t.

     “When I left yesterday, I told him everything.” Elik seemed to want my approval of his actions, even though I knew he was only following Tunder’s orders. “Tunder and I didn’t want you to be the only one there when he found out everything. This is very particular to him and we weren’t sure how he would react.” I had seen the burning rage when Patrick had found out what I really was. I was glad I wasn’t there when Elik told him of why Morven had changed me.

     “You see, Patrick is different than what you think. He is, well, he’s—” Elik was beginning to speak quickly, fumbling for words.

     “It’s okay,” I butted in, touching his arm with my hand. His lowered eyes reached mine. “I already know what happened to him. Kryssa told me.” He nodded.

     “He just needed to know,” he said softly.

     “Well, thank you,” I said, knowing the gratitude could be heard within my voice. “I really do appreciate it.” Elik smiled partly.

     “I’m sorry this happened to you,” he offered.

    “Don’t be,” I said, swallowing difficultly, “who knows? Maybe this was just meant to happen.” I shrugged and spoke with more optimism than I felt.

     “Maybe.” The wind picked up while we stood in the silence for a moment. My hair floated gently in the breeze.

     “I guess I had better be going then,” I said awkwardly. Elik nodded, and when he spoke his voice was thick with concern.

     “You take care of yourself now.” I nodded immediately. “Most likely I will see you soon, but stay on the island. I will try and visit if I get the chance.” He smiled in a brotherly way.

    “You do that. Come along with Kryssa sometime.” His smile broadened at my suggestion.

     We parted ways and I entered the cave. Kryssa was waiting on a bench, her face solemn.

     “You ready?” Her forced light tone caused me to answer in the same manner.

     “Yes,” I confirmed.

     “Here,” she extended a small black pack with a strap towards me. “It’s a waterproof pack, for your clothes.”

     “Oh,” I said while looking for somewhere I could change out of my clothes without having to prance around naked in the cave. “Uh…” I said, looking around uncomfortably until Kryssa burst out laughing.

     “What?” I said, feeling both self-conscious and amused.

     “Your face,” she laughed and pointed. Her outright laughter was new to me and I realized the sound was nice to hear; she was much too serious most of the time. “You change quickly in the air as you jump in.”

     My brow creased, “How do you do that?”

     “I don’t know,” she shrugged. “You just do. Here, I’ll show you.”

     She stood at the edge, her toes just touching the tips of the lapping water. In her hand was a similar black pack to the one she had given me. Then, with expert skill, she jumped into the air twisting and wiggling as she went. She hit the water with a delicate splash. She resurfaced immediately, her head and shoulders out of the water. She was fully transformed, the black pack  flat and buckled around her stomach and tightly secured. A silvery-blue strip covered her chest, and her hair spanned out around her as she waited in expectation.

     “How’d you do that?” I asked, my eyes wide.

     She laughed again. “Just jump and pull off your clothes. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can change.”

     Gulping nervously, I stepped up to the water’s edge just like she had done moments before. I checked to make sure the pack was unzipped and prepared myself for what I knew would be failure.

     With as much strength as I could, I leapt into the air and everything seemed to move in slow motion. I pulled at my shirt, then my shorts and underclothes. They came off quickly as if in a blur and I was able to push them into the bag and zip it without trouble. Reaching the top of my arch, I hurtled down towards the water while fumbling to get the pack around my body. I crashed into the water ungracefully. My fins sprouted immediately. The pack was securely fastened about my waist. It was similar to the one I had fashioned at home, but sleeker and flatter against my skin as though there was nothing inside in.

     Breaching the surface, heat flooded my face as the sounds of Kryssa’s hysterical laughter reached my ears. She was slightly bent over in the water, clutching at her stomach as she laughed. It was contagious and I couldn’t help but giggle at myself.

     “That was. The-funniest-thing-I’ve-ever-seen!” she said between spurts while trying to get air. I splashed water her way and she shrieked playfully.

     “Hey, it was my first try,” I laughed.

     “I know, I know,” she said sobering, but still smiling. “Merlings, merfolk children, do better than that. But you’ll get better with practice.” Her eyes still held all the mirth she felt.

     “I better.” I shook my head and she burst into laughter again. “Shouldn’t we be going?”

     She nodded, “Yes, if you can manage that?”

     There was a spark in her eyes I had never seen before and I found myself liking this Kryssa more than the one I knew before. She was more carefree and not so rigid or sharp around the edges.

     “I’ll try and manage,” I concluded with a smile.

     In one giant kick Kryssa leapt over the water like a dolphin, her blue tail flicking into the air. When she re-entered she took off like a rocket through the shadowy water. I took a large breath and then gave into the desires of my body. The ocean had been calling to me ever since I had stepped onto Patrick’s island. My body ached to feel the water moving swiftly past me again.

     Mimicking Kryssa’s jump, I arched over the water and reentered with a dignified splash and sped toward the light at the end of the cave.

     I caught up to her quickly and we moved in synchronization, our fins lifting and pushing the water with powerful strokes as we propelled through the salt water. The tension which had been residing in my gut ever since reaching Lathmor finally released, and I gave myself over to the distinct inbred joy of swimming.

     We moved effortlessly, but my senses alerted me to another presence in the water. Kryssa jerked her head to the side and made a sort of high pitched sound that came from her throat. Somehow, I easily understood her meaning.

    
That’s just another Lathmorian up ahead
. Wondering if I could respond, I let my body control my movement. My throat contracted and the words I was thinking became a guttural mumble, telling her that I understood.

    
All right
. The sound made perfect sense and my whole body jerked in stunned surprise. Shocked, I lifted my hand to my throat not sure of how I was able to speak merlanguage. Kryssa smiled, obviously amused.

   
This must be a first
, she said and giggled.

   
Who’s there?
Kryssa and I whipped around at the deep throaty call of a merman who floated a ways off. His posture was tense and I realized merfolk looked even more daunting and powerful in the water than on land. He wore a black shirt with slits on the forearms. The fabric looked tough under the water, as though it was some sort of armor. I shivered to think about an underwater battle, tails and blades flashing.

     Upon recognizing Kryssa, the merman relaxed his position.
Lady Kryssa. Lissie
. He nodded in greeting as he spoke each of our names. We nodded back.
Do you need an escort?

No,
Kryssa responded quickly,
we will be fine.

     All the same, do be careful, princess,
the guard spoke firmly and swam away without further acknowledgement. I looked to Kryssa for an explanation.

    
The Guard has tightened severely in the past few months. Not to mention your presence has stirred things up once more. Everyone is on edge.
I nodded, but Kryssa did not seem to notice. Her eyes were staring out into the distance.
Come on
, she said, apparently ready to go.

     We continued to move forward, streaking past the ocean floor with great speed. The rises and falls of the ocean floor dazzled the eye with its sandy waves and slippery pits that lead to deep caverns and black holes. I shuddered to think of what might live down there.

     Onward we went and I knew it was all going to come to an end soon. It had been so long since I had last been able to spring free from the tight confines of a human body and allow the mermaid within me to take control. My spirit was soaring and I couldn’t help but smile as I launched ahead of Kryssa, too caught up in the adrenaline pumping through my veins.

     With a laugh, Kryssa suddenly shot past me. Her shimmery blue fins flashed as she dipped toward the bottom and then arched back toward the surface, twisting and turning her body. Reaching the surface, she broke through the clear sheet of rippled glass and disappeared momentarily. Reentering with tremendous speed and precision, she came to a rest by my side, breathing heavily. Her cheeks were filled with a kind of excitement and her eyes lit with a spark of anticipation.