MERMAIDS OF THE LONELY COAST 2 (THE NEW MOON)

CHAPTER EIGHT

"I couldn't help myself"
Was all he said to her, his voice was deep and rich, he's face expressionless. Yura grip on the bars tightened
"You disgusting animal, how can you do that to her? If she only knew the monster you truly were, listen to me, you don't belong here, you will never belong here, you and your people are not welcome in South Lonely Coast and if you're lucky, you might just make it out of here alive, if you do not, I would kill you myself"
He smiled and turned his back to her
"I'm sorry for what we did to your people, that was cruel"
"You think?"
Yura blood boiled at his calmness
"I'm sorry"
"Sorry..... Sorry... You..."
"Yura! That's enough"
Ruth swam towards the prison
"Ruth?"
"Let me talk to him.. Please"
Yura surprisingly nodded and left. Marco turned to face her, she stopped a few inches from the bars, He swam towards her.
"Ruth...."
"You knew, you knew and yet you.... Why?"
Ruth asked folding her arms
"Ruth... I swear to you, I couldn't control it.. I tried... I..."
"That's your excuse? And after you marked me, why couldn't you tell me.. Let's imagine you had no control"
Marco sighed and held on to the bars
"I'm so sorry, I didn't know how to tell you, I mean, it was obvious you didn't know and let's not forget that I'm the enemy, your people fear, they don't approve of me, they literally hate me. How do I tell you"
"I would have understood, I'm not like regular mermaids... I grew up a human, but you... You choose to deceive me.... I don't even know why... I...I just don't know why I even feel this way and now I don't even know if this feelings are real or not"
"They are real"
"How do you know?"
"Because I love you, I've felt this way from the moment I set my eyes on you..."
Ruth was speechless... She couldn't say anything, she just stared at him, his soft gaze holding her prisoner, she turned away.
"I don't trust you Yeon, you deceived me and I can't forgive that"
She swam away
"Ruth! Ruth! I love you Ruth"
He called after her, Ruth heart broke a little as she swam away from him.
****
Didi welcomed Ruth with open arms and they bumped their heads together
"Look at you, I wasn't expecting you so soon, but I'm glad you're here"
"Thank you Didi, how have you been? How's Cora?"
Didi face dropped. She turned away from Ruth
"Talk to me Didi, what's going on? Where is Cora?"
"She's asking for you, come"
Ruth followed Didi to Cora's cave, it was still as beautiful as the last time she saw it, but the light here was dimmer than usual. They swam to were Cora laid. Immediately Ruth saw her, her heart sank and tears 😭 stung her eyes.
"Cora!"
Cora turned slowly to see her. She smiled weakly, she raised her hand and stroke Ruth's cheek
"Welcome home Ruthie"
"What's wrong?"
"My time has come, I've lived a long and beautiful life, it's time"
"No! Not so soon"
Ruth voice was thin and at the verge of breaking
"She was stung by a poisonous fish in her sleep 😴"
Didi told Ruth, Ruth shook her head and closed her eyes for a bit. Cora took her hand and drew her near
"Didi give us a moment"
Didi nodded and left, when they were alone, Cora took a deep breath
"Listen to me Ruth, you must be strong, for yourself, your friends and your tribe, it's not the time to fall apart"
"I'm trying"
"Tell me then, what is the problem? What is on your mind?"
"How....."
"I can sense your worry"
Cora said watching her closely. Ruth sighed and lay beside Cora, she was surprised Cora's body temperature was so hot, she was truly sick.
"I met a merman, at first I thought I was falling in love, but now I'm not so such"
"Why?"
"He's from the northern tribe and he bit me without my consent, knowing I don't know much about merfolks mating"
She said and lean her head on Cora's shoulder.
"Ah I see"
Cora laughed, a sweet laughter that reminded Ruth of Cleo
"You see while your mother was alive, all she ever wanted was peace and unity, even with the northern tribe, I remember begging her not to go to them. But she did anyway"
"My mother went to the northern tribe?"
"Yes Gana was persistent, she came back unharmed and she succeed in selling them the idea too, had she not died, lonely coast would be united. But it's our dream now, our duty to forgive, forget and progress... All this anger and shame, for what?"
"But..."
"I understand that you are upset about being marked, but I'm sure the merman couldn't help himself, if what you feel is really strong, it might be love, but you will never know unless you give him a chance. It's hard for him too you know"
"How?"
"How do you think his people will react, knowing that he choose a female from another tribe, one that considers them enemies and savages. If I were you I'll use this opportunity to bring your mother's dream to reality"
Cora said and coughed continuously. Ruth pressed her chest for a while and the coughing stopped.
"I have little time, you must prepare to succeed me after I'm gone"
"Me? I can't lead, what about Didi?"
"Didi is old and weary, it's your time, if things had gone according to plan, this would be your mother preparing you to lead... So let me prepare you"
"I can't succeed you Cora, I belong on land and in the sea, agreeing to lead means I have to stay here permanently.... And I just can't..."
"Listen to me Ruth!!"
Cora's grip on her was strong and her voice hash
"Dark times are near, I can feel it, when that time comes you must be prepared to save your tribe, to save Lonely Coast, it is your duty, your time"
"Cora"
"Dark 🌑 times are near"
Cora repeated and pulled Ruth closer, she bumped head with her roughly, Ruth winch, it was painful, then everything became peaceful, there was a buzzing sound in her ear, she heard voices, her eyes were closed but she could see Cora and her mother, Cora's life quickly flashed before her eyes, her memories, her fears and her desire, she pulled back when everything went blank, gasping for air, it took her while to catch her breath
"Cora!!"
She drew closer, but Cora laid motionless, pale, eyes closed, Ruth covered her mouth to suppress the scream.
"No!!!!!!..."