A Mermaid's Curse

Chapter 19

I was awake long before the sun had risen over the water the next morning. Every time I'd dozed off, the same scenario had haunted me: the various emotions on my parents' and husband's faces when I'd told them what had occurred between Aunt Naia and me. The shock and fear on Mom and Dad's faces; the unforgiving malice that had raged in Kai's eyes.

I glanced at the latter sleeping soundly beside me, his face devoid of the rage that had clouded his eyes only hours ago. He deserved that uninterrupted sleep—and I wished desperately that I could join him. Sadly, peaceful sleep had eluded me for some time now and I doubted I'd ever get it back.

I silently packed my bag, wondering if I'd ever get rid of the empty feeling inside me, the hollowness. Of the guilt and shame that ate at me, hounded me with every breath. Not even teaching could fill the void, something that used to bring me so much joy. I took one last glance at the bedroom door behind which my husband slept. I would do whatever I could to keep him from going through what I had.

Despite the early hour, many mermaids and mermen were out and about. I had a little time before my class began and decided to swim to Pelathas, surprise Aunt Bella and Uncle David by taking them out to breakfast. I took my time swimming through Aegrem, enjoying the stillness of the current. When I arrived in Pelathas, I was glad to see the town beginning to wake up.

Stores were opened up; wares laid out to entice customers. I got smiles and nods at every turn, but the best I could manage was a weak smile in return. When I got to the palace, I was already trembling. I knew I would feel better if I talked to someone else about what had been going on, but I wasn't sure if I could even put it into words.

The guards at the front, clad in their usual black-and-red uniforms, nodded at me as they opened the large doors that led into the palace. I was already wringing my hands as a mermaid swam up to me, her wide eyes kind as they scanned me. "Princess. The king and queen weren't expecting you. Do you want me to announce you?" She quickly sketched a bow as she finished speaking.

Anxiety rushed through me like a shark on a scent as I stared at her. For the first time in years, I wished that I could be a little kid again, be able to hide in Mom's arms and block out the world. I opened my mouth to try and form a response when a merman swam in behind her, eyes scanning me from head to tail. "Izzy? What's going on? Are Jay and Nerissa okay?"

Uncle David's voice calmed my racing heart enough for me to actually be able to form a sentence. I took a shaky breath before speaking. "I didn't know where else to go." My voice broke on the last word, the leftover anger and exhaustion from last night crashing into me like a wave.

He took my hand, leading me into a sitting room I hadn't noticed when I'd come in. My breathing was labored as tears filled my eyes, dripping onto my clenched hands in my lap. I wanted to tell him everything, but I couldn't speak. I just leaned into him, covering my mouth as a sob broke from my lips.

I don't know how long we stayed like that—me covering my face as I sobbed into his chest and him stroking my curls, saying nothing—but when the tears finally slowed, I felt tired. The guilt and shame had ebbed away with the sobs, bringing back the empty feeling that had haunted me for so long.

He scanned my face, eyes softening at whatever he saw in my expression. "Jay told your aunt and me a little about what you've been through, with Naia and everything else. He also said that you'd possibly figured out a way to block out the effects of the Lost Soul Pendant. Is that true?" His voice was soft as he spoke, eyes never leaving my face.

I looked down at my lap, unable to meet his gaze. "Yeah, but we don't know if or when I'd be able to block them out completely," I replied, my words almost identical to what Kai had said yesterday.

Uncle David gently squeezed my hand, the motion forcing me to meet his gaze. His grey eyes were locked on mine, filled with compassion. "How do you know if you're fully able to do something? Practice. So, that's what you'll do. One hour each day, with any one of us monitoring you, to hone and sharpen your skills."

The mere thought of voluntarily summoning the ghosts, at any given time, was almost enough to send me into a full-blown anxiety attack. After my last few encounters with them, I was in no rush to see them again. And those had been when I'd been angry or scared—never because I'd willed them to appear. As much as I didn't want to admit it, he was right. It was the only way for me to get past this.

I glanced out a window, surprised to find the sun just beginning to set. Had I really been here that long? I hugged Uncle David and told him to give Aunt Bella my love before I set off on the swim home. I'd barely crossed the threshold out into the open water before a mermaid slammed to a halt in front of me, panting heavily, eyes wide with fear.

Uncle David was at my side in seconds, face a mask of calm as his eyes scanned every inch of Mom's body, checking for any sign of injury. When he'd deemed nothing amiss, he locked eyes with her. What happened, Nerissa? He signed. My eyes were locked on Mom's face, the fear in her own nearly stopping my heart.

She dragged shaking hands through her curls, breathing shakily. Naia and Brandon... They... She barely got the last word out before she dissolved into tears.

I swam in front of Mom, gently putting a finger under her chin and lifting her face to meet my gaze. What happened, Mom? Even as I asked the question, a voice in the back of my head told me I wouldn't like the answer.

When her eyes met mine, the fear in them had been replaced with such hopelessness it stole the water from my lungs. She swiped at her eyes as she lifted her hands. Naia and Brandon have completely taken over Nepptheas. They've closed off their borders, forbade entry under penalty of death. I managed to get a glimpse inside before they closed the gates. Every single one of Nepptheas' citizens are under their control. I knew she was thinking of our conversation yesterday when she'd mentioned this exact scenario.

But none of us expected it to happen this quickly. I hugged her tightly, the tears in my own eyes dangerously close to falling. "I'll tell Kai and let him know to increase guards at Beltmare's entrance. Be careful, Mom. You and Dad both. I love you so much."

She squeezed my hand, her free one coming to rest on my cheek. I love you more, my sweet girl. I love both of you, more than anything. Be sure to let Bella know what's happened. Her gaze had never left mine, even though the last comment was clearly directed at Uncle David.

He nodded, kissing her cheek before she turned and swam away. I turned to Uncle David, my heart beating out of my chest. "W-what are we going to do?" I asked, voice trembling with fear.

Uncle David had always been a cool, focused king, never one to back down at the first sign of danger. The pure, unbridled fear in his gaze now, however, was like a dagger piercing my heart. He looked into my eyes, shaking his head. "I don't know, Izzy."

I swam home in a daze, barely paying attention to where I was going. By sheer force of will, I made it back to the palace while there were still lights on. I didn't realize I was trembling until I felt the tremors running through me. I took a stroke forward, but collapsed mere feet from the entrance. A deep voice filled my ears, worry and concern lacing it, but I didn't hear any of the words. My breaths were coming too fast, but I didn't know how to slow them.

My heart was racing in my chest, as if trying to outrun the bombshell that had just been dropped on us. What were we going to do? Kai wrapped me in his arms, carrying me back to our suite. I wanted to tell him about what had happened, the war that was clearly brewing, but I couldn't muster the breath to speak.

I fell into bed, shuddering. Was it shock? Or was I cold? I honestly didn't think I'd have been able to tell the difference. He swam into bed beside me, kissing me on the cheek before wrapping his arms around me. "Whatever happened, we'll face it together. We always have. I'm with you, Izzy. Now and forever."

I concentrated on his words, the feeling of his arms around me, as I fell asleep. Did my best to block out Uncle David's words, the fear in his voice. I knew one thing with absolute certainty as my eyes fell closed: when we came out on the other side of this battle, both Aegrem and Beltmare would never be the same again.

Read and review!