A Mermaid's Curse

Chapter 23

I raised a shaking hand to my mouth, tears spilling down my cheeks. It couldn't be. Ever since I'd heard the news, I had gotten it into my head that it had been my fault.

Hearing her voice, the coldness in it hitting me like a punch in the stomach, froze me in place. Kai had a hand on my arm, a fearful look in his eyes. "We need to be cautious," he said, voice low as he spoke. "This could be a trap. Your aunt could have sent her here to rattle you."

I couldn't have moved even if I'd wanted to, but he was right. I wouldn't put it past Aunt Naia to have taken advantage of Nadia, exploited our relationship for her own gain. The only question was, where would she have had the chance to meet Nadia?

The world slammed to a halt as amber eyes met my own, the usual warmth in them replaced with heart-stopping coldness. "Isadora," Nadia said, voice emotionless. She inclined her head, strawberry-blonde hair swaying with the movement.

Kai's hand moved to grip mine, squeezing tightly. I was glad for the contact because it was the only thing that kept me upright. I shook my head, tears of grief forming in my eyes. "How—" My voice snagged on emotion and I had to take a shaky breath before continuing. "How is this possible? We heard you were dead. After the explosion—"

I didn't get a chance to finish. Nadia cut me off, eyes sparkling as she opened her mouth. "It was the strangest thing. A few days ago, I woke up in an unfamiliar bedroom, my head and body aching. A mermaid was sitting in a chair across from the bed, toying with a dark-blue pendant on a string. She quickly introduced herself, explaining who she was and where we were. I'd known Nerissa had sisters, but I'd never met either of them."

She took a deep breath before continuing, hands clasped in front of her. "After Naia explained that, she told me about the Lost Soul Pendant and her plan. I was skeptical at first, but eventually agreed to help. Especially when she told me about the trade."

Everything about those last two words felt wrong to me. I bit my lip to keep from crying out, terrified of her next words.

"If I helped her, she would give me a position of power in the palace. Don't get me wrong; I loved being your lady-in-waiting. But I wanted more. So, I accepted. I never meant to hurt you, or Nerissa." Her eyes never left mine, but they filled with tears after she finished.

I took a breath, steeling myself. "My aunt is one of the most selfish, uncaring people I've ever met. She's power-hungry and ruthless. She doesn't care who she hurts as long as she gets what she wants. My uncle's the same. They've sacrificed hundreds of lives and didn't think twice. I can't believe that you would even think about siding with them." I shook my head, anger racing through me.

She locked eyes with me, her gaze pleading. "Please, Isadora. You have to believe me."

I wasn't done. No; I had one more thing to say, even though I knew my words would wound her. "You didn't just hurt me. You hurt my mother. You two became so close at Rosewood. You knew how hard it was for her to get to trust someone, to let them in. Yet, you went ahead and lured her in with your false idea of friendship."

Her eyes were filled with tears, the expression in them so regretful, I had to struggle to keep my face blank. My body was trembling with barely-restrained anger and sadness. I was seconds away from a full-on breakdown. "You have a choice. You can leave now and never come back, or I can have the guards escort you back to Nepptheas."

The look in her eyes was heartbreaking. But I forced myself to hold her gaze until she was the first to look away, shame and guilt warring in her expression. Only when she'd swum away, when guards alerted me that she was gone, did I break down. A scream ripped from my lips, the sound echoing in the small space. I felt empty when I finally took a gulp of water.

When Kai spoke, I didn't even flinch. "I'm here. What do you want to do?" I hadn't even heard him swim up behind me. His voice was calm and soothing, exactly what I needed to slow my pounding heart.

I shook my head, voice hoarse as I spoke. "I don't know."

He squeezed my hand. When I looked into his eyes, they were filled with concern. "I think I know exactly what you need."

I didn't have the breath to protest as he took my hand, leading me out into the open water. We swam for what felt like hours, nodding to the occasional mermaid or merman that we passed. When we finally came to a stop, I looked up at a familiar building, the banner stretched across the front. Despite the ache in my heart, a smile tugged at my lips.

"These children have a purpose now," Kai said into my ear, "thanks to you and your aunts. You are not weak. You are not worthless. You are not pathetic. You are one of the strongest, most resilient mermaids I've ever met. And one whom I feel so incredibly lucky to call my wife."

I let go of his hand to swim up to the building and peek in a window. My heart swelled up as I saw all the little mermaids and merboys sitting in the classroom. The mermaid at the front of the room, one of the first to sign up to teach, had an infectious smile on her face as she spoke, hands moving fluidly as she signed.

"See? You're already making a difference." He pressed a kiss to the side of my head as he finished speaking. "Don't listen to Nadia, or Naia, or any of them. They're just jealous."

I mulled over his words, mouth tightening as I realized what I had to do—acknowledged that I'd tried to put it off, but that I eventually had to face it. "I have to go tell Mom what happened," I said, blowing out a tense breath.

He squeezed my hand. "Do you want me to come? If not, I understand. I'll meet you at home."

That was one of the many reasons I'd fell in love with him in the first place—it had always been my choice. He'd never forced me to do anything that I wasn't comfortable with. I leaned in and kissed him, slow and sweet, before pulling back and looking deep into his eyes.

"I don't think I can do this on my own," I whispered, my voice almost inaudible.

He nodded. We swam in silence to Aegrem. Every stroke loosened up the tension in my muscles, calmed my heart and breathing until both were steady. When we got to the palace, I took a deep breath, steeling myself. If only I'd known what to expect when I opened the door.

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