A Thousand Salt Kisses Forever (Third Book in Salt Kisses series)

Overreaction

After we met with Ri, we descended the stairwell and back into the Grand Hall again. I had been on a high ever since Ri and Llyr's marriage chatter, but as we passed by Aine's portrait, I thought about her and the instructions that I had been unable to interpret. I hoped we did what she wanted during our meeting with Ri, but I just couldn't help but feel that something was not right. And I had an uncomfortable feeling that I knew what it was.

I needed to get home and so I waited until we had journeyed out of the kingdom before discussing my worries with Llyr. I thoroughly scanned our surroundings for any mer, and to my satisfaction, I saw only blue empty water.

"Why didn't you tell Ri?" I asked quietly, swimming closer to him to minimise any chance of eavesdropping. I thought I would cut straight to the point; there was no need to beat around the bush.

Hi winced uncomfortably, and I could see he knew what I was referring to, and that it was troubling him too.

"I just didn't want to jeopardise anything," he replied. "I mean, with the negotiations of whether you have more time to move. I just thought if I told Ri about the islanders knowing about us, then he would have no choice but to tell The Ichthyocentaurs, and then there would be no chance that they would allow you more time."

"But what if they find out?" I whispered. I hated this. I felt like we had compromised Ri now, just when he was finally trying to help us.

"How would they?" Llyr asked.

I silently mulled this over. He had a point; mer had so little contact with the people on the island that the chances were minimal. In fact, the only human-mer relationship, asides from Llyr and I, was Nephys and her human son, the fisherman George. Maybe I could go and see him tomorrow, and see if he knew much about the rumour. If he did then I could beg him to keep it a secret.

Anyone else you want to compromise, Crystal? I cursed myself.

"Don't worry," said Llyr, watching me. "I would like to suggest that you are over-anxious, but I am quite sure that you will get angry with me."

I smiled, remembering that day with Bright when I had become very upset by Llyr's 'jumpy' allegations. As I broke into laughter, I almost began to relax. Llyr was probably right, I was overreacting. But then what about the communications I received earlier? If Aine was trying to warn me of something from beyond the grave then it must be quite serious. I wondered if I should tell Llyr, but the fact he was so unaware of it, made me stop and think. Did Aine not want Llyr to know?

I felt so confused and out of my depth. What on Earth am I dealing with here?