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

Killing Me

We made our way slowly through The Jewel. Our pace was deliberately slow as we didn't want to overtake Ri, and also I was feeling a bit sick. It was that dreaded throbbing at the glands, and I really hoped that I was not going to spew in front of the whole kingdom. I imagined that would be absolutely gross underwater, for all present.

"Why are you sick?" asked Llyr concerned, as I floated beside him slowly. "Is it your adaptation sickness again?"

I had been horrifically unwell, the very first time I had shifted, as my body had been unable to cope with the transformation. I had had to be hospitalized in a cave, as a result.

"No, I had it on the boat with George the other day," I replied. "I think it is the stress."

"I can swim ahead and move the waters quickly so that you travel with the current, just like I showed you this morning," he said.

I breathed a sigh of disbelief, remembering how I had laughed as he had transported me into his arms. "Gosh, I cannot believe that was this morning!"

"I know, a lot has happened since then," said Llyr, putting a hand on my back.

"Yes, you can say that again," I said.

"Do you want me to go ahead?" asked Llyr.

I looked around me. I could see mer-families settling down inside their houses, some smiled as we passed, but others did even not look up to acknowledge us. It was a totally different vibe from when I arrived in The Jewel a week ago to visit Ri, and I feared Spirit may be right. They were turning against me.

"I'd rather you stayed with me," I whispered.

He nodded and put his arm around my waist. "So, how's Rosie?" he asked, resting his head against mine as we traveled. I smiled, he was so sweet, I knew he was trying to keep my mind distracted, and at the same time had managed to ask about the one person who would not stir up feelings of sadness.

"She's fine, I think," I said. "I haven't really seen her in a while, but I guess I will at the hen-do this week."

That's if I was still invited to Jemima's hen-party, I added in my head. This was yet another stressful event in my diary that I had to look forward to. If I was still welcome, I would have to converse with the likes of Portia, which was not going to be easy seeing as she had practically ruined my life.

"I hate that you are so full of worry," said Llyr, as we reached the palace gardens.

"I know, I'm sorry," I said. "I was so happy and excited this morning... and now I am just so scared about everything. And I feel so bad for Ri, it's like his worst nightmare."

"Hmm," said Llyr, as we neared the big arched palace entrance. "I too am filled with sorrow for his suffering, but I am hopeful that they are just trying to flex their muscles, and that they do not really mean to have his crown removed. The only way The Ichthyocentaurs can pass a law is by means of voting. This talk that they are being so generous in allowing the public to have a say is nonsense."

I nodded, although somehow this didn't make anything better.

"Crystal!" came a familiar squeal, from inside the palace.

Before I could utter a word, Nephys came shooting out of the arch and straight into my arms. As she impacted me I nearly retched.

"Oh my goodness, what's wrong?" she asked withdrawing, panicked.

"She is sick," said Llyr.

"Oh darling," she said, placing a hand on my back.

There was something about Nephys's touch that was so soothing, I managed to surf out the intense wave of nausea and then looked up into her sparkling sapphire eyes. I smiled, I had not seen her in so long.