A Merman's Tale

Fates: Chapter Thirty-Six

Margaret

      The words came out of my mouth before I could even think twice about it. Maybe it was the chilly night or the idea that Grampa must be watching from somewhere. I wasn't sure. I swallowed as I continued to stare at Seirra's stunned face. 

     And then I realized that it was him. 

     He was the reason I finally agreed to go to wherever his kingdom was. There was just something about the way he barged into my life that made everything rushed yet absolutely crucial. It was like every decision I made would affect not only myself but a number of other people as well. He forced me to think that I was important. And to be honest, his presence gave me a sense of purpose. Like my life was more than just fulfilling my dream--or rather my mother's dream--of becoming a singer. Somehow, I looked back at who I was before he came and realized that I had never really done anything significant in my life.

     Funny how I managed to reflect about all of this in just a few hours. Seeing the pain in his eyes when I hugged Robert, I knew then and there that he didn't deserve any of my narrow-minded reactions. He was a genuine person and the way I treated him was almost unfair. He always spoke of the truth, no matter how ridiculous it sounded to my ears. He was doing his best to earn my trust and I really should give him a chance.

     Even if that chance meant leaving everything behind just to help a stranger. 

     Only, Seirra was no longer a stranger to me. He was important. I already said so and I had no intention of taking it back.

     We were both still frozen from my sudden decision that I failed to see what he was about to do next. His hands shot out and pulled me close until he was squeezing me tight against his body. It became difficult to breathe but his face was buried in my neck and his arms were spread around my back that I forgot all about breathing. This was, in all truth, the closest I have ever been to another person. At least physically.

     I was still feeling the effects of that hug when he released me and gazed at me with what was probably the sweetest smile I had ever seen on his face. 

     "Thank you," he said in a whisper that was filled with reverence. "You have no idea what your words meant. For Aquania. And for me. For me."

     Yeah. I really had no idea. 

     "Let's just hope it's worth it."

     "I assure you, it is."

     A few seconds passed before I asked the questions that had started tugging at my brain.

     "When I go with you, I can never go back, right?"

     "Yes." 

     His face began to register pity, doubt and pleading. He must be thinking that I was about to change my mind.

     "I see," I replied with a nod. "What am I supposed to tell Amanda, Robert and all the people I was going to leave behind? Or are they going to forget about me the same way I forgot about you?"

     He looked away for a moment but not fast enough for me not to see the misery that he was trying to hide. His conscience must have been eating at him. The fact that he was feeling that way made me trust him more. If he cared so much about the consequences of my departure, then it could only mean that he was genuinely concerned about me.

     "They will completely forget about you." I swallowed upon hearing that. "They won't ever have you in their dreams like I was in yours. It would be as if you never existed on land."