Mermaids and Cigarets

Chapter 18

              The pier was empty, void of all noise and action which had previously consumed the space. The sun had fully set, stars lit the sky, placing a light show in the heavens. Marcy sat on the edge, her forehead resting against the railing of the pier. Her eyes closed, a soft breeze offering comfort and whispering the winds secrets. The ocean was a rushing drum below her. Mist tickled at her toes, as the waves embraced the slate rocks.

               Marcy didn't know what time it was, and she didn't care. All she knew was that he hadn't shown. She wasn't sad, just empty. There were no tears left for her to cry, no feeling left for her to give. The cold was a comforting blanket to her, she glanced down at the ocean. She could push off and let the rocks at the bottom break every bone. The thought crossed her mind briefly, fleeting as a spec of rain.

             "Please don't think like that." His voice was sincere. Marcy cringed, her nails scraping the bare wood. She swallowed and clung to herself, willing herself to stay strong. "What do you care?" She snapped. His scent flooded their surroundings; robust, strong, and sleek. She heard the wood creak silently behind her, "Marcy," he pleaded. She didn't dare move an inch, her eyes were focused on the crashing waves. Marcy's heart fluttered for the first time in years, she felt sick. The moon hung above them, guiding their movements.

           Marcy felt his presence settle next to her, their shoulders touching. His warmth excited her, but she didn't dare show it. "I finally found you," he muttered, and inched closer to her. Marcy opened her eyes, "So you did." She whispered, goosebumps etched into her skin. The silence interrupted them, prohibiting any further conversation. The breeze entangled Marcy's legs and she shivered.

"I'm sorry...for everything." He whispered.

"I've been up here for two whole years." Marcy stated.

"I know." He said.

"I haven't been home in two years." She said.

"I know, Marcy, and I'm so sorry." He whispered.

              "I don't believe you Alexander." Marcy muttered. And at the core of her being, she wanted to believe him. Marcy wanted that feeling of him back again, but she could feel her insides churning. "You knew, and I had a feeling you knew I was here, but you didn't bother with me. I know I'm not the only girl you would go for." Marcy shook, she still wouldn't look at him, and she refused any past hopes from reforming. The waves echoed in her ears.

             "Marcy, you know that's not true. My mother, she forbade me from going to the surface..." He started. "I didn't know you were banished, I had thought you just left. I hadn't heard from you. It wasn't until Clarence found out that he told me." Alexander's breath came out in puffs of white. Marcy did not want to believe her ears. Her gut twisted and cool tears pricked her eyes, she shivered. "I would never have left you." She shuddered. Marcy couldn't hold the tears back anymore.

             They sat in silence, again, Marcy sniffed. The air around them stilled, and the stars dimmed. Marcy wiped her face free of tears and the wind hushed its previous calls. Her legs burned and all Marcy could think about was wanting to sleep in the comfort of the cove again, by herself, no Nick, no Alexander, no one. She wanted nothing. Even the waves were silent to her now.

           "My father is dead." He whispered. Marcy looked up, and shuddered. Alexander said nothing else, again the silence interrupted. The King was dead? No. The King was dead. Marcy thought, tattered memories of the easygoing man passed through her mind. She remembered his stoic presence and gracious manner. But she could not think of him dead, never. "How?" She asked cautiously. Alexander shrugged, "Age."

           Marcy looked at him now, seeing much of the man the King was in Alexander. His jawline was more toned, his eyes a deeper blue, mimicking the night sky. Marcy took his hand, his fingers longer than she remembered, they were strong. "I'm sorry." She whispered. Marcy took a deep breath, taking in the night air. Alexander leaned against Marcy, and she had no choice but to let him, his weight encasing her in warmth. She leaned back. "Marcy?" He whispered. She blinked, "Yeah?" she muttered.

"You can come home." Alexander breathed.