The Merman and the Prince

Chapter 27

The ship was fast but not as fast as the Red Emperor or as fast as me. My tail propelled me easily though the water and I didn't feel exhausted in the least. If I wasn't so worried over Kagami and Akashi I would have pondered over how I was able to change. I had heard of no merfolk changing without the full moon. I was different, the child of two humans. That much I knew but little else held much sway over me if I could use my powers to save my loved ones than that was all I cared about. I kept well below the surface of the waves, I didn't want them to catch a glimpse of me. Weather by fear or design my scales and hair didn't glow so I wouldn't be spotted easily but they were hunters and used to discovering merfolk. So I simply kept hidden in the depths, swimming beneath the black hull and thinking over how I would be able to save them.

I did not know how long I swam beneath that ship. I became aware of nothing but the continuing thump of my tail through the water and the water surging before the ship as it cut through the waves. I was dimly aware that the ship had slowed its head long charge but the only thing I did was slow my own strokes. I was tired, my body ached but still I continued to follow along in a trance. The soft light from the crescent moon gave way to the searing one of the sun and then faded once more. Still onwards I swam, my body moving on its own. With each downward thrust of my tail I thought of the men on board. Kagami. Sei-kun. Kagami. Sei-kun. The mantra of their names kept me going when all I wanted was to sleep. My stomach ached for food and soon I found dolphins swimming over to me with seaweed. I took it from them and shoved it in my mouth. Oddly the water I swallowed with it did not choke me and I found the salty taste refreshing. It gave me the energy to keep up my chase.

When the moon was high in the sky on the second night I felt the current in the water change and realised the water had grown shallower. I pulled myself out of my trance and noticed the ship had slowed to a stop and a splash saw the anchor being put down. I swam up to the hull and listened to the thump of footsteps and could hear their voices clearly.

"You three will stay on the boat. We are going ashore for a decent meal and some drinks."

The voice was well bred and cold. I shivered. It must belong to the captain, Nash Gold. I heard someone mutter in discontent and then the sound of flesh striking flesh and the sound of a body hitting the floor.

"Open your mouth again and you will join the two prisoners below deck and share in their pain."

My heart constricted as I thought of Kagami and Akashi, they had been at these monsters mercy for almost two days. What had been done to them? I waited as I heard them move to the long boats and most of the crew boarded them, heading to the island we were anchored near. I wanted to get a look at the people who hunted me so I swam up to the shadow of the back of the boat and raised until only my eyes were above the water. I saw twelve men in the boats but my eyes were drawn to the one with blonde hair. Nash looked even more frightening in real life than he had in my dreams. I could feel his blood lust from where I floated. Suddenly he turned and I felt as if he was looking straight at me. I froze, any movement would betray me. He couldn't see me, hiding in the water and the shadows but he had felt something. For a moment blue eyes met grey-green ones before he looked away. I stayed were I was long after they were gone, shivering from the memory of those pitiless eyes.

After a while I heard the men left on board settling down in the kitchen. I knew they were drinking and playing cards. I gave them an hour, listening as their voices got louder and slurred before I made my move. I closed my eyes and willed my tail back into feet. This time the changed happened slowly and I bit my lip to stop from groaning as my legs ached. Gritting my teeth I clambered up the side of the ship and slipped silently onto the deck. I looked around and seeing the sails I had an idea and a cheeky smile lit up my face.