RIPPLE

{Nineteen}

Blue.

       Everything is blue.

        As I struggle to open my eyes, that's my first thought; darkness dances beneath my gaze, a small moan leaves my dry lips and pain wracks through every inch of my body. It's a fight to see the bright white lights shining down and a sea of confusing blue.

        The very first think I see is a soft pair of eyes. Cerulean eyes tinged with a wave of worry. The darkness tries to take over again and thankfully fails. But I miss the pain medication the Infirm gave to me, knowing it cod heal my broken and bruised body. His name leaves my lips in a hoarse whisper. “L-Lachlan . . . ”

         “I'm right here, Nerissa . . . ” Lachlan's voice sounded so desperately sad that it made me try to focus. He's leaning down closely in his chair by my bedside. “I'm right here and I'm not leaving you. I'm not going anywhere.” I tried to smile. I really did. Lachlan is alive, and it wasn't just a dream.

         I didn't earn myself a one way ticket back to the Infirmary. Instead, I was laying inside of a clam bed, upon the worlds softest and warmest sheets. The room is shaped like a snow-globe and the windows can be closed for privacy. Someone dressed me in a plain white dress and new undergarments.

        Seeing Lachlan in the flesh was different than only seeing him through my dreams. I have they undeniable urge to reach out and kiss him, but everything aches and I just now realize that there are bandages on my arms and legs. “W-what happened?”

         “You saved me,” His voice cracks. “You fell on shattered glass beside me to save my life, Rissa.”

         “And I would do it a million times over again.”

         Lachlan leans down so his lips meet mine and he squeezes my hand, “I missed you so much, and part of me was hoping that you might never come.” He's shaking his head, smiling with shining bright eyes. “Poseidon held up his end of the bargain, Rissa. He kept me alive. Now you're going to have to hold up yours.”

         That realization made me go weak with fear. Someone else still thought they could decide my life for me. I am not brave like Aquamarine, or courageous like Cordelia. But I am selfless, and this is the second Sinclair sibling I've saved from imminent death. The tune still plays in my head, around and around and around. Being selfless won't save me from marrying Merrick.

        “I — I have to tell you something, Lachlan . . . ” It feels like a big lump in my throat, a secret that can't be swallowed. Its the elephant in the room, keeping him shroud in ignorance and darkness.

        Lachlan needed to know about his father. He had to know what his father's dying wish was. He had to know what secrets lay hidden between Mikhail and I. And he had to kniw about Waverly. If Lachlan were there on execution day, would things have been any different?

         I try to tell myself no, that Waverly wouldn't have listened to anybody else no matter what. But Lachlan still missed an event that could mean war between the Royals and the wolves, and I had to make sure that I told him everything.

        But this is harder than it has to be, and I pinch the bridge of my nose, taking a deep breath. The words are on the tip of my tongue.

        Lachlan takes my hand. His touch is so warm and comforting I know that we've changed our woven Fates. “What's wrong, Nerissa? You can tell me anything.”

         The door swooshes open, and Lachlan slowly melts away into his seat, even if it is only Glimmer. She looks between Lachlan and I before her gaze settles on him, “you'd better clear out of here, fast.” I attempt to sit up but can't. If something else happens to Lachlan, I won't be able to save him. “Father is here, he's coming, and he wants to speak with you.” Except that. Glimmer glances back once at Lachlan before rushing out, not wanting to deal with our father's explosive temper.

        But it was too late.

        As Lachlan was getting up to go, everything in me wanted him to stay. But I knew he couldn't. My father appears in the doorway, and his eyes are angrier than ever. His lips are pursed together and he immediately notices Lachlan. “You: sit.”

        Fear temporarily washes into Lachlan's eyes but he sinks back down beside me.

        As soon as the door closes behind him, I notice how strange it is to see my father on two legs. His voice seems strange and different somehow. I can feel the anger evaporating from his every pore. “You were spotted by no lose than ten sailors. You sent your mother's most valuable piece of jewelry back into the ocean. You deliberately disobeyed me and tried to run from your responsibilities to the surface world. Just like your god damn mother.” Did dad know she was here?

        I sink lower in bed, hoping to vanish into the sheets.

        Lachlan tries to speak. He tries to make excuses. “Sir, there was a bad storm that night. She got swept away with the tide — ”

        Dad turned on him like I knew he would. “The second-born Princess of Atlantis is the strongest swimmer among her seven sisters. We can feel the storm below the surface. Nerissa knew what she was doing. Something about you calls to her. But I will stop this romance from going any further, even if we have to make that comfortable glass tube your new home until you're sent back to the surface world. We had an agreement. Before you — ”

       Lachlan stood. “With all due respect sir, you made that agreement. It was your firstborn that passed along her responsibility because Aquamarine fell in love with a servant in your palace. You never once stopped to ask Nerissa what she wants, did you?”

         Father — guilt in his eyes — slowly gazes over at me. “What do you want, Nerissa?”

         I gaze over at my Prince Charming. “I want to return to the surface world with Lachlan. I want to permanently keep my human legs if that means I get to be with Lachlan.” I look over at dad. “there was always something — someone — calling me to their world, and now I know why. It has always been Lachlan, and I will not marry Prince Lachlan.”

        “You still cannot be with Prince Lachlan. Poseidon would never allow it.”

        “It's what we want. He has no choice — ”

        “Poseidon is a god. He could send a tsunami to destroy what's left of the palace.” When dad said what's left of the palace, I quickly shake my head. Lachlan doesn't know about what happened, and I can't let him find out this way.

        Not this way.

         Lachlan looks towards my father. “I am willing to go against a God and a King to try and be with your daughter.” His eyes tremble. “does that count for nothing?”

        “My daughter will still be a Queen,” Dad says, “She will not marry a second born unless you can prove yourself to me and to Poseidon.”

       “How do I prove myself?” He asks.

        “The Godly Trials.”