Savia's Heart [Sequel to Bastian's Song] [HIATUS]

[ 17 ]

[ Eryn ]

Laughter filled the cave and echoed back to Eryn in small waves of happiness. "Eryn," Phaedra said, "how long has it been since you came by?"

"My time apart from you has felt like an eternity." Eryn grinned as Phaedra's green eyes floated slowly upward. The glowing irises scanned the water as she swam closer and Eryn was reminded exactly how paranoid Phaedra could be.

"You always were a sweet talker, pirate."

"My heart bleeds from your callous statements, beauty." To emphasize her words, Eryn placed a hand over her chest. "I am wounded most grievously."

"Ha! I'll bet you are, you scoundrel of a woman." Phaedra stopped, still a few feet below the water's surface. She blinked and then looked back to Eryn. "You've brought someone?" Gone was the confident banter in her voice as she spoke. Instead, there was a hushed caution that laced her words, delicate as spun sugar and twice as likely to disappear in the water.

Eryn nodded. She desperately wanted to understand how Phaedra knew someone else was in the cave because she certainly couldn't see him from her spot inside the lake, but she didn't dare ask. "I brought a man, Vee, he's part of my crew. I dragged his half-drowned carcass out of the ocean near a year ago now. I swear to you on my grandmother's soul that he will do you no harm." Eryn leaned closer to the water. "Just between you and me, I'd stab him in a heartbeat if he tried anything. He's mildly annoying."

Phaedra's weak chuckle was a reward in itself. Eryn held her breath, hoping that her assurances were enough. After a brief hesitation, Phaedra continued to swim toward the surface of the lake and finally broke the water. In the dim light of the bio-luminescent vines, she appeared hazy around the edges, like the last whisper of a dream.

Her short red hair lay flat with the weight of the water and clung to her freckled skin. Rounded cheeks made Phaedra look like a young woman of sixteen or so, but Eryn knew she was much older than she appeared.

"Thanks," Eryn said with a smile. "I don't know what I'd do if you hadn't met with me."

Phaedra grinned, flashing a single dimple at her. "Probably moped for a week. I didn't mind the last time that happened. You brought me some lovely gifts in bribery. What was that sweetness called again?"

"Chocolate." Eryn sighed with remembered delight. Chocolate was a delicacy, shipped to Zephyr's Cradle from somewhere much warmer than her usual ports.

"Yes. Chocolate makes me think that perhaps humanity is not a completely lost cause."

"You won't get an argument from me, my lady." She chuckled. "But I didn't bring any chocolate this time, I'm afraid. I hope you'll still help me out?"

Phaedra's nose wiggled up and down, a habit that she displayed often around Eryn. "Depends on the payment. It's getting harder to move through the harbor these days. All those damn fishermen with their gods-forsaken nets."

Eryn admired Phaedra's ability to set up a good haggle. "I'm afraid business isn't as booming as I'd like. But I've managed to cobble together a little collection for you." She reached to her waist and untied the leather pouch that she'd carried all the way up the hillside.

She opened the bag and placed it next to the water's edge before scooting back a couple of feet. Phaedra preferred to have some distance between herself and anyone else, though Eryn didn't understand why. There wasn't much she could do if Phaedra chose to fight her next to the water.

The questions she longed to ask ate at her, but she held her tongue and watched the water ripple with Phaedra's movement. A scaled tail flowed behind her, mostly white with splotches of beautiful orange that were tainted by the soft blue of the vine-light. The mermaid grabbed the pouch and opened it to peek inside.