The Mermaid's Curse

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight: Xavier

A combination of emotions flits across Oceania's face: first dreaminess, then confusion, and finally sadness. She narrows her sea-glass eyes, and says in a low voice, "I can't possibly do that. I can come back to see you, of course, but I can't live here. I can't be an opera singer, or play in the symphony. What would my family do without me?"

"But you can switch between the land and the sea, can't you?" I protest, taking both her hands in mine and swinging them back and forth. "Why do you have to choose?"

Oceania glances down at the floor, our intertwined hands, the harp--anywhere but at me. "We mermaids can come to land and talk to humans, but our lives are in the ocean," she says softly. "For us, the land should be a place that we pass through every once in a while, but we're expected to build our futures at the bottom of the sea, marrying mermen, swimming with dolphins, and protecting the ocean. If we don't protect it, who will?"

"But why can't you be different? Would you be punished?"

Oceania raises her face, which has gone pale with anguish. "I don't know. I might be reprimanded by King Triteus, or perhaps cursed by the sea-witch Morwenna. I can't tell you what would happen for sure." She squeezes my hands before releasing them, running her fingers through her hair and swirling little tendrils around her fingers. "I suppose I can ask my sister, Ula."

"You should. There's nothing to worry about, Oceania. Just think about it."

She smiles at me, and says, "All right. There's no harm in thinking, I suppose. But I don't want you to get your hopes up. I really don't see how I could possibly play in the symphony or sing in the opera. Those jobs have long hours, don't they? And travel? I'd probably have to stay on land for days."

I nod. "They do, and you would. But you owe it to yourself, and to your special talent, to at least think about it. Don't forget that."

Visions of a future between Oceania and me rush into my mind, completely unbidden. If I have my way, she'll live here, at least for the majority of the time. With her as my muse, I'll compose pieces as melodic as Mozart's, as intense as Beethoven's, as fluid and lyrical as Debussy's. My father will have to understand that I can't pick up the family business--there's no way he won't understand, when he hears the fantastic music that Oceania and I will create together. We'll perform together every night, and our music will soar to new heights. We won't mind the long hours or the travel, because we'll be doing it together. I've been to London, Paris, Rome, Vienna. But how much more beautiful would these places be with Oceania beside me?

A moment later, I scold myself. I've never thought of a future with any girl before. What kind of power does this mermaid have, getting in my head like that? If I didn't know better, I'd think she cast a spell on me. I need to stop getting ahead of myself, and focus on the present.

"How long can you stay, Oceania?"

"My parents will be expecting me home for our sunrise swim. What time is it now?"

I glance at my pocket watch, and my mouth drops open. The night has flown by, and it's morning--and nearly time for sunrise. "Half past five."

"I should go," Oceania says, but she makes no move to head back upstairs. She pushes out her bottom lip like a wounded child, looking as melancholy as I feel.

"I wish you didn't have to."

"Me neither, but I do. My family will be planning a birthday celebration for me, and I can't disappoint them." Oceania continues twisting her hair around her finger, and I reach up to still her hand. I trail my fingers through her hair slowly, before I drop my arm back to my side. Her hair is fine and soft, and holds a slight stiffness from the saltwater.

"Okay," I say hesitantly. "At least let me walk you back to the beach."

Oceania nods, and I take her hand and lead her upstairs, never wanting to let her go.