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Deep in my heart, I knew Gill was his own merman and could make his own choices. It was time to let him accept his fate and for me to face mine. For now, I had to focus on healing my two mermen. Then we could think about saving the other kidnapped merfolk.
Still, that didn’t stop the leaded weight taking residence in my stomach.
“Go,” Fin instructed Nemo/
The wagon rolled away, and that weight grew even heavier.
Fin climbed onto the wagon, taking the seat beside me, squashing me between him and Nemo. But I didn’t mind one bit. Having him beside me filled me with some comfort, and I leaned my head on his shoulder for comfort.
Fin fell silent as we left Gill behind. Nemo and I respected the commander’s wishes and refrained from chit-chatting, although the ever-joyful Nemo hummed a little tune, the sound reminding me of home.
***
Salty air lickedat my face and hair. From several leagues away, the sea breeze called to me. My pores responded, buzzing with urgency to return home and preparing for my merging with the ocean. I enjoyed every adventure on land—even this one, though only for the company I’d kept—but my heart belonged to the sea.
“Home,” said Nemo, pushing the horses into a canter to reduce the distance separating us from the ocean.
A ball of excitement charged through me as I brushed aside the palm leaves scraping my skin.
Over the many leagues we’d traveled since leaving Gill behind, the terrain had graduated into a flat slope. Trees decreased in height, making way for the smaller dune shrubs. Wind had blown the sand this far, and it crunched under the wheels. Spindly roots and trunks sprouted up everywhere, and the wagon bumped over them. The path led us all the way to one of the two ports on the Tritonia beach.
“You two go ahead,” Fin said, climbing out of the cart. “I’ll tie up the horses out of sight. We’ll need them if we’re to return for Gill and his sister.”
I didn’t want to leave Fin. He was still sullen from Gill defying a direct order. I knew how much I needed company to cheer me up when I was upset.
“I’ll do it,” I said. “You need the water more than I do.”
“I’m not leaving you alone again,” Fin replied.
His response struck a chord inside me. Was it bad that I didn’t want to be alone? Be away from him? Or from Nemo, for that matter? Damn it, I even missed Gill. What was it about these three mermen? I hardly knew them, but every fiber of my being wanted to know more about them. To hell with my odd attraction. I didn’t care to understand it. All I wanted was for them to feel the same way about me.
Nemo and I waited for Fin to lead the horses away into the bushes. He was gone awhile, and I started to worry and bite my nails…something I’d never done before.
At last, Fin returned. “They were sure thirsty. Almost drank up an entire puddle. Now, they’re grazing on the dune grass.”
Thirst tightened my pores, and I longed for water. “Will the horses be safe?”
“I spotted some caves to the east,” said Fin, gesturing for Nemo and me to venture down to the beach. “After a swim, we’ll take them up there and camp for the night.”
The idea of camping with these two—just the three of us, all alone—sent a thrill skating along my stomach and down between my legs.
“Sounds like a plan,” I replied, unable to hide the excitement in my voice.
Sun-kissed sand trickled between my toes as I walked. I loved the feeling, lovedeverythingabout the ocean. The waves crashing in my ears. Wind dancing along the shore, carrying sand grains in little funnels.
Nemo took my hand, and we raced through the dunes. At the foreshore, he tugged off his clothes and charged into the water, leaving me to yank at the strings of my corset. Damn thing took so long to undo. In my mind, he screamed with joy, and I smiled with anticipation of joining him shortly.
Fin caught up and stood beside me, but he wasn’t stripping off to join us.
“You’re not coming in?” I asked, pulling off my skirt and corset, leaving my merrealm cloth on to cover my chest.
“No,” he said with a smile. “I’ll keep a vigil.”
“Boring!” I slapped him on the shoulder.
Fin was too serious. He needed to lighten up. Let his hair down and party a little. We were free from the pirates, for Poseidon’s sake! That alone was worthy of celebration.It was also a shame Gill hadn’t joined us. He, like Fin, needed the rejuvenation only the sea could grant.
“Yahoo!” Nemo dove underneath the water.
