Mer Tales 01 - Everblue

available through mirrored tunnels, I could have my legs all night. I wiggled my toes, enjoying the refreshing change. Mom thought ahead this time.
    “ Good,” she said while peeking around the rock doorframe.
    “ How did you know? When did you do this?”
    She smiled. “Dad took this stuff down right before the meeting. He guessed we might be spending an extended stay in Natatoria, so I thought this would help with the transition.”
    I sat up. “Tatch said Dad’s not coming back.”
    Mom walked over barefoot, wearing a sequined skirt that shushed when she walked. She sat next to me on the hammock. “He’s coming back. I’m just not sure when.”
    “ Where is he?”
    “ Today, in the palace, someone accidentally mentioned it’s top secret, so not even I’m allowed to know.” Mom folded her hands in her lap, keeping a sullen expression.
    I swallowed hard. Top secret sounded dangerous and Mom appeared to be stuffing her worry. “So now what?”
    “ We wait, we do as we’re expected and when your father returns, we go home.” She patted my knee.
    I groaned. I didn’t want to stay any longer than we had to. Fresh oxygen and the sun hanging in the sky still rated higher than some fancy mirror labyrinth and a bubble. “But what about the business?”
    “ Hopefully Alaster doesn’t burn up our fleet,” she said with a forced laugh. “We’ll just fix his mistakes when we get back. Next time you’ll be old enough and this won’t happen again, though Al’s made no secret he wants Tahoe. I’m hoping you’ll have the gate and the business one day. But your chances will increase if you have a wife. You should use this time to meet other mermaids your age.”
    Ashlyn’s smile fluttered into my mind. She’d been the first and only girl that captured my attention. “Mom, it’s not that easy to meet girls.”
    “ Then go to the courting room.”
    I rolled my eyes. Only desperate mermen went there. “Geez, Mom.”
    “ So you’re not planning to attend the festival?” Mom’s eyes studied mine, piercing me through to my unpromised soul. “Are you planning to leave the mer life instead?”
    I clenched my jaw. “Of course not.”
    She closed her eyes and sighed. “I’m concerned you’re going to choose to leave because we never tried to help you fit into Natatoria’s way of life.”
    “ It’s not that, Mom. I like the fresh air and sunshine.”
    She looked at me with tears in her eyes. “Being a mer is a wonderful thing. There’s no sickness, endless youth, and long life. The promise gave me my soul mate, your father. That’s all I’ve ever wished for you and your sister.”
    “ You don’t have to sell it to me.” I patted her on the shoulder. “I like being a mer. I just want to find a girl on my terms.”
    Tatiana peeked around the doorway, her hair bound up in a towel.
    “ Come here.” Mom opened her arms wide. Tatch joined in and the three of us sat swinging, encased in mom’s hug. “Listen. I know this change has been rough. Tatiana, I’m sorry you’ve become the Barbie doll of the Queen. And Fin, for being stuck with us. It’s only temporary. Dad will groom you to take over Tahoe, like you want when he gets back. And Tatiana, I’ll help you get into a college in Tahoe or even” —she took a deep breath— “let you date since you don’t seem keen on any mermen here. Let’s just get through this, all right?”
    “ Okay,” Tatch moaned in agreement, followed with a sniffle.
    “ Sure, Mom.” I didn’t know what else to say.

11
ASH

    I walked into my room from being outside, shivering and anxious. My cell phone on the nightstand signaled I had a missed call. I picked it up and looked at the display before playing the message, hoping for a call from Tatchi.
    “ You’ve got ten new messages. First message—”
    My mouth gaped open. Ten messages? What?
    Georgia’s voice roared through the earpiece and I rushed to turn down the volume.
    “ Where are you? I’ve been dying to talk to you. You’ll never guess what happened. I have to tell you in person. Call me back right away. Okay? Just call me back—”
    My chest constricted.
    “ Next message—”
    Georgia again. “Where the heck are you? I have to talk to you—”
    Irritated, I clicked the delete button.
    “ Ashlyn, gosh, where—”
    Delete.
    “ Are you like out or something? I have—”
    Delete.
    “ It’s Georg—”
    Delete.
    “ I—”
    Delete.
    I jumped when the phone vibrated with another