Mer Tales 01 - Everblue

looking exhausted though she hadn’t said a word. I took a seat next to her and waited while she collected her thoughts.
    “ You already know how your dad and I met, before I knew he was a merman. He told me he was visiting his aunt and uncle close to where I lived in Florida. He actually lived on land with his parents who were stationed to guard the Bermuda Triangle gate.” She smiled at the memory. “We spent the entire summer together: laughing, swimming, and enjoying every sunlit moment together. We’ve told you kids he swept me off my feet and we couldn’t live without each other, but what I didn’t mention was Leon—which is what we used to call King Phaleon back then. He’d visit along with Jack.”
    Her smile faded. “It became increasingly evident they both liked me, but I only had feelings for your father. Leon became jealous. It was after I let him down easy that things took a strange turn. Unknown to me, your grandparents were accused shortly thereafter of becoming too familiar with humans. Overnight the family packed up and left without saying good-bye. This was right before my junior year of high school.
    “ Though utterly crushed, I never fully let go of your father’s memory. A few years later, for my twenty-first birthday, I had a big party on a yacht out on the Keys. I had a little too much to drink and fell overboard. I’d hit my head and probably would have drowned if Jack hadn’t been there to rescue me. He’d been underwater”—she winked—”spying on me the whole time. Once we were reunited, it was as if we’d never been apart. That was the day he kissed me. Our promising day.
    “ In the beginning, it was difficult, the distance—like now—was unbearable. But I had to finish college so I could get a job to support us. After a year, we couldn’t handle the infrequent visits. Most of the time, Jack would have to sneak out of Natatoria, so he took the Tahoe Gate job, which was the least favorable place to guard at the time. The decision solved all our problems. I became a mermaid shortly after the move. Eventually, I had my aging parents move there too and retire so I could care for them until they passed.
    “ But we avoided Natatoria—one, because I was a new beta-mer and the other, to spare Leon’s feelings. Once we heard of his promising to Desiree, we hoped he’d let go of the past. After he became King, though”—she shook her head and grimaced—”the laws changed. He stopped letting people live on land to guard gates. We are one of the last families to have that privilege. I believe it’s because your father is on the Council. They see the value in him being in touch with human society, but by sending Dad on this dangerous mission and keeping me here, the King has put us both in a heart-wrenching place and he knows it.
    “ And if that wasn’t enough, now he’s sought to keep you and your sister here as well by using your emotions against you—and taking our daughter against our wishes and her will. The only problem is Ashlyn’s soul won’t ever allow her to move on. If the promising with Lily happens, they’ll both be bonded to you, but only Ashlyn will own your heart. Naturally, you shouldn’t want to be with Lily, which in normal circumstances would stop this from happening. The reality is Ashlyn’s spirit will begin to consume you and there will be no rest until you’re together. If you leave after you’re promised to Lily, though, you won’t feel it, but she’ll suffer the same fate.”
    I closed my eyes and leaned my head back. My thoughts swam with the lies, betrayal, and deception while my soul ached, wanting nothing but to have Ash in my arms. Knowing she suffered just as bad, if not worse, sickened me. Though Blanchard attempted to mind-wipe her, unknown to him she’d been immune because of our promise, and now she was all alone and without any answers—her soul unbearably restless. What could she possibly be thinking? My decision was clear. No matter what, I couldn’t condemn Lily to the same slow torture.
    “ Mom, we have to stop this.”
    “ I know. But if they knew what happened, they’d find Ashlyn and kill her to free your soul and prove their power.”
    “ NO!”
    “ So,” Mom said with tears in her eyes, “maybe we can talk to Badger about it—”
    “ No,” I interrupted. “How could I tell him? If he had any idea about this, he’d probably beat me up. He’s excited about me becoming part of his family.”
    “