Her fingers captured my chin, eyes flaring with mischief. “I’ll decide when you’re fine, Gavin.”
“Mmm…” I leaned in, brushing my mouth against hers. “I like the sound of that.”
Sunlight speared through the clouds as Marin looped her arms around my neck, her lips finding mine.
Waves crashed. The salty air warmed. This was our beach. The sea was no longer a vast, cruel thing that had stolen everything from me, but a deep force that had given everything back.
A strange sound rode on the wind, and Marin pulled away to look toward the sea. The waves parted, glittering like sapphires as a woman rose from the depths. A crown of coral and gemstones rested on her head.
Other mermaids rose too, filling the sea with an audience. The Sea Queen crooked her finger at Marin. My arms tightened instinctively, unwilling to let the sea take her back.
“It’s okay, Gavin. We made a bargain.”
Marin slowly pushed herself to her feet, swaying until I steadied her arm. I followed her into the surf, the water swirling around our calves. Cass had stepped to the water’s edge, too, her gaze wide as she peered almost unbelievingly at the mermaids.
The Sea Queen spoke, her voice an echo over the wind. “Marin—of the sea, Tivara is dead, and our bargain is complete. My kingdom thanks you for your service.” She raised her hand, rings glinting in the sunlight. “Your sentence has been served, your curse lifted.”
She paused, her gaze lingering on Marin. “Your duty is done. But you will always be one of us, Keeper. Guard our magic well.”
The Sea Queen spiraled her fingers into a fist. Bubbles roiled in the water at our feet. Marin gasped, a sharp breath rushing into her lungs as her eyes drifted shut with a sigh.
“The curse is gone,” she whispered. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“Marin, your hair…” Cass pointed to the blue strands near her temple. The color faded, returning to its natural dark brown.
Marin rubbed the strands between her fingers, then looked back at the queen.
“And my friend? Sirena Cook?”
“She will be granted a pardon and released as we agreed.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Marin bowed her head as the Sea Queen turned and sank back into the depths. The other mermaids followed, disappearing into the waves like it was all just a myth.
Chapter 49
Marin
“To surviving the seawitch!” Cass raised her mug with a flourish, the amber liquid sloshing dangerously close to the rim. She rocked forward in her chair, unbothered as foam spilled over the side, sliding down her fingers and onto the scarred surface of the well-worn table.
With a chuckle, she switched the mug into her other hand and flicked the droplets of foam into the air, the spray splattering revelers at another table. But they hardly noticed. The tavern buzzed with laughter and the dizzy warmth of too much ale.
Behind me, the fire crackled in the hearth, heat warming my back, while the scent of smoke and roasted meat clung to the air.
“And steel chains coated in spiked barnacles and dipped in burning salt.” Bowen cracked his hand into the air like he held a whip, then lifted his glass.
Gavin scrubbed a hand over his jaw, then leaned back, draping one arm behind my chair as he raised his mug with a crooked smile. “And acidic foam, and evil sentient kelp!”
Cass shuddered. “Betrayed by sea plants. I may never recover.”
I shook my head, grinning as my mug joined theirs, hoveringover the table. “Why are our toasts always so violent?”
“Good point.” Cass glanced at Bowen. “Would you like to add your poignant flair?”
But before Bowen could speak, Gavin rapped his knuckles on the table. He cleared his throat.
“To Mare. Who survived the sea. The sky—”
“Your devilish presence,” Cass cut in.
