I open my eyes and realize we’re in the water, a golden orb all around us.
“What—”
“You did it.” She smiles, her face beautiful, and her sharp teeth in line with those of her sisters. Her hair falls in golden curls to her waist, and her skin is a pale blue, luminous and bright.
“I did?” I don’t know how. I just … told my story. That was it. “I did.”
“You have more power than you realize.”
“I don’t even know how I did it.” I shake my head, disbelief roaring in my head.
“Your heart knows.” She bows her head. “Thank you.”
“I … you’re welcome.” I don’t know what to say. I hold out my hands to see if they’ve aged. They haven’t. I feel the same. No headache. Nothing. When I glance back at the shore, Widow is standing there, her hands to her mouth as she watches, wide-eyed.
“We’re floating without fairy dust.” I look around at the orb that encircles us.
“It’s your magic. You pull it from the island. It lives inside you.”
“I don’t understand.”
The water splashes beneath us, and two mermaids appear.
“Ari?” Quenith asks, her beautiful face the one that likes to haunt my dreams.
The golden orb begins to flicker, and before I can even try to stop it, it disappears entirely. I fall into the sea, the cold water rushing over me.
I sputter and flail, then realize I can touch the bottom.
Once I’m on my feet I spin around and hold out my hands. “I’m not for eating!” I scream.
Quenith swims around beside me. “You’re even more tender than before.” She snaps her teeth.
“Do not touch her.” Ari’s voice is beautiful yet somehow also terrifying.
Quenith quickly swims to her. “I’m sorry, my queen.”
“She’s brought me back to you, and you want to harm her?” Ari’s fury rises, the water around us growing choppier.
The other mermaid—one I’ve never seen—keeps her head bowed. Wise.
“My apologies. Please, my queen.” Quenith clasps her hands in front of her. “Please forgive me. I-I’m just overcome with seeing you like this. We’ve searched for so long, but you never came back to the water. Why?”
Ari’s anger seems to calm, the water easing back to gentle waves. “I couldn’t bear it.” She reaches out and runs her fingers down Quenith’s cheek. “I couldn’t bear for any of you to see me. But I heard your song. Every evening when the moon kissed the water, I heard you singing for me to come home.”
Quenith bows even farther and kisses her hand. “We always loved you, my queen. We always will. Come home with us. The deep waits. Your throne has remained untouched. Your crown of pearls and trident as well.”
“What do you want me to tell Wraith?” I ask.
Ari gives me a smile, one that hides a sadness that might never be tapped. “Tell him I’ve gone back to my only true love.”
Burn. I don’t know if I have the requisite cruelty to pass on that message, but I understand why she says it. Some hurts never heal.
“I am ready, my sisters.” Ari lowers into the water.
“Wait!” I step forward and almost fall.
She turns back to me.
