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We went under a massive wooden arch with the words Mermaid’s Cove painted in white and blue letters.
The trees spread out, giving way to a view I was not expecting. In the center, sat a little island crafted of black rocks, grass and palm trees with a bar like structure where patrons drank in the water under massive white and blue umbrellas. Beautiful fae waltzed around in outfits made of flowers and vines. Butterflies flew past, and the sound of fiddles and flutes mixed with laughter and talk of all kinds made for one intoxicating sound. Mermaids swam around the bar, dove from manmade slides built into the land, and laughed with patrons.
Leon led the horse off to the side where a beautiful tan fae with flowers covering only her private parts stood. She held out two wreaths in her hands. One made of pink and white orchids and baby’s breath and another that resembled a necklace weaved of a purple flower with yellow dots surrounding it.
“This is Mermaid’s Cove?” I asked.
“Aye.” Leon jumped off the horse and reached up for me. “It is.”
“I don’t know what to say. It’s unlike anything I pictured.” As my feet landed on the ground, Leon squeezed my hand and smiled. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do first. Dive into those crystal-clear waters or eat one of those sticks with succulent meat that made my stomach rumble with hunger.
There were so many things to choose from. The fae who greeted us took the orchid wreath and put it on top of my head. “Welcome to Mermaid’s Cove.”
She looked at Leon and bowed her head slightly. “Good to see you return to the island, Captain.”
“Hello, Sindle.” He lowered his head taking off the tricorn hat he always wore, and she placed the necklace around his neck.
“Your cabana is ready for you. Whenever you guys want to go.”
“We’re ready now,” Leon replied and gave me a wink.
The fae guided us toward a set of wooden structures. Each structure had a little door and one large window that had been cut out of the wood. One cabana sat away from the rest with a stone mosaic pathway surrounded with jasmine.
A monkey sat on the windowsill eating a banana. It barely acknowledged us as we reached the door.
“I have prepared everything as you asked,” the fae said. “If you need anything just whistle.”
Leon unhooked the half door, and I stepped inside. The cabana was bigger than I thought. One small room with seats and large white cushions built into the walls. There was a little door to the right and on the table in front of the cushions sat a pitcher filled with a pink liquid, a tray of cut-up fruit, green apple slices, berries, and a wheel of white cheese. Leon took the two satchels he had grabbed from the horse and placed them down.
He pulled out a blue outfit and handed it to me. “Here’s your swimming suit.”
“A swimming suit?” I stretched out the strange outfit. It was all one piece of fabric with thin straps and shorts. “What am I supposed to do with this?”
He placed his hat on the cushioned seat and grabbed the bottom of his shirt, taking it off. I gripped the swimsuit in my hand, watching how his chest muscles flexed as he tossed his shirt to the side.
“It’s to go swimming in,” he said with a smirk.
“I’m to wear this?”
“Aye,” he said and began unbuckling his pants.
I took a step back, my cheeks heating. “What are you doing?”
“Relax, love,” he said with a slight grin. “I don’t think we’re that familiar with each other . . . yet.”
He chewed on his lip ring as he watched me squirm under his gaze. He dropped his pants and instead of a pair of knickers, he wore trunks.
“And what are those?” I said, pointing to the floral shorts.
“This is what I’m going to wear.” He kicked his pants and boots off to the side.
I took a moment to take in his appearance, which was different from the captain on the ship. There he stood, sunlight gleaming on his dark plum skin. His silver hair hung loose on the top, the sides grazing his cheekbones. He wore a few necklaces, including the flowered one. One was a strange shark tooth necklace, and another was a golden amulet that rested on his chest.
“We’re going to just walk around in these?” I asked.
He folded his arms as if my question was absurd. “Do you want to get your dress wet and walk around in that?”
“Well, no.” This was all new to me. Anytime I had gone swimming, whether it was the lake or a nearby river, I just wore my knickers or if it was just me and my maids, I would go nude. “Where do I get dressed?”
