A Merman's Kiss (A Novella) Page 4

  Ellie rushed to her. “What has he done?!”

  Her sister threw hew arms around Ellie’s neck and wept.

  “He… he… nearly drowned me!”

  Ellie gasped. She’d asked about Gram; she knew Leatra meant the merman.

  “How?! What happened?”

  Leatra could barely speak. “He was there… Delmarius… He wanted… wanted…” Her voice broke off.

  Ellie held her, gently rubbing her back. “All right, all right, don’t tell me right now. You’re home; you’re safe. It’s all over. Sit down, I’ll get you some water.”

  She brought a cup of water. Leatra clutched it with both shaking hands, spilling a half, and tried to drink.

  “He drowned Gram.”

  “What?!”

  Leatra drew in a shaky breath. “I didn’t see it, but I know he did.”

  “We will go to the Lady,” Ellie said. “She will know what to do, she actually wants to see you.”

  Leatra’s eyes turned to her with a silent question.

  “I’ve talked to her this morning,” Ellie explained. “We did something very wrong by not paying the merman. The moment she heard about it, she demanded that I fetch you.”

  “Let’s… go her,” Leatra forced out. “Right now.”

  “Are you sure you can walk that far?”

  “Yes.”

  ***

  Leatra tried to get a grip on herself as they walked to the mansion, Ellie supporting her by the elbow. She had never spoken to the Lady before, and at some other time she would have been very nervous about it, if not scared to death, but after what she’d just been through, she was too shaken to care.

  They entered the hallway; Ellie left Leatra sitting on an armchair, telling her she would go in first, find the Lady and see whether she still wished to receive them. She returned in about five minutes; yes, Lady Mirabelle was expecting them.

  “You remember that you must only answer her questions and always add ‘my lady,’ right?” Ellie whispered.

  “Of course.”

  They walked into the Lady’s study and curtseyed. Lady Mirabelle stood at the side of the wide oak desk, arms crossed. Leatra shrunk under the cold, hard look she was given.

  “Shut the door, Ellie.”

  Ellie did. Leatra noticed how the Lady’s face softened, just a little and just for a second, as she addressed her sister.

  “I understand something has happened this morning between you and the merman who gave you beauty and luck,” Lady Mirabelle said, her eyes back on Leatra.

  “Yes, my lady. He wanted to drown me, nearly dragged me underwater.”

  The beautiful eyes flashed with anger. “Don’t lie to me! He did no such thing! He might have touched you as he tried to persuade you to come with him, but he did not want to drown you!”

  Leatra stared. How could she possibly know?!

  “You will tell me everything now, and don’t you dare utter one untrue word. Speak!” the Lady ordered.

  Leatra was trembling again.

  “I went to the lagoon,” she began, “I was supposed to meet with Gram, he works… worked…”

  “Here at the Mansion, I know.”

  “Yes, my lady. He was not there when I came. I stood on the beach and waited. Then the merman showed up. Delmarius.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He said he’d been waiting for me all this time and asked why I hadn’t come. I told him I never promised. Then he said, ‘I see that my kiss has worked.’ I told him, yes, and thanked him.”

  “Go on.”

  “I noticed his hair was much shorter. I said something about that, and he replied, ‘Yes, I’ve been watching humans and saw that most human men wear their hair short. So I cut mine. I did it for you Leatra.’ I did not know what to think of that, so I didn’t respond. He then… stood up. I mean—”

  “Stood on his tail.”

  “Yes, my lady. He stood and asked me to come closer. I was afraid. He said, ‘Do not fear, I’ll never harm you. I want to give you something.’ I saw that he was indeed holding something shiny in his hands. I walked up to him, into the surf. He held out a pearl necklace. Those were the largest pearls I’ve ever seen.”

  “Did you take it?”

  Leatra shook her head. “I was speechless. I knew each one of those pearls would cost a fortune, and I should never accept such a gift. But then I thought, he’s a merman; they probably cost nothing to him. I wanted to take them, but I still wasn’t sure it would be right. Before I could decide, or say anything, he said, ‘I want you to marry me, Leatra.’”

  Somehow Lady Mirabelle did not appear surprised. Ellie, on the other hand, stood with her mouth open.

  “What was your answer?” the Lady asked.

  Leatra couldn’t help wondering what she thought the answer could possibly be.

  “I told him he’s crazy, it’s impossible, I can’t live underwater. He said if I agreed, I would become a mermaid. He said he knows it’s a big and scary step, but he loves me and he’ll do everything to make me happy. I told him I could never do it, and I wanted to run. That’s when he grabbed my arm.”

  “He did not try to drag you underwater though.”

  Leatra lowered her head. “No. But he held me, he wouldn’t let go. I fought to break free, and he kept telling me how beautiful everything was under the sea, how I’d grow to enjoy it, how I’d want for nothing.”

  She paused again.

  “Proceed,” the Lady prompted, her voice icy. “I believe there’s not much left to tell.”

  “I… I was terrified. I thought he would drag me under. I screamed and fought harder, then I told him I was expecting someone. I hoped he wouldn’t want to be seen by other people and release me. But he said, ‘The man you are waiting for is not coming. I don’t think he will play with you anymore.’ I realized that… he killed Gram!” Leatra broke into tears again.

  Ellie rushed to her side and hugged her. The Lady said nothing.

  “I—I thought I was gonna go mad!” Leatra sobbed. “I screamed and screamed… somehow broke free… and ran, and…”

  She couldn’t continue.

  Lady Mirabelle waited for her crying fit to end.

  “Now listen to me,” she spoke when Leatra managed to compose herself and Ellie let go of her. “The fright you have endured is of your own doing, and it is nothing compared to what you have done to the merman. You broke the rules. You did not do things the way you were told. When you had come to purchase your kiss, you had no business telling the merman you’re a poor ugly girl who would never get kissed otherwise. You had no business fueling his curiosity, getting his sympathy. Most of all, you should have never allowed him to give you the kiss without payment. He kissed you because he cared. That sealed his fate.”

  Leatra stood with her eyes wide, listening, not quite comprehending, but knowing it was true. She did not dare ask the question.

  Ellie did it for her. “What fate, my lady?”

  Lady Mirabelle turned to Ellie. “He will now be attached to your sister for the rest of his life. He is bound to her. He might be able to overcome his love for her, but he will never break the bond, never forget her, never love anyone else, never be happy. He did not know this, of course. Humans and the seafolk know very little about each other.”

  The words hung over them like a heavy dark cloud.

  “He will never leave me alone,” Leatra whispered.

  The Lady’s eyes darted to her, anger flared up in them once again.

  “He will never leave you alone? Is that all you can say? Is that all you care about?”

  Dazed and confused, Leatra desperately searched for something to say, to explain, to redeem herself, but words wouldn’t come.

  Lady Mirabelle tightened her lips.

  “Get out of my sight.”

  ***

  A month passed. Gram never showed up. Ellie did not share Leatra’s conviction that the merman had killed him, and she was proved right when, a day or two
after the incident, Mrs. Stella mentioned Gram coming to her “all distressed,” giving notice, asking for the pay he was owed and leaving. He did not explain anything and said no goodbyes. His sudden departure had become the talk of the village. All kinds of suggestions and guesses were being made, none of them close to the truth, known only to Ellie and Leatra. He had seen the merman; whatever happened between them that morning made him run, but Delmarius had not harmed him.

  Ellie thought about poor Delmarius every day. Leatra obviously didn’t. Relieved to know that Gram was alive, and that she wouldn’t be fired, her sister calmed down. She had resolved to never go to the sea again, and it seemed to end her troubles. The merman could not get her on land. She could continue to enjoy what he’d given her, not worrying about him.

  This bothered Ellie. While she could not really blame Leatra for doing this to Delmarius—they both had no idea what could happen—she couldn’t help feeling bad about how easy Leatra was taking it now. Talking to her about it was useless, though. The last time Ellie had tried, it ended in a big fight.

  “Well, what in the world to you want from me?” Leatra shouted. “To mourn him for the rest of my life? To be miserable? It’s not like I can reverse it. If you’re so fond of him, go to him yourself! Perhaps he’ll be in the mood to kiss another ugly girl, bind to you, and then you can go underwater and live happily ever after!”

  “He can not bind to anyone else,” Ellie reminded, although she suspected Leatra never forgot.

  “Like you would have done it if he could! You’re only good to nag, to make people feel guilty over nothing. You’d never do what you’re demanding from me! Never marry a merman, leaving the whole world behind and getting a fish tail into the bargain!”

  Ellie left her alone, but she couldn’t get it all out of her mind. And she had a feeling that it was not over yet, reinforced by the Lady’s mysterious words.

  “If something else happens, Ellie…” Lady Mirabelle told her one day, “come to me right away.”

  Ellie made a timid attempt to find out what she meant, but the Lady did not clarify.

  Leatra pouted for a couple of days, then came to make peace, giving Ellie a blue silk scarf with a white trim.

  “I bought it to go with your blue dress,” she said. “I think it will look nice.”

  She wouldn’t apologize—she never did—but Ellie saw her sister was sorry for the outburst. She took the scarf, which was very pretty, thanked her, and tried it on.

  “Let’s go to the tavern for oysters tonight after work,” Leatra said. “My treat.”

  It was a rare treat, too. With money always tight, they only ate at the tavern for birthdays, each time saving up well in advance. Ellie took the blue dress to work, not wishing to go out to dinner in her maid’s uniform, and changed when her chores were done for the day.

  She went outside. Leatra was already waiting at the gate, wearing the peach colored dress that had made her the queen of the dancing hall. The setting sun’s rays played in the silk, making it shimmer.

  Ellie joined her, and they headed down the road to the village, chatting.

  “The new scullery maid isn’t doing that good of a job,” Leatra said. “She takes too long to get the floor swept and mopped, doesn’t wipe the plates very well, and today she broke one. I think Mrs. Clarina is going to fire her.”

  “She’s probably doing her best, poor thing,” Ellie replied, “but a scullery maid’s duties are so many, it’s easy to be overwhelmed.”

  “Tell me about it. I’d been doing that dance for two years.”

  The twilight deepened. Cicadas started their chorus in the acacia bushes along the sides of the road.

  “I want to tell you a secret, Ellie,” Leatra said, looking very mysterious.

  “Oh? What is it?”

  “Guess.”

  “You’re getting promoted again.”

  “Not that fast, I don’t think. Try again.”

  “You broke Mr. Edman’s heart.”

  Leatra laughed. “Stop being silly, try guessing for real!”

  “I have no idea. I think you’ll have to tell me.”

  “Well… Wait, let that drunk pass.”

  Ellie looked at the staggering figure ahead. The road was never considered dangerous, even after dark, but every girl knew a drunken man was to be avoided. They moved to the other side of the road.

  “Leatra!” the man called out.

  The sisters froze in their tracks. Ellie recognized the voice, deep yet soft, although she’d only heard it vaguely, from afar.

  Leatra clutched Ellie’s hand. “Delmarius?!”

  Yes, it was him. But he was no longer a merman. He stood on two legs that did not seem to serve him very well, his feet were bare. He was dressed in sackcloth pants and a vest, no shirt. The vest was small for him, leaving the well muscled chest uncovered. His face was even more handsome up close than Ellie remembered, eyes deep green, shining with quiet joy as he looked at Leatra.

  “Do not fear,” he said. “I told you I’d never harm you. Besides, you can easily run away, I won’t be able to follow. As you see, I’m still learning to use these legs. Allow me to speak with you.”

  Leatra gave a cautious nod, her face tight with apprehension. “Very well. What do you want to say?”

  “I have been thinking about our last meeting. I understand what had frightened you so. You said I was a murderer; you must have thought I killed that man you were waiting for. I want to assure you I didn’t. I only told him to leave you alone. Let me explain: I had seen him with many other girls on the shore before; later on I’d see some of those girls alone, crying. I did not want the same thing to happen to you. Do you believe me?”

  “Yes, I do,” Leatra replied, still watching him closely. “I know you didn’t kill Gram. Other people saw him afterwards.”

  She could at least apologize for calling him a murderer, Ellie thought.

  Leatra didn’t, of course.

  “I did not know the seafolk could turn into humans and walk on land,” she said.

  Delmarius shook his head.

  “We can’t. Not usually. Only those of us who love a human can make this change.” He paused, but Leatra would not respond, so he continued. “This is something else I wanted to speak to you about. You said you could not possibly come and live under the sea, you couldn’t imagine becoming a mermaid. I understand. It was selfish of me to ask for your hand on such terms. So instead of suggesting that you leave everything and enter another realm, different and strange, I have done it myself. I chose to become human to have a chance to be with you, Leatra. If you agree to wait a little and help me adapt to your world, we can get married and have a good life here.”

  Ellie listened, transfixed by what she was hearing. The words were not meant for her, but they were such amazing, incredible words. She knew she would never forget them.

  Leatra listened as well—until he mentioned getting married.

  “What? You expect me to marry you?!”

  “I don’t expect anything. But yes, I have come to ask for your hand again. Do you find that insulting?”

  Leatra glared at him. “Yes, I do, as a matter of fact! Look at you, you can barely stand on your feet! You know nothing, you need a nanny! Am I supposed to become one? You can’t work; am I supposed to do that as well and feed you?”

  Oh, Leatra, how can you be so harsh?! After what he has done for you! Ellie bit her tongue, she knew she should not interfere, but her heart ached for Delmarius.

  “I said I would learn and adjust,” he replied. “I can work, I just need to see how things are done here and what I can do. I am strong, I have skills. In the sea, I was a serpenteer. Perhaps there are beasts here on land I could catch and tame. Or I could be a pearl diver—that would be the easiest thing for me to do, when I learn to swim again. I’m not saying it’s easy, Leatra, but it can be done… if only you would want it.”

  “Well, I don’t!” She stomped her foot. “If I haven’t yet made mys
elf clear, I don’t love you! I don’t want you! Leave me alone, go back to the sea!”

  Delmarius looked so pained.

  “I can’t go back, Leatra.” He gestured at his legs. “This is permanent.”

  “Is that my fault? I didn’t ask you to come out here! You should have thought of what you were doing.”

  “I did think about it. And my reasoning was, if I were a man, I would at least have a chance. I know you don’t love me, I’ve gathered that much. You know nothing about me, we’ve only briefly talked. I thought if we spent some time together, became better acquainted, you might feel differently. But I didn’t realize you hated me so. Why, Leatra? What have I done to deserve it? Why would you not even give me a chance?”

  “Because I’m engaged to be married!”

  Ellie could no longer stay silent.

  “How can you be so heartless, Leatra? I’m not saying you must marry him, but at least don’t be cruel, don’t break his heart with lies! You are not engaged!”

  Leatra turned to her, eyes narrow. “But I am, my self-righteous little sister. That’s what I was going to tell you before he showed up. I have accepted Arman’s proposal.”

  ***

  Ellie stood rooted to the spot, looking after her sister quickly stomping away, to the village. She felt like her heart was torn out of her chest and thrown on the dusty road. Her head swam, vision was blurry, but tears wouldn’t spill, they just filled her eyes and stung them.

  She became aware of Delmarius still standing not very far from her, watching Leatra walk away as well. She had to help him. He had to be hurting far, far worse than she was.

  Ellie took a step to him.

  “Delmarius?”

  He turned his head.

  “I am Ellie. I…” She was not sure how to explain that she knew everything.

  “Her sister. I know.”

  “How?”

  “I’ve been watching. I’ve seen you together, and you look like… she used to look.”