Page 45 of The Noble's Merman

“But I am!”

“You’re still so young! What happens when you’re older and you have no heir of your own? No children at all, for that matter? No supportive wife? What happens when you’re forty—fifty years old and you regret your decisions you made in your youth where you could have changed that outcome?”

The lump poked thorns in his throat again, making it hard to speak. He understood where his father was coming from—of course he did. All of this stemmed back to the conflict they kept circling around: ensuring the prosperity of the Wilson family. But not just that, Kent could hear the worry in Herbert’s tone. He truly did care for him, but he also thought he knew what was best for Kent’s happiness. That wasn’t the case. While Herbert was likely acting in good faith, Kent finally found something—someone who made him happy, and he would not be swayed to another ideal otherwise.

“As of this moment, that is my decision, Father. I am my own man, and I will live my life as I wish. I don’t wish to keep reiterating that point.”

Herbert’s mouth closed tight in a flat line. He shook his head, and let out a deep, long sigh through his nose. Sweat dripped down his face, tinged slightly red. “There really is no changing your mind, is there? After everything that’s already happened.”

Kent couldn’t help but smile at that. “Yes. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to gather my belongings for the trip ahead.” He stood, and put his hand flat on his chest. “Thank you, Father, for understanding.”

Herbert let out a muffled chuckle. “I suppose you’re welcome, Kent. Please, stay safe out there. Come back in one piece.”

Kent returned the small laughter. “I promise, I will.”

SIXTEEN

Mo waited by the docks, hiding under the wooden planks away from view as he watched the crew board The Sterling Mer. He kept only his head above the surface, attempting to catch sight of his dear Kent. So far he hadn’t seen him, but with the sea of people flocking all around, it was hard to concentrate to find any singular person. Such a crowd, however, aided his stealth. So much chatter was booming, people paying attention to what was happening on land, that they would never even think to look in the water to notice him, as long as he stayed quiet.

Seagulls flew in circles overhead, creating a ring around the bright midday sun. It was a blessing that they were to leave on such a nice day, and Mo hoped the weather would continue to be in their favor for the entire journey. He himself would help as much as he could: scoping out the ocean ahead, asking passing sea creatures their advice, and leading the ship to clearer skies. With their plan now in full motion, Mo would do everything in his power to ensure Kent stayed safe.

He’d met Kent on the beach one last time the day before yesterday, and was filled in with the details that he’d discussed with the crew, along with how things went with his father. Mo was glad that everything was going swimmingly, it almost felt too good to be true. He really was going to be close to his human, together, every single day. Not just that, but they could be open about it to others; no longer did they need to hide the existence of merfolk from the humans around them. The only thing that could be better than this would be for Mo to become human himself. Which, perhaps they could find a way for him to, along the way.

Oh, and ereyesterday, they did more than just talk. Now with their newfound realization of their physical desires, they spent at least half their night simply pleasuring each other. Mo had never experienced a relationship as satisfying as this one. He never would’ve guessed that he would find himself courting a human in the first place, but then again, given his immense interest in humanity itself, he figured it was perhaps inevitable—or perhaps he was destined to meet Kent all along.

And then—he finally caught sight of Kent. Wearing a black cocked hat and an elaborate dark green coat, he walked past the mob of people and onto the dock. Their eyes met briefly, but as to stay as inconspicuous as possible as they’d discussed prior, Kent merely smiled and nodded. Mo did the same back; his cheeks feeling warm. This was it. Their chance for freedom. Kent headed up what Mo learnt was called a ‘gangway’ and boarded the ship, following behind the man Mo remembered was named Davies. The captain was last to board, calling out to everyone on land with one final hurrah.

The gangway was lowered, the ropes were untied, and the ship was off. The Sterling Mer glided through the water as men let loose her sails. Mo ducked his head under the water and swam deeper, memorizing what the underside of the craft looked like. If he were to be following along with her, he’d need to be able to identify her from any angle. He found something—a peculiar small strip of white paint was smeared on the rear bottom. Whether it was intentional or not, he’d no idea, but perhaps it was. Kent had mentioned how Captain Brooks used to have a mermaid companion. Perhaps she’d left it there long ago.

As they’d discussed prior, Mo wouldn’t resurface to meet Kent until the ship was quite a distance away from land. Over his shoulder and snug around one side of his neck was his carry-bag, holding some items he brought from his grotto home: extra coin, packaged squid, a sharp knife, and spare sea crystals in case he lost the one fastened to his necklace. He’d hunt for common fish like he usually would for the journey ahead, so food wasn’t much of a problem. He also figured if he were to join Kent on the ship, he’d get his fair share of delicious human food.

But where were he to sleep? He brushed the topic aside in his mind for the longest time, and figured he’d find safe sleeping spaces along the way, as they came. There were plenty of other merfolk cities in the ocean he could lodge at. Or if they weren’t available, perhaps there were vacant grottos he could occupy for a night. He couldn’t ask to sleep on The Sterling Mer; he still feared the worst if he were to stay out of the water for too long. On his visits with Kent on the beach, he was only out for a few hours at most, and after some physical exertion, he’d felt more drained of his strength than ever until Kent returned him to the water.

Either way, he swam on. After some distance trailing the ship, he encountered a fin whale. He knew it was such, as by the easily spotted dorsal fin on its flat back, close to its tail. And it was large—from head to fluke, the whale was nearly as long as the ship above them. But Mo knew from his previous ventures that whales were always friendly to merfolk, despite their terrifying size. He took a chance, and swam closer to it.

“Good afternoon,” he said, slowing to a stop near its eye. He couldn’t physically speak in the same low tones as a whale, but due to his magic, it understood him anyway.

“Good afternoon,” replied the whale. “Are you traveling?”

“Yes, I am. I’m following that vessel that’s above us right now.”

The whale glanced upwards. “Ah, I see. It appears I am headed in the same direction.”

“Indeed.” Mo smiled. “My name is Mo. What may I refer to you as?”

“Your kind know me as Noon. I am she.”

“All right.” He nodded. “I’ve made it my duty to protect that ship and her crew. I’ll be following her for quite some time… possibly about three moons.”

“That is quite a long time to travel. But I have met merfolk who have swam such lengths before. Many, in fact. How do you plan to get by?”

Mo shrugged. “I figured I would find out as I go. The people on the ship plan to give me hospitality, but… there still are some things I’m unsure of. Which is why I thought I’d talk with you, if you have any insight.”

Noon hummed, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them again. “Do you have any arrangements for where you are to sleep?”

“No, not necessarily…”

“I have a way I can help you. If you are comfortable rising to the surface every so often, you may use my back as a bed. I can carry you along the same path as the ship.”

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