Page 77 of The Noble's Merman

“I can understand that. To want to live among humanity doesn’t require… romantic love.”

“Precisely.”

“Though, what is the catalyst for the shift to occur? Do you know?”

Wenta took a deep breath, her gills fluttering as she inhaled, and sighed out a stream of bubbles. “It’s not caused by something mechanical, like giving a human a kiss. It’s not something you can just think either—you cannot simply will your tail to split into legs. At least not the first time you shift. No, acquiring human legs requires a great change in your core. And it’s something that all merfolk are capable of—healers, sirens, whoever. I know this to be true. Something deep within your soul shifts, devoting yourself to the human realm. Not only that, the human or humans you choose to align yourself with have to accept your offering within themselves, too. Wholly, completely, and truthfully.”

Mo looked down and clutched his hands on the strap of his carry-bag over his shoulder, letting out a sigh of his own. His suspicions were right—if it weren’t for the fact he’d lied, likely he would already have become human. But that just meant all he had to do was tell Kent the truth, right? How could he, what would he say? How would Kent feel, knowing Mo had murdered so many humans? Despite the majority he killed being pirates, how many of them even deserved to die? How much of it was simply for satisfying his monstrous drive, the need to kill and see the blood?

But it didn’t have to be that way anymore.

He clutched the strap of his carry-bag tighter.

Over these last few months, Mo had desperately tried learning more about his Song, refusing it, rejecting it, controlling it. His connection with Kent helped him see that he could.

The Song did not control him, he controlled the Song.

Though, he didn’t wish to admit this all to Wenta. He’d only just met her yesterday, after all. So, he asked her a question instead, “How do you know all this, even if you haven’t experienced the shift yourself yet?”

“My grandmother told me, as she was a full-blooded mermaid, and was able to become human herself. My grandfather was her human lover,” she said. Ah yes, she did mention her grandmother.

“And she was able to change between forms freely, shifting from human to merfolk and back?”

“Yes.” Wenta nodded. “Once a mer gains the ability to, they can go back and forth. It was after my parents had passed that she’d first showed me the transformation… and I’ve been in awe ever since. I wanted for humanity too, to live out the adventures she had in her youth, to explore the world in a way no mer could otherwise. Living in the sea just isn’t enough for me; I need more. To see more, to do more, to live more.”

Mo smiled, a warmth spreading through his chest. “I think you and I are very similar in that aspect.”

She grinned back. “I suppose so, if we both wish to become human.”

“Though you haven’t yet, even with a connection to Seth?”

Wenta sucked in her lips, gnawing at the bottom one, her smile disappearing. “No. But I believe I’m close. I feel that power in my heart, the one that pulses when I think of him. He is the only human I’ve found that I care for this much—the only other being I’ve ever felt this strongly for. Though, I think the issue is… I haven’t discussed this much with him. I don’t wish to burden him with my desires. He’s so carefree, so easygoing—I don’t wish for him to think he needs to attach himself exclusively to me in order for the shift to happen.”

“But the shift doesn’t have to be because of romantic love, right? I’m trying to understand…”

“You are correct, Mo,” said Noon with her low, booming voice. “Wenta, it is valid for you to feel that way, but do not worry yourself. Friendships come in many forms. You can still live freely, adventure separately if you wish, and remain close in your heart. If you are already feeling the magic, then Seth must feel the pull, too. When you are able to, you should talk to him.”

Wenta spun to face the whale, bubbles fluttering around from her violet fins. “You think so?” she asked, and Noon hummed. “Thank you for the encouragement. Yes, that should be fine. And Mo, what of you?”

“What of me?” He widened his eyes and pouted his lips.

“After everything I’ve told you, do you believe you’re just as close to the shift?”

At that, he thought of Kent, and the magic clutched and pulsed in his chest. Warm, comforting, inviting. “Yes, I believe I am. I still have things to discuss with Kent, like you do Seth, but…” He gulped. “Our love is true. I will get there.”

Wenta reached over to him, patting his shoulder and giving it a friendly squeeze. “I know you will.”

TWENTY-SIX

Afew more days had gone by, and Kent’s chin had never felt more itchy. While what little hair he had wasn’t truly thick enough to be considered a proper ‘beard’, he swore he’d never gone this long without shaving. Occasionally the pirates allotted him a sliver of soap to wash himself, but they didn’t trust him with a razor.

They also hadn’t let him back above deck again, either. Once was enough, apparently. But as time kept passing, day after day, soon enough they’d reach their destination. Another day or so of this monotony wasn’t going to kill him, he supposed, sitting around with the pleasant company of Allen and even Seth.

But what wasn’t so pleasant was how Captain Young decided to ‘check up’ on him more than usual.

At least a couple times a day, Young opened the door without warning. Every time, he eyed Kent with a scrutinizing glare, menacing and… hungry. The captain’s silver eyes twinkled with desire as he simply stared at his captive without saying a word, tying Kent’s stomach in knots. Kent thought of what Young had said that day, after pulling him forcefully away from Mo:

Why should you leave yourself exclusive to him, when plenty of much finer men are here right in front of you?

---