Page 59 of Sea's Secret

“No, not particularly,” she finally answered, in an attempt not to laugh.

I gulped, looking at her lips as she licked them; then she bit her bottom lip.

I cannot have this conversation.

“I am sure he would love to hear such a lovely sentiment from you on the matter. Perhaps, you should tell him how much you would dislike his kisses.”

“Perhaps, I shall. Thank you, Dominick,” she said with her beautiful smile, then a small laugh. I had no idea why it was so humorous to her.

“Just be careful; not all these men have good intentions, alright?”

“I do not know if I am supposed to do as you say or not. You are confusing to me. Just tell me what you want me to do, Dominick. Please, I need guidance. I am doing everything wrong.”

That maiden's lack of trust in herself and in her intuition and in her desires and feelings made me sick. I had always done as Veeto asked, but I still knew myself. I knew what I would do differently if I could have what I really wanted. Did she? I placed my other hand on her cheek, moving both of my hands so that I held her face in my grasp.

“I am not going to tell you what to do. I believe you desperately need to make your own choices, even if I don’t agree—even if you make mistakes, Meria.”

“That is—terrifying, Dominick,” she whispered, and I didn’t realize it until I looked at her, that she had moved so close to me. She reached out and began making those circles with her finger on my chest like she had inside the cave when we had slept beside each other each night. I was coming undone by that beautiful mermaid. Any pain I normally felt disappeared when she touched me.

“You are brave enough, Meria—strong enough to do it. And when you make a choice, I’ll be here to support it. I’ll be here when you make mistakes and as you learn to trust yourself.”

“Why? Why would you do that?” she gasped. I looked down into her eyes, which captured me fully.

“Because—” I paused.

“Yes?”

“Because you are my mermaid,” I whispered back.

We looked at each other for a long while; it felt like an eternity, but suddenly, she was nodding her head. I stepped back, releasing my hold on her, and breaking the connection of her hand on my chest. As much as I hated to do it, it was necessary.

“So, as for George, I think he is kind, and you are overreacting. But I understand; I should be careful of humans. Is that right?”

“Does it feel right?” I asked.

She looked at me. I watched her gaze as it fell to my scar. I wondered what she thought of it.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Good,” I nodded and turned back around. I was going to be in trouble with her aboard that ship. She had saved my life, so I owed her. Although I did wonder if saving me like she had was the right thing for her to have done. There were a few moments as I was losing air and drowning when I thought it might have been a good idea to no longer exist–to be free of the world, as I was someone so full of evil that it even manifested through my veins.

But I also could not help but be grateful that I had met Meria.

I walked back to steer the ship.

As I placed my hands on the polished brown wheel, I took a deep breath. I needed to focus. I had a strange, new sea to explore.

“I am going to talk with Peter,” she said from behind me.

She had followed me. I wanted to groan; I did not know how much longer I could speak with her without doing something I would regret. I gripped the wheel even tighter.

“I do not advise that,” I said, wondering what she would say. Would she cave in to what I thought or do as she desired?

“Okay,” she said, and I looked at her as she stood beside me, her tangled hair lifted up by the salty wind. She looked at the deck for a few moments before she lifted her head and looked at me with a beautifully defiant look. She took in a shaky breath. “I heard you, but I still wish to finish speaking with him. I don’t think he needs to be imprisoned. We can all work together.” She paused as if waiting for me, but I waited to make sure she was done speaking.

“Ah, that would be a wonderful thing if the world worked that way.”

“What do you mean?”

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