Page 70 of Sea's Secret

“And why not? I do not understand.”

“We can catch some for tomorrow’s dinner if you’d like?”

“Fish the way you make it is better than this.”

“Oh, yes. That’s right; you did not like it, although you ate it.”

“Only to survive. I ate raw fish when you were not looking. And seaweed.”

“I saw you,” he said with a smirk.

“We have much better food in the kingdoms of Terra. This is just easy to transport on a ship, and it does not go bad.”

“It barely keeps us alive. I eat the dried fruit, instead,” I said, spooning a bit of the sludge and letting it splatter back into the bowl. I looked up at Dominick; he was smiling.

“Make sure you eat some of the porridge; it gives you more of what you need, daily, than the fruit,” he began to eat, and it was silent. I took a few bites because I did not wish to die, and my stomach was aching.

“I shall try to eat it more, but it is horrid,” I said, taking a spoonful and eating the sludge.

“I have figured out a way you can go once a week into the water,” Dominick said as he finished his sludge.

“Yes?”

“Night is the only option. I will need to have Sands help."

“Thank you,” I said, taking one last bite of the sludge.

“For what?”

“For helping me. I know I am unfamiliar with humans, and I do appreciate you helping me and teaching me. You may not see it, but you are very kind, Dominick.”

“You’re welcome.” I turned my head to the side, and there was a sharp pain there. I gasped.

“What is it?” Dominick stood, and I watched him as he took off his coat; then slowly, he pinched the fingertips of his black leather gloves and peeled them off. “Does it still hurt?”

“It stopped hurting, but I think I hurt it again by moving my head so quickly.”

“Let me help relieve you of your pain.”

He started uncuffing his white undershirt and I saw the black veins there.

“I am alright. I thought you said you couldn't touch anyone?”

“I can, my touch has two sides.”

“Why are your veins black?”

“It is the result of pain from my curse–awful to look at, isn't it?”

“No–does it hurt?” I asked tenderly.

He laughed. “Pain is a constant in my life, and I do not mind it anymore.”

I did not believe that. Constant pain? That had to drain a person. How was he standing there before me?

“I mind.”

“Meria–I can take your pain away.”

---