Page 93 of Sea's Secret

“Meria–” he reprimanded. “We were taking care of it down below.”

“We were all going to die. There was nothing you or your crew could have done to stop them.”

“But–”

“I can persuade with my song. It is something the mer do–”

“Persuade?”

“Yes–it was one of the other reasons humans hunted us. But only sirens use their songs for luring humans. Mermaids only use them for the sea and its inhabitants.”

“But you seem so weak again–”

“Yes, but I will be fine, like I always am.”

“No pain?” he asked, looking into my eyes, back and forth, impatient for my answer.

“No–I do not fear pain, Dominick, and even if it did cause me pain, I would still help.”

“I am glad you are okay. Let me help you back to the cabin so you can rest. Thank you. We all owe you our lives.”

“There is a reason that your studies informed you that you need a magical creature of the sea to safely navigate these waters. I do not think the magical creatures of the sea want humans here. I have a feeling that humans have not been in these waters for hundreds of years. The mists have protected these seas.”

“Hopefully, we will reach the island soon, accomplish our task, and then be on our way,” Dominick said with a nod. Then he bent down and picked me up, my arms around his neck. and his arms holding my legs. I was cradled so close to him. I never wanted him to put me down. I smiled as he carried me to the captain's cabin. He kicked the slightly ajar door, left open from when he had suddenly emerged to tell us of the sea serpent waters. He walked to the bed and set me down, gently placing my head upon his pillow. He brushed some loose strands of hair from my face, and his hand trailed down the hair of my braid beside my shoulder. I closed my eyes, feeling his touch all over my face, and I laughed.

“Sorry,” he said, pulling away. I opened my eyes.

“I am well, Dominick. I just need to rest a little,” I said.

“If anything ever happened, Meria–”

“If anything happens to me, you would never reach the Mirror Sea, nor would you make your journey home, I know,” I said, knowing that he meant more than that–he had to. But I also knew he was closed off, and wondered if he would agree with my reasoning.

“That isn’t what I meant.”

“Are you okay?” I asked, looking him over.

“There is much on my mind, but I am fine. I was worried about you–really worried, and it frightened me. You keep doing that.”

“ I am sorry for making you worry.”

“I just need a minute without the crew's eyes on me.”

I reached up to him and touched his arm. He flinched. “What truly happened to you, Dominick?” I whispered.

“It doesn't matter,” he said, his voice rough.

“I think it does. It matters to me.”

He leaned over me, and I moved my hand from his arm, over to his face, tracing his features, just as he had done to me. How I loved every single ridge and freckle, and scar.

“I cannot remember the last time someone touched me–touched my skin,” he whispered.

I moved my hand from his face.

“And it was never like this. Don't stop–unless–you don’t–”

“I want to.” I smiled, and I reached for his hands, which were braced against the bed, so he moved, making them available for me to hold. I slowly pulled the gloves from each of his fingers. I lifted up his hand and traced the black veins–veins filled with pain. I could feel the magic of his curse pulsing there within his blood. How badly I wanted to take it from him.

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