Page 97 of Sea's Secret

“Dominick, stop. Rest, you wicked pirate,” I laughed, climbing off of his lap.

“Meria?”

I turned around to look at him. He was even more slumped than before.

“Yes?”

“Do not leave me. At least–I mean, come back. Will you, my mermaid?” His voice was so faint–and a little garbled.

“It will just be a few minutes,” I assured him.

“Alright–but I think you've ruined me, just like this poison. If I am going to die from this poison–I would rather die by drowning. Yes, I want to drown by being consumed by you.”

“You are not drowning. I just saved your life,” I said, placing my hands on my hips.

“I used to not think about having a normal life, kissing your sweet, soft lips and having a family–beautiful children with your tail color and my dark eyes. I never thought such things–only thought about being the captain of my own ship. Now, after knowing you and being with you, I want you more. I want you more than a life at sea, and more than this ship. I want my mermaid, forever–my Meria.” Then his eyes closed, and he passed out.

My heart was thudding within my chest. I wanted that, too–more than anything.

Are these words his real feelings? I hope they are.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Dominick

My head hurt badly, similarly to that one time I helped take away the pain from a man who had his head rolled over by a wagon wheel. Yes, he survived, initially, although only for a few hours, and I sat with him and took away his pain. Let’s just say, that’s not the way I would choose to go.

The head pain I experienced after those serpent bites hurt even worse than that. I groaned. I did not often outwardly show my pain. I did not gasp or scream or groan often, but I needed some sort of release.

You are so weak, Veeto’s voice was an unwelcome memory in such times of weakness.

No. I am strong, I assured myself.

“Dominick?” I knew that voice, and it was not in my mind.

Meria. She is here? I opened my eyes to see her at my bedside. Last I remembered, I was in the hull, helping patch the holes made by the hoard of small sea serpents. We had found a dozen in the hull, but had gotten them all out.

I will never underestimate the size of a magical sea creature. They do extensive damage, even when small.

“Are you feeling alright?” she asked, her voice pulling me from my thoughts.

“My head–” I said, barely able to speak. It was an almost unintelligible grumble, yet somehow, Meria seemed to understand.

“The poison, it will take some time to work itself out of your system. You should drink,” she said, handing me a cup of water. I was unable to sit up, but she moved my head to the cup so the water could slip into my mouth.

Maybe I am weak. No, I was poisoned. Anyone would have a difficult time in my situation.

I tried to move my limbs, attempting to sit up even just a little. Nothing.

“Am I paralyzed?” She shook her head and forced me to drink the rest of the water.

“Can you not feel?” she asked after I finished drinking.

“Unfortunately, I can, but it seems hard to move.”

“You are not paralyzed, and will be feeling much better soon.”

“What happened?”

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