Page 84 of Sea's Secret

“Yes?” I asked.

“It looks like the waters are rather deep all the way around the isle. There are no beaches, at least not on this side. If they want to go onto the island, they will have to climb up the sides of the rocky cliffs.”

I looked out at the island, squinting my eyes as best I could to make out the other side, opposite from where we were.

“Well, we need to travel the entire coast to make sure. It does look like cliffs over there, too,” I pointed out, “but let’s make sure.”

“I will let the crew know,” Sands said, then he hurried off. I walked to the port side of the ship, my hands pressed against the railing. The idea of exploring something new always excited me, but for some reason, having Peter and also Meria with me, that excitement was not the same. I felt responsible for them both. If anything happens to them–I gulped and closed my eyes, trying to let the sea breeze calm and soothe me. I couldn't decide which was better, having Meria with us as we went into the unknown, or her staying on the ship without me to look after her. Both held risks. Overall, I felt like if she were with me, at least, I could do all in my power to protect her. I looked down at my hand and arm, which she had healed. Most likely, she would sacrifice herself again in order to save someone. I did not wish to control her, but she was so naive to the ways of humans, and she was so sweet, innocent, and kind. I had such a fiery passion to protect her from anything that would leave her with scars.

“I gave the crew all the information about the pixies,” Peter said, moving up beside me, and I was startled by his sudden appearance.

How long have I been standing here in thought? I wondered.

I looked out and noticed that we had, indeed, arrived at a stretch of beach where we could safely land for Peter’s rescue mission.

“Good. Now, Meria, Sands, myself, William, and Richard will accompany you,” I said.

“I am surprised that you will bring Meria.”

“She knows of magic, and I can better protect her if I am with her.”

“Sounds like you have feelings for her.”

“Don’t be a fool. I have no feelings in all my being warm enough for that–only room for pain in my heart.”

“So you say–and yet–”

“Enough,” I snapped.

“See how it feels, big brother, to be teased?” Peter said mockingly.

“Fine, I shall stop if you do. A truce?” I held out my gloved hand.

Peter shook it and smiled wide.

“Now, to find Gwendolyn. She will be really interested to meet you,”

Before I could say anything, he’d turned and walked away with determination in his gait. It was so interesting, the easy way we had begun to converse after he was released from the cell. Why was it so easy to speak with him? Tease him? It was as easy as pestering Sands. Hope rose inside of me that I could have a relationship with the brother I had lost when I was forced aboard Veeto’s ship. I was going to get revenge on my mother, and I knew that no relationship could ever exist between her and me, not only because I wanted nothing to do with her, but because she felt the same way about me. But even with that, maybe, I could have my brother in my life–even if just a little.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Meria

There was a knock at the door, just as I finished my breakfast. The fish was a thousand times better than their horrid porridge, and I was becoming more tolerant of dry, air-drenched fish–although only if uncooked.

“Come in,” I called, and I saw Dominick standing there with something in his hands.

“You should not say that. When someone knocks, you should ask who it is. For safety reasons, I do not want anyone in here if you do not wish them to enter,” he said, walking to where I sat, behind his desk. He had a small smile on his face, his eyes brighter than usual. He seemed content–even happy. It made me smile. Perhaps, he was not in as much pain.

Did my tears help him? How could I help him even more? Until I had taken away all of the pain he held inside of his veins, I would find ways to continue healing him.

“What is this?” he asked, looking down at his clean desk.

“I cleaned it,” I said, trying to sound more confident with the choice I’d made, even if he did not agree with it.

“But, I knew where everything was,” he said, moving his brown hair from his eyes.

“Well, I placed it all in the drawers. It seemed you were making little use of them, and they will help keep your things from constantly falling off your desk. There was so much all over the floor.”

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