Page 5 of Tides of Time

“Ariana, no.” Galene’s voice was calm but loud. “That young child is not for our world.”

“No one came for her!” Ariana’s nose burned as the threat of tears began to build larger. “No one jumped in to save her.” Ariana’s heart began to thud rapidly in her chest as the realization struck that the little girl had been thrown over intentionally.

Galene only nodded. “We are too far out to see. If she had been wanted…” the other woman cast her gaze down.

“Is that not what we are for?” Ariana’s heart slammed aggressively against her ribcage. “Then we sink the boat that dared to destroy a young life! We lure them to their deaths with our song until their eyes bulge with recognition as the last of their air supply is stolen from their lungs.”

Fury rose within her like a tempestuous wave as the other mermaid's cool gaze remained fixed upon her with no hint of remorse or concern. The fiery intensity of her eyes matched the flame of rage burning in her chest, threatening to consume her at any moment. She clenched her fists, feeling the sharp sting of nails digging into her palms, and fought to keep control as she tried to make sense of the apparent lack of emotion in the other's expression. But all she could feel was a boiling mix of betrayal and frustration, fueled by the indifference before her. This was not like her, but she could stop it nonetheless.

“Avenge her!” Ariana snarled, her jaw jutting out in her anger.

“You know our laws. We avenge those who wronged us. While the death of one so young should never be celebrated, we are not to -”

Galene’s words were knocked away as Ariana’s fist connected with her exalted leader’s nose. She smirked as the words stopped and the woman’s head snapped backward from the surprise force.

“Ariana!” Orion called, horror in his dark brown eyes.

“You could have saved her!” Ariana lunged forward, her fingers entwining in Galene’s hair as she whipped the woman side to side. “Her death was not needed!”

A torrent of tears streamed down Ariana's face as she thrashed and struggled against the two individuals restraining her. Her body shook with anger and desperation, her fists flailing wildly in an attempt to break free. She screamed and cried, her voice raw with emotion, as she fought against their hold.

Ariana’s fragile hold on pod rules set her on fire as the icey chill over the senseless death removed her fear at what she’d done.

Galene’s arms flailed against Ariana, but she couldn’t make the connection. Galene was not a fighter - not that Ariana was - but Galene was also small in stature, her arms not long enough.

Ariana lost sight of everything as the two sirens tumbled through the water, tails flicking in erratic patterns as one fought to be free and the other sought to cull her rage. Something slammed into her gut, but she didn’t let go.

Galene couldn’t be killed, certainly not by drowning at the very least, but Ariana didn’t care. She didn’t feel anything as she pushed downward, trying to take Galene down to the dark, rocky, seafloor.

Familiar arms, strong and comforting, enfolded her in a warm embrace. These were the arms that had held her through laughter and tears, through triumphs and failures. They knew every curve and contour of her body, more intimately than she knew herself.

Orion tucked her close as his hands clasped around hers.

“Let her go, Ari. Let her go before he comes.”

Ariana knew the danger in attacking Galene.

Death.

By Poseidon’s hand.

Still, she continued her assault, fighting back against Orion’s firm grip. The same grip she flourished under during their lovemaking now tried to stop her from her attempts.

“I love you, and I will not allow you to do this, Ari.” He pressed a little firmer on the pressure points on her wrists, and her hands opened as if by magic.

“Orion!” She snarled, whirling on him.

“Do not think I did not understand your goal.” he pulled her close, pressing her against him as he kissed her brow. “We never got to have that conversation of ours, but I refuse to allow you to convince Poseidon to take you away from me.”

She sagged against him, her tears wracking through her as Orion cradled her, loved her, held her in place, and allowed her to unleash all the events from the past hours in a single moment of weakness.

“I will forgive this attack because I know you’ve struggled for some time,” Galene swam up and past them, her voice carrying behind her as she swam back to the pod. “But if you go against me again, you go against the pod.”

Ariana couldn’t bring herself to care. She was so tired of not saving everyone. She’d long ago lost her streak for revenge and cold-heartedness, which made this moment all the more confusing. If more people lived beneath the waves than above them, who would care. The ocean’s were vast and covered far more miles than the land.

“What were you thinking?” Orion’s voice was calm as he whispered against her ear. “I could have lost you forever.”

“I want to use my gift.” She ignored the slight tremble as the clarity took hold of her and pulled the remaining emotions away.

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