Page 105 of Mermaid on Heels

All more reason to end Faelina’s mad games.

They glided through the dark, narrow cave. Liriya strained her eyes and ears around, debating whether she should take action now or wait until they reached the destination.

The narrow path eventually widened and Liriya was surprised to find a single prison tucked in a corner. They led her towards it and Liriya decided it was time to act. She brought her arms up and grabbed the head of each merman before bending herself to avoid being hurt and slamming them together.

Liriya’s relief had no boundaries as their grip fell from her arms and their unconscious bodies floated down to the seafloor, even though this was only half a victory. She still had to take down the two outside.

“Gracious heavens, that was heroic! I assume you’re my savior?”

Liriya’s head snapped towards the prison cell as the awfully familiar feminine voice reached her ears. She gasped aloud seeing the person behind the bars. While she wasn’t aware there was anyone in here, to see the person she least expected—human, alive, and breathing underwater—shocked her to the core.

Aeira!

The real Aeira who might not know who Liriya was.

Composing herself from her shock, Liriya smiled widely at the Garbian princess who was in a nightgown and robe like Liriya, and glided towards her. Her fingers gripped the iron railings and tried to force them open when Aeira pointed towards the guards on the seafloor.

“It’s locked, but they have the key! Hurry! It’s in the shell one of them has tied around his waist!”

Not wasting a second, Liriya swam down to the fallen mermen and got the key from the shell around one’s waist. She swam up to the prison and inserted the key into the lock. The door squeaked, making Liriya flinch slightly while it opened.

Aeira swam outside, unexplainable relief written across her beautiful face. She flung her arms around Liriya.

Liriya stiffened at the unexpected action.

“Thank you! You have no idea! I gave up on my hope, as it has been—what, a decade? Feels like so. It isn’t like you can actually see the sun from this far into the cave to tell how many days have passed.” Aeira pulled away from the hug and moved backwards, swaying her arms and legs back and forth to stay floating in the water. “Do you have any idea what today’s date is?”

Liriya shook her head.

Aeira’s eyes widened, realization dawning on her face. “Heavens! Don’t tell me that witch stole your voice too!”

Liriya’s eyebrows rose, but she nodded. Thewitchwas probably Faelina. Did Aeira mean that she lost her voice when Faelina had stolen her identity, too?

Aeira groaned in frustration. “So, she’s playingyounow, wherever she is, and needs my identity no longer. No wonder why I suddenly found my voice again three days ago.”

Liriya went aghast.Three days?If Aeira got back her voice the night Liriya lost hers and it had been three days since…

A sickening knot twisted in Liriya’s stomach. The announcement had been made. In the next week, the marriage would be held.

“Are you alright?” Aeira peered at Liriya with genuine concern in her eyes, reminding her that this was the real Aeira. Not the duplicate one she had apparently gotten used to. “Okay, that’s probably stupid to ask. Neither of us is alright. And that means we have to get out of here as soon as possible. Like,now.”

Liriya agreed with her and nodded. Holding a finger to her lips, she gestured Aeira to follow her silently, and turned to lead the way out.

“Uhh…”

Liriya turned to Aeira at her hesitation. Aeira shot her a sheepish smile and glanced down at her working legs before looking at Liriya.

“I’d really appreciate it if you could lend me a hand. My legs are no match for your tail and I’m rather exhausted.”

Liriya gave her a smile and offered her hand. Aeira accepted it with a grateful beam. “You’re truly an angel from the Creator, gracious mermaid, whatever your name is. I owe you.”

Liriya gave her a humble nod before leading them through the tunnel-like path of the cave. They paused mere meters from the exit where Abacus and the other merman were patrolling, and Liriya let Aeira’s hand slide from hers, motioning her to stay there. She then swam out of the cave and turned to face the two mermen.

Just as she had expected, they left their positions and charged towards her. Liriya waited until they neared her, before reaching her hands for their heads and knocking them together. She winced inwardly at the slamming sound.

I am so sorry, Abacus.

Aeira swam out of the cave while Liriya watched their bodies falling to the seafloor deep below. Sending up a prayer to the Creator to keep them safe from sharks, Liriya glanced up at the Garbian princess and smiled a little.

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