Page 63 of Surfaces
“We haven’t talked since then…but later that night, I was hit with a bolt of rage. It was bad as lightning, Lizza. What if it’s worse next time? What if ‘next time’ is today?”
She shook her head dismissively. “I’ve been all over this city and let me tell you, I haven’t seen a thing out of the ordinary.”
I didn’t point out that Lizza’s ability to see was questionable since one of her eyeballs was slowly turning opaque. I felt that would be counterproductive, but I wanted to shake her. “We didn’t think anything was out of the ordinary on the road.”
Lizza stuffed a jumbo shrimp into her mouth just then and I had to wait while she chewed before she could respond. “Have you considered an alternative reason for these feelings? What if giving away your heart to someone else means they can affect you?”
I glanced around, alarmed, worried that someone might overhear. But the room full of hors d’oeuvres was still empty.
“What do you mean?” I hissed.
“Well, you gave your heart to an asshole. You sure that’s not what’s causing all this? I mean you did say you wanted it to go to your worst enemy.”
Her words gave me pause. “But…Mayi gave her heart tome.”
“Yes, and who knows how it affected her. Ever think that your sweetness made her feel soft so she overcompensated and ended up heartless?”
“But Posey said a sea sprite had to give up her humanity.”
“Well, Posey might be right. She might not.” Lizza gave a lazy shrug as she popped something black into her mouth and I heard a gross little crunch. “Just playing devil’s advocate here. You said that your fury was delayed. That’s odd, isn’t it? Most magical prices have to be paid immediately by part humans.”
That was true. I chewed my lip, thinking about Watkins. He did have quite the temper. But lately…lately it had settled. He thought it had to do with the way I treated the shark shifters…an explanation I still hesitated to believe because I didn’t think one decent act could undo a lifetime of hatred. But, what if he had my heart?
“Would it change the other person as well?” I asked, unconsciously reaching up and rubbing my chest.
“Hmm?” Lizza asked with another crunch.
“If they have my heart, will they change?”
“Possibly.” Lizza grabbed a goblet and took a swig, some of the bubble spilling out the rotted corner of her mouth. She finished with a satisfied “ahhh” and wiped the back of her arm across her lips. “These are all just theories.”
I nodded, but something about what she said made sense. It relaxed me and calmed me.
Maybe the whole legend of losing your humanity was just the best explanation people could come up with at the time. Just like people used to blame fairies for stealing when really, they’d turned forgetful and misplaced things in their old age.
Perhaps.
Yes.
“Can I get back to my real job now?” Lizza asked, before giving a small belch.
I tried not to make a face as I swam out of the stench. “Of course. Thank you.”
Lizza marched off then and I thought I heard her mutter something like, “Queens. Always worrying about something.”
* * *
It was time.
A bell rang out somewhere in town, singing that noon was upon us.
I was back out on the roof with Keelan and Mr. Whelk, darting looks at the sun to see how high overhead it was, though the water distorted it.
Right after the first chime, Sahar swam out from the little guest room onto the roof, declaring that everything was set. Her entrance caused a stir and everyone straightened a little more where they stood.
Automatically, my eyes traveled over to the competitors and met Mateo’s in a silent wish of luck. Then I looked to Felipe to give him the same. To my surprised delight, my former guard grinned openly back at me. It was a look I’d pined to see from him, one I’d imagined a thousand times. Open happiness. A little ribbon of pleasure wove down my spine to see it in real life—directed at me.
Keelan bent to whisper smugly in my ear, “Told ya,” but I ignored him.
