Evergreen (Mer Tales, Book 2) (9 page)

Galadriel was worse than a spoiled princess. She was a manipulative witch and I had to find another place to stay. I knew if we kept having conversations like this one, I’d lose control and who knew how far I would go. For her safety, I needed to leave.

Everyone had mistaken Galadriel to be the fly, but in all reality she was the spider.

:::

ASH

Saturday, late morning, April 16
^th

My heart thrummed as I looked at the stands. Dad, Mom, and my sister all watched with rapt attention. The day had finally come for the championship meet, the biggest day of my swimming career, and I’d missed almost all of my practices the past few weeks. I was going to make such a fool of myself.

As I stood on the block, water dripped down the backs of my legs from my suit. The glistening oasis below called silently, beckoning me to wash away my cares in its goodness.

“Swimmers take your mark,” the announcer called.

Here goes.

I took one last look at Meredith before we both dove in at the starter. Heaven enveloped me into her watery weightlessness as I glided in my underwater home. My body flowed through the current, my skin tingling over exhilarated muscles. I pushed the water down my sides and naturally sucked in a breath of water. I choked. My head emerged and I coughed through the next few breaths between my strokes.

Whoa! What was that?

I peeked to the side and instead of everyone passing me by, I still held a lead against the pack. I put my head down and developed a rhythm with each stroke, zoning out into mindlessness. Before I knew it, my hands hit the wall. I pulled up my head to find I’d finished almost a full lap ahead of everyone else. The crowd leapt to their feet in applause.

I checked the board for my time as Meredith finished next to me.

“Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time ever, with a time of 53.44, Ashlyn Lanski has tied the NCAA record for the women’s 100-yard butterfly.”

My mouth fell open as my time lit up and flashed. I’d told Fin of my new abilities, but this was ridiculous. He’d promised his blood would have long escaped my system by now, but this? How did I swim so fast? Did the promise secure one foot, or should I say fin, into the mer world and give me the ability to swim like a fish?

Whatever it was, my elation was out of this world. I wanted to swim backflips.

“Lanski, you did it!” Coach Madsen hoisted me out of the pool like a fish on a hook. She clasped herself around me in a hug, unconcerned that I soaked her sweatshirt.

The sea of congratulations continued when I caught Meredith’s beet-red face from the poolside. She faked a smile. I pushed through the throng of people and helped her out of the pool.

“Good race,” I said.

She nodded back. “Yeah.”

I wasn’t sure what else to say. Guilt set in. Had I really won the race fair and square?

:::

The hubbub continued on the way home from the meet in the car.

“Ash,” Mom turned around from the passenger seat, “I can’t believe it. Even after your accident. Did you hear your coach? The Olympic trials are in June. Maybe you could qualify.”

“I don’t know, Mom.” I felt guiltier by the second. I’d practically cheated because of the promise. I needed to disqualify myself, or people would start questioning. What if they demanded a drug test? What if there was something in my blood?

“Mom’s right,” Dad chimed in from the driver’s seat. “There’s so much opportunity for you now. You tied the NCAA record.”

Mom and Dad continued on about the possibilities while Lucy looked out the window and yawned in boredom. I had to tune them out as my heart fluttered with anxiety. All I wanted to do was get home, check the mail, and call Fin. He had to know why I’d been able to swim so crazy-fast.

Once we pulled into the garage, I bolted from the car and scurried through the house to the mailbox on the front porch. I practically plowed right into Colin skulking by the front door.

I steadied myself and gasped in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

His eyes smoldered over a fluff of pink petals. “These are for you.”

I blinked at him and then at the huge bouquet.

“When did you get these?”

“Today,” he said with a smile. “I realized after you didn’t show up, I hadn’t asked you out properly.”

On the ground by his feet lay a white note with the Tahoe Florist emblem.

“What’s that?” I asked.

He kicked the offending slip of paper off the deck into the shrubs. “Trash. Here.” He held the flowers more firmly out to me.

I glared, annoyed he’d littered, but even more so, confused how he purchased the flowers to begin with. Did he rob Fin’s piggy bank? Or worse, steal his aunt or uncle’s credit card?

“Oh, my stars,” Mom said from behind me. “Colin. They’re so lovely.” She nudged me. “Aren’t they?”

“Yeah,” I moved around him to the postbox while Mom took the flowers from his hands. I wanted nothing to do with him or his stolen flowers.

From inside the mailbox, Fin’s penmanship on a letter addressed to me sang a love song. I folded the precious envelope and slid it in the pocket of my swim jacket before anyone could notice.

“Bills and junk mail,” I chirped. “Can’t wait ‘til I’m on my own to get some with my own name on it.”

“Oh, just wait,” Mom said jokingly as she went inside, “that day is coming sooner than you think.”

“You going somewhere?” Colin asked.

An evil smile played on my lips. “Wouldn’t you like to know? Gotta run. See ya.”

I tried to walk inside when he moved into my path. “When?”

“When what?”

“When are you moving?”

“Soon.” I tried to push him aside with my hand. “Do you mind?”

“You stood me up today,” he said.

“I left you a note that said I couldn’t make our date. You didn’t get it?”

“No.” He frowned. “You shouldn’t have been able to stand me up. I mean after I’d—”

“Yeah, well, another time.” I tried squeezing between his hulking frame and the door.

He caught my wrist. “Tomorrow?”

“Busy.”

“Later today then.”

I tugged my wrist away. “Nope, still busy.”

He opened his lips and the music started.

“What mom?” I yelled, a little too loud as I knocked into his ribs with my elbow as hard as I could. He sputtered and finally moved out of my way.

“Sounds like my mom needs me. Bye.”

I pivoted and slammed the door in his face.

Get a clue, mer-moron.

I peered out the window and watched Colin walk across the lawn back toward the Helton’s home, the typical bounce missing in his step. A part of me regretted being so mean, but if I wasn’t firm, he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“Lovely boy,” Mom said as she walked from the kitchen. “Are you two hanging out later?”

“Mom,” I forced alarm in my voice to gain her attention. “He’s creepy and kind of stalking me. Please, I’m seeing—” I stuttered for a moment. What if Colin had persuaded Mom to tell him all she knew about Fin? She could easily say something accidentally. “If he comes back, just tell him I’ve moved. Okay?”

“What?” Mom laughed. “Why would I say that? He’s a wonderful boy. Just like your father. Who knows? He might be the one.”

My jaw hit the floor in sync with her exit. What? After her lecture on keeping my options open? Where was my strict yet sensible mom? Geez, mer persuasion was strong.

“Oh, and you have a message on the machine from your coach at Florida Atlantic. They heard about the race, said they’re sending flowers.”

Flowers?

“We’ll be swimming in flowers before we know it. Get it? Swimming.” She chuckled as she took a basket of clothes to the laundry room and closed the door.

:::

FIN

Saturday afternoon, April 16
^th

Dad, Mom, Sissy, and Hans reconvened in the living area of the beach house, giving me and Galadriel question-filled looks. I could care less if Hans and Sissy didn’t approve of me, but not Dad. The way he stared me down, as if he knew I’d told Galadriel something I shouldn’t, sent a jolt of betrayal directly to my gut. He used to tell me everything and now that I was promised I couldn’t do anything right.

Galadriel slammed her hands on the counter, snatching their attention, before I could demand to know what was going on. “I’m bored. I’m going out.”

“Not without an escort,” Sissy said quickly.

“We leave Natatoria, but Natatoria lives in us…” Galadriel hissed. She held her hand toward me. “Fin?”

To my relief, Sissy moved between us. “No, not Fin. Hans will escort you.”

Galadriel pushed past Hans and refused his outstretched hand. She stomped out of the house, but not before a few curt words rolled off her tongue.

“Royalty,” Dad mumbled under his breath.

“It’s been like this since I grounded her. We had another incident the other day and I’m sick of these love struck puppies showing up here, stalking her, so she must have an escort at all times on land and water.” Sissy sighed.

“Incident?” Mom asked.

“Yes. Another boy from the college. We don’t know if she’s kissed them or not, but with heavy persuasion, we’ve gotten them all to leave.”

“Really? How many has she kissed?” Dad asked

“Jack,” Mom jabbed him in the side, “let’s not disgrace the poor girl without evidence.”

I spotted Hans through the window, struggling to keep up with Galadriel as she strode down the beach ahead of him.

Dad stiffened his shoulders. “Well, it’s hard to know, with her hand and all. Maybe she can’t be promised…”

Sissy interrupted, “I’m sure she can be, Jack, with or without her ring finger, but it’s suspicious. I’ve suspected she’s trying to distract her longing for whoever she’s bonded to, but she won’t confess to anything and Ferdinand hasn’t returned in some time either. She claims she doesn’t know why, but without some hard answers, I can’t trust her.”

Ferdinand? Who was that? And what did she mean distract the longing? Was Galadriel promised, too?

Mom cleared her throat.

Sissy straightened her blouse and smiled grimily at me. “My manners are lacking, Fin. I’ve forgotten you’re separated from your promised one. I’ll be more sensitive.”

Mom patted my shoulder. “Fin, could you get my bag from the RV. It’ll be dark soon and I’d like to change.”

“Oh, good idea, Maggie,” Sissy said. “Let me show you to your rooms.”

Dad stayed behind as Mom and I followed. Sissy pointed to two adjacent rooms at the end of the hall. One room, no bigger than a sardine can, had a futon and a small dresser. The other I assumed would be my parent’s room which was larger with a queen sized bed, a desk, and a chair.

“This was Ferdinand’s room, but since he’s not here you can store your things here, Fin. I just ask you don’t disturb his stuff.” She smiled warmly. “And, Maggie. This room is for you and Jack. Sorry it’s not larger. I know you’re used to more space.”

“Oh, no,” Mom said. “It’s fine.”

Mom nudged me, no doubt to encourage me to say thanks and get a move on.

“Thanks.” I ducked past them and went outside, mostly to get some air.

I needed to regroup, especially after my conversation with Galadriel. At least with my own room I could close my door, pop in my earbuds to my iPod, and veg out during the day. But at night, my parents weren’t going to keep me around. I planned to motor as far away into the Atlantic as I could.

Upon reentering the house with an armful of junk, I found Dad had fallen asleep in a wingback chair, a local paper on his lap, and the women had moved to the table with teacups.

“What do you think it is?” Mom asked quietly.

“We all hold secrets for the King, don’t we? Maybe she’ll come clean. If not, it’s best her secrets die with her mer, don’t you think?”

“Hmmm. Maybe.”

I walked down the hall, deposited Mom’s suitcase on her bed, and dumped my things on the floor of my new room. I kicked back on the futon and strummed out a song on my guitar, aching to call Ash instead. She’d be just about finished with her swim meet by now.

My stomach ached as I played a few sad notes. I’d never heard that kissing another person could distract the longing before. Could this be true? All I’d been told growing up was once you kissed, you’d be bonded for life. Of course, we were warned to wait and kiss the right person, but no one told us the agony of being apart or what it could drive someone to do. Would Ash want to kiss another guy?

I strummed the strings harder. I had to know more.

Sissy’s whisper caught my attention over my song. “What if Galadriel ran away for another reason, not because she wanted a human? I’ve tried to befriend her, but she clams up. I don’t know if she’s a spy, or in real trouble with her parents.”

“I see,” I heard Mom say.

“I’m at my wits’ end. We can’t keep constant watch over her while she’s here, and we’re having difficulty rescuing the other mers, especially with Ferdinand gone. Missing fingers or not, you and I both know she’s not keeping her lips to herself.”

“I suppose,” Mom said. “The right thing to do is to try and find out who her real mate is, and then everything should work itself out. We shouldn’t take her first love from her. Maybe she’ll trust me.”

“I don’t know, Maggie. She keeps hinting about Bone Island, but I’m scared to tell her the truth. If she’ll just admit she promised and tell me who he is I’ll help her, otherwise, we’ll have to convert her, though I hate to do it.”

“This is a problem.”

The door slammed. Galadriel’s annoying voice filled the space. I put down the guitar and turned on my music for real. I started to put my shirts in the dresser when she thumped open my door all the way.

“Oops.” She pressed me with a devious smile. “Looks like you got Ferdinand’s room.”

Though I could hear her, I pretended that I couldn’t and continued to unpack. She didn’t take the hint and plopped down on my futon. She started to paw through my books.

“Nice choice. I didn’t think you could read!” She yelled.

Ironically she held up
The Great Gatsby
. I pulled out my ear buds and frowned. Was she toying with me? The irony she’d admire a book that taught that wanting something was better than actually having it, floored me. I snatched the book from her hands and placed it nicely on the top of my dresser.

“There are a lot of things you don’t know about me,” I snapped, and moved my bag off the futon. “Why are you in here, anyway? Don’t you have something to do?”
Like bother someone else?

She stretched her long legs out on the futon and lounged back. She twirled her red hair around her finger and watched me. “Let’s go somewhere. Do you have keys to the red little jalopy attached to that house on wheels?”

“Do you mind?” I pointed to her feet propped on top of my guitar. She removed them with a coy grin.

“Well, do you?”

“No.” I stopped for a second to glare at her before continuing to tuck my shirts in the drawers.

She blew out a gust of air. “If we were in Natatoria, you couldn’t refuse me.”

I turned and pointed my finger in her face. “Let’s get one thing straight, Princess, we aren’t in Natatoria anymore, so save your orders. I’m not your slave.”

“Crabby.” She flicked away my hand with her stump.

“You’d be crabby too if you were looking at the sole reason your sister was in a living hell.”

“I’m sure she’s fine.”

I pitched a brow. “How would you know?”

“Well, you’re going to get her, so what’s the big deal?”

I didn’t feel like arguing. I wanted her out. Maybe if I got personal she’d leave. “How’d you lose your fingers anyway?”

She wiggled the stumps. “A fisherman caught me in his net.”

I stopped for a moment, believing her. The corner of her lip turned up. “And I got away, but it cost me my fingers.”

“Fish tell tall stories…” I shook my head. “Fine if you won’t tell me.”

“I did,” she grinned mischievously. “A rope… or was it a rusty door? At birth, yeah, that’s what happened.” She laughed.

“I’m not going to believe anything you say from now on.”

“Oh,” she pouted out her lips. “Poor merling.”

After a few minutes, she started to pluck the strings of the guitar. “Play for me.”

“Please leave me alone.”

“I just want to go for a drive.”

“No.”

She sighed, then picked up
How to Win Friends and Influence People
. “Why in Hades would you need this?” She laughed. “You’re a merman.”

“Because.” I lunged for her arm to take back the book.

She held it over her head. I moved closer, tempted to do real damage to her arm if she didn’t let go. “I want my book back.”

She could learn a thing or two, especially about being a friend. Yes. I was a merman, but I wanted people to like me for me, not because I persuaded them to like me.

Galadriel came face to face with me, the book between our fingers. Her sweet breath tickled my nose. I held my breath as she moved her lips closer.

Freaked at our close vicinity, I let go. “Forget it. You can have it.”

She reached beyond me and set it on the dresser, intruding on my personal space again.

“I’ve already read it,” she whispered.

I moved away and bumped the open drawer of the dresser. A collection of smoothed glass stones fell onto the floor behind me.

“Oopsie.” She laughed. “That’s going to piss off Ferdinand.”

“Whatever.” I held open the door for her and gestured she leave. “Go.”

“You’re no fun.” She wrinkled her nose, then bounced out of the room.

I closed the door and counted down from ten to keep from punching the wall. The shiny pieces of glass covered the floor.

This was going to be a long month with this nasty spider.

:::

“Ash, I’ve missed you.” I held the phone like it was a rope, hoping instead of cinching around my neck, it would bring me closer to her.

“Fin.” Her voice sounded happy, no longer skeptical like before. “Me, too.”

An instant grin plastered on my face making my cheeks hurt. “How was your day?”

“Crazy, but you first. Are you there? In Florida?”

“Yeah,” I said, relieved my ginger girl trusted me again “We got here about an hour ago. It’s… okay.”

“Who’s there?”

“Oh.” I hesitated. Dad had warned not to talk about Galadriel and mentioning the lost princess by name might backfire. Luckily, I hadn’t said anything about her yet. “It’s Sissy and Hans’ place. They take in runaways. Others come and go.”

“What’s it like? Tell me everything.”

I filled her in on the surfacey stuff, but left out the strained relationship part. She didn’t need to know Dad and I were fighting.

“How was the meet?”

“It was really good.” She chuckled. “Coach Havor from FAU sent me flowers already.”

“Flowers? Already? What, did you break a record or something?”

“You could say that.” Her smile oozed through the phone, making me shiver.

“Really!” I could imagine my beautiful swim champion taking first place. “Wow, that’s awesome. You broke the record this time.”

“No… well, I didn’t break, more like tied.”

“So your time was the same?”

“No… I didn’t tie my school’s record. I tied the NCAA record.”

My mouth fell the rest of the way open. I couldn’t contain my happiness as it constricted my throat. I knew she could swim well, but wow—I loved she was such a natural.