Part 18 (2/2)

After a round of hugs and silent goodbyes to Brendan's picture, I turned and walked to the surf. The late afternoon sun warmed my face as the gulls overhead called to me.

”Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?” Kain's quiet approach startled me.

”No, I'm okay.” I leaned into his chest. ”I need to do this alone.” He kissed the top of my head and lingered there for several long moments. I knew that he was worried about me, but I would heal eventually. Today would be the first step.

Kain left my side but I waited until he disappeared behind the dunes before moving again. For a brief second, I dropped Brendan's skin, giving me just enough time to step out of my dress. Scooping up the only piece of him I had left into my arms, I walked underneath the surf.

Many days and nights, I would swim these waters to meet Brendan at our sanctuary. The rocky island became ours shortly after he moved to California to be near me. Now, I was returning there to say my final goodbyes.

I almost thought that the ocean knew I was grieving today. The kelp seemed to stand still, the otters swam leisurely around my flanks. No one wanted to play. As I approached the rocky sh.o.r.e, my heart climbed into my throat. An overwhelming wave of grief tugged at my stomach, threatening to pull it free.

I swallowed the lump and fought back the tears, as I demanded my legs to form and support the weight of the day. With his skin in hand, I walked to the far edge of the rock formation, where the sheer face plummeted straight down. The sun always reflected a thousand colors off of the shards, but today seemed to be only shades of red.

Choosing a final resting spot for his skin, I laid it down next to the wall and on top of a large boulder. Not knowing what to say, I stood still until the sun was just about to set. Too much had pa.s.sed between us to sum up in words. I'd loved Brendan for so long and so deeply that I guessed there would always be a hole in my heart.

Only time would heal the gaping wounds left in our world. Loved ones were lost, a new leaders.h.i.+p was developing. Policies, Council members, our relations.h.i.+p with humans...it was all about to change. Each day would bring a new beginning and each day we would get a little bit closer to being whole.

I kissed my hand and gently rested it against Brendan's skin. Goodbye, I thought, and turned to walk back to the water. Breathing in deep, I closed my eyes and prepared to move on. It wasn't going to be easy, but I knew that I had friends and family who would be there for me, and we would survive this together.

As the final glimmer of orange retreated beneath the horizon, I vanished under the sea to begin my new life.

Epilogue.

One Year Later ”Hurry up!” Marisol squeaked. I watched her stumble over a shoe and curse when she stubbed her toe against the ground.

”I told you that dress was too long,” Daniel teased, and then quickly dodged a flying object. I think it was my hairbrush.

”You two aren't helping me.” I couldn't get the back of my dressed hooked, and they were too busy picking fights with each other to realize this. ”I guess we'll just have to cancel.”

”No!” they both shouted together. I laughed.

”You are not getting out of this one, Eviana.” Daniel immediately began working on the final few clasps and I tried not to breathe so they would pull together. ”You are going to have this wedding today, no matter what. I don't care if there is a nuclear attack, this is happening.”

”Besides, you're all dressed up now, it would be a shame to waste the day,” Marisol said while she fastened my necklace and fluffed my hair.

I had a feeling she was more concerned with people not seeing her new gown, but then again she had grown up quite a bit in the past year. She was completely obsessed with Quinlan, and I knew she was counting the days until she could have her wedding. But she had also stepped up into a leaders.h.i.+p role with me. I'd put her in charge of organizing the youth programs for our clan, and she was doing a wonderful job. My parents would have been so proud of her. I was proud of her.

”Thank you,” I said and quickly kissed her cheek. She pulled back in mock disgust, but I saw the hint of a smile on her face as she moved to the door.

”There, you're finished.” Daniel patted my back and turned me so I could look in the mirror. For all of the times I'd almost been married off in the last year and a half, today was the day it would really happen. Today I was marrying Kain.

My dress was simple, elegant, and perfect for the small beach ceremony we planned. I'd decided on a long veil that hung freely from my head and disappeared into the lace of the skirt. The sleeveless flowing dress had been hemmed so that I wouldn't have to wear shoes. Small accents of blues, blacks, and golds in my jewelry represented both of our clans. My leaders.h.i.+p pin rested on my waist, and hummed with power and approval.

I looked at my reflection, amazed at the woman staring back at me. Sure, I was only nineteen, but since ending the war with Lucian, I'd accepted my clan leaders.h.i.+p with pride and have worked closely with the Council and other leaders to build a new world for us all. I may have been young, but I held my own with the elders and I'd earned the respect of my kind.

Kain and I still managed our clans as one. After today, the merger would be official. Adele had offered me a seat on the Council, but after many late night discussions with Kain, I decided to postpone that invitation for a few years. I needed time to secure my leaders.h.i.+p. Merfolk were still deciding what role the Councils would have. And Kain and I needed time with each other.

A flurry of b.u.t.terflies danced in my stomach as I thought about my growing relations.h.i.+p with Kain. We'd been inseparable this past year. When I grieved over the loss of Brendan, he held me close and let me cry. When we needed to make tough decisions as leaders, we talked them through together and presented a unified front. It was so easy with him.

There was a part of me that was still upset for not realizing how amazing he was a long time ago. I would forever be sorry for causing him so much pain in the past, even though he promised that it didn't matter now. We only had our future to look forward to and that future would begin today.

”Earth to Eviana. Come on, they're waiting,” Daniel nudged me in the side to make sure I was paying attention.

”Okay, okay.” I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. ”I'm ready.”

Following the two of them down the stairs, we made our way through the house and out to the back deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Kain and I would share our time between this house and his family's estates in Boston and Los Angeles. I had been thrilled to hear him say that he didn't want to give this place up, as it was special to him too.

Palmer waited for me outside. His wide smile and excitement were contagious. ”Look at you, cuz. The most beautiful bride in the world.” He kissed my check and held out his arm. As the closest living male relative I had, Palmer would give me away today.

Daniel and Marisol made up our wedding party. We didn't want to make it a big ordeal, especially considering all of the losses merfolk had recently endured. Despite protests from Adele and presentations from Daniel showing that he could put a spectacular wedding together, we made them promise that the affair would be small and intimate.

”Here, let's go,” Marisol commanded after shoving a bouquet of flowers into my hands. The mix included roses, irises, orchids, and baby's breath. A perfect blend for a perfect summer day. Palmer and I laughed as we began our descent to the beach.

I wasn't nervous at all. For as much as I dreaded being a teenage bride not too long ago, I knew without a doubt, that this is what I wanted. Not only was it important for our clans, but I loved Kain with every cell in my body, and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. I felt like I could never get enough of his smile, his touch, or his voice. I'd realized how important he was to me a year ago, and I knew that I would never forget that again.

As we made our way toward to the group, I couldn't help but smile. Troy and his much older girlfriend were the first ones I saw. I admit I enjoyed Troy's relentless pursuit of mature women, although at least this one was a mermaid. He gave me a slight nod as we walked past, so I returned the gesture. Troy had been busy recruiting protectors to fill the ranks of both of our clans since we'd lost so many in the war. He'd become a valuable advisor and friend, and I was thankful for his consistent support.

Carissa stood next to them, grinning widely and looking like the supermodel she was. She and Palmer began dating a few months ago, and I couldn't be happier for the both of them. I thought it might be awkward between us, but not once did she give me a hard time about Kain and I being together and in fact, we'd become close friends.

Aleksey and Quinlan were next, and both of them snuck in a kiss for Daniel and Marisol as they walked past. I was surprised when Julian moved his permanent home nearby and even more amazed that he took in the two young selkies whose hearts were captured by a pair of mermaids. Their relations.h.i.+ps wouldn't survive forever, Julian and I knew that all too well, but for now he thought it was more important to know and feel what love really was before their instincts told them otherwise.

Julian, the silent leader of the selkies, and Malcolm, who insisted on being here today, were both now a permanent part of our defense team. Our relations.h.i.+p with the selkies made other clan leaders uneasy, but no one protested. Especially after they saw their work in the Bahamas. Both men greeted me with a big smile and bright green eyes that would forever pierce my soul. I'd loved the selkies for such a long time, it made me whole knowing that I could keep them in my life.

And speaking of uncomfortable relations.h.i.+ps, Isabel and Abhainn managed to come to the ceremony. The ratchets, sprites, and other creatures like the nereid's came out of hiding after the merfolk a.s.sured them we'd keep their locations a secret. They weren't without caution, and demanded several promises that included a vow that water control would never be used against them and in return, they would a.s.sist with the merfolk affairs which required their specialized skills. Mostly that meant death and destruction, but Kain and I continued to meet with Abhainn to work on our water abilities and just have a conversation with a friend. He was blissfully happy with Isabel, and it was my understanding that she'd secured her role as queen. They had a home on some secluded island in the tropics, which I understood was protected by an army of sprites.

When we reached the end of the small crowd, my heart fluttered. Kain looked amazing, and the way the sun highlighted his blond hair and tall frame, sent s.h.i.+vers through my body. Like I said, I couldn't get enough.

”You look beautiful,” he murmured and I melted. Grabbing his hand, we let the ceremony begin. I remembered saying words and hearing him recite them back, but I couldn't seem to feel anything else except for our kiss. The moment Kain's mother p.r.o.nounced us husband and wife, I jumped into his arms.

Kain laughed while we kissed, yet his lips were just as eager as mine. In the past year, we'd shared many kisses and stolen moments. He moved into my house permanently six months ago, and we spent almost every waking moment together when not called away by the responsibility of our leaders.h.i.+p. I'd learned that he doesn't like to fold clothes, and he knew that I hated doing the dishes. He teased Marisol constantly, much to her amus.e.m.e.nt, and I was able to fall asleep in his arms every night.

The kiss lasted long enough for our friends and family to start making rude noises. We laughed but I knew this wouldn't be the last of it. A couple of weeks ago, we'd taken that final step in our relations.h.i.+p, creating the intimacy we'd both wanted from each other for so long. He was mine in every sense of the word and I was his. Forever.

”Are you ready?” Kain breathed in my ear, sending chills down through my toes. I nodded just before he scooped me up into his arms and ran toward the surf.

Everyone cheered as we crashed through the waves until Kain stood waist deep in the water. I couldn't stop smiling when he turned me around so that I could toss the bouquet of flowers to beach. It was even more amusing when Troy's girlfriend caught it and threw her arms around her man. The terrified look on his face was priceless.

I waved while Kain walked deeper into the sea so that we could change. My legs transitioned into a tail before I was submerged.

”Show off,” he teased and then tossed me into the water. I quickly swam back to him to in time to see his pants float away toward the sh.o.r.e and his jacket fly through the air. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close. ”I love you,” he said before covering my mouth in his.

I love you, too, I thought as I let the warmth of his lips and the comfort of the sea embrace me.

Other t.i.tles Now Available Promises - Book One of The Syrenka Series ”Couldn't put it down.”

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