The Mermaid's Mirror

Chapter 47

Lena watched Amphitrite's retreating form, and her heart sank. Then she felt the gentle pressure of her mother's hand.

"She is formidable," said Melusina. "But so is her granddaughter."

Lena nodded and kissed her mother's cheek. She swam out of the cave.

By the time she caught up to her, the mermaid was near the circle of stones in the center of the village. "Grandmother," she called.

Amphitrite turned.

Keeping her fears Clouded, Lena swam up to the mermaid and said, "Please let me speak. My father has obeyed your command for so many years." Her voice quavered, and she paused to gather her courage. "It has been a terrible sacrifice for him. He loves the sea! Surely you can imagine how hard it has been to see it and smell it every single day, but never to be able to touch it. He would have moved away years ago, if not for me. He knew I needed to be near the ocean, because ... because"—tears came to Lena's eyes as she realized for the first time what had kept her family in Diamond Bay—"to leave would have killed me."

The hard glint in Amphitrite's eyes seemed to soften, although she remained staring at the circle of stones. Melusina and Merrow floated just behind Lena.

"My father stayed out of the water for me. And everyone else he loves. Now I ask you to take back your command. I beg you."

Amphitrite looked at her then. "Yes ... it would have been a terrible sacrifice," she admitted, "to forsake the embrace of the sea." She shifted her gaze to a point behind Lena. "However, I did not issue the command against your father."

Lena stared at her for a moment, then turned slowly, looking at her grandfather. "You?" she whispered.

Merrow did not answer. His expression—usually so warm and kind—was impassive.

Melusina gasped.

The four of them floated in silence for a long moment.

"Husband," said Amphitrite at last, "the child implores. Will you show clemency?"

The powerful merman, his scarred tail reflecting a century of survival in this harsh world, turned to his daughter. "Melusina."

"Yes, Father."

"What would you give up ... to protect the human you once called husband?"

Without hesitation, Melusina said, "My life."

Lena shuddered. What was her grandfather planning to do?

"You have a loyal heart, daughter. But that will not be necessary," said Merrow. "However, you must cease your visits to the place where your husband and child found you."

Melusina's lips trembled, but she did not demur. "I agree."

Merrow looked satisfied. "Selena," he said.

Lena squared her shoulders. "Yes."

"You must give me your solemn vow that your father will not attempt to journey to our village, or bring disruption to our lives."

"I promise," said Lena.

"Be certain that you understand: he is welcome to enter the sea, but he is not welcome here."

Lena nodded.

"And there is one more condition."

Lena waited in dread.

"You must not attempt to contact anyone here."

Lena's stomach dropped, and her heart began to thump painfully, as if it wanted to push its way out of her chest in protest. "What?"

"You leave damage in your wake. Do not imagine all will be well in the village after you depart. Once you have gone, there will be no healing for Nix or your mother unless they know themselves free of your power."

"I ... I don't have any—"

"Your word, Selena. Your word that you will surrender contact with our people ... and I will give you my word that your father will be safe again in the sea."

Lena hesitated, then she nodded.

Merrow held out his hand, and Lena took it.

With frightening strength, Merrow pulled Lena into the circle of stones. He dropped Lena's hand and said, "Fix your gaze upon me as you speak your truth."

Lena stared into the merman's stormy eyes. After a moment, she felt the strength drain out of her body, and she would have begun to sink, except that she seemed to be held in place by the merman's gaze. The deep, ancient power of magic flowed from Merrow's eyes into Lena's soul. She could not move, she could not turn away, she could not speak untrue words.

"My land-father will not attempt to journey to the village," she vowed. "He will leave your people in peace."

Quietly implacable, her grandfather said, "And you relinquish your claim on the ones you love in this world?"

Pain flooded Lena's heart. "I do."

And she remembered that today—in this very circle—she and Nix would have announced their love.

Still Merrow did not remove his gaze. Lena felt the history of generations of mer-folk demanding vows in exchange for wishes granted.

Her grandfather raised his arms and spoke in a voice that exploded in Lena's mind like a thousand shouts: "Then my command is withdrawn." When he lowered his arms, a mysterious ripple spread out in all directions from his fingertips, surging through the sea. Its force pressed against them ... a flash of electric power.

Then it was gone.

Lena felt herself released from a spell. She turned blindly to her mother, who gathered her into her arms.

Amphitrite swam closer to Merrow and put her hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, my love," she said. Then she gazed at Lena with her uncanny pale eyes. "You are brave ... for a land- child."

Lena straightened her spine and answered with bitter pride, "I am a child of sea and land."