I woke the following day to soft lips brushing against my cheek. I opened my eyes to find the room bathed in glowing orange light. The sun was rising over the river. It cast its rosy hue across the room. Hal was lying beside me, his eyes glued to my face.
My life had been turned on its head. Just days before, I had been happily lost to the deep, bemoaning my upcoming year in exile. I had no way to know, at least not until I set my eyes on Hal, that a storm was brewing. It seemed like everything changed the moment I saw him.
“I can let you sleep a bit more, but only a bit more,” he said.
I shook my head. “No, I need to get up. The game is already afoot, and I’m a few moves behind Creon.”
“But you are alive.”
I closed my eyes and focused on the water lapping against the rocks outside. I felt the water flowing toward the ocean. And from the sea, I felt a strong surge of energy. I could feel the pangs of war. For a moment, I thought about Pangi. It wounded me that she had betrayed me, but I’d understood her feelings toward Manx and the Gulfs. The peace between our people was hard to swallow. Now Manx was dead, murdered on dry land by an Atlantic. And me, his queen but scant few hours, had survived. Would they ever believe that I had not plotted his death? Would both the Atlantics and the Gulfs hunt me?
“I need to connect with the Gulfs,” I said. “I need them to know what happened.”
“The cecaelia is close to the Gulfs. She survived. She saw and knows what happened. The Gulfs will believe her.”
“I hope you’re right. But still, Creon will learn where I am, and he will bring the war here. I am endangering your people.”
“We will fight, as we always have.”
“I don’t want that. You have suffered enough. I won’t let you fight for me.”
“Creon and Manx started the war between our people and yours. Manx intended to slaughter us and move the Gulfs to Oceanus. The lagoon waters are ideal for their people. Creon and Manx made a deal. If Manx eradicated us, our land would be theirs.”
I stared at Hal. “How do you know?”
“The king sent his suffocators to kill us, but many of them refused. Instead, they gave their arms to protect us. Many of your people are already here.”
“Roald?”
“Yes, I have met this merman. He is a friend of yours.” I loved that Hal’s words had been a statement, not a jealous insinuation. And I was relieved to hear that I was not alone in finding the matter repugnant. Some of my people, at least, would already be behind me.
“Then I must meet with them.”
Hal nodded and offered me a hand, helping me out of bed. I realized then that he was dressed. He wore jeans and a black T-shirt. I, however, was still completely naked. In Hal’s presence, however, I didn’t mind. He inhaled sharply when he saw me but looked respectfully away.
“I went out this morning,” he said then. “There was not much to choose from at this time of day, but I thought you would not want to wear that garb,” he said, motioning to the blood-splattered dress on the floor. He turned and handed me a small stack of clothing: a teal-colored t-shirt, faded blue jeans, and cotton underwear.
“Thank you.”
“I…I had to guess at sizes. But I thought, maybe, I know your body, a bit,” he said shyly.
“Hal,” I said with a smile, setting the clothing on the bed. I cupped his cheek in my hand. “My sweet nagual. I never felt for anyone as I feel for you. My heart belongs to you.”
“And mine to you. I had resigned myself to the idea that I would never…love. My heart felt like it was made of stone.”
“Then I’m glad I was the one to make it beat,” I whispered, setting my head on his chest. “Now, we just have to stay alive.”
“That’s easier said than done.”
I felt something inside me stiffen in resolve. “We’ll see about that.”