Fins (Transformations: Book 2)

The first time the comet gave merfolk the power to walk on land, Sapphira had trouble convincing her parents to let her go, let alone go without a bodyguard.

“Nobody’s going to hurt me,” she told them. “No one would dare.”

“There is no telling what could happen on the surface,” her father argued. “It’s not a risk we are willing to take.”

Sapphira frowned as she thought about it. “What about Alizarin? Other merfolk are afraid of him. They wouldn’t dare attack me if he is my protector.”

“A red tail is far too unstable to be your bodyguard,” her mother said. “He can’t be trusted not to attack you, himself.”

Sapphira resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Don’t you always like to brag about how well-trained he is? How often has he put up with people making sport of him at your parties without attacking anyone?”

“That’s within the palace walls.”

“But he is able to control himself, nonetheless,” Sapphira pointed out. “And he would make an intimidating deterrent for anyone who wished to harm me.”

“It’s too dangerous.”

“I’ll agree to the peace treaty,” she blurted out, making her parents pause. She had been fighting with them about it since she first met Kai. She’d refused to have anything to do with him and insisted they would never marry. Her parents told her she would understand, eventually, but she fought against it with all her might.

“How do we know you won’t change your mind later?” her mother asked. “After the comet passes, you may go back to fighting us.”

“But I will agree to anything you like in the meantime,” Sapphira told them. “I will agree to marry him and work with you on any preparations. I will do anything else you ask of me, as well, without argument.” She took a breath. “As soon as the power of the comet fades and I am no longer able to walk on land, I will marry Prince Kai, sealing the treaty. All I ask in return is that I be allowed to transform during the full moon each month until it passes and that Alizarin be made my only bodyguard during that time.”

“I’m not sure that’s appropriate,” her mother said.

“I think it’s a fine idea,” her father put in. “We have the boy and he’s been learning proper behaviors. Why not put him to use?”

“You can’t be serious,” his wife argued.

“Of course, I can,” he told her. “In fact, our daughter has learned to practice diplomacy, rather than simply throwing tantrums to get her way. You should be pleased.”

“What if that red tail attacks someone?”

“He will be punished.”

“What if he runs away?”

“I should think that would please you.” He looked back to his daughter. “We will agree to your terms. Alizarin will be given some training to defend you and he will be made your bodyguard until the comet passes. At the end of that time, you will marry Kai of Valador. You will come with us to inform his parents of this, as well. I’ll expect you to behave in a manner that is appropriate for the future queen during all these things. Is that understood?”

“I understand,” she promised, scarcely believing that had worked. “Thank you.”

“I am putting my faith in you, as much as the boy,” he warned. “I hope neither of you will disappoint me.”

Despite it meaning she had to marry Kai, that was one of the best moments of Sapphira’s life because she felt like she had accomplished something. Also, it meant that she would be able to get Alizarin out of the palace. She figured she might be able to grant him a small amount of freedom on land.

If she’d known what would happen, she might never have made such a decision.

Aria’s group gradually moved Angela out of the shed and onto the soft sand. She clung to Eric while Astrid fussed over her, checking her wounds and petting her head to calm her. After a few minutes, the siren was able to speak, calmly.

“What happened?” Astrid asked while Eric kept an arm wrapped around Angela to keep her calm.

“There was a mermaid. She said she was a mermaid and she dressed like one, anyway. She seemed nice. She said she wanted to ask some questions about Sirens, so I walked with her for a bit. I figured I had enough time to fly back to you,” she told Eric. “Sorry I didn’t make it.”

“Never mind that,” he said. “Just tell us what happened, next.”

She took a breath. “Well, I wound up following her over here and she opened the door to that shed. Some merman was waiting inside. He grabbed me and gagged me before I could do anything. I managed to scratch his arm before he tied up my wrists.” She rubbed them. “They said something about getting back at the sirens and he plucked some of my feathers.” Her voice cracked a bit at that and she looked down at the dried blood on her arms. “When they were done, they locked me up in there. I tried to kick the door open, but it didn’t work and nobody could hear me through the gag.” She laid her head on Eric’s shoulder. “I was so scared.”

“It’s okay,” he promised her. “I won’t let them hurt you again.”

“Angela,” Aria spoke, softly, “do you think you’d recognize them if you saw them?”

She nodded. “I got a good look at them.”

Aria looked at Freya. “I’d bet good money it was the twins.”

The oceanidfrowned. “Aria, I know they were angry, but this would be an act of war on their part.” She looked at Astrid. “If the other sirens find out, there’s no telling what could happen.”

“I can’t allow such a terrible act to go unpunished,” Astrid told her. “The ones responsible will suffer for what they have done to my siren. If they were truly merfolk, it will be difficult to prevent this from becoming a battle between the water and sky.”

“Not if they are dealt with by their own people,” Freya argued. “You and I are friends. We are also responsible for our people. If merfolk attacked a siren, I would like the opportunity to deal with them.”

“And how would you do that?” the aurai demanded. “Do you see what they have done? Angela deserves justice.”

There shall be retribution, I assure you,” Freya promised. “If it is the twins who attacked her, it will be one more crime they have committed against another race. There is no way the king and queen could deny it, this time.”

“So, what do you propose we do?” Astrid wondered. “Shall we have Angela transform and bear witness to this crime in Glemora?”

Freya considered that. “It might not be safe to do that. After all, Glemora is filled with friends to the twins. There is no guarantee we would not be stopped. Besides, with everything going on over the accusations against Aria, gaining an audience with the royal family would be difficult.”

“Do you have a plan? If not, I have some ideas for how to deal with these monsters.”

“I don’t want a war.” Freya took a breath. “If we find the necklace, we will be able to have an audience before the royal family, if only for Aria to be put on trial and have her guilt determined. During that time, I could make sure we are well-guarded enough to allow Angela to swim down and accuse them during the trial. That would help Aria and force the king and queen to punish the twins because their crimes will be made public.”

“It sounds like you just want to use this to assist your friend,” Astrid pointed out. “Do you really have my siren’s best interests at heart?”

“I do,” Freya assured her. “However, this situation must be handled carefully. It has been centuries since the last war between sirens and merfolk. When it happened before, both races were nearly destroyed. We don’t want that, again.”

“I suppose not,” Astrid admitted. “But you must promise me that they will be held accountable, soon. I cannot wait indefinitely for a response to this.”

Freya nodded her understanding. “Give us three months to find the necklace. That will allow us to deal with it, properly.”

“And allow the anger to grow among my sirens,” Astrid said. “They will not wait so long for revenge. If they do not see the guilty parties punished soon, they will deal with it, themselves. There is no hiding this, after all.”

Freya looked at Angela and nodded her understanding. “Two months, then.”

“I can give you one,” Astrid told her. “Even that will be difficult.”

“One month?” Freya shook her head. “That’s not enough time.”

“That is as much time as I can give you before a war breaks out, with or without my consent. You know I can only exercise so much control over them.”

“Astrid, be reasonable.”

“I believe I am being remarkably reasonable, given the circumstances,” Astrid replied. “Tell me you wouldn’t act the same if one of my sirens had pulled scales from a mermaid.” She looked at Aria. “Or if one of them had accosted your precious human. I like to consider myself patient, but there is only so much insult one can take.”

Freya fell silent as she considered that. “I don’t know if we can manage it in a month.”

“I don’t know if I can manage to keep them at peace for a month, but we will each have to figure something out, yes?” She looked at Angela. “Go with them and confirm your attackers. Once that is done, you are free to take your friend flying. I’m sure you are in need of that, now.”

Angela managed a weak smile and looked at Eric. “Will you stay with me while I do this?”

“I’m not going anywhere,” he promised as he pushed some hair out of her face, gently.

Aria led the way down the beach and got them just close enough to see Alyssa and Alexander. “Is that them?”

Angela held Eric tighter as she nodded. “That’s them.”

Freya sighed. “I’d half-hoped it might not have been merfolk, at all.” She looked at the siren and Eric. “Off you two go, then. Enjoy the rest of your night as much as you can. We will leave worries until tomorrow.”

“Things are really serious, aren’t they?” Eric asked.

Freya managed a smile. “Not so serious that they can’t wait until tomorrow to be resolved. Off with you, now.” She waved them away and they headed down the beach. A few minutes later, she and Aria saw them flying high into the sky.

Aria watched them for a few seconds before looking at Freya. “We’re in trouble, aren’t we?”

“Yes,” Freya agreed without humor. “Big trouble.” She sighed and looked towards the twins, who were talking to Sapphira, as Alizarin stood by, looking as despondent as usual. “Come with me and make sure I don’t lose my temper, okay?”

Aria stared at her but nodded and walked beside her, down the beach, toward the group of merfolk.

“Good evening,” Freya said. “At least, I wish it was.”

“Is there something we can help you with?” Alyssa wondered as her gaze fell on Aria. “Have you decided to return my brother’s necklace?”

“If you hadn’t framed me, you wouldn’t have lost it,” Aria pointed out.

“We didn’t lose it. You stole it.”

“I’m going to find your necklace,” Aria promised. “But I don’t think you’ll be particularly happy when I do.”

“Why is that?”

“Never mind about the necklace,” Freya interrupted. “We have a more important issue at hand. It seems a prank got out of hand and the merfolk are at risk of going to war with the sirens. Would you care to guess what happened?”

Alyssa smirked. “I can’t imagine, but I’m sure you’re exaggerating.”

“What’s going on?” Sapphira demanded. “What is this about a war?”

“It seems some merman locked a siren in a shed and plucked some of her feathers,” Freya explained. “She is the daughter of one of the village chiefs, although a merman couldn’t have known that. Of course, you can imagine what a grave offense this is, so I am charged with seeing the guilty parties punished before the sirens decide to take matters into their own hands.”

“You must be mistaken,” Sapphira argued. “None of the merfolk would be foolish enough to try such a thing.”

“Are you quite certain?” Freya asked. “Are you will to risk war on that assumption?”

“How will we prove they are mistaken?” Sapphira wondered.

“Well, you could start by having all the merfolk account for their whereabouts tonight,” Freya suggested. “Find out where everyone was and that will be a start.”

“I was with my sister, here,” Alexander said.

“And I was with my brother,” Alyssa added. “He will vouch for me, won’t you?”

“Of course,” he replied with a smile.

Aria looked at Alizarin. “Have you been with them all night?”

“You don’t talk to him,” Alexander commanded before he could answer. “He already knows he’s not to speak to anyone.”

Aria glared at him, but said nothing, not wanting to risk getting Alizarin into trouble.

Sapphira was silent for a minute as she looked at the twins, the gears clearly working in her head. “Can anyone else vouch for your whereabouts earlier?”

Alyssa frowned as she looked at the princess. “Are you doubting us?”

“Just trying to be cautious,” Sapphira assured her before looking back at Alizarin. “You may speak to me, so tell the truth. Have you been with them all night?”

He hesitated before shaking his head. “They left me tied to that pier for a while.” He gestured toward it. “It was probably an hour before they returned.”

“Stop talking,” Alyssa commanded before turning her attention back to Sapphira. “Are you going to accuse us of something?”

“I simply need someone to confirm your whereabouts, so no accusations can be made,” Sapphira explained, calmly.

“We don’t need this,” Alyssa said and the pair walked away in a huff.

“I think that went well, don’t you?” Freya commented once they were out of earshot.

“Did they really do that?” Sapphira wondered aloud.

“And what will you do if I say they did?” Freya asked. “Will you punish them on my word alone? Will they be punished on the word of a siren?”

“My parents would have to be convinced, but it will be difficult to make them believe you’re not just trying to make them look bad to save your human.”

“I was afraid of something like that,” Freya told her. “I suppose we really will have to find that necklace, so you can get out of trouble and our motives won’t be questioned.”

“Right.” Aria was still staring after the twins and their bodyguard.

“Are you alright?” Freya waved a hand in her face. “It would be nice if you could focus.”

“Yeah.” Aria forced herself to look away from them. “Do you think they’ll hurt him because he told you the truth?”

Sapphira frowned. “I don’t know, but it had to be done.”

“Did it?” Aria wondered. “It’s not as if anyone would take his word for it, anyway, so what good would that do for our case?”

“I needed to know,” Sapphira replied. “I had to be sure they were guilty.”

“Are you sure of that, now?”

She paused for a second. “We still have no real proof.”

“So, you put him at risk for no reason.”

“I won’t have you questioning me like this,” Sapphira told her. “You don’t understand anything about Glemora, but you feel you have the right to pass judgement on all of us.”

“I judge you for the way you treat Rin,” Aria argued. “You act like he’s not even a person most of the time.”

“He is a red tail and I am a princess. How am I supposed to act?”

“Like a decent human being, perhaps.”

“I’m not a human,” she pointed out before remembering her current state. “Well, I am, right now, but not usually.”

“Yeah, that much is obvious.”

“And what is that supposed to mean? Do you think humans are superior to merfolk?”

“I don’t know, but I think most humans I’ve met are superior to you. For that matter, most merfolk I’ve met are better people.”

“You mean that Valadoran prince? He is a fool, who is likely to start a war between our kingdoms because some land girl turned his head.”

“It’s better for someone to be a fool than to be a self-absorbed brat like you.”

“Aria, you need to calm down,” Freya warned.

“Why?” she demanded. “She acts like nobody matters except her. She even put Rin in danger to satisfy her curiosity.”

“I questioned him to determine if there was a possibility that some of my people might have attacked your friend. You should be thanking me for my assistance.”

“Thanking you?”

“Yes,” she said. “You never think before you speak and I am tired of you using that stupid nickname for my bodyguard. You’re not his friend, so stop trying to act like you are. You’re not helping him any more than anyone else. You act nice, but what will happen when the comet passes and you are gone from his life?”

“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but I want to be there for him while I can. He may decide he prefers to be a human, after all, and stay here. I might decide to be a mermaid and we could remain friends, that way.”

“You can’t be friends with him if he’s locked away in the palace.”

“I’ll figure something out. Maybe, we can find a way for him to leave the palace. It’s not like he has a reason to stay there, really.”

“He can’t leave the palace.”

“Why not?”

“Because he belongs there. You can’t just steal him away.”

“You make it sound like you own him.”

“I do!” Sapphira snapped. “He belongs to me, so stay away.”

Aria could only stare at her as she heard that statement. “He’s not property.”

Someone cleared their throat and the girls turned to face Alizarin, who had walked over. He didn’t look at anyone as he said, “Alexander left…” He picked up a lighter, which had been laid on a fence post. “He left this. He was going to show it to you, but forgot in the chaos. He sent me to fetch it because he didn’t want to speak to you, again, right now.”

Sapphira stared at him, realizing what she had said and how it must have sounded. “You know I didn’t mean what I said, right? She just got me riled up.”

“I understand,” he replied, coolly. “I should get going.”

“You really believe me, right?” Sapphira pushed. “You know I don’t think anything like that.”

“I have no reason to doubt you.”

“Say you believe me.”

He paused for a moment. “Of course, your highness.”

Sapphira stood still, as if in shock as he turned and walked back to the twins.

“We should probably get going,” Freya said, taking Aria’s hand and leading her away from the princess.

After that, Sapphira stood alone on the beach and no one was there to see the tear that slipped down her cheek.