Chapter 3
ASTRYD
My first thought as I peel back my heavy eyelids is that I’m dead.
I drowned attached to that rock. Vague memories of a savior and crisp air were just figments of my imagination.
Scenes conjured up from the depths of my mind meant to comfort me until I reached this place.
Wherever I was now, there was no pain—no intense burning from the sun or chafing shackles. I was at peace, lying atop a cloud.
Everything was shockingly blue. Shimmering glass was above me. Just beyond it, schools of rainbow fish swam leisurely through open water. The image gave me pause. Glass? A school of fish? Where was I? What aquatic afterlife had I been dumped into after suffering such a watery demise?
That’s when I feel it. It comes over me like a wave.
Soreness radiates from every muscle. I breathe deeply, inhaling scents of sandalwood and citrus.
Surely if I were dead, I would no longer need to breathe.
Glancing from side to side, I realize it’s not a cloud I’m lying on but a bed.
One made up of silky blue sheets and large pillows.
A matching silk sheet is draped over me, my naked skin sliding against the fabric with no friction.
The pain in my ankles and wrists was gone.
Lifting my hand, I stare at the unmarred skin at the base of my palm.
My hand lifts high, touching my shoulders that had blistered in the unforgiving sun.
I gasp as the tips graze a thick gel. Swiping some of it from my shoulder, I test the green goo between my fingers. It is delightfully cool.
I return my hand to my shoulder and feel the smooth skin underneath the substance.
My burns have healed just as my wrists and ankles have.
How is that possible? Where am I? Unease begins to settle in as I test more gel between my fingers.
I am not dead, but am I safe? Moving feels like an impossible feat and yet—
“Leave that in place.”
I scream, shooting straight up on the bed at the sound of the booming voice.
Apparently, fear is a good motivator. Clutching the silk sheet to my chest, my eyes widen at the figure in the doorway.
Delicate green and blue scales decorate the skin of the impressive male body lingering at the threshold.
Leathery blue pants cover his bottom half while his stomach and chest remain uncovered. The cuts of his muscles are impressive.
Gills protrude from his strong neck, giving way to an even firmer jaw. Fin-like ears stick out from under a thick crop of dazzling white hair. Crystal blue eyes glow in the warm light of the room. His full lips twitch before he crosses his muscular arms over his impressive chest.
My heart races. Thoughts flood my mind in a torrent. I’ve heard of this creature before. Sailors whisper about a rare breed of monster that hails from the depths of the sea. He is a merman.
A legend just like the Kraken, but I have seen him before.
“You saved me,” I breathe, my voice hoarse from disuse.
His blue eyes flicker before nodding. Taking a small step into the room, I swallow my surprise as a plate laden with orange slices and bread appears in one hand.
A glass of water appears in the other. I’m not sure what to think; my mind is a jumble of emotions.
When I do not retreat further up the bed, the merman takes a few more small steps into the room.
“You need to eat. It’ll help replenish your strength.” He thrusts the plate towards me. “You were in pretty rough shape. It’s nearly sunset, clearly you needed the rest.”
Who can blame me? A dirty, cramped cell is hardly a place to catch any good sleep. I lick over my dry lips.
“Am I dead?”
I know the answer, but I need confirmation nonetheless.
“No.”
I sag with relief, holding out my hand for the plate of food while keeping the other to my silk covering. Not that my modesty matters much anymore, the thin fabric cannot even conceal my hardening nipples.
“Then where am I?”
The merman purses his lips. He is only a few steps from the bed.
This close, he is even more imposing. He towers over me on the lofted bed.
His muscular abdomen tapers into the enticing V-shape of his hips.
I’ve never seen a male built like this in my life.
I shouldn’t be noting his appealing qualities.
I should be making plans to flee from wherever he’s brought me.
If I’m not dead, then I still have a chance to make something of my life.
“My palace,” the merman says finally, handing me the glass of water first. “Sunshell Palace to be exact. We're a few miles out from Bluewater Bay—and only a few hundred feet below the surface.”
The glass freezes on my lips.
“W—we’re underwater?”
My eyes fly up to the glass ceiling, to the legions of fish floating by. Coral grows along the edges. Golden sunlight pierces through the azure water. My eyes lock with the merman, who nods, setting the plate of food beside me on the bed.
“How can I breathe?”
“Drink and I’ll tell you.”
My thirst comes back with a vengeance. His command is one I eagerly follow.
The crisp water is cool on my tongue. Once I start, I can’t seem to stop. I down one glass and then watch it magically refill. The scent of metal invades my lungs. After my third glass of water, my thirst finally wanes. I stare at the merman expectantly.
“My father ensured all the palaces in his kingdom would be conducive to human life. Our magic pumps the water out and keeps it at bay. Everything inside remains dry with fresh air to breathe.”
Picking up an orange slice, I bit into nearly moaning at the sweet citrus. It has been a long time since I’ve been able to afford fruit, much less oranges.
“Who is your father?” I ask, reaching for another slice.
“The Kraken of the Darksea.”
The sweet juice turns to ash on my tongue.
A cold sweat erupts on my skin as I look up at the merman.
Swallowing thickly, my heart races in my chest. It seems I’m not so lucky as to avoid death and be afforded the chance to return to my human life.
That mad pirate’s rantings had been correct.
I was given up by my town, and now I was about to be given to a monster as his unwilling human sacrifice.
“You’re taking him to me then? To be his bride?”
My voice is hollow as I drop the merman’s gaze. The raging appetite I had moments ago vanishes. This nightmare has only just begun. What does a Kraken even do to a human? I shudder to think, but I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
I should’ve drowned when I had the chance.
A soft chuckle pulls me from my dark thoughts. Looking up, the merman gazes at me as if I’ve grown a second head.
“Father doesn’t accept human sacrifices.” A soft smile curves his lips. “Or brides for that matter. My mother keeps him busy enough—he’d never take another. He loves her too fiercely for that.”
The truth of his words lies bare in his eyes. I let them wash over me, smoothing away my lingering apprehension.
“Eat.” The merman gestures at my plate. “Please.”
I do as he says. It is easy to follow a direct command.
I’ve had to make so many decisions in my life over the last eight years.
Worries over money and the uncertainty of my future had weighed me down daily.
There was no one to care for me—if I’m being honest, this merman has shown me more kindness than anyone else since my parents passed.
I’m tired of being scared. The doubt and unease have shrouded me for so long that this unbelievable situation I’ve found myself in feels like a reprieve.
I should be scared—I should be asking to leave, but where would I return to?
Bluewater is off the table. I can’t go back lest they offer me up as a sacrifice again.
All my belongings—not that there were many of note—and all my wages from Gil’s are lost to me now.
At least I’m not alone. This is the longest I’ve spent in the presence of someone who wasn’t Gil or a customer in years. It isn’t unpleasant.
Silence settles in around us as I finish off the oranges and the loaf of bread.
I slowly sip more water as the merman waves his hand.
My empty plate refills. A steaming fillet of white fish coated in butter glistens next to blistered tomatoes.
My stomach growls as the merman extends a fork towards me.
“Eat,” he repeats. “I’ll give you some space.”
My heart lurches as he turns from the bed.
The thought of unending silence makes my skin itch.
I was a fool for not leaving Bluewater when I had the chance, and perhaps it makes me an even bigger fool for trusting this merman, but I do.
He saved my life. There were plenty of chances for him to harm me—let me die.
Instead, he brought me to his palace, healed me, and is now feeding me the best food I’ve ever had.
I want to trust him—I need to—at least for right now. Tomorrow, I will leave this place if he allows it. I’ll start over somewhere new alone. Today, I’ll allow myself the chance to be selfish and not let worries overwhelm me.
How much can one evening possibly change when my mind is already decided?
“Don’t go,” I call, as he turns from the bed.
The merman pauses, the muscles of his back tighten. Slowly, he spins back towards me, his white eyebrow raised. My cheeks heat as I shrug, spearing a piece of fish with my fork.
“I—I don’t want to be alone right now.”
The merman stares at me. I hold my breath, awaiting his dismissal, but it never comes. Instead, he waves his hand, and a blue upholstered chair with a high back appears. He settles his massive frame into it, the wood creaking under his weight.
Something warm floods my stomach, and I choose not to examine it too closely. I take a bite of fish. It melts on my tongue. The herb butter is beyond decadent. I devour half the fish as I feel the merman’s eyes upon me. Popping a tomato into my mouth, I chew it thoughtfully before speaking.