Chapter 58
Fifty-Eight
Angie
Angie waited with Bàba fifty feet from the shoreline, her hand resting in the crook of his elbow.
Kaden awaited her where the sand kissed the sea, and she couldn’t quiet her frazzled nerves at the thought of being married to him in front of the mer, whom they’d been at another war with not months ago.
Six months passed after the banquet and Kaden’s proposal, and it was closing in on eight months she had been home.
Today was a bright Saturday evening on August the eighth, the sun was hanging high and luminous.
The shāobǐng yóutiáo—sesame flatbread with a fried cruller sandwiched within—, lingonberries and Alaskan blueberries churned in her stomach from her meal this morning.
“Are you ready?” Bàba asked, placing his cane down on the soft sand and steadying himself. He left the mer infirmary a week after the banquet, and while they succeeded in healing his back and diminished most of the pain in his leg, his leg was still weak.
The mer weren’t experienced with healing legs, but they did the best they could, and Angie and Bàba were forever grateful to them.
With a deep breath to calm herself, Angie nodded.
She moved one foot in front of the other, her long crimson dress flowing behind her. Her bare feet met with the sand, soft and cool, molding to her arches.
The beach was empty, save for the handful of their wedding guests. Underneath her dress was a red and golden qipao-style outfit Kaden had made for her with soft woven seagrass fibers, for the second part of the wedding undersea. It kept her warm enough, so she didn’t need a jacket.
Her family and friends were on one side: Mia, Rosie, Jack, Reesa, Dr. Williams, Aleena, and Tiana. Beau and Emily were also present. Stefan and Ken sat beside them, and Ken turned to meet her gaze, waving one arm over his head in a wide arc with a beaming smile.
On the other side of them was Kaden, seated on a chair and tailfins brushing the sand, his hands resting on his lap, positively radiant.
He was adorned with radiant jewels around his wrist, neck, and waist, and a bejeweled clear seaglass circlet decorated his head.
He showed Angie the regalia several weeks ago, customary for mer to wear on their bonding day.
Cassia and Aiereka sat beside Kaden, sunbeams lighting up their iridescent tails.
Though the Mer-Queen wore a subdued smile, a profound sense of loss haunted her expression.
Angie’s heart went out to her, her own gaze flickering to Kaden.
He cast a long glance at Cassia every few moments with an expression of care.
Seeing Kaden’s lingering concern for his aunt made Angie’s heart skip a beat, and she fell in love with her kindhearted husband-to-be all over again.
Cyrus, with Hadrien on his lap, sat beside Kaden, and Adrielle had Hadrien in a football hold. All eyes were on Angie and Bàba as together, they walked toward them.
Sunrays winked off their tails, lighting up their scales in a stunning, glimmering prism.
Between the small group of mer and humans was a statue of Buddha, which Bàba had asked Mia to bring to the beach. On either side of Buddha were portraits of Māma, Serapha and Aqilus, with one censer in front of each, and a container of unlit incense sticks nestled within the sandy ground.
Angie’s heart swelled and a joyous smile tugged at her lips at the sight of her and Kaden’s family and friends together to celebrate their union.
Her nerves settled once her gaze met with their collective warm, welcoming expressions. They were all here for her and Kaden.
She wanted to greet Dr. Williams’ family, Beau and Emily and her friends, but that would have to wait until later. Mia helped Bàba lower himself to a seating position.
“You are heart-stoppingly stunning,” Kaden said on his exhale, taking her hands in his.
They began their traditional Chinese ceremony.
First, burning a stick of incense to pay respect to their deceased ancestors, the smoky scent with a trace of jasmine filling Angie’s nostrils before the winds dissipated it. She placed the incense in the censors ashes before Māma, and Kaden did the same with Serapha and Aqilus’ likenesses.
Angie’s heart thumped with anticipation. Each step brought them one step closer to officiating their union.
Second, they paid respect to Buddha, before bowing their heads and placing their hands to their hearts, paying respect to each other.
And when they exchanged rings and sealed their union with a kiss, loud cheers erupted from all around them.
“Now, we continue undersea. Are you all coming?” Angie asked with a laugh.
“I’m ready.” Reesa hopped to her feet, striding over to the mer. “See you underwater!” Was the last thing Angie heard from her as they took off alongside the mer. Bàba, Mia, and the kids had already gone, along with Adrielle and Libbi.
Dr. Williams and his family had jumped into the sea after Aeireka and Cassia.
“I. Yeah. I’d like to celebrate with your family.
” Beau was watching the others, each receiving breath from the mer and diving in after them.
Beside Beau, Emily put a hand on his arm with a reassuring smile.
“Thank you. I know we haven’t been the most tolerant toward—toward them.
” He waved an arm at Kaden and Cyrus, who had slid off their chairs and remained ashore, propped on their elbows.
Kaden leaned in to talk in Cyrus’ ear. The new Mer-King let out a hearty laugh and elbowed Kaden.
“But you have to understand. We lost one of our sons to them,” Emily said.
“Yeah.” Angie lowered her head, clasping her hands together in front of her. “I still think of Luke, too.”
“We miss him something fierce.” Solemnity coated Beau’s words. “And can only thank God Leo is safe.”
Hearing Leo’s name sent her awash with emotion. It would have been nice if he was there, if he found it in his heart to forgive her. But she couldn’t change how he felt.
With a happy grin, Angie motioned for them to follow. Cyrus gave breath to both Beau and Emily, and Angie’s mirth never faded as she moved closer to Kaden. She stopped.
“You sure you can do this? You’re not completely healed. What if this makes you feel worse?” Angie chewed on her bottom lip.
“I took a poultice before I came. I’ll be okay.” He sounded assuring, but she wasn’t so convinced. “Besides, everyone else is gone, so it’s just me and you. I haven’t used my magic in tidesmonths.”
He wasn’t wrong. They were the only two left on the beach.
With a reluctant nod, Angie pressed her lips to his.
The telltale warmth coated her, and she shed her dress to reveal the form-fitting outfit underneath.
She caught Kaden eyeing her up and down, biting down on his lower lip and wiggling his eyebrows at her as they descended below the surface.
“We just–we have to slow down.” A choking noise escaped Kaden.
Angie’s hackles raised as they swam. “Why? Are you feeling terrible? Oh no, I knew I should have asked one of the other mer for breath before they left.”
“I’m not feeling great. But I also want to savor the way you look.” Kaden gave her a playful nudge. “I can make it through the rest of the ceremony, and we’ll rest tonight. Or maybe not.”
“We’ll take it as slow as you need,” Angie replied.
The notion Kaden was her husband hadn’t hit her yet as she clung to his hand, making their way into the palace.
The crowd before the palace took her breath away. Adrielle and Cyrus were addressing the crowd with Aiereka and Calora in attendance, and as soon as she and Kaden arrived, they went quiet, thousands of pairs of eyes turning to them.
Like the mer ashore, the crowd bowed their heads in respect as Kaden led her through. She locked eyes with Bàba, Rosie, and Mia, holding tight to Jack with one hand, floating at the front of the crowd, paddling their arms and legs to stay in place.
“What do we do now?” Angie whispered into Kaden’s ears.
“We repeat the same process. Pay our respects and ask for blessings first from Sanyue, and then from the monarchs, Adrielle and Cyrus.” He gave her hand a comforting squeeze, and they swam to the top of the palace.
She followed Kaden in placing an offering of candied seafruits in the clawed settings before the goddess’ likeness.
There was a rectangular shaped hole at the base of her statue, and after repeating Kaden’s words for the blessing, she placed the offering in the hole, and they rested a flat slab of rock over it to hold it in place.
“The caretakers will come for this when the tides turn,” Kaden said. “The last part is to ask for the monarchs’ blessing, and then the party begins.”
“I’m excited for that part.” Angie wanted nothing more than to enjoy Kaden’s company in private. If she recalled correctly, the banquet for them would follow, and they could disappear into his chambers.
He kissed her temple. “I am, too.”
Adrielle and Cyrus received them, with the mer council bearing witness. “Blessings upon you both. You two are now lifemates in the eyes of the mer.” Adrielle’s whiskey gold eyes twinkled, and the four exchanged a bow.
Kaden pulled Angie in for another kiss, and if her heart took anymore bliss, it would burst.
“Where have you been?” Angie perked up, approaching Mia as she swam in with Aiereka partway through their banquet.
Mia’s eyes were red and puffy, and Angie knew. The mermaid had taken her sister to see Māma.
“She’s still so beautiful. I never thought I’d see her again,” Mia swiped the back of her hand over her eyes. “I can’t believe I waited this long. I thought I wasn’t ready.”
“I’m glad you finally got to see her. She’s always looking down on us.
” Angie thanked Aiereka and pulled Mia into a tight hug, eyeing Rosie and Jack over her shoulder.
The two were with Bàba, laughing and chatting with Adrielle and Cyrus.
Hadrien and Libbi swam up to Mia’s kids, and the four set off to play a game with Cyrus following.
Stefan and Ken were deep in conversation with Cassia and a group of young-appearing mermaids and merman. Their arms were wrapped around each other, and every now and then, Stefan excitedly tapped his husband’s shoulder and pointed at an animal swimming or skittering by.
“I know. So.” Mia turned her cheek, and Angie followed her gaze to where Kaden approached Bàba and Adrielle. “Given any thought to how you two are going to make this work?”
“What do you mean?” Angie stopped when a server came to them, offering a handful of edible seagrass flowers. She took some and thanked him, and Mia did the same.
“Well.” Mia popped a flower into her mouth. “You can’t exactly live together.”
“She can stay underwater as long as she likes. So long as she keeps kissing me.”
Angie hadn’t heard Kaden swim up to them until he rested his hands on her shoulders.
He winked at Mia; a lopsided grin plastered on his handsome face.
Angie groaned. This wasn’t the time for him to make jokes about using his magic and draining himself even more than he already had.
Mia folded her arms across her chest and shook her head, her features soft and playful.
“We found a way he can move on land,” Angie added.
Mia arched an eyebrow. “How?”
“It involves a knee scooter. I hear they make electric ones now.”
“How do you even know that would work?” Mia’s eyes bulged and blinked rapidly.
“I’m a fast learner.” Kaden chuckled.
“I’ll fill you in later,” Angie said quickly.
Mia smirked. “You better.”
“Hey, mister merman!” Rosie hollered, swimming toward them in a furious breaststroke.
“Yes, Rosie?” Kaden faced her.
“I just want you to know. We’re not here to steal anything. We’re just here to have fun,” she declared, kicking herself upright and putting her hands on her hips.
Angie and Kaden simultaneously burst into laughter, and Mia’s jaw dropped, pink dotting her cheeks.
“I’m sorry, I had a conversation with her about stealing before we came here, in general, she didn’t do anything.
But I didn’t tell her we’re here to steal.
” She grabbed her daughter’s hand. “And that’s my cue to bring her back to the rest of the party.
See you two later.” She swam back toward Bàba and her children in tow.
A sentinel with a cerulean tail boldly swam to Mia, his peridot eyes twinkling when she acknowledged him. He was leaning close, and then looked down to greet Rosie and Jack, who were both staring at him.
“Congrats again, you two lovebirds. Thanks for inviting us.” Dr. Williams came up from behind Angie with Aleena, and Tiana and Reesa swimming behind.
“What do you think? Being undersea like this, unburdened?” Angie asked.
Dr. Williams cast a sideways glance at Kaden. The Mer-Prince folded his arms over his chest, his tail twitching. “Hmm, I don’t know. I guess it’s alright?”
“Ty,” his wife said, clearly exasperated.
Then Dr. Williams broke into a wide smile. “I’m messing around. It’s amazing.”
“I feel like I can hang out here forever.” Reesa swept her arm in an arc to the mer swimming in and out of the banquet hall. “C’mon.” She motioned to their professor and his family. “Let’s give them some privacy.” After she turned away, “Bye, Angie! Talk to you soon!”
“How much longer is this?” Angie asked, once Reesa and Dr. Williams and his family had gone.
“Not too much. Once the food is gone, the guests usually linger to a small extent. And then I can have you to myself.”
Kaden’s lips brushing her ear sent a tingle of excitement through her.