Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
M o’s blood was pumping as he waited behind the rock for Kent. After what transpired yesterday, he felt renewed, fresh, ready. This was it. He hoped desperately that Kent was able to find the other members of that ship and talk with them, taking the opening Mo provided.
But—he was hesitant to tell Kent what he did. He’d never mentioned he was a siren to him; in fact, he’d lied. He told him he was just a normal merman. How could he reveal the truth, now? I killed that man for you. Would Kent find it horrendous? Think of Mo as nothing but a ruthless murderer? Doubt after doubt plagued his mind, fearing the worst of Kent’s possible reaction.
But he supposed—Kent didn’t need to know. No one had to know exactly how Harris disappeared, and no one would find out. All that mattered was that he was out of the way, and Kent could take his place.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, he wondered if Kent were to show at all. It wasn’t really something he worried about; if Kent didn’t come today, he’d simply come tomorrow. That was how their arrangement worked. And possibly he was spending his time looking for a job, just as Mo had asked. That kept his heart warm, knowing how much his human cared for him, to go to those lengths. He also remembered how Kent said he was to bring his sister next time, so perhaps his tardiness was due to finding an arrangement with her…
“Mo, I’m here!”
His heart jumped. Without hesitation, he swam around the rock to greet his trusted companion. Just as expected, there was another human with him this time.
“Kent, good evening! This must be Katherine, correct?”
“Yes, evening!” she called back, fanning her face. “He really does have a tail, fins—goodness! I’ve never seen a creature like him before. My word, he’s marvelous.”
“You should have been there when I first laid eyes on him; Mo can attest that I stumbled back on my rear,” Kent said with a laugh, and Mo chuckled a little as well. “You were at least somewhat prepared to know what to expect.”
“That doesn’t make him any less stunning,” said Katherine. “He is handsome from what I can see here. You’re quite lucky Kent, wow. And you were right, he does wait for you here.” Mo’s cheeks flushed with heat from the compliments.
“I haven’t lied to you, Kathy.” Kent’s mouth formed a pout. “Why else would I have brought you out here?”
“I don’t know, perhaps you were selling me off to some pirate gang you’ve been secretly meeting with? That’s what you were really doing, making negotiations behind all our backs…”
“Kathy, please don’t joke about that!” He put his fingers to his forehead. “Look, here’s Mo!”
Mo pulled himself forward, crawling more onto shore. He noticed Kent’s horse was also here this time, off near the trees past the shingles. “A pleasure to meet you. May I call you Kathy, or is that just something Kent calls you? From what I gather, you humans seem to have a myriad of different names you use for different situations.”
“Kathy is fine!” She chuckled. “You are right, normally people who aren’t family call him Lord Fareham. You must be on very good terms to refer to him by his Christian name…”
“Actually, I never introduced myself as Fareham to him,” Kent huffed. “But you already know we’re close. You know all about it! Here, let me help him out of the water so we can get comfortable.”
Kent walked closer, feet already bare wading in the water, and he put his elbows under Mo’s armpits, just like always, hauling him onto the beach. Mo wondered how many more times they would go about just like this. How their situation would change if they were to go out to sea, living together on a ship. He figured Kent would still carry him around anyway since he had no legs to walk on. Being touched by him, held by him, it always made him feel soft, no matter the circumstance.
“There, that’s good,” Kent said as he released Mo, sitting down next to him. “Come here.” He motioned Katherine to follow.
Bunching her skirts in her fists, she sat down as well, forming a small circle with the three of them. She also had her feet bare already, just like her brother. “Now I can see you clearer,” she said to Mo. “Things can be a tad blurry to me unless it’s close. But now,” —she blinked, with a smile— “you’re more handsome than I thought! If it weren’t for your tail, I would mistake you for a human. That, and your unnatural hair coloring.”
“Don’t humans also have brown and blond hair?” Mo ran his fingers through his long locks, still dripping wet.
“Yes, we have those colors. But not both at the same time on one’s head,” said Kent, laughing. “You are truly spectacular, Mo.”
“Why thank you, Kent.” He smiled, a warmth flowing through him. “Thank you both.”
Katherine kept smiling as well. Mo wouldn’t say she looked like a ‘female Kent’, but he could still see the familial resemblance, with her long brunette hair tied back behind her head, and similar delicate facial features. She was certainly beautiful, but not in the same immense, heart-stopping way as her brother, Mo thought.
“I apologize I didn’t bring any food this time,” said Kent. “My mind has been so hectic, I simply forgot.”
“You bring him food?” Katherine asked with an excited gasp.
“Yes, usually something new every time.”
“It’s all right,” said Mo, with a smile. “I forgot a gift as well. Both of our minds have been kept busy, it seems.”
“This is astounding. Not only do you two meet here, you bring each other gifts as well,” said Katherine, talking rather quickly. “Kent, you never told me that part.”
“Well… such an occasion never came up.”
Katherine chuckled, leaning closer to Mo. “I have so many questions for you, about merfolk, about everything really. But Kent told me he had something important to tell us both while on our way here, so I shall refrain for now.”
“Yes, indeed.” Kent beamed. “So important, that I figured it would be best to tell you both at the same time. I have been holding back my excitement!”
Has he found the opening I made? Mo’s heart drummed faster. “What is it?” he asked with a grin.
Kent clasped his hands together with a clap.
Katherine leant in further, curious.
Mo held his breath.
“I found a job on a ship. Mo, Kathy, I’m to set sail in five days on The Sterling Mer !”
Mo gasped. He felt his face burn as his smile only widened more. That’s the same ship I heard Davies mention! He did it! He found it!
“What? Set sail? Kent, are you mad?!” Katherine blurted.
“No, not at all! This was all part of a plan Mo and I thought up.”
“Yes, and I’m so thrilled to hear that!” exclaimed Mo, planting a hand on Kent’s shoulder.
“A plan? What? So you have been keeping secrets.” Katherine pouted, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
“Not really. We only had the idea… two days ago? And I was to tell you as soon as I got a job. Which is now,” said Kent.
“You seriously made this decision on a whim, then?” Katherine let down her hands into her lap. “Are you sure you’re ready for a change as big as that? What about Father?”
His sister certainly had plenty of questions for him, and Mo could feel Kent tense under his hand. He squeezed his shoulder gently, for reassurance. “I’ve thought about all that,” said Kent. “But I know what I’m getting into. I’m doing it for myself. And Kathy, you should know better than anyone how Father pressures me. How he keeps trying to set me up with Miss Jaggard, all his expectations of me… I’ve simply had enough. I finally found someone whom I enjoy my time with, someone I wish to stay with. Mo, right here. I’ve already told you. And since Mo can’t become human himself, we felt that the best way for us to truly be together was to go out to sea.”
Kent lifted his hand to rest on Mo’s lap, petting his scales. The contact sent a pleasant shiver down his spine.
Katherine nodded, a look of realization painting her face. “All right. I understand that. I want you to be happy with someone of your choosing, of course. But going on a ship? Where to? For how long? Wouldn’t that be dangerous?”
“We’re off to Fall River, Massachusetts. The Sterling Mer is a merchant vessel, and the trip will be to there and back; it could take about three months. So I won’t be gone forever, I’ll return here.”
“But what of the dangers? Deadly storms, whirlpools, or pirates even, for that matter?”
“I will keep Kent safe,” Mo said sternly. Kent darted his gaze to him. “As a merman, I know the water. I can help navigate their ship away from dangerous areas. And I know how to identify pirate ships, so I can steer them away. You have nothing to worry about, Kathy. I promise no harm will ever come to Kent.”
Katherine looked at him as well. She let out a sigh, placed her hand on her bosom, and gave him a tender, genuine smile. “I believe you. Oh, Kent, you really reeled in a good one, here.”
“Reeled in…?” Mo asked.
“Get it? Reeled in? Because he’s a fish!” Katherine couldn’t help but laugh.
Kent joined in on the laughter, and Mo never felt more confused, not understanding the joke. “I don’t get it…”
“When humans catch fish,” Kent explained, “we use something called a fishing rod. There’s a line connected to it, and when you catch a fish at the end of the line, you ‘reel in’ the line via a spool on the rod. That pulls the fish in.” He made a pantomime motion with his hands, one appearing to hold something and the other making a circular motion.
“Oh! I know that,” cheered Mo. “I’ve seen those things plenty of times; I just hadn’t known the correct words humans used for them.”
“That’s adorable,” Katherine laughed, holding her hand in front of her mouth. “Also, I have no doubt you’ll do your best to protect Kent. But what about giant sea serpents? How could you protect him against that? Are they even real? I’ve heard terrible stories.”
Mo raised his brows. “Sea serpents? No, none that I would consider giant, or anything of a threat at all . Giant squids are very real, however.”
“Giant squids?” the siblings said in unison.
“I’ve never known them to attack ships, though!” Mo chuckled. “Merfolk hunt them sometimes. They’re very delicious, but can be expensive due to their rarity.”
“That’s amazing!” exclaimed Kent.
“Good to know.” Katherine continued to laugh. “Kent, you’ll be in good hands.”
“Thank you, I know I will be.” He smiled sweetly at Mo. “I just thought of something. But it shouldn’t be a problem, with what you told me of sailors and merfolk…”
“What do you mean?” asked Mo.
“I never mentioned you to the boatswain. He doesn’t know that I plan to bring a merman along. What if it’s all in vain, and they don’t accept you? Have I made a mistake?”
“You really didn’t? Isn’t that something important for your whole plan to work?” commented Katherine.
Mo smiled at both of them, then directed his gaze to Kent, continuing to reassure him. “You’ll be fine. The boat is called The Sterling ‘Mer’ , remember? I highly doubt any man who sails on a ship with that name would have issue with merfolk. Besides, I personally have never encountered a ship that was hostile toward me.” Of the kind sailors he’d spoken to, it wasn’t many, but they were all English, and enough for him to believe Kent and him shouldn’t encounter any trouble, either.
“Yes, you’re right.” Kent nodded. “I’m to meet the full crew tomorrow evening, and I’ll ask then. I suppose I can still back out, if they don’t agree. But like you said, everything should be fine.”
“I wouldn’t tell Father then, until after your meeting,” said Katherine. “Just in case. I don’t wish for him to make a big fuss if you end up not going, making matters worse.”
“Good call,” said Kent.
The sun dipped lower, casting the sky in magnificent shades of pinks and oranges, reflected on the calm waves of the sea. Katherine asked more questions of Mo, of merfolk life and what his home was like, spitting her words out quickly. It felt quite nice to converse with another human in this way, together with his beloved Kent, laughing and having fun. He felt more at home talking with them on land than he ever had with other merfolk in the water. Even if he didn’t always understand things, Kent was so considerate, so nice, he always did his best to explain what he and his sister meant. Learning more about humans was always Mo’s favorite thing, his special area of interest, and nothing was better than hearing the sweet voice of Kent telling him all about it.
A true fish out of water, Mo was. But perhaps his heart wasn’t meant to stay in the water after all.
He didn’t even realize how close Kent had gotten to him, shoulders touching, hands intertwined. Katherine didn’t seem to mind, but she kept looking back toward the trees, back toward their horse still standing by. It was getting somewhat late, as oranges meshed with blues, but not so late enough for the stars quite yet.
“I think I shall take my leave,” said Katherine, smiling. “Biscuit seems rather restless, and I think you two deserve some… alone time.”
Mo noticed Kent’s cheeks flush red at that comment, along with feeling his own heat up. It was comforting to know that one of Kent’s family was accepting of their relationship, given what Kent said about human attitudes before. “Are you still sure you’ll be fine waiting for me in town?” asked Kent.
“Yes! It’s not London; nothing is going to happen to me in little old Stubbington.”
“You’re to meet up later?” asked Mo.
Kent nodded, and squeezed his hand gently. “Yes, Katherine and I talked about it earlier on our ride here. How we can split up here, but arrive home together to not cause suspicions. We’re still to meet at the church, correct?”
“Yes, still correct. You needn’t worry.” She smiled.
“All right.” Kent smiled back, letting go of Mo’s hand. “I shall see you off. I’ll be right back, Mo.”
Mo nodded as Kent stood up, escorting his sister back to their horse. He saw her put her stockings and shoes back on, and her brother assisted in lifting her onto Biscuit’s back. Mo longed to know what it felt like to have a loving sibling relationship such as theirs. For he had none—he’d been the only youngling of his parents. But he was still happy for Kent, to have someone close who was not only family, but a dear friend as well.
After Katherine and Biscuit disappeared into the shadows of the wood, Kent walked back over to Mo. He sat down just as before, pebbles clicking as his bottom hit the ground.
“Ah, there,” said Kent, patting down his shirt sleeves. “What did you think of her?”
Mo scooched closer to his human, grabbing his hand again. He couldn’t help himself—if he was near, he wanted to be touching him at all times. “She was delightful. I truly appreciate how kind she was, and how she was accepting of the nature of our relationship.”
“Yes, of course. I’m thankful, too. She is such a kind soul toward all sorts of people. I believe the only way she’d hate someone was if… they were something terrible, like a murderer.” He laughed.
Mo tried to laugh as well, forcing it, masking his face with a smile. “Yes, I’ve—I’ve no doubt.” Oh, if only Kent knew…
“But anyway,” said Kent, thankfully not noticing anything strange about Mo’s fa?ade of a demeanor. “I’m glad. Glad you like her, but also glad she gave us some… time to ourselves, too.”
“Absolutely.” A flutter swam in Mo’s chest at the thought, and he grasped Kent’s hand a little tighter. “We might only have tonight, and possibly one more night before you set sail. Things will be quite different for both of us. Though I’m certain it will be better than the stressful situation you’re in now. You’ll be free.”
Kent grinned at that. “You’re right. We’ll be together, anywhen we wish. However, I have grown fond of the setting around us now, at the beach. It’s quite scenic, don’t you think?”
Mo looked around at the soft foamy waves, the calm darkening sky, the rustling green leaves of the nearby wood. While he greatly admired the landscape underwater, nothing quite captured the same wondrous beauty of nature on land. “Yes, it is. However, I’ve no doubt we’ll see countless more beaches on our journey up ahead. But I understand, I enjoy this particular beach greatly. It’s… ours , in a way.”
Kent nodded, his smile growing brighter. “Then I think we should make the most of it while we’re here, don’t you think?”