Chapter Thirty-Six
ADRIAN
‘They betrayed me,’ Adrian said to the water, already lying down in his small rowing boat and finishing his recounting of what had taken place with the Sun, the Moon and the fucking Dark over the past few hours.
‘And why does it hurt you so much?’ came the calm reply.
‘Because—’ He stopped short. Why did it hurt so much? ‘Because I feel something I can’t describe for Elara.’
‘Love?’ Oceanne asked.
Adrian shook his head. Love was ridiculous.
How could he feel love for a woman he barely knew, who he’d never touched in that way?
‘No, not love,’ he said. ‘I can’t explain it.
But when she’s near, I feel drawn to her.
A connection I can’t put into words. And my magick—it goes utterly awry.
As though it, too, senses something between us. ’
‘That sounds like love to me.’
‘I wouldn’t know. It’s not as though I’ve ever been in love.’
‘You haven’t?’
Adrian shook his head, the blindfold providing the sweet relief of darkness. It was strange, but he found himself more and more able to speak to Oceanne. He could share his darkest secrets without ever having to look her in the eyes.
‘Perhaps it’s my penance,’ he admitted. ‘For I have had many a maiden fall for me. I could just never reciprocate their love. I’ve left a trail of broken hearts around Celestia.’
‘And why do you think that is?’
He thought about it. ‘I’m not sure. I love my sisters. And my parents, even if they’re disappointed with my life choices. And I know they love me too.’
‘So…?’
‘I think…I think I fear anyone else looking too closely at me. I don’t think I like how vulnerable love can make a person. How naked it can make one feel.’
‘And so you present a mask to the world, a shallow surface—that of a fun-loving, womanizing pirate—to hide the deep waters that run through you.’
He was startled by the accuracy. ‘Exactly,’ he said, swallowing. ‘Because I’m not sure, if I removed the mask, if anyone would want to dive in.’
‘Perhaps that’s what entices you about Elara. That she has a depth to her that the whole world can see. And shadows that you know of, but don’t turn from.’
‘How do you know about her powers?’ Adrian asked.
There was a pause. ‘Everyone in Celestia has now heard about what she’s done.’
‘You seem to know an awful lot about love,’ Adrian said. ‘Are you betrothed?’
There was a quiet laugh. ‘I fear that my experiences with love have only taught me to scorn it.’
‘So you haven’t been privy to this soulmate magick that seems to have awoken.’
‘Ah, so you’ve heard of it. You know it began with the Sun and the Moon? They were the very first.’
Adrian didn’t like the lurch in his stomach on hearing it.
‘Well, they make a fine pair. A fine pair of liars.’
‘You don’t seem like the kind to hold a grudge. Be sure you aren’t angry for the wrong reasons.’
Adrian didn’t know how to reply and remained silent for a while as he ruminated over the mermaid’s words.
‘Well, tomorrow we will be in Altalune. And I’ll never have to see either of them again.’
‘I wouldn’t be so sure of that,’ came the amused reply. ‘I believe your fates are quite interwoven.’
Adrian raised a brow. ‘And is seer-ing another gift you mermaids possess?’
‘No,’ Oceanne laughed. ‘But the way you spoke of her…I don’t feel that this is the end for you. Or her.’
He sighed. ‘All I care about is finding the cure for Annabel. If Elara caused her illness—’
‘Elara didn’t cause it,’ Oceanne said sharply.
‘But she’s the Dark,’ Adrian retorted.
There was a pause. ‘How in Celestia did you come to that conclusion?’
‘I have seen her magick. I have seen the kind of horror it has wrought.’
‘You’re mistaken, Adrian. Elara is the Moon.’
‘Yes. Can she not be both?’ he demanded.
‘No. You are wrong.’
‘But you said all three are on my ship.’
‘They are—I’m sure of it. I can feel the Dark.’
‘Then who is it?’
‘I don’t know,’ she said slowly. ‘But I know the power, and it’s stronger here.’
Adrian realized something. ‘Is that why you came to my ship? Is that why you followed me?’
‘Yes,’ she sighed. ‘Unfortunately, it wasn’t just to spend hours talking to a handsome pirate.’
‘Well, at least you compliment me,’ he said, smiling.
‘I’d better go,’ she said, and he felt the boat rock slightly as she let go of the edge.
‘Where exactly is it that you live?’ he called out, reluctant to let her go.
She laughed. ‘Somewhere you’ll likely never visit,’ she said. ‘I’ll be back tomorrow.’
‘Ah, yes, my very own town crier.’
‘All the latest news, of course,’ she chuckled. ‘Stay safe, won’t you? And I hope your stay in Altalune brings you what you need.’
‘I hope so too.’