Page 80 of Between Salt and Serenades
Maisie popped a berry into her mouth and tilted her head to the side in thought. I’d expected the hybrids to flee as soon as their captors were morphed into sea snails, but here they were, lounging with us around the pools and raiding Tinelle’s wine collection.
“These caves have been our home for so long, many of us don’t have anywhere else to go and no means to get there even if we had a destination in mind. I think I’ll stay here for a little while, clean up the bedchambers and make this place a true home, not just a place to be kept,” Maisie said. “Isla spoke so much of comfort and peace, but they rarely provided us with it. I think it’s finally our turn to create that peace and comfort for ourselves.”
“That’s very honorable of you,” Breena said, reaching her goblet of wine out toward Maisie in toast. “To whatever our new futures hold.”
We all cheered to that, the sound of clinking metal and bottles ringing through the air as we celebrated with the stolenwine. I trailed kisses over Breena’s cheeks and jaw, and she giggled in my arms, wine sloshing over the side of her goblet.
“Defeating your enemies gets you in quite the mood, hmm?” Breena hummed low in my ear.
I replied by nipping her bottom lip and whispering, “So does the thought of having a lifetime of moments just like this with you. Laughter, freedom, and delicious fucking food. You and me, selkie, a force to be reckoned with.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER DEAL
“Are you sure you don’t want to keep them?” Breena asked, leaning on the railing of the Indigo Tide. “We could put them in a dark and dusty cupboard.”
“Depths, no,” I said, holding up the vial of snails with a chuckle. “I don’t need their bad energy. They can spend the rest of their days in the very place they tried to destroy, every new day a reminder of their failure.”
“It’s better than they deserve, you know.” Rory emerged from behind me, tossing a disgusted glance at the snails.
“I do, but it gives me great satisfaction knowing the witch’s potion is permanent. These wicked women will remain bottom feeders, never able to threaten families, hold sirens hostage, or stir up chaos ever again. The most they’ll do is eat algae and avoid getting eaten themselves,” I said. “I can live with that.”
And the truth was, I could. No one was going to lose their life again because of these women, and that was victory. I was delighted by the sound of the cork popping out of its vial and the plop of each of the five snails hitting the surface of the water.
I couldn’t help but smile, feeling like my father could finally rest, as could all the fragments of sea glass that called out to me for revenge over the last three years. While I’d never know whichof the Ever Wanderer sailors ended his life, I can live knowing the women who attempted to rekindle the war my father died trying to end are now, well, sea snails.
“I’m proud of you,” Zellia said, giving my arm a pinch. “No more death. No more hunting for food, or for answers, for that matter.”
“How do you?—”
“Sid, do us both a favor.” She laughed and shook her head. “Let’s not pretend you’re coming with me. I know where your heart lies and where it should remain.”
I stared at my sister, my mouth agape. “You know I’m staying?”
“I do, and I’m happy for you. You deserve peace more than anyone I know. Just promise me you’ll visit. Mom and I may not need you to hunt for us anymore, but I still need my big sister, and she needs her daughter.”
“You have my word,” I said, those same words getting caught in my throat as a sob slipped out. Pulling her into my arms, I stroked her silky hair with my palm, savoring every second. “I love you, Zel. And you better come back to land too. For Grandpa.”
“You could never get rid of me so easily. For life, Sid. Even if we’re apart, you have me for life.”
I nodded, an ugly snot bubble popping on my face. Rory handed me a hankie, and I took it from him with a sheepish grin. This crying thing was something I was going to need to get used to. I promised Breena my truths, after all, and I would always keep my word to that woman. Always.
We said our goodbyes to Zellia, knowing this wasn’t the last time I’d see her, not by a long shot. The ache in my heart lessened knowing our mother needed her more than I did, knowing Zellia was going home, where her heart belonged.
When Rory pulled free of Zellia’s hugs, he handed my sister a large serrated blade. She grasped its hilt in understanding, aware that there was one last task to accomplish before she could take her leave. The captain of the ship held Zellia’s hand as she climbed up onto the side of the ship, knife in hand. She turned back to look at me one last time before she dove into the sea.
Her head didn’t pop back up until she was fully transitioned, her shredded dress floating on the surface of the water. Rory scooped the fabric up with a small net attached to a pole and plopped it onto the deck.
“Gotta get this back to my neighbor,” he said with a shrug. “A little stitching, and it should be good as new.”
Breena poked the destroyed dress with her foot. “I think you owe her a new one, captain. Zellia did a number on it. But hey, you could always use a few more rags, right?”
As the two of them bantered back and forth, I turned my attention back to the sea, watching Zellia work as she sawed at the netted enclosure. When the fish began pushing their way out, I grabbed Breena’s hand and guided her to the railing.
We all watched in silence until every last creature was freed. Zellia popped back up and waved the knife in the air with webbed fingers. “That’s one! Twenty-two to go!”
“You heard the woman,” I said to Rory, motioning to his wheel. “Lead the way, captain.”
