Page 109 of Seduced By the Mermen
“Understood," Blair says. There's a tone to her voice that says she does believe him. Well, I'm not so sure that any of the other pods looking for a mate would go so far as to chase us all the way over here.
Delmar comes out of the pod room with three small rucksacks.
Sterling’s holding the voyager in position. I climb up and open the hatch above the living room, which has its advantages—there’s less chance that someone will spot us. But then again, it’s raining.
“Hello,” Fenwick says from his boat.
“Hello.” I hold up one of the bags, and he nods. I toss them over to him one at a time. My legs are straddling the side of the ladder.
“Here, take this,” Fenwick says, handing me an umbrella from the small boat he has tied up to the voyager.
“Thanks. Are you ready, Blair?”
“Coming.”
I steady her as she climbs the ladder, and Fenwick helps her onto the boat. It has a small awning.
“I guess what they say about England’s weather isn’t a lie,” she says.
“We’ve had the wettest spring on record. Lots of flooding. I could have gone for a swim in one of my fields if I wanted to,” Fenwick says. He’s from the Permula dome and provides seeds and other things we don’t grow back home.
“I don’t mind. I really like the Veiled City, but I’m looking forward to seeing the sun,” Blair says.
“You might see it at some point.” Fenwick laughs and unlatches his boat as soon as Delmar jumps on board.
Delmar’s eyes are wide. “This isn’t one of ours.” He runs his hands down the sideboard.
“No, human technology. A lot less subject to prying eyes.” Fenwick pushes off of the voyager and starts the motors.
“What about Sterling?” Blair asks.
“I’ll pick him up later after he secures your blue whale of a vessel.” Fenwick points us to shore.
The ride to his dock doesn’t take long. The trudge up the cliff-side track takes longer. Rain sheets down so hard that we give up on the umbrella. The stairs themselves are a little treacherous, and I find myself wanting to pick Blair up and carry her instead, but I know she can do it.
“Are you doing okay?” I ask her.
"I'll get there. I might just take a little longer." She turns and smiles at me.
The top of the bluff emerges, and Blair gives a joyful squeal. To the left, there's a field of grazing sheep clustered under a tree line and, to the right, a large field of grain. We take a well-trodden path between them.
“Hurry, it won't be long. When I left, they were making lamb stew. It should be ready by now. We'll get you nice and warm,” says Fenwick.
I'm watching every step she takes. There's something about the sky that makes me nervous, even if it is overcast and rainy.
When we’re almost to the cottage, the rain slows. Usually, I swim the last bit and go straight into the city. Before we can get into London, we have a three-hour drive. I might've messed up, but having this time with Blair is worth it, especially if that's all I ever get.
Blair
"Oh, your cottage is so charming. It's right out of a storybook: the thatch roof, the thick walls, crisscross windows. I love everything about it.” I turn to Fenwick. He’s got the look of a merman to him. He’s ten, maybe twenty years older than I am. It’s hard to tell.
It’s so weird to be walking on dirt. With grass. I’ve been to the agricultural domes. It was nice to walk around there, but it’s not the same. “The rain makes it even more picturesque.” I’m not even kidding even with rain soaking my hair.
“Wait until you see the inside," Fenwick says.
I smile again. “Sterling will be here soon?” I ask Delmar.
He takes my hand. “Yes, I’m sure he’ll catch up before long.”
