Page 123 of Oceansong
Kaden put one hand on his heart and inclined his head toward Bàba, who bowed in return.
She let go of Kaden’s hand and swam back to the surface with Bàba.
Forty-Nine
One Year Later
Angie stepped out from herbeachside Seattle apartment, reciting fishes native to the Salish Sea and murmuring under her breath. Two weeks into school, and her Biology of Fishes professor had already announced a quiz next week.
“Coastrange salmon,cottus aleuticus.Lobefin snailfish,liparis greeni.Queenfish.” She drew a blank on its scientific name.
Damn. What sadist gave their class a quiz on the third week of class?
Her phone pinged with an incoming text from Mia, and thanking her ancestors for the distraction, she opened the message. It was coupled with a photo of Mia’s four-month-old little boy, Jacques, but they called him Jack. His middle name was Nicholas, in honor of her father. Jack’s complexion was fair with eyes reflecting copper, his hair of golden brown and slender lips. He looked like Nick, and even as an infant, his personality was already as big as his father’s. Angie knew it comforted Mia that her son mirrored her late husband. Jack was laying on his back, his chubby legs and arms splayed. One hand toward the camera, a wide, toothless smile on his face.
Despite looking like Nick, he was much too adorable for words.
Angie grinned and texted her back, and continued making her way toward the shoreline.
Then another text came in, this one from Celia.
Celia: Hey Angie! Thanks for checking in on me. I’m okay. I miss my mom, but I know you understand. Let me know when you’re back in Creston. We’ll meetup.
Angie replied in kind and slipped her phone back into her pocket. She had been in Seattle three weeks, having moved here a week early to get acclimated. With the whirlwind of school starting, moving into her apartment, and getting Lulu settled in, it felt like only days had passed.
Ten paces more, and a glint appeared out of the corner of her eye. Then another.
She turned her head and squinted. What could that be?
Several more steps, and colorful gems spelling out her name came into view.
Angie stopped short and kneeled. Cobalt, gold, copper, and graphite crystals as small as her pinky nail and as large as her hand greeted her. She began to gather them into her hands.
“Do you like them?” Kaden’s voice came to her, carried on the breeze. Her next breath caught in her throat, and she met his gaze.
Angie stopped halfway in her quest to gather all the gems. Adrenaline spiked and rejuvenated her, and the blue-gray seas and skies, golden sun, and sandy shores brightened. “Kaden! You’re here.” She ran to him and fell to her knees, and he rose to meet her height, drawing her into a tight hug.
“Did you doubt me? I told you I would follow where you went. And I had good reason to hasten my trip.” His lips on her neck emitted sweet vibrations, and she pulled back, keeping her hands on his forearms.
“Oh, and yes. Of course I love them, they’re from you. But where did you get them from? These are worth a fortune to some people.” She fell to her backside and sat cross-legged, pocketing the precious gemstones.
“Hydrothermal vents are rich with minerals. Exhausting, and hot, but it’s worth it to see your joy.” Kaden shifted backward so that everything but his upper arms and shoulders were obscured by the moody sea, and rested his chin in his hands.
“Thank you. I’ll keep these safe.” Angie closed her eyes and inhaled the invigorating, refreshing sea breeze. “How was everything at the docks? I mean, I know you probably left a week after I did, but still.”
“All was well. The repairs are moving along, and I’ve been helping where I can. Especially when they needed structures placed closer to, or in the water.” Kaden shifted, his elegant dorsal fin peeking over the surface, swaying with the waves. “I think your dad is warming up to me.”
“If you’ve managed to impress him and Mia, you’re good in my book,” Angie said, full of mirth.
Kaden pushed himself up on his hands, and put one hand to his chest, hiseyes growing wide. “Well then, my love. I’m glad to hear it.” He laughed and looked away when Angie flicked sand at him.
A fishing boat appeared from the horizon, bringing Angie back to last summer. She instinctively drew her shoulders to her ears, as if expecting the boat to be taken down by mer.
But the war was over. And the central queendom had pulled their reinforcements back when the humans and mer reached a truce.
Kaden had already turned his head to look.
“Incredible.” The word carried on a long exhale, and he jutted his chin in the boat’s direction. “This never gets old. I still am in awe of their size.”
