The Little Mermaid's Voice by Shonna Slayton

Author:Shonna Slayton [Slayton, Shonna]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781947736115
Publisher: Amaretto Press

Chapter 17

Mairin slipped into the thick cotton nightgown Miss Higgins had set out for her. That was the third outfit Mairin had worn that day. Human girls led complicated lives. Undersea, her scales covered her in all the places clothing here did. There was no need to change, aside from the shells on their tails that the young mermaids liked to wear.

There was a light knock at the door and Zale whispered, “Mairs?”

Her pulse quickened as she let him in. She had thought he would spend the night entertaining his new friends in the lounge.

“I’ve got a surprise for you.” Zale wiggled his eyebrows as he bent down to take hold of her wheelchair.

“Wait, now?” She held up her hand to stop him.

The corridors were empty, with everyone slipping off to their rooms for the night.

“Now is best.”

“I’m surprised you’re even talking to me. Seems like you were busy holding court tonight.”

Zale’s gaze met hers. “Did that bother you?”

Mairin pictured Zale in the midst of three eager young women and smiled widely. “Not in the least. You go ahead and satisfy whatever curiosity you have with the humans while I try to protect our kingdom.” She faltered in her speech, wondering just how curious Zale was. If all mermaids regained their full freedoms, would Zale and the others want to visit with the humans? Would others be tempted?

“Just come out with me.”

“I’m in a prime location for monitoring Edwin. His room is slightly below mine and to the right, and if I focus my hearing, I’ll know when he opens his door.”

“The man is sleeping. He’ll not move until morning.”

“And if he does?”

“He’ll not want to find you hovering outside his cabin. That would send the wrong message. Besides, we have to go now. What I’m about to show you gets used during the day, and I’d much prefer we have it to ourselves.” He wheeled her out and closed the door.

“At least tell me where you’re taking me.”

“Then it wouldn’t be a surprise. Give me some credit, Mairs. I know what you like.” He wheeled her down the empty corridor.

She had no idea what Zale could possibly think she would like on this human ship. He brought her to the elevator, and they went down as far as it would go to E-deck near the bottom of the ship.

After exiting, he wheeled her to the stairs and stopped. “We have to go down one more level.” He bent down and lifted the wheelchair, but stumbled when he took a step.

She gripped the chair, and he set her back down.

“Sorry, Mairs. I’ll have to bring the chair down first and then come back for you.”

“Human legs are wobbly, aren’t they?” she joked, surprised that Zale would stumble under her weight. Maybe he wasn’t as strong out of the water. That would hurt his pride. She rose and leaned against the wall.

A shadow passed over his face. “Still getting used to them.” He was tight-lipped as he took the chair.

Not waiting for him to come back, she forced herself to follow him.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.