Under a Violet Moon by Tara N Gabrys

Author:Tara N Gabrys [Tara N Gabrys]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tara Gabrys
Published: 2023-11-29T00:00:00+00:00

fourteen

When I get back to the caves, the pod is alive with activity, like a beehive in spring. I make my way to Marina, who is still resting in the worn canoe, Lorelei at her side. I'm pleased to see Marina awake and moving her arms as she sips something steaming from a small shell. Since living among the merfolk, I’ve learned that not only do we have the ability to manipulate water, some, although rare, have the ability to heat and cool water as well—creating steam and ice with enough concentration to a small amount at a time. I’ve heard it takes years of practice to perfect, but Lyla, the chef of the pod, has it mastered flawlessly.

As I approach, I hand Lorelei the bundle of roots she requested.

"She's doing well, thanks to you." Lorelei nods to me when I near.

"And to you," I counter, knowing without her expertise, Marina might not have made such a quick recovery.

"Finish that tea and stay put!" Lorelei gives her orders and leaves us with some privacy, slipping off the edge of the platform and disappearing into the water below. Her delicate fin tips are the last thing I see before turning my attention back to Marina.

"How are you feeling?" I ask, curling my tail around myself beside the old canoe.

"Oh, this isn't the first time I've cheated death. Just the latest. It's going to take a lot more for me to turn to sea foam." She winks as she sips the hot tea from the salmon striped shell. It smells of lavender and something more, but I can't quite pinpoint the other notes.

“You lot never cease to amaze me. How on earth do you have access to lavender?” I inhale the blissful scent wafting from her.

“Oh, we are more clever than the average human. We find ways to enjoy all things humans do, if not more.” She sips her tea before continuing and I admire her braided locks flowing down her shoulder tied off with thin rope.

“The dried herbs we use come from a small garden a few of us tend to in a secluded part of a nearby beach. It’s tough to grow it through mostly sand, but over the years the plants have adapted. Once we harvest them, we dry them here in the caves with the help of Lyla’s heat magic.”

I nod in astonishment. Truly these merfolk are more intelligent than most humans. But they’ve been living undetected for thousands of years. Of course they’ve had time to perfect and ease their living to accommodate whatever they desire.

"Well, I'm glad you’re healing. The world is a better place with you swimming its waters." With that, her cat eyes look into mine as if I've stunned her, but she recovers quickly and says, "You're not turning into a guppy on me now, are you?"

I giggle at the accusation, but don't have it in me to protest. Not when Marina is the closest thing to a friend I have under the sea.

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