Legacy Lost

Legacy Lost
Anne Banks illustration by G O N I M O N T E S Grom is a mer-prince, pledged to marry the mermaid princess of an opposing kingdom in an effort to unite the lands under the waters. He dreads this arrangement until meets the princess Nalia – both beautiful and smart, she’s everything he ever wanted. ut !ust when their connection grows deeper, tragedy strikes. "#egacy #ost$ is a pre%uel story to &nna anks’ debut novel, 'f (oseidon, newly out from )eiwel * )riends.

Grom’s fin gives an occasional thrust, a reflex reall , to maintain for!ar" motion if onl at the s#ee" of "rift!oo"$ But com#aring himself to "rift!oo" !oul" %e unfair&to the "rift!oo"$ &t least driftwood doesn’t have to mate with the hideous (oseidon heir. 'e kee#s his %ack to the a% ss %elo! an" his face u#turne" to the ceiling of ice a%ove him$ A ceiling to the S rena, a floor to the humans, %ut most im#ortant, a "ivi"er of the !orl"s$ Even !hen the humans %egan to su%merge their steel "eath shi#s&long, ugl things that %reathe" fire un"er!ater an" hurle" chunks of metal at one another&none of them "are" to venture as far north as the Big Ice$ So far$ (hich is luck for him, since the S rena hi"e all things of im#ortance un"er the fro)en shiel", "o!n in the "e#ths of the *ave of Memories&Grom’s "estination$ (ithin the cave, he’ll fin" the *eremon *ham%er, an" #ossi%l a !a out of his o!n im#en"ing ceremon &the one that seals him to the house of +osei"on for the rest of his misera%le life$ The #unishment for %eing a first%orn, thir",generation Triton -o al$ En route to the cave, Grom s#ots an occasional ice chunk %ulging out more than the rest, so as to resem%le a %ul%ous nose$ If he lets his e es relax enough, the crevices an" icicles surroun"ing it coul" %lur into the "our face of his father, the Triton king&or, at least, the face his father ma"e !hen Grom tol" him he "i"n’t #articularl want to mate !ith the +osei"on #rincess$ But to com#lete the king’s fur , Grom !oul" nee" to someho! a"" ten sha"es of %lotch re" to the ice&one sha"e for each time his father ha" sai", .But ou’re the first%orn, thir", generation Triton$ /ou must u#hol" the la! of Gifts$0 Or, on secon" thought, ma %e one sha"e of re" for each time Grom ha" sai", .The la! is out"ate"10 (hether or not the la! reall is out"ate", Grom can’t sa $ The la! of Gifts !as %rought into effect long ago % the great generals, Triton an" +osei"on, to ensure the survival of the S rena$ At least that’s !hat the Archives sa $ But the Gift of +osei"on hasn’t occurre" in man generations$ Not that the S rena are starving, % an means$ But as more an" more humans inva"e the oceans, the more im#ortant the Gift of +osei"on !ill %ecome, es#eciall since the all share a common foo" source2 fish$ The humans have their nets$ The S rena have the Gift of +osei"on$ As for the Gift of Triton, not even the Archives can remem%er the last time an one sa! evi"ence of it$ In fact, there is continual "e%ate a%out !hat the Gift of Triton actuall is$ Even the Archives&the ol"est of the S rena entruste" to remem%er such things& continuall "e%ate a%out Triton’s Gift$ Some sa s#ee"$ Some sa strength$ But if the &rchives can’t remem%er, !ho’s to sa it actuall still exists3 But one thing Grom is sure of is that the survival of the Gifts coul"n’t #ossi%l hinge on his mating !ith the ugl +osei"on #rincess$ The Archives must surel %e mistaken on that #oint$ Nalia, Nalia, Nalia$ 4ust thinking her name makes him snarl$

'e’s onl ever met her once, ears ago !hen her mother "ie"$ Eti5uette ha" force" the Triton -o als to #a their res#ects to the mourning house of +osei"on$ (ell, eti5uette, an" the close frien"shi# %et!een Grom’s father an" the +osei"on king, Antonis$ But for Grom, it !as strictl eti5uette$ Es#eciall consi"ering ho! Nalia ha" treate" him$ &nd + was !ust e,pressing my condolencesThirteen mating seasons ol" at the time, he !as alrea" %eing groome" to rule the Triton territor , alrea" given the res#ect "ue to a future king$ But Nalia !as a haught little mess, even at a mere nine seasons ol"$ 'e remem%ers ho! careful he !as in reciting each !or" of his mother’s comforting s#eech, sa ing no%le things a%out "eath an" loss an" love, even as Nalia sneere" u# at him in a##arent "isgust$ Most of all, he remem%ers ho! those s!ollen re" e es ma"e her look like the result of !hat !oul" ha##en if a #uffer fish mate" !ith a rock$ She’" sai", .'o! coul" you un"erstan" m loss3 /ou "i"n’t even kno! m mother10 (hich !asn’t true at all, of course$ Grom’s #arents ha" %een fast frien"s !ith the +osei"on -o als for man ears$ That is, %efore the #recious #rincess came along$ After giving %irth to the s#oile" %ullshark, the +osei"on 5ueen never full recovere", an" #referre" to sta in the -o al caverns rather than venture out to an social functions$ To %e fair&or at least, to #reten" to %e fair&Nalia coul"n’t 6ustl %e %lame" for the 5ueen’s "eath, no matter ho! closel her su""en "ecline coinci"e" !ith the %irth of +uffer 7ish 7ace$ 'r maybe she’s more like a hammerhead, since her eyes are set so far apart. Grom smirks to himself as, at that moment, he #asses a sla% of ice !ith t!o "ee#,set holes s#ace" an arm’s length a#art$ .Nalia,0 he sa s to the contorte", makeshift face, .still so ic after all these ears30 'e even allo!s himself a chuckle at her ex#ense$ .hy not/ &fter we’re mated, everything will be at m e,pense. After a long stretch of %roo"ing, Grom senses the t!o Trackers guar"ing the entrance to the *ave of Memories$ No "ou%t the sense" him %efore he sense" them, #ossi%l as soon as he set off on his 6ourne $ (hich has al!a s ama)e" him$ All S rena can sense each other !ithin close #roximit , %ut Trackers have a s#ecial sensing ca#acit $ The ones !ho im#ress him the most are the elite Trackers, !ho can sense their kin" even from o##osite si"es of the !orl"$ Onl the elite can stan" guar" at the *ave of Memories$ Onl the elite can %e truste" !ith such #recious relics$ An" to Grom, none of those relics are more valua%le at this moment than the ans!ers that lie in the *eremon *ham%er, the #lace !here all of S rena histor is "ocumente"$ Matings, %irths, annulments, "eaths$ (ith an shimmer of luck, Grom !ill fin" evi"ence that he’s not thir" generation$ Or that he’s not first%orn$ Or, %etter et, he’s not even of Triton "escent1 'e’" take an of those o#tions over the last one2 'e is all of the a%ove, an" he !ill mate !ith Nalia an" her hammerhea" e es$ (hen Grom senses the Trackers "irectl %elo!, he s!oo#s "o!n an" a##roaches them at the entrance$ Both&one from each -o al house&move asi"e for him$

.Is there a -o al function here to"a , m #rince30 the Triton Tracker sa s$ Grom #auses %efore he #asses$ .No$ (h "o ou ask30 An" then he senses her$ Nalia$ .hy is she here/ The Tracker no"s !hen he sees that Grom recogni)es Nalia’s #ulse$ .'er 'ighness arrive" not long ago, m #rince$ (e 6ust thought $ $ $0 The Tracker shrugs, una%le or un!illing to theori)e further$ Grom #resses his li#s together in a tight line$ .8i" she sa !h 30 This time, the +osei"on Tracker shakes his hea"$ .She "i" not, m #rince$0 Grom no"s$ .As ou !ere, then$0 *areful to hi"e his grimace until he #asses, he makes his !a into the enormous first cham%er, a cavern fille" !ith long rocks that look like icicles "angling from the to# an" #rotru"ing from the %ottom$ It remin"s Grom of the mouth of a #iranha$ 0ou don’t have to see her. 1ust find what you came for and leave. But the more he !in"s through the ma)e of caverns, the more his heart sinks$ 'e #asses the Scroll *ham%er, full of human an" S rena relics, none of !hich are actual scrolls9 all the true scrolls, the ones scra!le" onto #a# rus an" %irch centuries ago, have "isintegrate" into %its of nothing to %e stolen % the current$ Then there’s the Tom% *ham%er, the final resting #lace for all S rena "ea", #reserve" % the free)ing !ater an", most im#ortantl , ke#t from !ashing ashore on an human %eaches$ 'e eases #ast the *ivic *ham%er, full of monuments from man human civili)ations$ Each tunnel, each cham%er, %rings him closer an" closer to the *eremon *ham%er&an" closer to her$ 7inall , he reaches the entrance, an" the female Tracker on guar" meets him !ith a sur#rise" look$ ./our 'ighness,0 she sa s, %o!ing her hea" in reverence$ Grom sco!ls$ Nalia’s #ulse #oun"s against his chest, his hea", his entire %o" $ 'e "oesn’t remem%er her #ulse %eing this strong, this intrusive$ 2he’s in the 3eremony 3hamber. .hy, why, why/ .As ou !ere,0 Grom nearl gro!ls, making his !a through the elongate" o#ening$ The *eremon *ham%er is nothing %ut centur after centur of S rena recor"s etche" an" carve" into age" rock&a much more #ractical material than the humans’ #a# rus, Grom is sure&stacke" ato# one another, maintaine" for an eternit % the Archives an" the Trackers an" the free)ing !aters$ Grom has al!a s %een in a!e of this cham%er, even %efore it meant something to him #ersonall $ Before it meant his #ossi%le esca#e from the la!$ 'e’s al!a s felt as if #ast lives, #ast ex#eriences calle" out to him from the stone ta%lets, as if this #lace hel" ans!ers to future 5uestions he might have one "a as a Triton king$ But no!, it feels as if this #lace has close" off access to itself, re#lace" % the suffocating #ulse of her$

8eci"ing the meeting is inevita%le&he kno!s she senses him 6ust as clearl as he senses her&he chooses the "i#lomatic course an" follo!s her #ulse until he fin"s her "ra#e" over a stone ta%let in a far corner of the cave$ Nalia is all gro!n u#$ 7rom hea" to fin,ti#, she takes u# the length of the ta%let an" then some$ She’s t!iste" her long %lack hair into a %rai" an" tie" a knot at the en" to kee# it in #lace$ Though a stran" of sea!ee" is !ra##e" tightl aroun" her torso in the tra"itional female cover, it "oesn’t 5uite hi"e the s!ell of her %reasts$ (ithout looking u#, she sa s, .(hat are you "oing here30 Though her voice is full of "is"ain, it’s not un#leasant$ In fact, it has a rich texture to it, velvet as a fin, an" it fills u# the cave !ith her #resence$ 'e "oesn’t like it$ Not at all$ Grom clears his throat$ .I might ask the same of ou, #rincess$0 She huffs, %ut still !on’t look at him, !hich is sure to "rive him ma"$ ./es, ou might$0 It occurs to Grom that he reall "oes !ant to kno! !h she’s here$ +s she here for the same reason + am/ 4oes she seek a way out of this arrangement too/ 'o#e licks at his insi"es, %ut then a sense of re6ection instantl 5uells it$ After all these ears, she still "ares to snu% him$ + won’t have it, not again. Not with all the females + have throwing themselves at me at every change in the current. .hat makes her so special/ Then Nalia, first%orn, thir",generation +osei"on heir, looks u#$ An" Grom almost falters$ ./ou’ve $ $ $ ou’ve change", #rincess$0 /es, it’s the same #ulse he remem%ers from ears earlier$ But it’s not the same face$ Not the #uffer fish face !ith hammerhea" ten"encies$ No, this face, this ne! Nalia, this grown-up Nalia, is %reathtaking$ 'er e es are still huge, es, %ut in a !a that makes his mouth go "r "es#ite the ocean aroun" him$ An" the color of them1 8i"n’t he remem%er them %eing "ull an" #lain3 *oul" the al!a s have %een this vi%rant, this cr stalline violet3 An" her li#s$ So full$ So alluring$ So #out $ So contrar $ ./ou haven’t change" at all,0 she counters, crossing her arms$ .Exce#t, our mouth hangs o#en !i"er than I remem%er$0 Grom clam#s his mouth shut$ .An" ou still haven’t ans!ere" m 5uestion$ (hat are ou "oing here30 she sa s$ Grom offers his most charming grin, %ut from the look on her face the effort is !aste"$ .Surel ou kno!$ I’m here to make sure there is no mistake in the recor"s$ That I am the only S rena lucky enough to %e our mate$0

'er e es "eclare him full of !hale "ung$ .:iar,0 is !hat she sa s out lou"$ .I s!ear % Triton’s tri"ent$0 'e #laces three fingers on his -o al %irthmark, the small image of a tri"ent em%e""e" into his skin 6ust %efore stomach turns into fin$ .I ha" to make sure ou !ere mine$0 She uncrosses her arms$ ./ou an" I "o not like each other$0 .Is that so3 I "i"n’t reali)e$0 If Nalia narro!s her e es an more, the ’ll close$ ./ou !ere mean to me !hen ou came to m mother’s entom%ing ceremon $0 eautiful, but dumb as a clam. 2uch a shame$ Grom cocks his hea" at her$ .(as that %efore or after ou attacke" me30 &ttacked me, then bit me when + tried to restrain her. How convenient that she doesn’t remember. Their #arents ha" foun" them !ra##e" u# in each other, her in his %est hea"lock, him tr ing to #r her vicious little teeth from his stomach$ That’s !hen the ri"iculous rumor ha" starte" that the ha" taken a liking to each other$ *om#lete nonsense$ ./ou tol" me I kille" m mother$0 .I "i"n’t sa that$ Not exactl $0 +rett close, though, he recalls$ .(e coul" start over, ou kno!$ 7orget a%out the #ast$0 'ver my lifeless fin$ Nalia must notice that he’s making his !a closer, %ecause she #resses herself against the ta%let$ Grom s!ears she s!allo!s !ith the familiar vulnera%ilit of an a!estruck female$ .(h !oul" !e "o that30 she sa s$ 'e sto#s !ithin a fin’s length of her$ .(h are ou looking at me like that30 she sa s, her han" flitting to her throat$ But he can tell % her face that it’s the same kin" of reflex of alarm he’s feeling&an" it has nothing to "o !ith "anger$ 'er e es, too, are full of the same kin" of !hirl!in" he feels tightening in his chest$ An" he "oesn’t like it$ Not at all$ Grom floats closer, gro!ing more "elighte" as she allo!s him to "evour the "istance %et!een them$ .ho’s the awestruck one now, idiot/ .:ike !hat30 he murmurs, his nose almost touching hers$ 'e "eci"es Nalia is the exact o##osite of ugl $ She has the same features as ever other S rena$ Smooth olive skin, "ark %lack hair, violet e es$ But hers are all arrange" in 6ust the right !a to make her stunning$ Nalia gas#s, licking her li#s$ She kee#s her e es locke" on his$ .:ike $ $ $ like $ $ $0 .:ike I foun" !hat I !as looking for30 he offers$

'e’s ans!ere" !ith a shar# 6a% to his throat$ .:ike ou’re looking to "ie,0 she !his#ers, #ressing !hatever !ea#on she has into the soft flesh un"er his 6a!%one$ .This is a lionfish s#ike$ If ou even flick our fin, I’ll in6ect its venom$0 'is e es lock on hers, a silent %attle raging %et!een them$ ./ou !on’t "o it$0 ./ou "on’t kno! me$0 .I !ant to$ I "o$0 5ight after + murder you$ She scoffs$ .I’m going to leave no!$ /ou’re going to sta right here$0 She !hirls them aroun" in one flui" motion an" %acks a!a from him, to!ar" the entrance$ A tantali)ing smirk curves her li#s$ ./ou must have %um#e" our hea" on the !a in,0 she sa s, tucking the hook %ehin" her, #ro%a%l into her %rai"$ .To think that !oul" !ork on me$0 Grom never takes his e es off her$ .An" !hat "o ou think !ill !ork, #ra tell30 She shrugs$ .I "on’t su##ose it matters much$0 Nalia glances %ack at the stone ta%let she !as rea"ing$ .Since I "on’t have a choice one !a or the other$0 Then she s#ee"s a!a !ith such force that a s!ish of !ater sla#s at his face in her !ake$ (hen the length of her elegant fin "isa##ears %ehin" a %en" in the cave, he gli"es over to the ta%let$ 'e coul" go after her$ 'e coul" even call her %luff on the lionfish venom&she !oul"n’t kee# such a "ea"l threat tucke" against her %are flesh$ Or, he coul" let her %ask in this small victor $ :et her think he’s !eak$ 'is e es scan the ta%let, %ut his attention is still over!helme" % the memor of her$ If she "i"n’t fin" !hat she !as looking for here, then it’s not likel that he !ill either$ Their future course is set$ One "a , the !ill %e mate"$ It’s a %attle neither of them can !in$ 'e kno!s it$ She kno!s it$ But to"a , Nalia starte" a ne! %attle$ One that he’s intent on !inning$ The one for her heart$ ;;; Grom fin"s his mother in her #rivate cham%er, right in the mi""le of her usual routine of caring for her human relics$ She uses her finger to gentl s!i#e off a la er of silt from a tall clear c lin"er, !hich she claims the humans use to contain fire for light$ After it’s s#otless, she moves on to a small !hite %ox, her favorite of them all$ .I can’t touch this one an more,0 she sa s !ithout looking u#$ She #uckers, then %lo!s a gentle stream through the "elicate flo!ers carve" on the li"$ A slight clou" of %lack !afts u#, 6ust %efore the surroun"ing !ater a%sor%s it$ .:ast time I chi##e" one of the small green #ieces, see30 Grom s!ims for!ar" an" s5uints, more in a sho! of interest than in actual interest$ .Are ou sure it !asn’t alrea" like that3 /ou "i" recover this from a !reck, after all$0

She %ites her li#$ .I’m sure$ I crie" !hen I "i" it$0 ./ou an" our human treasures,0 he sa s, not unkin"l $ .Oh, not ou too,0 she sa s, !aving her han"$ .8o I not get enough com#laints from our father3 Is it so !rong to !ant to #reserve %eaut , even if it’s ma"e from human han"s30 .Of course not,0 Grom smiles$ .Other!ise, the *ave of Memories !oul" %e outla!e"$ Besi"es, I "i"n’t come here to com#lain$0 .Excellent1 I "o get !ear of having to "efen" m self$ (hat can I "o for ou, m son30 .It’s a%out Nalia$0 The 5ueen groans$ .Oh, Grom$ /ou kno! that’s the one thing I can’t&0 .I !ant her for m mate,0 he %lurts$ .I $ $ $ /ou "o30 She clas#s her han"s together$ .Because I !as certain that ou’" rather mate !ith a rockfish$ In fact, I think ou’ve sai" as much on several&0 .Things change"$ 2he change"$ But I !ant her to !ant me too$0 Sort of$ 'e !ants her to !ant him, so he can re6ect her the !a she re6ecte" him$ But that ex#lanation !on’t convince the 5ueen to hel# him$ .Trul 3 8o ou $ $ $ "o ou love her, then30 .No,0 he sa s, even as he feels Nalia’s #ulse thrum through him$ Ever since their meeting in the *eremon *ham%er, he can’t shake it$ Sometimes it’s light, almost like a #hantom tickle, easil %rushe" asi"e$ Other times it’s ma""ening, strong an" intrusive, so that he can’t think of an thing else %ut her$ An" a##arentl talking a%out her triggers the ma"ness$ 'e "oesn’t like that$ Not at all$ .Then !h 30 'is mother’s li#s #ress into a line$ Grom chuckles, ho#ing it "oesn’t soun" as fake as it feels$ .'ave ou seen Nalia latel , mother30 The 5ueen gas#s$ .Are ou shallo! as a clam #ool, %o 30 .Triton’s tri"ent1 Ever since she !as %orn ou an" father have t!iste" m fin to acce#t her$ No! ou’re u#set that I’m willing to mate !ith her$ I "o !ish ou’" make u# our min"$0 'is mother grimaces in o%vious shame$ .Truth %e tol",0 he sa s, almost choking on the !or"s, .I think it’s more than love$ I think it’s the #ull$0 .The #ull10 she sa s, gli"ing over to him$ .Grom, are ou sure3 (hat makes ou think so30

Grom shrugs$ 'e shoul" have looke" into the !hole ri"iculous legen" further %efore going aroun" s#e!ing .the #ull0 all over the #lace$ 'e has no i"ea of the su##ose" s m#toms$ An" s m#toms the are, since Grom has al!a s consi"ere" the #ull a mental "efect, at %est$ The i"ea that nature coul" force a cou#le together in or"er to #ro"uce stronger offs#ring has al!a s %een nonsensical to him$ .8o ou think a%out her all the time30 The 5ueen’s e es light u#$ .8o ou al!a s sense her, no matter ho! far a#art ou are30 There is nothing fake a%out his sco!l as he reali)es he "oes$ Not possible. +t’s not possible that + actually do feel the pull for Nalia $ 'e clears his throat$ .Er $ $ $ es$0 The !or"s taste like s5ui" ink in his mouth$ .Oh, this is !on"erful$ I can’t !ait to tell our father$0 .No1 8o !e have to tell an one3 I mean, it "oesn’t matter if it’s the #ull or not, right3 (e !oul" still have to mate, even if it’s not$0 .But !ait$ If ou feel the #ull to!ar" her, shoul"n’t Nalia feel the #ull to!ar" ou3 Isn’t that ho! it !orks30 6riton’s trident, what a stupid legend. .I’m sure she reci#rocates, mother$ But given our histor , she might %e stu%%orn enough to fight it$0 Again, Nalia’s #ulse 6olts through his veins$ 'e grits his teeth$ .An" that’s !hat I nee" our hel# !ith$ I !ant to charm her$ (in her over$0 Grom s!ears he hears #it in the Triton 5ueen’s chuckle$ .Oh, m "ear %o $ (ho coul" resist our charms3 I’m sure ou’ll have no trou%le at all stealing her heart$ /ou "on’t nee" m hel#$ The little #rincess has no i"ea !hat’s coming for her$0 (ith that, his mother flits out of the cave in a !ave of feminine innocence$ An" Grom is sure he’s 6ust %een ha"$ ;;; 'e follo!s Nalia’s #ulse to the shallo! !aters off the coast of the Ol" (orl", in Triton territor $ .hat is she doing in the Human (ass/ +s she brainless/ The 'uman +ass is 6ust that&a stretch of %arren !aters !here the humans #ass through in their un"er!ater "eath shi#s$ As %est as Grom can figure, these humans think this is their territor , an" the "o their %est to #atrol it regularl $ It’s a "angerous #lace for an S rena, an" a careless #lace for a +osei"on -o al$ (hich is !h he’s not reall sur#rise" to have foun" her here$ In the !eeks since their confrontation in the *ave of Memories, he’s foun" her in all sorts of un#re"icta%le #laces$ <n#re"icta%le seems to %e her s#ecialt $ As he nears her #ulse, he senses another one&the female Tracker he first met at the entrance of the *eremon *ham%er$ 7re a, Nalia’s accom#lice in all things %a"$ 'e fin"s

them %oth in Blen"e" form on the %ottom of the #assage, their %o"ies mimicking an" reflecting the color an" texture of the rock muck$ Not %othering to Blen" himself, he s!ims "o!n to the %arel "iscerni%le sha#es$ .(h are !e hi"ing30 he sa s lou"l $ Nalia materiali)es %efore him an" rolls her e es$ .(hat are ou "oing here30 she hisses$ Grom crosses his arms$ .I’m here to rescue ou$ I !as ver alarme" to fin" m future mate in "angerous !aters$ I’ve come to hel#$0 She Blen"s again an" huffs$ ./ou can hel# % Blen"ing, an" shutting our mouth$0 .(hat are ou "oing30 he asks, exas#erate"$ .I "on’t ans!er to ou$0 Grom is left imagining 6ust !hat kin" of su#erior ex#ression she has on that lovel face$ .No, %ut she "oes$0 'e raises a %ro! at the trans#arent silhouette next to Nalia$ 7re a materiali)es$ .(e’re !aiting for one of the long %oats to #ass so !e can ri"e it$0 .7re a10 Nalia hisses$ .(hat30 7re a sa s, her voice full of !hine$ .I have to ans!er him$ 'e’s a Triton -o al$0 Nalia a##ears again an" sco!ls u# at Grom$ .:ook, if ou’re not going a!a an time soon, then !oul" ou #lease 6ust Blen" so ou "on’t %lo! our cover30 ./ou’re %oth out of our min"s$ 8on’t ou kno! ho! "angerous&0 .Shhh1 The can #ick u# soun"s "o!n here someho!$ The ’ll come an" investigate,0 Nalia !his#ers$ Grom "oesn’t even !ant to kno! ho! she kno!s this$ 'e Blen"s an" crouches "o!n next to her, tucking his fin un"er him$ .So this is our #lan3 To get ourself kille" so ou "on’t have to mate !ith me30 'e’s gla" she can’t see the "e6ection he kno!s is all over his face$ She scoffs$ .Not ever thing is a%out ou$ If ou must kno!, !e come here all the time$ An" since ou’re here, I !as going to invite ou to come !ith us, %ut if ou’re too scare"&0 .I’m not,0 he sa s, though he’s not sure he %elieves it$ 'itching a ri"e on an human %oat is "angerous, %ut hitching a ri"e on a human "eath shi# is "o!nright ma"ness$ Their sole #ur#ose, as far as he can tell, is to #ick fights !ith other human "eath shi#s, !hich makes them all moving targets$ But, %egru"gingl , he a"mits he’s a little thrille" that she thought to invite him this time$ 'e’" love to re6ect the invitation, %ut if he "oes, it !ill look like as if he’s afrai", instea" of like he’s 6ust #lain re6ecting her$ Nalia seems #lease"$ .Goo"$ One shoul" %e along soon$ 'ere, take this$ /ou’ll nee" it to hol" on$0 She han"s him a cho##e",off tentacle of !hat use" to %e a ver large s5ui"9 the

suckers are as %ig as his face$ 'e !ants to %elieve it !as "ea" %efore she foun" it$ But he "oesn’t$ 'e s!allo!s, turning the tentacle over in his han"s$ ./ou’re not serious$0 .*hange our min"30 she coos$ 7re a giggles$ Grom s!allo!s$ .No$0 .Shhh1 'ere it comes$0 All three S rena stiffen, almost invisi%le against the current$ In the "istance, a sha"o! emerges, slo! an" stealth , like a !ar shark$ A giant, !ar shark$ It gli"es through the !ater, looking ever %it the #re"ator it is$ (hen it’s 6ust overhea", Nalia an" 7re a shoot u# ex#ertl , leaving Grom %ehin" in the !ake of their s!irling muck$ 'e !atches as Nalia’s clear form latches on to the metal hull !ith her s5ui" tentacle$ 8angling % one arm, she materiali)es 6ust long enough to grin "o!n at him$ Stu#i"l , he grins %ack$ An" he’s thankful he’s still in Blen"e" form$ Other!ise, she might think he’s flirting !ith her$ Am+ flirting with her/ In the next secon", he s#rings u# an" attaches his o!n tentacle to the hull, his half grunt full of "is%elief an" thrill$ <# close, the shi# "oesn’t look as smooth$ (here the metal is chi##e" in #laces, rust rings have settle" in, an" even a fe! %arnacles have taken u# resi"ence in s#ora"ic clum#s along the length of it$ But Grom sus#ects the humans aren’t so concerne" a%out the %eaut of it as the are a%out the "ea"liness of it$ An" "ea"l it is$ 'e kee#s an e e on Nalia, !ho is no! sneaking her !a to the to# of the vessel$ 'e co#ies her movements as she sticks an" unsticks her tentacle, careful not to make noise$ (hich is !h his heart almost sto#s !hen Nalia starts #oun"ing on the metal !ith a rock$ .(hat are ou "oing30 he sa s, feeling foolish for %othering to !his#er$ She snickers an" knocks again in an unmistaka%le rh thm$ She materiali)es %riefl , an" #resses her ear against the hull, motioning for Grom to "o the same$ .She reall is insane,0 he mutters as he "oes as he’s tol"$ Insi"e the vessel, he hears a s5uall of human commotion$ Each time Nalia knocks, the humans chatter in an alarme" tone, in a language Grom "oesn’t un"erstan"$ Then the knock %ack$ Nalia makes her !a "o!n to Grom at the mi""le of the "eath shi# !hile 7re a maneuvers to a long la""er on the si"e$ 'e !atches as the Tracker !ra#s her fin into the rungs to give her arms a rest$ .The al!a s knock %ack,0 Nalia sa s, #rou"$ .Not 6ust this one, %ut all of them$0 Grom smiles at the excitement in her voice$ .(hat "oes it mean30 .Not sure$ M knocking "oesn’t mean a thing, %ut I think theirs means something to them$0

Grom looks aroun"$ .(e’re hea"ing into "ee#er !ater$ 'o! long "o !e #lan on risking our lives3 I’m getting hungr $0 Nalia laughs, a genuine, tickle" soun", an" Grom reali)es it coul" %e his ne! favorite soun" in all the ocean$ Get a hold of yourself, idiot. 6his is your game. (lay it. .Sometimes !e can "rive them cra) enough to surface,0 she sa s$ .Then 7re a likes to make faces in their little hole at the to#$ That reall "rives them ma"$0 .Triton’s tri"ent1 'o! have ou not %een caught30 Nalia materiali)es$ .(ho sa s !e haven’t30 ./ou’ve %een caught % the humans3 8oes our father kno!30 .Oh es, of course he "oes$ Because I tell him of all the illegal things I "o$0 She rolls her e es$ .No, !e’ve never reall %een caught$ 7re a came close though$ Sometimes she mis#laces her intelligence$0 7re a materiali)es long enough to stick her tongue out at them$ Nalia laughs, removing all "ou%t that it’s his ne! favorite soun"$ Then a lou", foreign #itch startles him, one that seems to #romise im#en"ing "oom$ 'e acci"entall releases his tentacle an", in a shave" secon", he’s falling %ehin" the vessel$ .(hat’s that soun"30 he shouts to Nalia, tr ing to kee# u#, not caring if the humans on %oar" can hear him$ .It means there’s another shi# some!here aroun" here$ An enem one$0 'er face is full of "rea"$ Grom’s gut !renches$ .:et go1 8on’t %e stu#i"$ +lease10 .I can’t1 7re a’s stuck on the la""er$0 In"ee", 7re a !riggles !ithin the confines of the la""er, as if it’s a living thing kee#ing her tra##e"$ Nalia is right$ 7re a reall "oes mis#lace her intelligence$ It !oul" %e a sim#le thing to free herself, if she !oul" 6ust calm "o!n long enough to think it through$ But he can see the #anic settle in, the calm leave her e es$ She’s !orking on survival instinct alone$ Then Grom sees it$ In the "istance, a huge sha"o! moves to!ar" them$ No, to!ar" the human "eath shi#$ (ith s#ee", !ith confi"ence, !ith #ur#ose, as if the t!o vessels !ere connecte" % a ro#e an" their coming together !ere as natural as high ti"e$ Onl , the other shi# is much, much %igger&an" there is nothing natural a%out this gross im%alance$

7re a sees the sha"o! too&an" loses !hat little control she has left$ She cries out, an" her !iggling %ecomes more frantic, onl serving to make her more stuck$ 7inall , Nalia reaches her, 6ust as the soun" of the alarm from the other vessel reaches them through the current$ (ith one s!ee#ing motion, Nalia shoves 7re a’s fin through the last rung of the la""er, %en"ing the ti# at a #ainful angle$ But even 7re a recogni)es the necessit of it, an" no"s her thanks to her frien" as she s!ims from the metal monster$ Then another soun", metal against metal, resonates through the !ater$ 'ur death ship is firing$ Grom !atches !ith horror as a clou" of fire lights u# the front, then "isa##ears, leaving onl a trail of a sha"o! snaking from the shi#$ <na%le to look a!a , he hol"s !ater in his lungs, not %reathing out until he sees that the missile misse" the other shi#$ (hich is !orst case scenario$ .The ’re going to fire %ack10 Grom shouts to Nalia an" 7re a, !ho are still too close to the shi#$ .(e have to get out of here10 ./elling at me !on’t hel# an thing10 Nalia #oints "o!n$ 7re a’s %ent fin is making it im#ossi%le for her to kee# a stea" "irection$ Nalia %ites her li#$ .:eave us, Grom$ There’s no reason for us all to "ie$0 'e rolls his e es an" s!ims to!ar" them$ Gras#ing 7re a’s other arm, he 6erks her for!ar" an" gives Nalia a har" look$ .:et’s$ Go$0 Nalia no"s$ Grom tam#s "o!n a feeling of a"miration !hen her ex#ression changes from ho#elessness to "etermination$ Together the "rag 7re a, one of them on each of her arms, %ut it feels like slo! motion, as if the !ater has thickene", as if the ocean itself is !orking against their esca#e$ A "ull thu" in the "istance lets them kno! that the other shi# has fire"$ An" the are still too close$ 7re a screams an" !rithes from Grom’s gras# to turn, to see it launching to!ar" them at the s#ee" of "eath$ Grom consi"ers knocking her unconscious$ But there’s no time$ Im#act$ 'eat$ Su""enl the !hole !orl" seems #ushe" for!ar"$ Even Nalia screams$ Grom "eci"es he never !ants to hear that soun" again$ Gritting his teeth, he #ulls %oth of them to!ar" the seafloor$ .Get "o!n10 he or"ers$ .:ie flat$0 The "o as the ’re tol"$ 8e%ris, shar# an" heav , sho!ers "o!n on them like %its of fallen #re $ A rush of heat s!ooshes over them, %et!een them, fin"ing even the smallest s#aces to fill$ A han" gras#s his$ 'e "oesn’t nee" to look "o!n to kno! it’s Nalia’s$ (hen the lou" en"s, an" the silence chases %ehin" it, Grom looks u#$ The shi# is gone$ O%literate"$ As if it never existe"$ 'e s5uee)es Nalia’s han"$ .Are ou alright30 She eases u#, shaking off the silt like an octo#us coming out of hi"ing$ 'er li# 5uivers an" she #oints to the %ack of her hea"$ Grom tries to s!allo! his heart$ ./ou’re hurt$0

She shakes her hea" an" reaches aroun" to #ull a tangle of hair for!ar"$ .M hair,0 she sa s, her e es %igger than he’s ever seen them$ .It’s singe"$0 Grom cocks his hea", flirting !ith the i"ea of strangling her$ .Seriousl 30 She shrugs, "e6ecte"$ .I kno! it soun"s #ett $ It’s 6ust that $ $ $ !ell, I reall love" m hair$0 She "angles it in front of her as if it’s a cris# "ea" eel$ The %oth remem%er 7re a’s existence !hen she groans&a##arentl something else "i" the 6o% of knocking her out !ithout Grom’s assistance$ Nalia sna#s out of it first an" hel#s her frien", !ho gas#s at the sight of her$ .Oh, our hair1 (hat !ill our father sa 30 Grom #inches the %ri"ge of his nose$ Has the entire world gone mad/ .It’s 6ust hair,0 he grits out$ .It’ll gro! %ack$0 7re a scol"s him !ith a look$ .It’s never 6ust hair, 'ighness$0 .No,0 Nalia sa s 5uietl $ .'e’s right$ It’s time I let it go$0 Thro!ing 7re a’s arm over her shoul"er an" hoisting her u#, she looks at Grom$ .M father al!a s sai" m hair !as the exact same color as Mother’s$ It felt like kee#ing a #art of her !ith me, I guess$0 Grom stares at her, stunne"$ .I’m sorr $ I "i"n’t mean&0 .7re a, ou sim#l have to cut it for me,0 Nalia sa s, setting her 6a!$ 'er frien" #ulls %ack, e es !i"e$ .Oh no$ Not me$ I’m not "oing it$ /our father !ill have me arreste"$0 Nalia settles her ga)e on Grom$ .(ill ou "o it30 'e tries to look a!a , %ut the #lea"ing in her e es softens him$ 'e no"s$ She scans the floor, #icking u# #ieces of "e%ris an" ins#ecting them, #resuma%l looking for something !ith a shar#,enough e"ge$ Grom an" 7re a can’t %ring themselves to hel#$ At least 7re a can claim an in6ur , he thinks to himself$ ut how can + cut off her hair if it means that much to her/ 7inall , Nalia fin"s !hat she’s looking for$ She s!ims over to Grom an" han"s him a thin #iece of metal, "isfigure" an" %urnt, %ut shar# enough on one si"e to accom#lish the task at han"$ 'e #alms it, ins#ecting its ca#acit for cutting hair, an" "ou%ting his o!n$ ./ou’re sure30 he sa s, una%le to look at her 6ust et$ ./ou’re sure this is !hat ou !ant30 .Someone’s coming,0 7re a sa s, stiffening into the classic Tracker #ose$ .Better get on !ith this$0

Nalia no"s$ .8o it,0 she tells him$ .Before an one sees me like this$0 She turns her %ack to him an" offers u# her %urnt locks$ 'e turns the metal shar" in his han"$ ./ou’re sure30 .+osei"on’s %ear", 6ust "o it alrea" 10 Before she’s "one elling, he’s hol"ing her severe" hair in his han"s$ She gas#s an" !hirls aroun"$ 'e han"s it to her$ .I’m sorr $0 She cra"les it in her han"s like one of his mother’s human relics$ Then, of all things, she laughs$ .*an ou believe that 6ust ha##ene"3 An" !e live" through it30 (hen he "oesn’t imme"iatel res#on", she shakes the mangle" locks in his face$ .A"mit it, Triton #rince$ That’s the most exciting thing that’s ever ha##ene" to ou$ An" ou’re !elcome$0 Grom %ites %ack a smile an" s!ats her han" a!a , %ut she #ersists until he’s force" to gra% her !rist an" restrain it %ehin" her %ack$ B no!, he too senses /u"or, the Tracker trainer, a##roaching !ith others he "oesn’t recogni)e$ .I save" our life, then cut our hair,0 he sa s, letting her go$ .0ou’re !elcome$0 The smile fa"es from her face$ She looks %ack, o%viousl sensing the #art coming to investigate the ex#losion$ She turns %ack to Grom, hesitant$ .A%out that,0 she sa s, inching closer$ The !ater %et!een them seems to heat u#, %ut that can’t %e right, can it3 (hen her nose almost touches his, she sa s, .Thank ou for not leaving us$0 Then she #resses her li#s against his, soft an" slo!, an" he feels an ex#losion, 6ust like the one from the "eath shi#, onl this one is coming from insi"e, an" it feels like a hun"re" electric eels slithering over him, ever #art of him, shocking him to life$ There’s no reason to think a%out #ulling her closer9 his han"s "o that all on their o!n$ There’s no reason to !orr a%out !ho sees9 he coul"n’t care less$ There’s no reason to think a%out his #lan to !oo her, then re6ect her9 he kno!s no! that there !ill never %e a time !hen he !ill re6ect these li#s$ These li#s, this kiss, the ’re ever thing he never kne! he !ante"$ Nalia #ulls a!a su""enl , looking ever %it as stunne" as he feels$ She clears her throat$ .I’" %etter get going$0 But her ex#ression tells him that ma %e she’" rather sta , that ma %e she’" rather kee# kissing$ Grom no"s, in agreement !ith it all$ She’" %etter get going$ 'e !ants her to sta $ 'e !ants to kee# kissing$ She lets the carcass of her hair sink to the mu" %elo! them, an" for the longest time, she onl stares at it, !on’t meet his e es$ The Tracker #art is close, !ithin sight, Grom kno!s, %ut still she sta s, immo%ile an" hesitant an" stunning$

Then, !ithout another !or", !ithout meeting his e es, she turns an" s!ims a!a $ ;;; 'e fin"s her !ith 7re a, sitting on the outer rocks of The *rag, the "ee# chasm etche" into the seafloor, !here ou coul" s!im "o!n for hours an" never touch %ottom$ The ’re %oth #eering over the e"ge of the cliff, as if the ’re actuall contem#lating going "o!n there$ .8on’t even think a%out it,0 Grom sa s$ ./our lionfish s#ike !on’t !ork on a giant s5ui"$0 'e’s ama)e" ho! natural it feels to settle "o!n next to Nalia an" hang his fin over the le"ge$ She smirks u# at him$ .(e !aite" for ou$ /ou’re slo!$0 'e laughs$ 7re a !oul" have sense" him for a !hile %efore he arrive", %ut "i" Nalia3 3an she sense me as strongly as + sense her/ .Some things are !orth the !ait$0 ./ou’re slo! and "elusional,0 she sa s !ithout %luster$ She #eeks %ack "o!n into The *rag$ .I !ant a tooth from a "angle fish$0 Grom shakes his hea"$ 8angle fish live in the "ee#est, "arkest #arts of the ocean, !here the "angle a light in front of themselves as a lure to attract unsus#ecting #re $ Their teeth are as long as his han"$ The *rag is a goo" #lace to hunt for "angle fish$ .(hat coul" ou #ossi%l nee" that for30 She scrunches u# her face$ Grom raises a %ro! at 7re a, !ho sighs in "efeat$ She has gotten use" to this game$ .She !ants it to make a gift for ou$ 7or our mating&O!1 +osei"on’s teeth, Nalia, he’s a -o al10 Nalia #oints her finger in Grom’s face, almost u# his left nostril$ ./ou nee" to sto# %ull ing her$ Sometimes it not our %usiness$0 Grom ca#tures her han" an" uses it to #ull her closer$ 'er e es go !i"e as she glances at his li#s %ut she "oesn’t s5uirm, "oesn’t tr to move a!a $ 'e feels himself melt a little at her touch$ 'is %ones feel like the !ater aroun" him$ ./ou !ere making me a gift30 'e glances at 7re a$ .7re a, ho! ru"e !oul" it %e if I aske" ou to&0 7re a shrugs, then s#irals u# an" over them$ .Some Triton Trackers foun" a ne! human mine,0 she sa s, !inking at Nalia, !ho flinches as she #asses % $ .Guess I coul" go hel# them set it off$0 7re a tol" Grom that !henever the Trackers come across a mine, the set off the ex#losion from a "istance, using rocks the hurl from the surface$ She sai" !hen one of the floating metal %alls %urst, the all "o$ .That soun"s exce#tionall fun,0 Grom calls after her$ (hen she’s gone, he grins at Nalia$ .8on’t tell me ou’re all of a su""en sh , #rincess$ (e’ve seen each other ever "a for the #ast month$0

Nalia lifts her chin$ .I hear" ou feel the #ull for me$0 That is unex#ecte"$ 7rom the soun" of her voice, she "oesn’t like the i"ea$ An" he takes slight offense$ Su""enl the tin #earl in his han" feels like a %urning rock from the hot %e"s$ .Is it so %a" for me to want to %e our mate30 .That’s 6ust it$ The #ull is min"less$ It tricks our feelings$ It’s not !hat you !ant, it’s !hat the pull !ants$ To make stronger offs#ring$ But I !ant something real$0 A !hirl#ool of relief s!irls through him$ 2he wants something real7from me$ .But ou have to mate !ith me, #ull or no #ull$ (hat "oes it matter if the feelings are real3 There coul" %e no feelings at all, an" !e’" still have to mate$0 .I’" rather there !ere no feelings at all, than %e tricke" % the #ull$0 She crosses her arms$ 'e’s s#ent enough time !ith her to kno! this is her gesture !hen she’s unsure$ .An" if I "on’t feel the #ull for ou30 'e caresses her li#s !ith his e es$ She s!allo!s$ .8on’t ou30 .'mmm,0 he sa s$ .I’m not sure$ (oul"n’t ou feel the #ull to!ar" me, if I felt it to!ar" ou30 'e’s ho#ing his mother kno!s !hat she’s talking a%out, ho#ing that she "i"n’t 6ust make this ri"iculousness u#$ She consi"ers$ .I su##ose so$ That’s ho! it’s su##ose" to !ork, an !a $0 .An"30 .An" I su##ose it !oul" make sense for us to %e #ulle" together$0 She tucks a short #iece of hair %ehin" her ear$ .7irst%orn, thir",generation -o als, right3 To #ass on the Gifts of the Generals to our fingerlings$ If an one !oul" %e #ulle", it !oul" %e us$0 .An"30 .An" what/0 .8o you feel the #ull for me30 She %ristles like an anemone$ .Oh, 6ust forget it10 She turns a!a , %ut he catches her arm an" !hirls her aroun"$ .I "on’t %elieve in the #ull,0 he %lurts$ .I think it’s a %unch of su#erstitious muck$ Besi"es that, I think the #ull !oul" #ale in com#arison to the !a I feel a%out ou$0 She lets out a tin gas#, s!irling the !ater in front of her an" s#ooking some fish close % $ Grom #ulls her closer, !anting this moment to %e right, !anting the right !or"s to a##ear in his mouth, !anting the contrar ones to "isa##ear from hers$ .If it !as the #ull, surel it !oul" have %rought us together %efore no!$ I’ve %een ol" enough to sift for a mate for

three seasons no!$ 8on’t ou think that if the #ull !ere at !ork, I !oul" have sought ou out alrea" 30 .I ha"n’t thought a%out that$0 .(ell, I’ve %een thinking a%out it a lot latel $ A%out ou an" me$ An" $ $ $ not long ago in the *ave of Memories,0 he sa s, . ou tol" me that I !as mean to ou !hen !e first met, at our mother’s entom%ing ceremon all those ears ago$ 8o ou remem%er that30 She %ites her li#$ .I !as 6ust a fingerling !hen she "ie"$ Nine mating seasons ol"$ It !asn’t !hat ou’" sai"$ It !as ho! ou sai" it$ As if I !as unim#ortant$ As if it !as a %other for ou to %e there$0 Grom no"s, cringing on the insi"e$ That ha" %een exactl ho! he’" felt !hen he’" ha" to make an a##earance at the ceremon &im#ose" u#on$ .I’m so sorr $0 'e %rushes her cheek !ith his fingers, something he !ishes he’" "one all those seasons ago$ Something, anything to comfort her instea" of set her on e"ge like he "i"$ If he ha"n’t %een so self,occu#ie", ma %e the !oul"n’t have avoi"e" each other all this time, misse" out on each other$ Ma %e the ’" alrea" %e mate"$ The thought %ears "o!n on him !ith the !eight of a great !hale$ .I have no excuse,0 he sa s softl $ .But something ou sai" %ack then stuck !ith me$ 8o ou remem%er !hat ou tol" me3 (hen I offere" ou m con"olences30 Nalia shakes her hea"$ Then she sen"s the thrill of a thousan" electric ra s running through him !hen she rests her han" on his$ .No$0 ./ou aske" ho! I coul" un"erstan" our loss, !hen I "i"n’t even kno! our mother$ But ou !ere !rong$ I "i" kno! her, %efore ou !ere %orn$ An" I like" her$0 'e offers his fist %et!een them, then o#ens it$ (hen he #icks u# the %lack #earl, her e es go roun" an" soft, luring him closer like the light of the "angle fish she’" !ante" to hunt "o!n$ .I remem%er she ha" a #earl like this one,0 he tells her$ .I remem%er ho! ha## she !as !hen m mother gave her a human string for it$ She #ut it through the #earl an" !ore it aroun" her neck, al!a s$0 Nalia acce#ts it into her #alm, rolling it aroun" !ith her finger$ .She !as entom%e" !ith it,0 she %reathes$ .I !ante" to kee# it, %ut I thought it !oul" %e selfish, so I "i"n’t ask 7ather for it$0 She lifts her scrutin from the #earl to his face$ .This looks exactl like hers$ It must have taken ou forever to fin" one 6ust like it$0 She %ites her li#$ .That’s !hat ou’ve %een "oing in the shallo!s ever "a %efore ou come to meet me an" 7re a$0 'e no"s$ Ever single "a since he !as force" to cut off her hair, he’s %een harvesting in the o ster %e"s$ Sure, 7re a coul" have use" her Tracker a%ilities to locate him$ But % Nalia’s ex#ression, he kno!s that’s not the case$ ./ou can sense me, then$ The !a I sense ou$0 .Is that the #ull30

'e grins, scratching the %ack of his neck$ .I thought !e 6ust agree" that the #ull "oesn’t exist30 .Then !h "o !e feel this !a 30 .I !as thinking of calling it =love$’ Of course, I can’t s#eak for ou&0 'e’s cut off % her li#s on his, her %o" against his, her arms !ra##e" aroun" his neck$ This kiss is even %etter than the first$ This kiss !ra#s heat aroun" them, %et!een them, through them$ It makes the ocean seem inconse5uential, the moon unim#ortant, ever thing else nonexistent$ It fills all the em#t s#aces insi"e him, the ones he "i"n’t kno! !ere there, an" the ones he thought he’" alrea" fille"$ An" the future is lai" #lain %efore him$ Their future$ ;;; .(e’re almost there,0 Nalia giggles, kee#ing her han"s #resse" tight on his e es as he s!ims clumsil for!ar"$ 'e !ar%les a little, for effect$ She giggles again$ Grom smiles$ .8i" ou #ick the farthest islan" from our #arents, then30 S rena custom normall calls for the male to #ick the mating islan", to fin" a #rivate, uninha%ite" #lace for the ne!l mate" cou#le to consummate their vo!s&!hich the can onl "o in human form$ But Nalia ha" aske"&no, begged&him to let her #ick the islan" an" set it u# for their sta there$ .Sort of$ But the sur#rise #art isn’t !ho !e’re farthest from&it’s !ho !e’re closest to$0 7inall , after !hat seems like an entire season, his fin skims san"$ .Are !e there et30 She uncovers his e es, an" he’s sho!n the un"er!ater lan"sca#e of a slo!l ascen"ing ocean floor littere" !ith coral reefs an" rocks an" colorful fish$ The coul"n’t %e more than thirt fins "ee#, !hich means the shoreline is close$ Nalia #o#s to the surface an" motions for him to "o the same$ She #oints to their "estination, an" Grom "rinks in the small islan", the %ree)e "ancing through the luxuriant green cano# , the la) !aves of ocean licking the shore$ 'e hol"s u# his han" to shiel" himself from the sunlight reflecting off of the %right san", almost %lin"ing him as his e es a"6ust to "r air$ Then he sees it$ .Nalia,0 he sa s, his mouth gone su""enl "r $ ./ou can see the Big :an" from here$0 She cla#s like a seal$ ./ou notice"1 Aren’t ou excite"3 But that’s not the !hole sur#rise$ :et’s go on shore$0 She #ulls his han", %ut he hol"s %ack$ ./ou’" %etter 6ust tell me the rest of it$ Because !e’re not going on shore so close to the human lan"$0 'er face falls$ .But that’s the sur#rise$0 Grom #inches the %ri"ge of his nose$ One thing he a"ores a%out Nalia is that she’s a"venturous, fearless$ She coul" never %e %oring$ But this is a %it much$ This is not a small

la! to %reak$ This is the %iggest$ Through gritte" teeth he sa s, .(h !oul" !e !ant to go to the Big :an"30 She !on’t meet his ga)e no!, fin"ing something terri%l interesting to look at %eneath them in the !ater$ .(ell, for one thing, it’s fun$0 .+lease "on’t sa that means ou’ve "one it$0 She %ites her li#$ .'o!30 .I have !hat the humans call a ro!%oat$ I "o feel %a" a%out stealing it, %ut I nee" it to take me to shore after I change into "r human clothes on the islan"$ I feel %a" a%out stealing those too&0 .'o! long have ou %een "oing this30 'is voice soun"s gruffer than he inten"e"$ She crosses her arms no!, a##arentl in short su##l of shame$ .(h "on’t ou ask our mother30 .M mother30 .Ask her !here she gets her human treasures$ /ou can’t reall %elieve that she scavenges for them herself$0 Actuall , he "i"$ The i"ea that his mother kno!s a%out&no, encourages&Nalia’s esca#a"es makes his insi"es catch fire$ .This has got to sto#,0 he sa s %efore he can hol" it %ack$ Before he can t!ist the !or"s into something more "i#lomatic$ The !a her e es #ool into huge "ro#s of !ater on her face$ The !a her mouth curves into a soft fro!n$ The !a her crosse" arms seem to relax into a gentle self,hug, as if she’s tr ing to hol" something in an" comfort herself all at the same time$ She’s "isa##ointe" in him$ (ithout another !or", she slinks %elo! the surface$ An" he learns something ne! a%out Nalia$ She is ver fast$ 'e cannot kee# #ace !ith her, %ut fin"s that the %est he can "o is not get left %ehin" altogether$ She moves farther an" farther ahea", "eflecting the attem#ts of others !ho tr to greet her$ The toss confuse" looks in his "irection as the reali)e he’s actuall chasing her, calling out to her$ An" she’s ignoring him$ 'e can’t imagine the si)e of the s#ectacle the ’re making, %ut right no! he "oesn’t care$ 'e kne! the !oul" eventuall have their first fight$ Triton’s tri"ent, the starte" out fighting, "i"n’t the 3 'e kne! the coul"n’t live in eu#horia for their next t!o hun"re" ears together$ But he’" %een ex#ecting to argue a%out sill things first, like !ho is the %etter

kisser, or !hat to name their first fingerling$ Things that he’" %e more than !illing to surren"er on$ But this fight is %ig$ It’s not 6ust a%out her interest in humans an" he kno!s it$ It’s a%out her free"om$ An" a%out ho! much control he’ll have over it once the ’re mate"$ This is not a fight he’s antici#ate"$ 'e’s al!a s kno!n she is fiercel in"e#en"ent, %ut he thought he coul" reason !ith her, coax her into seeing that there is al!a s more than one #oint of vie! to an situation$ An" ma %e he coul", if the first !or"s out of his mouth ha"n’t soun"e" like some un%en"ing comman"$ 'e curses un"er his %reath$ .Nalia, #lease sto#,0 he calls out$ .+lease$0 She "oesn’t$ Alrea" the ’ve #asse" the central hu% of S rena societ , an" the ’re !ell on their !a #ast the 'uman +ass, !here the !ere nearl kille"$ 4ust one more san"%ar an" the ’ll %e close to another human shore altogether$ 'e reaches the hum# of the last san"%ar$ An" free)es$ She tries to sto# too, %ut her momentum catches u# !ith her an" she sli"es into the human mine$ 'un"re"s of roun" metal %alls floating a%ove long chains, !aiting to %e touche", to %e set off, to ex#lo"e$ It’s a tra# meant to kill humans, %ut no! Nalia, his Nalia, is insi"e the mess of it, the slightest move of her fin setting the chains s!a ing ha#ha)ar"l $ There’s %arel enough room for her to fit %et!een them, let alone maneuver !ith an kin" of s#ee"$ It’s a miracle that she’s still alive, that the !ake of her entrance "i"n’t knock t!o of the %alls together$ It !ill %e an even greater miracle to get her out$ .8on’t move,0 he sa s, terror clutching at his throat like an actual han"$ 6his can’t be happening. She no"s, e es !i"e$ .I’m sorr ,0 she !his#ers$ .This is m fault$0 .I’m going to get ou out,0 he tells her, %ut he has no i"ea ho!$ .Grom$ 8on’t come an closer$ Get a!a $0 'e eases for!ar"$ .Be still$0 .If ou come an closer I’ll set them off on #ur#ose$0 .Nalia$ 8on’t %e stu#i"$ I can hel#$0 .This is ho! it’s going to !ork$ /ou’re going to s!im in that "irection until I can’t see ou an more$ Then I’m going to get m self out of here$0 'e crosses his arms$ ./ou’ve lost our min" if ou think I’m leaving$0 .There’s no #oint in %oth of us $ $ $ 4ust go$ I can get out$ But I can’t concentrate !ith ou so close to&6ust go$ (lease$0

The %oth hear it at the same time$ T!o "istinct plunks from the surface$ Grom looks #ast Nalia$ T!o metal ovals, "istinctl human,ma"e, !ith re" angular s m%ols #ainte" near the tails$ T!o miniature "eath shi#s falling sinking falling$ No no no no$ There is no time$ A flash of light$ Once$ T!ice$ <ncounta%le times$ 8eafening thun"er$ 8evouring heat$ Blackness$ >uiet$ ;;; 'e senses 7re a first, the closest to him$ Then his mother, his father$ Even Nalia’s father, ?ing Antonis$ But the #ulse so familiar to him, the one he cherishes most, the one he’" sense half the !orl" a!a , is gone$ 'e kno!s$ Before he o#ens his e es$ Before he looks u# at !hat he kno!s !ill %e 7re a’s stricken face$ Before he feels the #ain of his %urns over the length of him$ 'e kno!s$ .She’s "ea",0 he sa s$ There is no 5uestion$ .I’m sorr ,0 7re a chokes out$ .I’m so sorr , Grom$0 It takes great effort for him to o#en his e es, since he "oesn’t see the #oint in "oing so ever again$ 'e "rinks in the som%er faces surroun"ing him, kee#ing their "istance from him an" each other in "ifferent corners of his cham%er$ 'e tries to #ush himself u# out of the #it !here he slee#s, %ut groans !hen #ain shoots through him$ Antonis s!ims over to him, %ut "oesn’t offer to hel# him u#$ Instea", the +osei"on king hovers over him$ .(hat "i" ou "o to m "aughter30 Grom’s mother gas#s$ .Antonis, #lease&0 But the +osei"on king hol"s u# his han", cutting her off$ .I’m not talking to ou$ I’m talking to our son$0 'e returns his glare to Grom$ .Ans!er me$0 Grom s!allo!s, su""enl a!are of ho! it all looks$ +eo#le sa! them having a "isagreement, sa! him chase after her, sa! her angr !ith him$ .(e got into an argument$ She got angr an" left$ I follo!e" her$ Into a mine$ A ne! one$ She !as tr ing to get out, %ut the humans set off the ex#losion$0 It’s as if he’s recounting !hat he ate for his morning meal$ The !or"s feel hollo!, meaningless, callous as he sa s them an" he !on"ers if the

soun" that !a too, or if it’s 6ust the num%ness taking over, oo)ing out from the vicinit of his heart$ Nalia is dead. Nalia is dead. Nalia is dead. .(hat !ere ou arguing a%out30 Antonis sa s, his voice con"escen"ing$ Grom closes his e es again$ (hat is he to sa 3 That Nalia a"mitte" she ma"e regular tri#s to the Big :an"3 That his o!n mother !as #art of it3 That she !ante" to continue to %reak the most serious of all S rena la!s3 No, he can’t sa that$ 'e !on’t$ 'e !ill not allo! the memor of her to %e tarnishe" in that !a $ (ill not allo! the guilt his mother !oul" go through$ No, he’ll a%sor% the res#onsi%ilit for it all$ ?ee# it close to him$ Antonis can think !hat he !ants$ .I’" rather not sa ,0 Grom sa s, finall $ .Grom,0 his mother coaxes$ .No$0 'e sets his 6a!$ Stares at the kno%% rock ceiling of his cham%er$ Antonis comes unhinge"$ .Of course ou’" rather not, ou slithering eel$ Because ou kille" her1 Because ou’ve hate" her since the moment ou sa! her, an" ou foun" a !a out of our mating ceremon an" took it$0 .Antonis, ol" frien", "on’t %e unreasona%le,0 Grom’s father inter6ects$ Antonis turns on the Triton king$ .That’s ver eas for ou to sa , isn’t it, old friend3 Es#eciall !hen ou kno! I can’t #rove an of it$ 8on’t !orr $ 0our onl heir is safe$0 'e !hirls %ack to Grom, nostrils flare"$ .But I s!ear % Triton’s tri"ent, you’ll never mate$ Not ever$ /our see" !ill "ie !ith ou$0 Grom is a%out to tell him that he’" never !ant to mate !ith an one other than Nalia an !a , %ut his mother interru#ts$ .(hat are ou sa ing, Antonis3 The la! #le"ges our first%orn heir to him, to #ass on the Gifts of the Generals$ /our next heir must %e mate" to &0 Antonis laughs then, a laugh full of %itterness an" loss an" #oison$ .There !ill %e no heir$ I !ill never take another mate$ The Gifts of the Generals !ill "ie !ith his generation$0 .Antonis, I kno! ou’re hurting,0 she sa s$ .But this is not the #ro#er !a to mourn$ If ou "o this, the Gifts&our future&!ill %e lost$ Both king"oms !ill suffer$0

. oth king"oms30 he snarls$ .There is onl one king"om$ The Triton territor no longer exists$0 (ith this, he leaves$ 7re a #resses her %ack into the !all an" %o!s her hea", giving him as !i"e a %erth as #ossi%le$ Grom’s mother gras#s his han"$ .8on’t ou !orr a%out an of this, son$ Antonis !ill come aroun"$0 Grom kno!s she’s !rong$ Antonis has lost too much$ 'is mate$ 'is "aughter$ 'is reasons to care$ But all the things Antonis lost to"a , Grom lost too$ 'is mate$ 'is #ros#ect for offs#ring$ 'is a%ilit to care !hat ha##ens next$ Even so, Grom can’t hel# %ut think the S rena lost more than %oth of them$ A #rincess, a future 5ueen, es$ But also a ho#e, one #asse" "o!n from generation to generation$ A ho#e for a #ros#erous future$ A ho#e for #rotection from the humans once the inevita%l inva"e ever #art of the ocean$ Not 6ust a "aughter, a mate, a #rincess, a 5ueen$ All of these things, es$ But so much more$ To"a the lost the Gifts of the Generals$ Their legac $

"#egacy #ost$ copyright 8 9:;; by &nna anks &rt copyright 8 9:;; by Go<i =ontes