Legacy Lost

8/13/2019 Legacy Lost

1/24

Legacy Lost

Anne Banks

illustration by GONI MONTES 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, shes 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.


2/24

Groms 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 doesnt 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 Srena, 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 Srena hi"e all things of im#ortance un"er the fro)en

shiel", "o!n in the "e#ths of the *ave of Memories&Groms "estination$ (ithin the cave,

hell 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 -oal$

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 ees relax enough, the crevices an" iciclessurroun"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"nt #articularl want to mate !ith the

+osei"on #rincess$

But to com#lete the kings 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 oure the first%orn, thir"

generation Triton$ /ou mustu#hol" the la! of Gifts$0 Or, on secon" thought, ma%e one

sha"e of re" for each time Gromha" sai", .The la! is out"ate"10

(hether or not the la! reall isout"ate", Grom cant sa$ The la! of Gifts !as %rought

into effect long ago % the great generals, Triton an" +osei"on, to ensure the survival of theSrena$ At least thats !hat the Archives sa$ But the Gift of +osei"on hasnt occurre" in

man generations$ Not that the Srena 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 Srena

have the Gift of +osei"on$

As for the Gift of Triton, not even the Archives can remem%er the last time anone 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 Srena entruste" to remem%er such things&

continuall "e%ate a%out Tritons Gift$ Some sa s#ee"$ Some sa strength$ But if the&rchivescant remem%er, !hos to sa it actuall still exists3

But one thing Grom issure of is that the survival of the Gifts coul"nt #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$


3/24

'es onl ever met her once, ears ago !hen her mother "ie"$ Eti5uette ha" force" the

Triton -oals to #a their res#ects to the mourning house of +osei"on$ (ell, eti5uette, an"

the close frien"shi# %et!een Groms 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

epressing my condolences

Thirteen 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 mothers comforting s#eech, saing 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" ees ma"e her look like the result of !hat !oul" ha##en if a #uffer fish mate" !ith a

rock$ She" sai", .'o! coul"youun"erstan" m loss3 /ou "i"nt even kno! m mother10

(hich !asnt true at all, of course$ Groms #arents ha" %een fast frien"s !ith the +osei"on

-oals 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 inthe -oal caverns rather than venture out to an social functions$

To %e fair&or at least, to #reten" to %e fair&Nalia coul"nt 6ustl %e %lame" for the

5ueens "eath, no matter ho! closel her su""en "ecline coinci"e" !ith the %irth of +uffer

7ish 7ace$ 'r maybe shes 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 arms length a#art$ .Nalia,0 he sas 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

were mated, everything will be at m epense.

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!as ama)e" him$ All Srena 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 Srena histor is "ocumente"$

Matings, %irths, annulments, "eaths$ (ith an shimmer of luck, Grom !ill fin" evi"encethat hes not thir" generation$ Or that hes not first%orn$ Or, %etter et, hes 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" ees$

(hen Grom senses the Trackers "irectl %elo!, he s!oo#s "o!n an" a##roaches them at

the entrance$ Both&one from each -oal house&move asi"e for him$


4/24

.Is there a -oal function here to"a, m #rince30 the Triton Tracker sas$

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 Nalias #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 !h30

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 dont 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" Srena 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 theres the Tom% *ham%er, the final resting #lace for all Srena

"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 asur#rise" look$ ./our 'ighness,0 she sas, %o!ing her hea" in reverence$

Grom sco!ls$ Nalias #ulse #oun"s against his chest, his hea", his entire %o"$ 'e "oesnt

remem%er her #ulse %eing this strong, this intrusive$ 2hes 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 Srena 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 Trackersan" the free)ing !aters$ Grom has al!as %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!$ 'es

al!as 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$


5/24

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 finti#, she takes u# the length of the ta%let an" then some$ Shes 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 "oesnt 5uite

hi"e the s!ell of her %reasts$ (ithout looking u#, she sas, .(hat areyou"oing here30

Though her voice is full of "is"ain, its 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 "oesnt like it$ Not at all$

Grom clears his throat$ .I might ask the same of ou, #rincess$0

She huffs, %ut still !ont 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 shes here$ +s she here for the samereason + 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$

+ wont have it, not again. Not with all the females + have throwing themselves at me at

every change in the current. hat makes herso special/

Then Nalia, first%orn, thir"generation +osei"on heir, looks u#$

An" Grom almost falters$ ./ouve $ $ $ ouve change", #rincess$0

/es, its the same #ulse he remem%ers from ears earlier$ But its 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 ees 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"nt he remem%er them %eing

"ull an" #lain3 *oul" the al!as have %een this vi%rant, this crstalline violet3 An" her

li#s$ So full$ So alluring$ So #out$

So contrar$

./ou havent 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 havent ans!ere" m 5uestion$ (hat are ou "oing here30 she sas$

Grom offers his most charming grin, %ut from the look on her face the effort is !aste"$

.Surel ou kno!$ Im here to make sure there is no mistake in the recor"s$ That I am the

onlySrena luckyenough to %e our mate$0


6/24

'er ees "eclare him full of !hale "ung$ .:iar,0 is !hat she sas out lou"$

.I s!ear % Tritons tri"ent$0 'e #laces three fingers on his -oal %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"nt reali)e$0

If Nalia narro!s her ees anmore, thell close$ ./ou !ere mean to me !hen ou came to

m mothers 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 doesnt remember.Their #arents ha" foun" them !ra##e" u# in each

other, her in his %est hea"lock, him tring to #r her vicious little teeth from his stomach$

Thats !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"nt 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 hes 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 sas$

'e sto#s !ithin a fins length of her$

.(h are ou looking at me like that30 she sas, her han" flitting to her throat$ But he can

tell % her face that its the same kin" of reflex of alarm hes feeling&an" it has nothing to

"o !ith "anger$ 'er ees, too, are full of the same kin" of !hirl!in" he feels tightening in

his chest$ An" he "oesnt like it$ Not at all$

Grom floats closer, gro!ing more "elighte" as she allo!s him to "evour the "istance

%et!een them$ hos 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 Srena$ Smooth olive skin, "ark %lack hair, violet ees$ 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 ees locke" on his$ .:ike $ $ $ like $ $ $0

.:ike I foun" !hat I !as looking for30 he offers$


7/24

'es ans!ere" !ith a shar# 6a% to his throat$ .:ike oure 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, Ill in6ect its venom$0

'is ees lock on hers, a silent %attle raging %et!een them$ ./ou !ont "o it$0

./ou "ont kno! me$0

.I !ant to$ I "o$05ight after + murder you$

She scoffs$ .Im going to leave no!$ /oure 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 sas, tucking

the hook %ehin" her, #ro%a%l into her %rai"$ .To think that !oul" !ork on me$0

Grom never takes his ees off her$ .An" !hat "o ou think !ill !ork, #ra tell30

She shrugs$ .I "ont su##ose it matters much$0 Nalia glances %ack at the stone ta%let she!as rea"ing$ .Since I "ont 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"nt kee# such a "ea"l threat tucke" against her %are flesh$ Or, he coul" let her %ask

in this small victor$ :et her think hes !eak$

'is ees scan the ta%let, %ut his attention is still over!helme" % the memor of her$ If she

"i"nt fin" !hat she !as looking for here, then its not likel that he !ill either$ Their future

course is set$ One "a, the !ill %e mate"$ Its a %attle neither of them can !in$ 'e kno!sit$ She kno!s it$

But to"a, Nalia starte" a ne! %attle$ One that hes 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 laer of silt from a tall

clear clin"er, !hich she claims the humans use to contain fire for light$ After its s#otless,

she moves on to a small !hite %ox, her favorite of them all$ .I cant touch this oneanmore,0 she sas !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 !asnt alrea" like that3 /ou "i" recover this from a !reck, after all$0


8/24

She %ites her li#$ .Im sure$ I crie" !hen I "i" it$0

./ou an" our human treasures,0 he sas, not unkin"l$

.Oh, not ou too,0 she sas, !aving her han"$ .8o I not get enough com#laints from our

father3 Is it so !rong to !ant to #reserve %eaut, even if its 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"nt come here to com#lain$0

.Excellent1 I "o get !ear of having to "efen" mself$ (hat can I "o for ou, m son30

.Its a%out Nalia$0

The 5ueen groans$ .Oh, Grom$ /ou kno! thats the one thing I cant&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" rathermate !ith a rockfish$ In fact, I think ouve sai" as much on several&0

.Things change"$ 2hechange"$ 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 !ont

convince the 5ueen to hel# him$

.Trul3 8o ou $ $ $ "o ou love her, then30

.No,0 he sas, even as he feels Nalias #ulse thrum through him$ Ever since their meeting

in the *eremon *ham%er, he cant shake it$ Sometimes its light, almost like a #hantom

tickle, easil %rushe" asi"e$ Other times its ma""ening, strong an" intrusive, so that hecant think of anthing else %ut her$ An" a##arentl talking a%out her triggers the ma"ness$

'e "oesnt like that$ Not at all$

.Then !h30 'is mothers li#s #ress into a line$

Grom chuckles, ho#ing it "oesnt soun" as fake as it feels$ .'ave ou seenNalia latel,

mother30

The 5ueen gas#s$ .Are ou shallo! as a clam #ool, %o30

.Tritons tri"ent1 Ever since she !as %orn ou an" father have t!iste" m fin to acce#t her$

No! oure u#set that Im willingto mate !ith her$ I "o !ish ou" make u# our min"$0

'is mother grimaces in o%vious shame$

.Truth %e tol",0 he sas, almost choking on the !or"s, .I think its more than love$ I think

its the #ull$0

.The #ull10 she sas, gli"ing over to him$ .Grom, are ou sure3 (hat makes ou think so30


9/24

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" sm#toms$

An" sm#toms the are, since Grom has al!as 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!as %een nonsensical to him$

.8o ou think a%out her all the time30 The 5ueens ees light u#$ .8o ou al!as 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. +ts 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 cant !ait to tell our father$0

.No1 8o !e have to tell anone3 I mean, it "oesnt matter if its the #ull or not, right3 (e

!oul" still have to mate, even if its not$0

.But !ait$ If ou feel the #ull to!ar" her, shoul"nt Nalia feel the #ull to!ar" ou3 Isnt

that ho! it !orks30

6ritons trident, what a stupid legend. .Im sure she reci#rocates, mother$ But given our

histor, she might %e stu%%orn enough to fight it$0 Again, Nalias #ulse 6olts through his

veins$ 'e grits his teeth$ .An" thats !hat I nee" our hel# !ith$ I !ant to charm her$ (in

her over$0

Grom s!ears he hears #it in the Triton 5ueens chuckle$ .Oh, m "ear %o$ (ho coul"

resist our charms3 Im sure oull have no trou%le at all stealing her heart$ /ou "ont nee"

m hel#$ The little #rincess has no i"ea !hats coming for her$0 (ith that, his mother flitsout of the cave in a !ave of feminine innocence$ An" Grom is sure hes 6ust %een ha"$

; ; ;

'e follo!s Nalias #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$ Its a "angerous #lace for an Srena,

an" a careless #lace for a +osei"on -oal$

(hich is !h hes not reall sur#rise" to have foun" her here$ In the !eeks since their

confrontation in the *ave of Memories, hes foun" her in all sorts of un#re"icta%le #laces$


10/24

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 sas lou"l$

Nalia materiali)es %efore him an" rolls her ees$ .(hat are ou "oing here30 she hisses$

Grom crosses his arms$ .Im here to rescue ou$ I !as ver alarme" to fin" m future mate

in "angerous !aters$ Ive 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 "ont 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$0 'e raises a %ro! at the trans#arent silhouette next to Nalia$

7rea materiali)es$ .(ere !aiting for one of the long %oats to #ass so !e can ri"e it$0

.7rea10 Nalia hisses$

.(hat30 7rea sas, her voice full of !hine$ .I have to ans!er him$ 'es a Triton -oal$0

Nalia a##ears again an" sco!ls u# at Grom$ .:ook, if oure not going a!a antime soon,

then !oul" ou #lease 6ust Blen" so ou "ont %lo! our cover30

./oure %oth out of our min"s$ 8ont ou kno! ho! "angerous&0

.Shhh1 The can #ick u# soun"s "o!n here someho!$ Thell come an" investigate,0 Nalia

!his#ers$

Grom "oesnt 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 "ont

have to mate !ith me30 'es gla" she cant see the "e6ection he kno!s is all over his face$

She scoffs$ .Not everthing is a%out ou$ If ou must kno!, !e come here all the time$ An"

since oure here, I !as going to invite ou to come !ith us, %ut if oure too scare"&0

.Im not,0 he sas, though hes 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 makesthem all moving targets$ But, %egru"gingl, he a"mits hes 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 hes afrai", instea" of like hes 6ust #lain re6ecting her$

Nalia seems #lease"$ .Goo"$ One shoul" %e along soon$ 'ere, take this$ /oull 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


11/24

suckers are as %ig as his face$ 'e !ants to %elieve it !as "ea" %efore she foun" it$ But he

"oesnt$

'e s!allo!s, turning the tentacle over in his han"s$ ./oure not serious$0

.*hange our min"30 she coos$ 7rea giggles$

Grom s!allo!s$ .No$0

.Shhh1 'ere it comes$0

All three Srena 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 its 6ust overhea", Nalia an" 7rea shoot u#

ex#ertl, leaving Grom %ehin" in the !ake of their s!irling muck$ 'e !atches as Nalias

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" hes thankful hes still in Blen"e" form$ Other!ise, she might

think hes 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$


12/24


13/24

7rea 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 7reas fin through the last rung of the la""er,

%en"ing the ti# at a #ainful angle$ But even 7rea 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#$


14/24

She shakes her hea" an" reaches aroun" to #ull a tangle of hair for!ar"$ .M hair,0 she

sas, her ees %igger than hes ever seen them$ .Its singe"$0

Grom cocks his hea", flirting !ith the i"ea of strangling her$ .Seriousl30

She shrugs, "e6ecte"$ .I kno! it soun"s #ett$ Its 6ust that $ $ $ !ell, I reall love" m hair$0

She "angles it in front of her as if its a cris# "ea" eel$

The %oth remem%er 7reas existence !hen she groans&a##arentl something else "i"

the 6o% of knocking her out !ithout Groms 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 sa30

Grom #inches the %ri"ge of his nose$Has the entire world gone mad/.Its 6ust hair,0 he

grits out$ .Itll gro! %ack$0

7rea scol"s him !ith a look$ .Its never 6ust hair, 'ighness$0

.No,0 Nalia sas 5uietl$ .'es right$ Its time I let it go$0 Thro!ing 7reas arm over her

shoul"er an" hoisting her u#, she looks at Grom$ .M father al!as sai" m hair !as the

exact same color as Mothers$ It felt like kee#ing a #art of her !ith me, I guess$0

Grom stares at her, stunne"$ .Im sorr$ I "i"nt mean&0

.7rea, ou sim#l have to cut it for me,0 Nalia sas, setting her 6a!$

'er frien" #ulls %ack, ees !i"e$ .Oh no$ Not me$ Im 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 ees 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" 7rea cant %ring themselves to hel#$

At least 7rea 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 shes 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$ ./oure sure30

he sas, una%le to look at her 6ust et$ ./oure sure this is !hat ou !ant30

.Someones coming,0 7rea sas, stiffening into the classic Tracker #ose$ .Better get on

!ith this$0


15/24

Nalia no"s$ .8o it,0 she tells him$ .Before anone 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"$ ./oure sure30

.+osei"ons %ear", 6ust "o it alrea"10

Before shes "one elling, hes hol"ing her severe" hair in his han"s$ She gas#s an" !hirls

aroun"$ 'e han"s it to her$ .Im sorr$0

She cra"les it in her han"s like one of his mothers human relics$ Then, of all things, she

laughs$ .*an ou believethat 6ust ha##ene"3 An" !e live" through it30

(hen he "oesnt imme"iatel res#on", she shakes the mangle" locks in his face$ .A"mit it,

Triton #rince$ Thats the most exciting thing thats ever ha##ene" to ou$ An" oure

!elcome$0

Grom %ites %ack a smile an" s!ats her han" a!a, %ut she #ersists until hes 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 "oesnt recogni)e$ .I save" our life, then cut our hair,0 he

sas, letting her go$ .0oure!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 sas, inching

closer$ The !ater %et!een them seems to heat u#, %ut that cant %e right, can it3 (hen her

nose almost touches his, she sas, .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$

Theres no reason to think a%out #ulling her closer9 his han"s "o that all on their o!n$

Theres no reason to !orr a%out !ho sees9 he coul"nt care less$ Theres 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, there everthing 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, !ont meet his ees$ The Tracker #art is close, !ithin sight, Grom kno!s,

%ut still she stas, immo%ile an" hesitant an" stunning$


16/24

Then, !ithout another !or", !ithout meeting his ees, she turns an" s!ims a!a$

; ; ;

'e fin"s her !ith 7rea, 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$ There %oth

#eering over the e"ge of the cliff, as if there actuall contem#lating going "o!n there$

.8ont even think a%out it,0 Grom sas$ ./our lionfish s#ike !ont !ork on a giant s5ui"$0

'es 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$ /oure slo!$0

'e laughs$ 7rea !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

./oure slo! and"elusional,0 she sas !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 7rea, !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"ons teeth, Nalia, hes a

-oal10

Nalia #oints her finger in Groms face, almost u# his left nostril$ ./ou nee" to sto# %ulling

her$ Sometimes it not our %usiness$0

Grom ca#tures her han" an" uses it to #ull her closer$ 'er ees go !i"e as she glances at his

li#s %ut she "oesnt s5uirm, "oesnt 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 7rea$ .7rea, ho! ru"e !oul" it %e if I aske" ou to&0

7rea shrugs, then s#irals u# an" over them$ .Some Triton Trackers foun" a ne! human

mine,0 she sas, !inking at Nalia, !ho flinches as she #asses %$ .Guess I coul" go hel#them set it off$0 7rea 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 shes gone, he grins at Nalia$

.8ont tell me oure all of a su""en sh, #rincess$ (eve seen each other ever "a for the

#ast month$0


17/24

Nalia lifts her chin$ .I hear" ou feel the #ull for me$0

That is unex#ecte"$ 7rom the soun" of her voice, she "oesnt 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 wantto %e our mate30

.Thats 6ust it$ The #ull is min"less$ It tricks our feelings$ Its not !hat you !ant, its !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$0 She crosses her arms$

'es s#ent enough time !ith her to kno! this is her gesture !hen shes unsure$

.An" if I "ont feel the #ull for ou30 'e caresses her li#s !ith his ees$

She s!allo!s$ .8ont ou30

.'mmm,0 he sas$ .Im not sure$ (oul"nt ou feel the #ull to!ar" me, if I felt it to!ar"

ou30 'es ho#ing his mother kno!s !hat shes talking a%out, ho#ing that she "i"nt 6ust

make this ri"iculousness u#$

She consi"ers$ .I su##ose so$ Thats ho! its 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 -oals, right3 To #ass on the Gifts of theGenerals to our fingerlings$ If anone !oul" %e #ulle", it !oul" %e us$0

.An"30

.An" what/0

.8oyoufeel 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 "ont %elieve in the #ull,0 he %lurts$ .I think its a %unch of su#erstitious muck$ Besi"esthat, 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!$ Ive %een ol" enough to sift for a mate for


18/24

three seasons no!$ 8ont ou think that if the #ull !ere at !ork, I !oul" have sought ou

out alrea"30

.I ha"nt thought a%out that$0

.(ell, Ive %een thinking a%out it a lot latel$ A%out ou an" me$ An" $ $ $ not long ago in

the *ave of Memories,0 he sas, .ou tol" me that I !as mean to ou !hen !e first met, at

our mothers 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 !asnt

!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$ .Im 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"nt %een so selfoccu#ie",

ma%e the !oul"nt 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 sas 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 ras running through

him !hen she rests her han" on his$ .No$0

./ou aske" ho! I coul" un"erstan" our loss, !hen I "i"nt 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 ees 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!as$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"nt 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$0 She %ites her li#$ .Thats !hat

ouve %een "oing in the shallo!s ever "a %efore ou come to meet me an" 7rea$0

'e no"s$ Ever single "a since he !as force" to cut off her hair, hes %een harvesting in

the oster %e"s$ Sure, 7rea coul" have use" her Tracker a%ilities to locate him$ But %

Nalias ex#ression, he kno!s thats not the case$ ./ou can sense me, then$ The !a I sense

ou$0

.Is that the #ull30


19/24

'e grins, scratching the %ack of his neck$ .I thought !e 6ust agree" that the #ull "oesnt

exist30

.Then !h "o !e feel this !a30

.I !as thinking of calling it =love$ Of course, I cant s#eak for ou&0 'es 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, everthing else nonexistent$

It fills all the em#t s#aces insi"e him, the ones he "i"nt kno! !ere there, an" the ones he

thought he" alrea" fille"$ An" the future is lai" #lain %efore him$ Their future$

; ; ;

.(ere almost there,0 Nalia giggles, kee#ing her han"s #resse" tight on his ees 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 Srena 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 isnt !ho !ere farthest from&its !ho

!ere closestto$0 7inall, after !hat seems like an entire season, his fin skims san"$ .Are

!e there et30

She uncovers his ees, an" hes 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"nt %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 ees

a"6ust to "r air$ Then he sees it$ .Nalia,0 he sas, his mouth gone su""enl "r$ ./ou can

see the Big :an" from here$0

She cla#s like a seal$ ./ou notice"1 Arent ou excite"3 But thats not the !hole sur#rise$

:ets go on shore$0 She #ulls his han", %ut he hol"s %ack$

./ou" %etter 6ust tell me the rest of it$ Because !ere not going on shore so close to the

human lan"$0

'er face falls$ .But thats the sur#rise$0

Grom #inches the %ri"ge of his nose$ One thing he a"ores a%out Nalia is that shes

a"venturous, fearless$ She coul" never %e %oring$ But this is a %it much$ This is not a small


20/24

la! to %reak$ This is the %iggest$ Through gritte" teeth he sas, .(h !oul" !e !ant to go

to the Big :an"30

She !ont meet his ga)e no!, fin"ing something terri%l interesting to look at %eneath them

in the !ater$ .(ell, for one thing, its fun$0

.+lease "ont sa that means ouve "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 "ont ou ask our

mother30

.M mother30

.Ask her!here she gets her human treasures$ /ou cant reall %elieve that she scavenges

for them herself$0

Actuall, he "i"$ The i"ea that his mother kno!s a%out&no, encourages&Nalias

esca#a"es makes his insi"es catch fire$ .This has got to sto#,0 he sas %efore he can hol" it

%ack$ Before he can t!ist the !or"s into something more "i#lomatic$

The !a her ees #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 selfhug, as if shes

tring to hol" something in an" comfort herself all at the same time$ Shes "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 hes actuall chasing her, calling out to her$ An" shesignoring him$

'e cant imagine the si)e of the s#ectacle there making, %ut right no! he "oesnt care$ 'e

kne! the !oul" eventuall have their first fight$ Tritons tri"ent, the starte" out fighting,

"i"nt the3 'e kne! the coul"nt 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


21/24

kisser, or !hat to name their first fingerling$ Things that he" %e more than !illing to

surren"er on$

But this fight is %ig$ Its not 6ust a%out her interest in humans an" he kno!s it$ Its a%out her

free"om$ An" a%out ho! much control hell have over it once there mate"$ This is not a

fight hes antici#ate"$ 'es al!as kno!n she is fiercel in"e#en"ent, %ut he thought hecoul" reason !ith her, coax her into seeing that there is al!as more than one #oint of vie!

to an situation$ An" ma%e he coul", if the first !or"s out of his mouth ha"nt soun"e"

like some un%en"ing comman"$

'e curses un"er his %reath$ .Nalia, #lease sto#,0 he calls out$ .+lease$0

She "oesnt$ Alrea" theve #asse" the central hu% of Srena societ, an" there !ell on

their !a #ast the 'uman +ass, !here the !ere nearl kille"$ 4ust one more san"%ar an"

thell %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$ Its a tra# meant to kill humans, %ut no! Nalia, hisNalia, is insi"e

the mess of it, the slightest move of her fin setting the chains s!aing ha#ha)ar"l$ Theres

%arel enough room for her to fit %et!een them, let alone maneuver !ith an kin" of s#ee"$

Its a miracle that shes still alive, that the !ake of her entrance "i"nt knock t!o of the

%alls together$ It !ill %e an even greater miracle to get her out$

.8ont move,0 he sas, terror clutching at his throat like an actual han"$ 6his cant be

happening.

She no"s, ees !i"e$ .Im sorr,0 she !his#ers$ .This is m fault$0

.Im going to get ou out,0 he tells her, %ut he has no i"ea ho!$

.Grom$ 8ont come an closer$ Get a!a$0

'e eases for!ar"$ .Be still$0

.If ou come an closer Ill set them off on #ur#ose$0

.Nalia$ 8ont %e stu#i"$ I can hel#$0

.This is ho! its going to !ork$ /oure going to s!im in that "irection until I cant see ou

anmore$ Then Im going to get mself out of here$0

'e crosses his arms$ ./ouve lost our min" if ou think Im leaving$0

.Theres no #oint in %oth of us $ $ $ 4ust go$ I can get out$ But I cant concentrate !ith ou

so close to&6ust go$(lease$0


22/24

The %oth hear it at the same time$ T!o "istinct plunksfrom the surface$ Grom looks #ast

Nalia$ T!o metal ovals, "istinctl humanma"e, !ith re" angular sm%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$


23/24

soun" that !a too, or if its 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 sas, his voice con"escen"ing$

Grom closes his ees again$ (hat is he to sa3 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 Srena la!s3

No, he cant sa that$ 'e !ont$ '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, hell 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 sas, 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 ouve 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", "ont %e unreasona%le,0 Groms father inter6ects$

Antonis turns on the Triton king$ .Thats ver eas for ou to sa, isnt it, old friend3

Es#eciall !hen ou kno! I cant #rove an of it$ 8ont !orr$ 0our onl heir is safe$0 'e

!hirls %ack to Grom, nostrils flare"$ .But I s!ear % Tritons tri"ent, youllnever mate$ Not

ever$ /our see" !ill "ie !ith ou$0

Grom is a%out to tell him that he" never !ant to mate !ith anone other than Nalia

an!a, %ut his mother interru#ts$ .(hat are ou saing, 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! oure hurting,0 she sas$ .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


24/24

.othking"oms30 he snarls$ .There is onl oneking"om$ The Triton territor no longer

exists$0 (ith this, he leaves$ 7rea #resses her %ack into the !all an" %o!s her hea", giving

him as !i"e a %erth as #ossi%le$

Groms mother gras#s his han"$ .8ont ou !orr a%out an of this, son$ Antonis !ill come

aroun"$0

Grom kno!s shes !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 cant hel# %ut think the Srena 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

Legacy Lost

Documents

Transcript of Legacy Lost