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"Yes," she answered.

Melusina noticed their conversation, and smiled. "We shall greet Nix, but I wish to spend time with you a little longer, just the two of us, before others claim your attention."

As Nix swam in their direction, Lorelei rushed to greet Lena. "At last she wakes! Each time I returned from the surface, my cousin was still asleep. Auntie Lu, where are you going? I want to become better acquainted with Selena."

Nix paused. "I do not wish to intrude," he said. "I will return later." He directed a beautiful smile at Lena and, with a flip of his tail, swam away.

Lena felt a pang, watching him go.

"There will be ample time for visits, niece," said Melusina. "I am going to show my daughter this world."

"May I come, too?"

"Next time, Lori."

They left the village, followed by swarms of mer-folk children who raced circles around them, playing tag and begging Lena to explain how her legs worked.

"They work by magic," said Lena with a wink.

The children laughed and clapped and darted near to touch her, then swam away after Melusina shooed them off.

Mother and daughter swam for hours. Lena saw schools of fish and played with her mother's two favorite dolphins. Then they swam deeper ... into the coldest part of the ocean, where bioluminescent fish cast their pale, otherworldly light, luring prey ... sometimes becoming prey.

"The anglerfish," said Melusina, pointing to a fish that appeared to have a fishing rod with a glowing tip at its end.

"So cool," whispered Lena.

"It is cold," agreed her mother, and swam out of the depths with Lena.

Lena smiled, not bothering to explain what she meant.

As they ascended higher and higher, Lena became aware of a shadow passing above them, blocking out the rays of the sun. She turned her head as the massive shape shifted direction and began to skim downward past them.

"What is it?" she asked.

"A whale," said her mother.

The gigantic body of the gray whale seemed to go on and on, sliding past them until its enormous tail swept within inches of them.

"Its tail almost caught us," said Lena. "We would have been killed!"

"Not at all, dear one. The whale knew of our presence," answered Melusina. "The word in your language is echo—" She paused to think. "Placement? No, location. Echolocation. It allows whales to know where things are at all times. If he had wanted to, he could have caught us with his tail."

"Big word, Mama," said Lena teasingly. "The language is definitely returning to you."

"There is another word." Melusina tapped her forehead with one pale finger. "The humans try to mimic the echolocation of the whales with their machines. But it affects our friends the whales. Man should cease his interference." She thought for a moment, then said, "Sonar! That is the word."

"Oh, sonar," repeated Lena. "I've heard about that. Poor whales."

They swam on. After a time, Lena burst out, "I can hardly believe I'm breathing under water! I'm afraid I'm going to wake up and this will all be a dream."

"But you did sleep, dearest. Then you awoke, and behold! You are still here."

Lena hugged her mother. "I love this world."

"I am happy to hear those words from you. This is your home now, as well ... just as much as your home on land."

"Mama?"

"Yes, dear."

"That word, 'behold.' Was that you I heard that night when it was raining? It was you, wasn't it? You said, 'I beheld you, child.'"

"Yes, Selena, it was my touch on your heart from across the waves."

Lena took her mother's hand.

Once in a while, a mermaid or merman swam past them, bowing courteously. Some of them wore cloaks.

"Why do they have on cloaks?" asked Lena.

"Those who surface near land wear their cloaks. It renders us safe from view—we appear as seals."

"Don't you need your cloak, then?" Lena touched the pelt she wore.

"No," said Melusina, with an edge to her voice. "I never wear my cloak."

"Why not?"

"I will never wear it again!" she burst out.

Lena startled.

The mermaid took a calming breath. "Forgive me, my child. I should not have spoken