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Most of the villagers were smiling and nodding ... even Scylla, Lena noticed. Then she caught sight of her grandmother, who merely studied them for a long, appraising moment, then swam away.

***

Although it would have been unthinkable in her old life, in this world, the idea of marrying Nix did not seem outrageous.

"Never leave me," he sometimes whispered in Lena's mind, and she tightened her arms around him, promising with her fierce embrace.

Even Lena's grandmother, disapproving at first, had finally relented. "I see you are not to be separated," she said. "I feared for your heart, Nix, but it appears that the land child intends to stay."With an expression of amusement, she added, "Perhaps one day she will even relinquish that wretched human garment."

Lena was used to being teased about her jacket. She intended to remove it ... after all, she couldn't wear it forever, but first she needed to take off the cloak. And that thought made her a little bit apprehensive. She wanted to be quite certain her desire to live among mer-folk was strong enough to support her body in this element.

Someday, perhaps she would go back to the land. Her father—was it Brian or Byron?—must miss her, but he would understand her desire to stay with her mother and explore the half of her heritage that had lain dormant for sixteen years.

And the others in her life?

Lena mused on them for a moment. There were surely people on land who would mourn her loss ... but she could no longer remember them.

***

"Mama," said Lena. "Who do I ask for a tail?" She lay with her head in her mother's lap, half-asleep from the caress of Melusina's fingers through her hair.

Her mother's hand jerked, and Lena could feel her body stiffen.

Lena sat up. "Mama?"

"Who told you that?"

Lena studied her mother's tight expression. "Why? Is something wrong?"

"You ... you are not to ask for a tail." Her mother rose and began to swim around the cave ... the undersea version of pacing. "Promise me, Selena!"

Lena stared, then said slowly, "I don't understand. Why can't I have a tail if I want one?"

Her mother's swimming grew more agitated. "They are your legs. Your beautiful legs! How could you even think of relinquishing them?"

Lena felt a flare of anger. "You are asking me this?You, who chose to be Riven?"

Melusina sank down on the bed of seaweed again. She put her face in her hands.

Lena could hear some of her mother's thoughts—she was too upset to Cloud them.

Her long, strong legs ... her lovely moonbeam feet ... How can I make her understand?...But how do I dare to object?...Why would anyone surrender the ability to walk?...Oh, no, no, no...

"Mama," she said. "Please calm down. I'm only asking. Can't you answer some questions? Or do I have to find someone else to tell me?"

Melusina looked at Lena with haunted eyes, but she managed to compose herself. "I will answer."

"Good," said Lena. "Well, I mainly want to know if it's permanent ... or can I change back to having legs when I want to go on land?"

"You want to return to land?" Melusina's voice trembled.

Lena sighed. "Not right now. I'm just asking."

"No one knows with certainty," said her mother. "No human has transformed for many generations. Our legends tell of those who made the change, but they are unclear on whether or not those humans ever regained their legs."

Lena made an exasperated sound. "How can they be unclear? You guys have a song for everything, even one to tell a human when it's time to take off the cloak! There must be some little rhyme about transforming." Suddenly, Lena sensed her mother Clouding her response. "There is. You just don't want to tell me."

"Selena, you are far too young to make such a grave decision when the consequences are in doubt." Melusina tried to force a smile. "What a childish notion!"

Lena rose and faced her mother, unsmiling. "I am not a child. What I choose to do with my body is no one's business." She paused, then said deliberately,