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Melusina turned and smiled. "Hello, Selena. Did Lori and Hav show you many sights today?"

"Yes," said Lena. "I'm very grateful to them. They would have traveled much faster without me." She looked at her cousin and Havfine, and said simply, "Thank you."

Then a pair of strong hands encircled her waist, pulling her back against his chest, and Nix said, "I have missed you, my Selena. Will you dine with me? I must return to my patrol before long."

Lena turned to face him. She did not feel like an outsider when she was in Nix's arms. She pressed close to him. "I love you, Nix," she said. "I want to stay here with you."

Surprised by her vehemence, Nix did not answer at first. Then he kissed her and murmured, "I am glad to hear it. You know that my heart is in thrall to you."

Tears sprang to her eyes, and Lena could not speak. She pressed Nix's warm hand against her own heart.

"Tomorrow," said Nix. "Let us stand in the circle before the whole of the village and declare that we belong to each other." He kissed her lips, and her cheeks, and her forehead.

"Yes," said Lena. "Is it ... like a promise?"

"It is a promise, my love. But tonight," he continued, "let us dine together, then I will rest with you until you fall asleep. I will surface, then I will complete my turn as patrol. And tomorrow we will be together." His thumb traced the curve of her cheek.

They ate quickly, more focused on each other than their food. Lena sat close enough to Nix that her leg was touching his strong tail, and their hands kept seeking one another, fingers twining briefly before slipping away.

Lena did not return to the cave for the Riven that night.

"I want to be alone with you," she told Nix, and he led her to a little-used sleeping cave at the farthest edge of the village, near the kelp forest. Perhaps the others saw them enter together, because no one followed.

They lay wrapped around each other, sighing wordless songs of love, until Lena fell asleep.

CHAPTER 45

When Lena awoke, Nix had gone. As she rose from her bed of seaweed, she saw three stones on the ground beside her, their edges touching.

Next time you see me, Nix, she thought, there will be no cloak or human garment between us.

The village was quiet—it was one of those rare occasions when almost all the mer-folk were asleep or surfacing. Lena swam into the cave for the Riven, where her mother lay.

"Mama," she said, touching her mother's arm.

"Daughter." Melusina smiled, opening her eyes and stretching.

"I am ready to take off the cloak."

Her mother sat up, searching Lena's face. Then she smiled. "I knew your heart would banish your doubt."

"What should I do? Is there a ceremony?"

Melusina shook her head. "Do you feel any anxiety?"

"No."

"Even in the most secret pulse of your blood?"

"No," repeated Lena.

Melusina put her hands on her daughter's shoulders, studying her carefully, then agreed, "I feel no trepidation within you." She smiled and took her hands away. "I feel only impatience. Close your eyes."

Lena obeyed.

"Allow your immutable belief in this world to fill your soul. Allow the never-ending love of your mother to hold you steady. Allow the support of our people to bind you to this place. And lastly, allow the purity of true love to light your desire."

Fingers caressing the sealskin cloak, as if in gratitude for its protection, Lena filled her mind with images from her new life: the mystical people of this undersea village, revolving around her in their welcoming dance ... Lorelei's loyalty and humor ... Merrow's warm embrace ... playful dolphins ... children with their flutes ... her mother's joy at having Lena back ... and finally, the dark eyes of her true love, drinking in the sight of her as if he would never have his fill...

Fixing this last image in her mind, Lena slowly pushed the sealskin cloak off her head and down below her shoulders. She inhaled. The life-giving ocean water continued to flow in and out of her lungs. There was no sudden need for air. She smiled.

"You are my brave daughter," said her mother.

Lena laughed and lifted her