The Mermaid's Mirror - L. K. Madigan [89]
"But Mama..."
"Hush, my dearest," said Melusina. "You must not think of bidding us farewell. What of Nix? Surely you would not abandon him, as I—" She stopped, stricken.
Lena's heart shuddered, and for a moment, she wondered if it would start beating again, or if this pain would kill her. Like mother, like daughter. Two generations of women forced to abandon love.
She pressed a hand over the wound in her chest and made her voice firm. "I have to go back."
Melusina gazed at her in silence for what seemed an eternity, as if storing up new memories of her daughter's face to last her for the coming absence. Finally she nodded. "I shall not hinder you. I will take you to the surface."
She swam to the mouth of the cave and paused. "I will inform Amphitrite, so that the village may speed you on your way with a farewell circle. While I am gone, you may speak privately to Nix."
Lena went to her mother. Was this really happening? Was she just going to leave the world beneath the waves? "No," she cried.
Melusina waited, her lovely face marred by anguish.
I didn't have enough time, thought Lena.
Her mother stroked her cheek. "It's never enough."
"I don't want a farewell circle," said Lena. "I just want to talk to Nix." She clutched her head. "But I can't. I can't! How can I explain to him that I'm leaving? This is unbelievable."
"Not so very," said her mermaid mother.
"Will you call him for me? I can't bear to see anyone else."
Melusina started to leave, and Lena grabbed her arm. "Wait!" She squeezed her mother's arm so tightly that Melusina gasped. "I can't," she said. "Don't call him. I can't do it."
"Cannot do what?"
Calling upon every ounce of mental strength she had, Lena dropped a curtain over the turmoil of her thoughts. "I won't be able to leave if I see him," she said. Hardening her voice, she repeated, "Don't call him."
For a long time, Melusina waited in silence, waited for her to change her mind.
But Lena just looked at her with grim determination.
"As you wish," said her mother, and she pulled her arm away. "Let us go now, before the others awaken. I will explain ... as best I can ... once you are gone." She swam ahead of Lena.
With a wrenching pain, Lena followed.
How long have I been missing from land? she thought. Weeks? Months? Dad and Allie still seem to be in shock. Maybe time is different down here.
Dad.
Oh, Dad, I'm so sorry, thought Lena. I never ...A surge of relief pounded in her chest. At least he didn't do something stupid, like dive in after me.
The idea of her father, obeying that cruel command to stay out of the sea, even after his daughter dove into it, caused Lena to stop swimming.
"Wait!" she said.
Melusina halted, a tentative smile touching her lips.
"I have to go back," said Lena, not wishing to give her mother false hope. "But there's something I need to do here first." She turned to look at the village, which was still empty and silent.
Lena swam toward the sleeping caves, entering them one by one until she found her grandparents.
Merrow and Amphitrite lay together on a large bed of seaweed. There was another family sleeping a short distance away.
"Lena?" asked her mother, who had followed her into the cave. "Do you wish to say goodbye to your grandparents?"
"Something like that," said Lena.
Merrow's eyes opened at the sound of their voices. His face lit up. "Dearest maids," he greeted them. "Ah, Selena, you are free of the cloak!"
Amphitrite opened her eyes, and anger darkened her face. She sat up and hissed, "You dare enter this cave, Melusina?"
Lena's eyes widened.
Melusina cowered. "I beg your pardon, Mother. I accompany Selena, who wishes to speak with you."
"Let her speak, then. You need not stay."
Lena's heart pounded with indignation. Allie has never talked to me that way, she thought. How could a mother speak to her daughter like that? And why didn't Melusina stick up for herself? A surge of love for Allie came over Lena. I miss her, she thought. I need to tell her I'm sorry.
"I want my mother with me," said Lena, taking Melusina's hand. "I'm