The Glimmering Sea

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Cassia was smart and shrewd, proven by her survival and escape. Ziphra's words came to Armida again. At the very least, Cassia was the enemy of an enemy. Those who killed the Thalassan mermaids would be no friend of Marea. Armida trusted her instincts.

≈I must leave today. I have an obligation to fulfill.≈ Armida waited for the inevitable query.

≈I shall be sorry to lose your companionship. While you were in your dreamstate, caring for you gave me a purpose. What is the duty compelling you? Where are you going?≈

≈Thalassa. To find Erastus.≈

Cassia's violet eyes widened. With fear? Interest? Or mere surprise? Armida would discover in a moment.

≈You cannot. It's dangerous.≈

Fear then, but for whom? Armida's instincts battled. Cassia had valuable insights and details Armida might use to her advantage. But Cassia also might misdirect Armida right into trouble. ≈I must. Erastus came to Marea supporting our alliance. Instead, he has taken my brother and my friend. I intend to bring them home.≈

≈I wondered when you would state your truth. I understand why you were in no hurry to share it with me. I might have killed you. I still could.≈

The evening before, Armida had identified her best means of exit if things went wrong with Cassia. She visualized the dip among the rocks where the channel was not fully blocked. If she swam fast enough and breached, she could fling herself into the open ocean. Distance was needed to build up speed. She moved closer to Cassia. Armida brushed against a mauve sea anemone and shifted away to prevent dislodging it. ≈Yes, I suppose that is true. Will you? Kill me, that is?≈

≈I am undecided. I can guess whom you were threatening when I heard your hallucinations.≈

≈If my words told you of my intent, why do you need me to confirm anything?≈ Armida slowly turned, ready to launch herself across the tidal pool.

≈It was bits and pieces without context. Some too extreme to be true. I learned enough to help me evaluate when you lie.≈ Cassia had not uncrossed her arms; they remained wrapped tightly as if each arm held the other back from violence.

In a gamble, Armida told her story. Almost the whole thing. Rinaldo, Torquato, Delfina, Paolo, Erastus. She omitted Nudger, Warbler, Liath, and Ziphra. Better to withhold the information that made her appear crazy. Or powerful.

≈You've heard my story. If Delfina went willingly, I would yield to her, but I cannot accept the abduction of Paolo. Erastus must release him or face the consequences.≈

Cassia's whole body raised and fell with her sigh. ≈Erastus will not harm either of them. I am certain. He may want your friend to stay because Thalassa has lost its mermaids. It means survival. I cannot explain why he would take a pup. As unlikely as you want to believe, perhaps your brother became lost. The sea can be unforgiving. You are wedded to an assumption that may be false. I know, though, Erastus will do the right thing in the end.≈

≈I hope you are right. Because merfolk harming merfolk should be unnatural. Be honest, are Thalassans our allies or not? If they are, help me find them. Then I will be on my way.≈

✧✧✧

With a farewell wave, Armida stroked to the place where Cassia had removed the stones that had blocked the pool's usual flow point. She would be in Thalassa by dawn. Paolo would soon be in her embrace.

Countless islands peppered the Aegeano. The vastness was staggering. As if la Laguna had been scaled up to an incomprehensible expanse.

Armida hoped trust in Cassia was warranted. Without her guidance, Armida would lose precious days locating the precise homecave of Erastus in the massive region of Thalassa.