Page 53 of Entangled

“Nay, they can’t,” shouted Elric from the sky. “Our gods won’t allow it.”

“Elric, hush,” scolded the god Zoroct.

“Nereus,” said Cnoir. “We will allow you and your family to visit but only if you promise not to cause trouble.”

“And to leave when asked,” added Hapsren.

“This is not your realm,” Zoroct reminded him. “We would expect no different treatment if we were to visit you on your side of the portal.”

“So, Nereus, what will it be?” asked Cnoir.

“Don’t let any of them stay. They’re all trouble.” Elric zipped past still sitting atop the Stricat. He manifested another stone and was about to throw it at Nereus when Zoroct stopped him.

“Elric, go home to your little house atop the pinnacle mountain. You are bothering me.” Zoroct waved his hand and Elric and the stricat disappeared.

“What happened to him?” Merrow asked Sebastian. “Did he kill him?”

“Nay,” answered Sebastian with a chuckle. “You see, Elric is messenger of the gods. But even the gods can’t stomach the irritating little man for long. Zoroct just sent him home to the other side of the mountain. The side where the fae and the elves and other magical beings live.”

“Oh, I’d like to visit there sometime.”

“We can go there whenever you like.” Sebastian looked back up at Nereus. “That is, if your father gives us his permission and his blessing to be married.”

“I don’t need his permission or his blessing,” spat Merrow, still very upset with her father.

“Well, I do,” said Sebastian, taking her hand in his. “Merrow, I don’t want to get married unless your father accepts the idea. I want us all to be happy. I don’t need to be always looking over my shoulder, wondering if your father is coming back to kill me.”

“Father? Do you agree to our marriage?” asked Merrow.

“I don’t like the idea of you being married to a human.”

“But you’re married to a human now. Mother can never again be a sea nymph,” Merrow pointed out.

“That’s right,” agreed Sebastian. “Please, Old God of the Sea, accept us.”

“It’s Old Man of the Sea,” Merrow whispered.

“What is your answer, Nereus?” asked Zoroct. The gods of Mura still hovered above in the clouds.

“Well…since I cannot fight off three gods, and it seems to be what my daughter really wants, I guess I have to agree to it. But remember, Merrow, this decision cannot be reversed. Ever.”

“I know, Father.” Merrow wiped a tear from her eye with the back of her hand. “I will miss my siblings as well as you and Mother. But I love Sebastian and really want to be his wife.”

“Then so be it.” Nereus reached down and patted Merrow on the head. “Goodbye, daughter. Call me if you need me. Or if you long to visit.”

“Will my ability to speak to my family in my mind go away once I am human?” Merrow asked her father.

“Nay,” he answered. “You will always be a sea nymph deep inside, so that power will stay with you as long as you are not sad, depressed or forlorn.”

“Is that why we couldn’t hear Mother calling us?” asked Merrow.

“It is,” answered Nereus.

“Don’t worry, I am sure I will always be happy here,” she told the sea god. “I have met so many nice people, and some of them have magic. I cannot wait to find out more.”

“It’s time to go through the portal,” Zoroct reminded him.

“I’m going.” Nereus raised the Calling Conch to his mouth and blew. A resounding note filled the air stirring up the water until it started to swirl. This time, the portal was above the water instead of below it. Everyone could see it well. When it opened, Merrow spotted her Mother, her brother and all of her forty-nine sisters peeking through.