I sat in front of the only mirror in the room trying to do something special with my hair. It’d grown so long and thick that pulling it up off my neck and out of my face was a definite in this weather. I looked at my silver gown hanging on the closet door and smiled with excitement. It was fun to play dress-up every once and a while.
I had my hair almost done when there was a knock at the door. Kain was still in the shower and I only wore my pajamas. We weren’t necessarily expecting anyone, so I was curious. When I opened the door, an old man stood outside. He’d been tall at one point, but now leaned over his cane so much he had shrunk six inches. The graying hair and pale skin hung around his face. Dark circles created shadows reminding me of someone who hadn’t slept in weeks. When I finally realized who this was, my heart sank with sadness.
“Mr. Matthew?”
“Hello, Eviana. May I come in?”
I backed away from the door so he could walk inside. Kain’s father had aged a decade since I last saw him. He hobbled slowly and stiffly like every step brought agony. I heard him breathe in short ragged breaths so I went to his side and ushered him to the edge of the bed.
“Thank you, dear,” he wheezed. Pulling a cloth handkerchief out from his suit jacket, he patted his forehead. “I don’t know how people survive in this heat. My body is constantly dripping.”
“Can I get you some water, Mr. Matthew?” He looked like he would pass out and I didn’t know what else I could do.
“Please dear, call me Harlan. You are a part of our family now and I hate the formalities. Yes, a glass of water would be very nice, thank you.”
I walked into the little kitchenette area and turned on the faucet. From where I stood, I saw steam seeping out from underneath the bathroom door like a morning fog, but heard the shower turn off. Hopefully, Kain would come out soon. His father did not look well, and I wasn’t sure if this was his normal appearance or if he was having a really hard time.
Handing the water to Harlan I asked, “Did you just get here?”
He drank the entire glass before responding. “Yes, I was supposed to arrive earlier today so I could act as your sponsor, but I got held up in L.A.”
I gestured to see if he wanted more water, but he shook his head. Upon doing that, he suddenly seemed very interested in our room. He looked around in a circular pattern and when he got back to me, he wrinkled his forehead in concern.
“One bed?”
Oh great. Where was Kain? I felt the blush rise in my cheeks and the nerves dance in my stomach. This wasn’t something I wanted to discuss with Kain’s father even though our situation had been completely innocent.
“Yeah.” I had to clear my throat to get more words out. “But it’s not what you think. We have an arrangement. I mean, we’re not sleeping together. Well, we are, but it’s not like that. We sleep in clothes.” Oh, just kill me now.
Harlan laughed and patted the bed beside him. “You’re too much, Eviana. Please have a seat so I can talk to you.” He looked around again. “Where is my son?”
I sat on the edge of the bed next to him, relieved about the change of subject. “In the bathroom taking forever to get ready.” He’d been in there thirty minutes now, and even though I was sure he could hear us talking, he hadn’t come out yet.
“Ah, yes. He does take a lot of pride in his appearance,” Harlan smiled.
“Sure, but come on. It’s a bit girlish.”
This time he laughed and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. He gave me a brief hug before pulling away. “I agree. Perhaps you’ll be able to work on his time management skills once you’re married.”
My muscles tensed at that last word. I’d done my best to play the perfect fiancée but I hadn’t really thought about the actual marriage part so much. That’s probably because I had no intentions of going through with the wedding. Looking at Harlan Matthew, I saw that he was genuinely pleased with this arrangement. Our families had always been close and now they would officially be joined. My stomach twisted with guilt when I thought about how much I was going to disappoint everyone.
When I didn’t say anything, Harlan gave me an odd look but promptly changed the subject. “Do you know what’s going to happen tonight?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Kain explained what he could. You prepared him much better than my parents did me.”
Tonight was the “coming-out” ball. We’d all be officially introduced by family and arranged marriage if applicable. A lot of the politically important merfolk would be there to evaluate and socialize with the up and coming clan leaders. From what Kain had said, it’s usually a chance for them to begin gathering those who will support their causes and issues. It was just a big schmooze fest mixed with a debutante ball for the single syrenkas. I looked forward to the food and dancing, but I certainly didn’t plan on networking tonight.
“Well, I’ll introduce you and Kain and then join the other sponsors.”
Each individual or couple had a family sponsor who took responsibility for the actions, behavior, and training of their syrenkas. Since Kain and I were to be married, the Matthew family sponsored both of us together.
“It’s not so bad the first year,” Harlan continued. “Most of the guests will be meandering with the second year syrenkas, trying to gain political support. You two just enjoy yourselves.” He smiled at me and my heart broke. He looked really and truly happy for us.
Before I could reply, the bathroom door opened and Kain emerged from the steam. “Dad, what are you doing here?”
“Nice to see you too, son.” Harlan tried to stand and Kain and I instantly jumped to his aid.
“You know what I mean,” Kain continued. “I didn’t think you were going to make it.” He was standing now, so I placed the cane in his hand. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Harlan gave Kain’s shoulder a squeeze and nodded in my direction. “She told me about your primping sessions…and the bed.” I must have looked horrified because Kain and his dad laughed together. Harlan’s voice sounded a bit strangled, but he still enjoyed himself. “You’ve got a good one here, Kain. Take care of her.”
I marveled at how much they looked alike, when I realized what he’d just said. Kain stared at me with so much emotion that I couldn’t hold his gaze.
“I will, Dad.”
In order to avoid having them see the tears in my eyes, I dropped my head and opened the door. Kain loved me so much and I was going to run away with Brendan when we got home. It would certainly break his heart.
Harlan Matthew shuffled out the door and promised to catch up with us when he could. Kain sat on the bed after he left, staring at the floor.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
He took a deep breath then blew out all of his air. “Yeah. He just looks bad.” He ran his hands through his hair, effectively messing up the carefully styled look he was going for. I walked over to him and began putting the hairs back in place.
“He’ll be all right. He’s lived with this for a long time and he knows how to handle himself.”
I finished fixing his hair but before I could pull away, Kain wrapped his arms around my lower back and pulled me into his body. His head nestled against my stomach and I thought I felt him sobbing. Instinctively, I rubbed his back and tried to soothe him even though I didn’t know what I could possibly say that would ever make this situation any more bearable. His dad was dying and from the looks of Harlan, it would be sooner rather than later.
After a couple of minutes, Kain abruptly pulled away and wiped at his eyes. He stood and walked toward the bathroom. “We have to go soon,” he said and then added, “You should put some clothes on.” His smile teased, so I stuck out my tongue and told him to hide in the bathroom while I changed.
The dinner tasted fabulous. Lobster, fresh fish, shrimp and conch made up the main dishes with rice, beans, baby potatoes, and a steamed vegetable medley rounding out the sides. Dessert was key lime pie, and although I’d never tried it before, it quickly became one of m
y favorites. They served all of us wine with dinner. I didn’t usually drink much of anything, but it was good and I had to stop myself at one glass. After all, it wouldn’t be a good idea to stumble all over the place when they announced us.
The syrenkas were seated at one side of the room, almost like we had our very own kid table. But as soon as dinner finished and Pegotty announced it was time for our introductions, the room cleared and we became the center of attention. She ushered us to an adjoining room to await our turn. Each first and second year syrenka would be announced and we had a formal greeting to say once we arrived. There was a long open staircase that joined the first two floors and we had to walk down it into the middle of the room and speak out loud. I was terrified.
“You look really beautiful tonight,” Kain whispered into my ear. I’d been frantically bobbing my foot and looking around the waiting area making myself crazy with nerves.
“Thank you.” I smiled up at him and his blue eyes. “You aren’t so bad yourself.”
He grabbed my hand I’d wrapped around his arm and held it there for the rest of the wait. I could barely hear Pegotty’s voice until someone propped open the door. She gave a five-minute introduction of which I listened to about three seconds of it. Carissa and Lily stood in front of us with Daniel a few spots behind. I swallowed hard when Pegotty announced the first name.
“Liliana Marie Shannon. Unpromised by the Shannon clan.” Lily gave a small wave to all of us then stepped through the door to make her entrance.
“They actually say promised or unpromised?” I asked Kain.
“Yep.”
I thought it sounded rather rude to be introduced as unpromised. It made it seem kind of sad.
Pegotty’s voice boomed again. “Carissa Ishi Nakamo. Umpromised by the Nakamo clan.”
We were up next. I squeezed Kain’s hand again and sighed. Why was I so nervous? We prepared to hear Pegotty again, but a quiet, deep male voice made the announcement instead. Harlan Matthew.
“Eviana Anne Dumahl promised to Kain Harlan Matthew by both the Dumahl and Matthew clans.”
We walked around the door and began our descent. Harlan stood at the bottom of the staircase with one hand on his cane and the other on the banister holding him up. He still looked ill, but his smile helped to lighten his face. The room was full of adult merfolk dressed in formal attire. The ceiling fans and air conditioning couldn’t keep up with the number of bodies and many of the guests used their pamphlet about the syrenkas to fan themselves.
Once we got to the bottom of the stairs, Kain kissed his father on the cheek and then placed his arm on my back. We walked to the center of the room and he said, “It is an honor to be here. We are bound by duty and family to protect the clans, support the people, and further our existence.”
He nodded his head and I gave a small curtsy. This was a formal tradition that had continued throughout the centuries. A syrenka swears duty to the merfolk and basically promises to procreate and protect. It seemed quite a bit outdated to me, but at least they didn’t make us take a blood oath anymore.
I vaguely remember hearing Daniel Phillip Zane being introduced, but before we knew it, the formalities were over and the dancing began. It was overtly proper at first, with waltzes and foxtrots filling the room. Most of the younger syrenkas stayed off the dance floor at this time, but unfortunately I managed to grab someone’s notice.
“May I have this dance, Miss Dumahl?”
I turned to see a man about my father’s age, who had golden blond hair pulled back into a low ponytail that fell down his back. His light blue eyes were almost grey and completely lacking any shine. I looked up to Kain who gave me a slight shrug. He wasn’t going to stop me…or save me.
“Um…okay, sure.” I held out my hand and the man ushered me to the dance floor. The classical music gave way to a waltz timing. “I don’t know how to do this,” I said, suddenly aware that people would be watching me.
The man laughed and pulled me into the correct position. “Don’t worry, I’ll lead.”
His large but soft hand clasped mine and the other wrapped behind my lower back. His hold was forceful but not so strong that I felt uncomfortable. We began to move around the floor, following the few other older couples still dancing.
“My name is Lucian Sutherland and you are Eviana Dumahl, correct?” He already knew my name, so I was a little perplexed with his question.
“Yes, I’m Eviana.” We made a few more turns and weaves before I continued. “Am I supposed to know who you are?”
“Oh no, I wouldn’t expect that,” he chuckled. “I knew your mother a long time ago, and I wanted to have at least one dance with her beautiful daughter.” Something about the way he said that made chills develop along the back of my neck. “Your parents didn’t come?”
I shook my head, trying to avoid any type of eye contact with him. “No, they didn’t. Mr. Matthew is my sponsor.”
“Ah yes, the Matthews.” He stopped speaking so suddenly I had to look up. The Matthews made my dance partner very uncomfortable.
“You know Harlan and Kain then?” I pushed forward.
“Yes, I know them very well.” That was all he said. Although subtle, I noticed his muscles tense and he no longer tried to speak with his usual smoothness. At one point, I tried to find Kain to give him the signal that I had finished dancing with this man, but I was saved by another Matthew instead.
“May I cut in?” Harlan asked.
Lucian’s hand clamped around mine almost to the point of causing pain. I flashed him a glare and he instantly let go and composed his face again.
“Certainly,” he replied kindly. “It was a pleasure, Eviana,” he said, then raised my hand to kiss it gently.
Something was strange with him, but I couldn’t figure it out. Harlan pulled my attention away from Lucian’s retreating figure and set me back into a waltzing position.
“Stay away from that man,” he said.
“Why?”
“He is very bad news, Eviana. His family is a disgrace to our kind and I’m not sure what his intentions were tonight. He doesn’t usually accept the invitation.”
We started to dance again, but the moves stayed slow and small. Harlan used me as more of a support system than ballroom partner. After a few minutes, and just long enough to make sure that Lucian was out of sight, Harlan told me that he needed to sit down. I ushered him over to the section with cocktail tables and chairs. He sat with a thump and immediately began wiping his forehead with the handkerchief.
“Here dad, drink this.” Kain forced a glass of water into his father’s hands and started to wipe his forehead for him.
Harlan pushed him away and tsked. “Go away. I’m fine. Why don’t you take your beautiful fiancée for a spin on the dance floor?” When Kain and I didn’t move, he sat back in his chair and sighed. “Go. I’m fine.” We still didn’t listen. “I promise.”
He waved us on and I grabbed Kain’s hand to pull him away from his father. No sense in giving him a heart attack trying to convince us that he’s okay.
The music changed to something more young and hip. It took me several tries to get Kain to focus on the dancing. I even wrapped my arms around his shoulders and nuzzled against him, encouraging him to move. It wasn’t until Daniel, Lily, and even Carissa joined us that he seemed to loosen up a little.
“He’ll be all right,” I said when I caught him looking toward his father again. We moved slowly together now, so I could feel his muscles tense with worry. He didn’t say anything at first but then he gently kissed the top of my head and rested his cheek against it.
“Thanks.”
I hugged him tighter and fought the tears growing in my eyes. This was so hard on him and I admired his strength. I knew I wouldn’t be as strong if I had to face losing one of my parents. We continued to sway until someone abruptly knocked into us.
“Hey guys, save it for later,” Vance said as he bounded into the center of the group and beg
an to awkwardly gyrate his body.
We couldn’t help but laugh and enjoy the break dancing battle going on between Vance and Daniel. The moves they attempted were real, but neither of the boys had the skill to execute them very well. It was quite amusing to see Daniel try for a back spin, only to get around a few inches. Vance attempted a one-handed stand, but when he kicked his feet over his head, he fell on his side with very little room to make it look cool.
By this time, all of the syrenkas had gathered and joined in with the impromptu dance competition. Cat calls, taunting, and superficial threats passed amongst the group all in the spirit of fun. We forgot about our training and responsibilities. I forgot about my upcoming decisions and Kain enjoyed himself freely. For a few moments, everything was good.
If it hadn’t been for the laughing and clapping, maybe we would have heard something. But the entertainment continued until someone screamed from the far side of the room. The music suddenly stopped and we all looked around, frantically trying to figure out what was going on.
“Someone call an ambulance!” a voice shouted.
Everyone turned their head in the direction of the commotion and the crowd began to move aside and clear a path. At first I thought it was for the emergency help, although they wouldn’t have been here so soon. As soon as I realized what was really happening, Kain ran screaming from my side and down the aisle of people.
“Dad!”