Goddess of the Sea (34 page)

Dylan didn't look surprised at all. “I wish I could visit your realm of the United States Air Force.”

CC almost choked as a mental image of Dylan in Oklahoma flashed into her mind.

“Well,” she said quickly. “It's in the middle of a land that's far from the ocean. There's really no way to swim there.” Even if we were in the same century, she finished the sentence silently.

“I would have to have legs again,” Dylan said thoughtfully. “Having legs was such an unusual experience.”

CC tried not to laugh.

“I do not think we can ever go back,” Dylan said.

CC shook her head. “I seriously doubt it.”

The merman studied her. “Will you miss it? What of your family there?”

CC took a deep breath. She had been avoiding thinking about her parents. Now homesickness filled her. Yes. She would miss them. She loved them. But . . . her gaze traveled out over the fog-covered water. The soft fingers of the surf caressed her body.

The realization came swiftly to her mind. She belonged here.

She had left home when she was so young because she had never felt like she really belonged, and she had been traveling all of her adult life trying to find someplace where she truly fit in. The air force had been satisfying, she realized, not just because she enjoyed her work, but because she never stayed in one place long enough to begin to feel the discomfort of not belonging. While her peers were settling down, getting married and having children, she had been living the nomadic life of a woman searching for home. Deep within her she knew she had finally found that home.

She touched Dylan's cheek. “Yes, I'll miss my parents, but it's time for me to grow up and move on.” She remembered their Silver Cruise schedule with a poignant smile. “They'll be fine. They have each other. And this is where I belong.”

The monastery bells began their lazy morning toll. CC felt each clang as if it was a physical thing.

“I wish you would stay,” Dylan said, his voice sounding strained.

CC pressed her head against his chest. “There's nothing I want more.” Except to keep you safe, she thought. “But I promised Gaea that I would be patient and wait for her to fix things with Lir.”

“You must keep your word to the goddess.” Dylan's voice was muffled as he buried his face in her hair.

“It can't be too much longer. You should have seen Gaea today; she was magnificent. There's just no way Lir will be able to resist her. Soon she'll come to me and tell me that everything's fine, and I'll run down that cliff and swim to you, and whatever human is watching can just go straight to hell if they don't like it!”

“Do not place yourself in danger,” Dylan said sharply. “You are right. We can be patient.”

CC kissed the corner of his mouth. “You'll be waiting here in case I can slip away?”

Dylan cupped her chin in his hand. “For an eternity, Christine. I will wait for you for an eternity. Never forget that.”

“I couldn't, Dylan,” she whispered.

They kissed—a long, gentle kiss that held the sweet promise of more to come.

“I have to go.” When she spoke the words aloud she felt the morphing burn begin at her waist, and in an instant the sand gave way under her naked legs.

Dylan smiled sadly and ran a hand caressingly down the length of one of her newly re-formed legs.

“You know I do love to touch your legs.”

“Apparently men don't change much, no matter their form.” She smiled, trying to keep her tone light. She kissed him quickly before she stood.

“I love you, Dylan,” CC said. Then she turned and walked slowly to the log that held her clothes.

“And I love you, Christine. Always.” Dylan's voice echoed around her. She heard the wet slap of his body against the water as the ocean reclaimed him.

The goddess's rain had finally stopped, and the lightening of the sky told CC that she should hurry, but her steps were slow and leaden. Her feet felt awkward after the powerful grace of her mermaid body. And each step took her away from Dylan. She forced herself to navigate the final twists of the path. As she climbed up onto the grassy space outside the monastery wall, she spoke a prayer aloud to her goddess.

“Please hurry. I can't stand this separation much longer.”

“The abbot was wise when he told me to beware your beauty. I see now that it clouded my mind into believing you were simply an innocent maid.” Andras's voice was hard and angry as he and his two squires stepped from the shadows of the monastery wall.

CC jumped, and her hands automatically splayed to cover her breasts, which were clearly visible through the sheer, damp chemise.

“Andras! You startled me,” CC blurted, her heart pounding painfully.

“Yes, I imagine being caught would startle you.”

“Caught?” She straightened her spin, irritated at the arrogant tone of his voice. The way the three men leered at her overrode her rush of fear at the possibility of arousing the spirit of Sarpedon. “At what do you think you've caught me?”

“Innocent maidens do not cavort at night naked and alone.”

She noticed that his eyes maintained their normal color, but he squinted and peered around her like he expected to discover a busload of sailors she had been entertaining.

“Cavort? I was climbing up from the cliffside path. There was very little cavorting involved. And I'm certainly not naked.”

“It is improper for you to be seen in your chemise, and it is obvious from the state of your chamber that you escaped through your window,” Andras challenged.

“I didn't want to ruin my dress,” CC said reasonably. “And I didn't
escape
. I used my window because I didn't want to wake any of the Brothers.”

“Enough talk!” Andras snapped, grabbing her arm painfully. “You shall return to your chamber now. We will speak of this with the abbot after he has completed morning mass and when you are properly clothed.” He started to pull her toward the front entrance of the monastery.

CC dug in her heels and wrenched her arm back. Andras whirled to face her. His face was flushed with anger and the hand that didn't hold her arm was closed in a fist as if he wanted to strike her. CC swallowed her fear and pulled strength from deep within her. As she spoke she felt the protective warmth of the amber amulet against her breast.

“Don't ever touch me without my permission. I am still a princess and even though this is not my realm I am not totally without power here. I will not tolerate such treatment,” she hissed at him. Her body felt hot and her head tingled like energy was rushing into her from above.

The fierce look on the knight's face faltered as he watched Undine transform. Seconds before she had been a wet, nearly naked woman, who looked scared and alone. Now she stood with her back straight and her chin held high. Her drying hair crackled around her and she seemed to glow with radiant power. Unexpectedly, a little shiver of foreboding crawled the length of his spine.
Sorceress!
The word whispered through his mind and he loosened her arm as if it burned his hand.

“That's better,” she said. “Now I will be pleased to return to my chamber; I was already on my way there when you interrupted me.” CC turned and strode confidently down the path to the monastery gate. The three men followed silently behind her.

The gate was unbarred, and CC pushed it open without waiting for the knight. Expecting the courtyard to be deserted, she was surprised to see Isabel, Lynelle, Bronwyn and Gwenyth huddled nervously against the wall near the gate.

“Oh, Undine!” Isabel's words came out in a rush of air.

But before she could say any more, Andras broke in. “You were right to report her absence. Your diligence and loyalty will be rewarded.”

His words stabbed her heart. Isabel had betrayed her? She remembered how cold and judgmental Isabel had been when they had first met, but CC had thought those days were over, that Isabel and the other women had begun to care for her as she had them. She forced her face to remain expressionless as she continued woodenly across the courtyard to the entrance of the hallway that led to her room. She wanted to rush back to the group of women and yell,
Why? I thought we were friends—family even!
But she refused to give Andras the satisfaction of seeing her pain.

At the door to her room Andras spoke belligerently to her. “The abbot will expect to see you as soon as mass is finished. I will send for you then.” He paused before adding, “I assume you will not be making any further lone trips today, but for your own safety my men will see that you remain in your chamber until you are summoned.”

CC met his eyes with her own hard gaze. “For my protection, is it? It sounds to me like you're appointing jailers.”

Without waiting for a reply, she entered her room, giving the door a resounding slam behind her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CC sat on her narrow cot and hugged her legs against her chest. Her anger was gone, and it had taken with it most of her princessly bravado. Andras had stationed one of his men outside her door and another outside her window.

“It's a jail,” she muttered, fighting down a sudden sense of panic. What would happen if she was still being watched this closely in three days? Her stomach fluttered nervously. Gaea had said if she didn't return to her mermaid form that she would die, and after experiencing the throbbing ache that filled her body every third day as she waited impatiently to change, she knew all too well the truth of the goddess's warning. Trapped, alone in this room, she would die a horrid, painful death. And she would never see Dylan again. She shuddered. No wonder the monks called it a cell.

A hesitant knock sounded against her door, and before CC could call out, the guard opened it for Isabel. The old woman was carrying a tray that held a goblet of wine and a hunk of fresh bread and fragrant white cheese. She nodded to the surly guard, who gave CC a sharp look before backing from the room and closing the door. Isabel limped to the dresser, where she placed the tray.

In an abnormally loud voice she said, “Princess, I brought you something to break your fast. And it is time you readied yourself to meet with the good abbot.” Isabel brought the goblet over to CC, who took it and drank the sweet white liquid, grateful for the soothing effect it had on her throat and her nerves.

“I did not mean to betray you, Undine,” Isabel whispered urgently, almost causing CC to choke on a swallow of wine. The old woman leaned closer to CC, her voice low and soft. “I was worried about you—you looked so tired and wan yesterday. When my duties in the kitchen were complete, I came to check on you. I knocked, and when there was no answer I was afraid that you were not simply sleeping deeply, but that you were truly ill. When I found the room empty I could only think that you were somewhere alone and perhaps you were very sick. I rushed from your room to check the chapel, hoping that you had returned to the Virgin Mother's statue for comfort, but on the way there Sir Andras discovered me. He saw that I was troubled, and asked if he could aid me.” Isabel tightened her lips and shook her head in obvious disgust. “I should have remembered your misgivings about the knight. Instead, I explained my worry. When you were not in the chapel, he became incensed. His anger was terrible.” Isabel's eyes were bright with unshed tears. “Forgive me, Undine.”

CC took one of the old woman's gnarled hands. “There's nothing to forgive,” she whispered. “It's my fault. I should have confided in you, then you would have known not to worry.”

The sound of a man's sudden cough from outside her window caused both women to narrow their eyes.

“Here now, eat some of this bread and cheese while I comb through your hair, Princess,” Isabel croaked, raising her voice so that it carried easily through the window.

“Please do,” CC said in a loud, imperious tone. “I expected you some time ago. I have been sitting here waiting. It seems I am to be treated with disrespect, even by servants.” CC curled her nose and made a face at the window. Isabel covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

“Disrespect was not my intention, Princess,” Isabel blared.

“Oh, do stop speaking. I want to enjoy my breakfast and my coiffure in silence!” CC commanded.

“As you wish, Princess,” Isabel shouted.

The two women rolled their eyes at each other.

CC chewed the bread and cheese as Isabel brushed gently through the tangles in her long hair. She felt relieved at the knowledge that Isabel and the other women had not betrayed her, and her mind whirled with possibilities. Abruptly, she turned her head, interrupting Isabel's grooming. The old woman looked questioningly at the princess.

“Do you think that I am evil, Isabel?” CC asked, being careful to keep her voice low enough that it wouldn't be overheard by her guards.

Isabel's furrowed brow raised. “No,” she answered quietly. “Some of your beliefs are rather odd, but your heart is kind and your love for the Mother is true.”

CC nodded. “If I asked you to trust me, even if what I tell you will seem unbelievable and maybe even a little frightening, would you?”

Isabel's eyes widened until she looked like an ancient bird, but she nodded her head and whispered a single word. “Yes.”

“Then listen, and I'll tell you everything.”

CC began with the night of her birthday and worked forward from there. She was amused to hear that Isabel found the idea of an inanimate creation that flew through the skies more disturbing than learning about Sarpedon or the fact that CC was really Undine who was really a mermaid, although CC told her she agreed completely with her terrified reaction to the airplane. When CC described her love for Dylan, Isabel nodded and smiled thoughtfully. The only thing CC was not completely honest about was Gaea. She was afraid that the old woman would not be able to accept the goddess. CC didn't leave her out of the story, she simply changed the goddess's name. When she spoke of Gaea, she called her the Holy Mother. Isabel believed totally in the power of the Virgin, and she didn't question CC's bond with her.