Chapter 6: Real love, her beginning as mermaid

I knew that both of us had decided to come to the surface of our own accord; we were both adults, and the more liberal and Dionysian part of me just wanted to dance and have fun, to see the man who starred in my dreams from the first night I met him. But another part within me, the more rational one, knew that they had discovered our secret. And just for capturing us in a net, they deserved death, as it was a completely disrespectful act towards a mermaid. We were mythical creatures, direct descendants of the Goddess of the Sea. But I didn't take the rules too seriously and knew that among humans, it was quite natural to commit wrongdoings and only acknowledge them after realizing they had made a mistake. That was something that distinguished mermaids from humans; we valued our relationships to avoid hurting or making mistakes with others, while humans tended to make mistakes or cause harm, and as they valued personal relationships, they improved their interpersonal dealings.

I sighed, resigned to stay with them, and tucked a strand of my blond hair behind my ear. I looked at the guy who had given me his jacket; he was so disturbingly mysterious, and I wondered if he felt attracted to me too.

"Alright," Seila said in a seductive voice; she had regained her natural poise and composure. It seemed to be due to her closeness with her human, Edgar.

"We will tell you everything about mermaids, but only under one condition."

"You must swear by the Goddess of the Sea that you won't reveal our secrets, and you will tell us everything you know about werewolves."

"That seems like an acceptable deal."

"Ignacio knows everything about werewolves," Edgar said, looking at the other man whose coat enveloped me. So his name was Ignacio, I understood.

"Then let's go to the boat," Ignacio said. "There’s dinner for you; we were going to invite you to dinner. Capturing you in such a inconsiderate way was not part of the plan."

"Well, it's too late for apologies," I said dryly, then rolled my eyes toward the boat. I sighed with relief; I was starving, and after all, my plan for the night was to go out to eat and have fun. Maybe the night wouldn’t be so bad after all.

The boat was luxurious, anchored to the beach. I climbed aboard barefoot, as I hadn’t had time to put on my high heels. Ignacio boarded the boat first, followed by Edgar, and as I was about to board, he extended his hand to me.

I stared at his hand; his hairy arm and warm body haunted my mermaid dreams. Taking his hand was something I did with utmost naturalness, pretending not to feel the electric spark that coursed through my veins at his touch. I climbed aboard, feeling the sturdy wood beneath my feet, the gentle sway of the boat rocking me slightly. It was a thrilling sensation, a blend of exhilaration and danger, and I couldn’t help but glance back at the shimmering sea, my true home.

"Welcome aboard," Ignacio said with a charming smirk, his dark eyes glinting in the moonlight. "Dinner awaits, but first, let’s make ourselves comfortable."

The cabin was cozy, the air filled with a tantalizing aroma that made my stomach growl audibly. A table was set with an array of dishes, and I couldn’t help but notice the contrast between the opulent spread and the modest way I had lived beneath the waves. Humans certainly knew how to indulge.

As I settled into my seat, I caught Seila's eye, and she raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by my wide-eyed reaction. The other occupants of the boat—Edgar and Ignacio—exchanged glances, and I could sense an unspoken tension between them. It was as if they were both vying for my attention, and the thought both thrilled and unnerved me.

"So, mermaid," Edgar began, his voice smooth and inviting. "What’s the most fascinating thing about your world beneath the waves?"

I hesitated, weighing my words carefully. "We have a connection to the ocean that you can't comprehend. The currents whisper secrets, and the creatures of the deep are our allies. We are guardians of the sea, protectors of its mysteries."

"And what about the humans?" Ignacio interjected, leaning forward, his interest piqued. "What do you think of us?"

I felt the weight of his gaze, and it ignited something deep within me. "You are curious creatures, both beautiful and flawed. You build and destroy, love and betray. It’s a delicate balance."

"Just like the tides," Seila added, her voice laced with irony. "Tell us about your experiences with humans. Have you ever fallen in love with one?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with implication. My heart raced at the thought of the human I had dreamed of—his face, his laughter echoing in my mind. But I couldn’t reveal my feelings, not yet. Instead, I smiled coyly. "Love is a complicated thing, isn’t it? It can be both a blessing and a curse."

Edgar nodded, a knowing look passing between him and Ignacio. "And what about werewolves?" he asked, steering the conversation back to our deal. "What do you know about them?"

I glanced at Seila, who seemed eager to share. "We know they’re shape-shifters, bound by the moon’s cycle. They have their own set of rules, don’t they?"

Ignacio leaned back, crossing his arms. "Let’s just say they’re not as misunderstood as they seem, and they have their own secrets."

The night wore on, filled with laughter, stories, and an undercurrent of unspoken tension. We shared tales of our worlds—mine of shimmering coral reefs and the haunting songs of the sirens, theirs of moonlit transformations and the feral howl of the wolf. With each shared secret, I felt the walls between our worlds begin to dissolve, and the night stretched on, promising adventures yet to unfold.

As the stars glimmered overhead, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this encounter would change everything. The humans had captured me, yes, but perhaps it was I who would capture their hearts in return—if only I could navigate the treacherous waters of love and loyalty.