The Mermaid's Curse (California Mermaids Book 1) by Kristina Ludwig Page A
Authors: Kristina Ludwig
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immortality.”
For a moment, the words just seem to hang there, suspended ominously in the water. My mouth drops open, for I know which choice Grandmer Genevieve must have made, and I’m terrified that, if I want to build a future with Xavier, I might be faced with a similar one.
Chapter Eighteen: Xavier
When I pass Amelie’s bedroom, I’m surprised to notice that her door is ajar, and she’s already up and dressed. It’s not even eight, and she’s usually a late sleeper. She has what she calls an “early” piano lesson this morning, which, in reality, begins at nine o’clock. She’s usually grumpy and groggy on piano lesson days, but this morning, she seems wide-awake, her brown eyes shining with secrets.
“So how’s Oceania?” she asks. “You know, when I woke up, I actually had to shake myself. I wondered whether last night had really happened, or if it had just been a dream brought on by that book I was reading.”
“It happened, all right. And things got even more interesting once you went to bed. I took Oceania down to the cellar, and we played music together. She’s a very accomplished harpist and singer.”
“Of course she is. Mermaids are known for their singing. Just watch out that she doesn’t lure you to your death. That’s what the mermaids used to do to the sailors, you know.”
“Thanks for the advice.” I tap my foot on the floor. “But I already knew that. And Oceania isn’t that way. If she were going to kill me, she would’ve done it already. This morning, she took me underwater with her, and I met her parents.”
Amelie gasps. “I don’t believe it, Xav. The book said that mermaids live at the bottom of the sea, and you can barely hold your breath for thirty seconds. How did you ever swim all the way down there, and spend time with her family, too?” Then, a second later, her eyes widen. “Wait a second. Did you kiss her? Because from what I’ve read, that’s the only way you’d be able to stay underwater for that long.”
“Yes, I did. You’re pretty smart. Maybe I should read this book of yours.”
Amelie’s cheeks dimple. “Thanks. You probably should read the book, just to learn more about Oceania. Mermaids are not like us, you know.”
“I take back what I said about you being smart. Doesn’t everyone know they’re not like us?” I playfully slap her on the arm. “But I really like Oceania, and I’m seeing her again tonight.”
“Okay,” Amelie says slowly, letting my jab pass without a retort. Unusual. “Just be careful.”
“All right.” I chuckle at my little sister’s grave expression. “Honestly, isn’t playing the protective sibling my role?”
We share a laugh as we descend the curving staircase, but just before we enter the dining room, she turns to me with a somber face. “I was serious when I warned you about the mermaids earlier, Xav. From everything I’ve read, I’ve learned that mermaids can be dangerous creatures, and even though you’re pretty weird, I’d really miss you if something happened to you.”
Chapter Nineteen: Oceania
“She gave up her immortality,” I whisper. “But why? She couldn’t have Lucas anyway, not when he was married to a land woman.”
“That’s true enough,” Mother says, “but the mere idea of never seeing him again broke her heart. She had to know what became of the one she loved. That’s why she gave up her immortality. And, in case you haven’t guessed, the mer-baby she was carrying was none other than me.”
I stare at my mother for a moment, dumbfounded. I must admit that I’d had an inkling of where the story was headed, but I also feel a sense of betrayal at the fact that she’d kept our human bloodline a secret from me for all this time.
“So you’re half-human? And since I’m a quarter human, you think that’s why my special talent didn’t show up until I played and sang with Xavier?”
Mother nods.
“Did you ever meet your father?”
Mother
For a moment, the words just seem to hang there, suspended ominously in the water. My mouth drops open, for I know which choice Grandmer Genevieve must have made, and I’m terrified that, if I want to build a future with Xavier, I might be faced with a similar one.
Chapter Eighteen: Xavier
When I pass Amelie’s bedroom, I’m surprised to notice that her door is ajar, and she’s already up and dressed. It’s not even eight, and she’s usually a late sleeper. She has what she calls an “early” piano lesson this morning, which, in reality, begins at nine o’clock. She’s usually grumpy and groggy on piano lesson days, but this morning, she seems wide-awake, her brown eyes shining with secrets.
“So how’s Oceania?” she asks. “You know, when I woke up, I actually had to shake myself. I wondered whether last night had really happened, or if it had just been a dream brought on by that book I was reading.”
“It happened, all right. And things got even more interesting once you went to bed. I took Oceania down to the cellar, and we played music together. She’s a very accomplished harpist and singer.”
“Of course she is. Mermaids are known for their singing. Just watch out that she doesn’t lure you to your death. That’s what the mermaids used to do to the sailors, you know.”
“Thanks for the advice.” I tap my foot on the floor. “But I already knew that. And Oceania isn’t that way. If she were going to kill me, she would’ve done it already. This morning, she took me underwater with her, and I met her parents.”
Amelie gasps. “I don’t believe it, Xav. The book said that mermaids live at the bottom of the sea, and you can barely hold your breath for thirty seconds. How did you ever swim all the way down there, and spend time with her family, too?” Then, a second later, her eyes widen. “Wait a second. Did you kiss her? Because from what I’ve read, that’s the only way you’d be able to stay underwater for that long.”
“Yes, I did. You’re pretty smart. Maybe I should read this book of yours.”
Amelie’s cheeks dimple. “Thanks. You probably should read the book, just to learn more about Oceania. Mermaids are not like us, you know.”
“I take back what I said about you being smart. Doesn’t everyone know they’re not like us?” I playfully slap her on the arm. “But I really like Oceania, and I’m seeing her again tonight.”
“Okay,” Amelie says slowly, letting my jab pass without a retort. Unusual. “Just be careful.”
“All right.” I chuckle at my little sister’s grave expression. “Honestly, isn’t playing the protective sibling my role?”
We share a laugh as we descend the curving staircase, but just before we enter the dining room, she turns to me with a somber face. “I was serious when I warned you about the mermaids earlier, Xav. From everything I’ve read, I’ve learned that mermaids can be dangerous creatures, and even though you’re pretty weird, I’d really miss you if something happened to you.”
Chapter Nineteen: Oceania
“She gave up her immortality,” I whisper. “But why? She couldn’t have Lucas anyway, not when he was married to a land woman.”
“That’s true enough,” Mother says, “but the mere idea of never seeing him again broke her heart. She had to know what became of the one she loved. That’s why she gave up her immortality. And, in case you haven’t guessed, the mer-baby she was carrying was none other than me.”
I stare at my mother for a moment, dumbfounded. I must admit that I’d had an inkling of where the story was headed, but I also feel a sense of betrayal at the fact that she’d kept our human bloodline a secret from me for all this time.
“So you’re half-human? And since I’m a quarter human, you think that’s why my special talent didn’t show up until I played and sang with Xavier?”
Mother nods.
“Did you ever meet your father?”
Mother
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