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  “Where?”

  “Where what?” my mother asked, looking at me with curious eyes.

  “Where will all of this happen? All of the ceremonies?”

  She still stared at me with trepidation and suspicion. “Here. Everything will happen here.”

  I nodded my head. Everyone would come to our clan house and everyone would be expecting me to marry Kain. This wasn’t the way my life was supposed to go. “What about my birthday?” It would now be the day after the wedding.

  “We’ll celebrate on Monday. My baby girl…eighteen, married, and leading a clan.” My dad shook his head and smiled. “You’re growing up so fast.” He and my mother shared a moment between them that made my stomach ache again.

  I stood up and took the cereal bowl to the sink. “I’ll be in my room.”

  “You can have today, but the rest of the week you’ll be with me preparing for the ceremonies,” my mother stated. Preparing meant dress fittings, speech memorizations, and a lot of lessons on what not to do or not to say.

  “Sounds fun,” I mumbled under my breath as I trudged upstairs. As soon as I was out of sight, both of my parents got back on the phone coordinating the big weekend. This was going to be a spectacle and an affair to remember, that was for sure. No doubt, my mother and her friends planned to hire the best caterers and the most expensive dress makers around.

  I took a nap to help pass the time between my breakfast and when Brendan would pick me up. We certainly had a lot to discuss. Since my parents said that today was my free day, I didn’t ask if I could go out with my boyfriend. When he arrived outside, I simply waved goodbye and told them I’d be back for dinner. Closing the door as fast as I could, I didn’t even give them an opportunity to yell after me. Brendan laughed when I jumped in his car and told him to take off like I’d just robbed a bank.

  We picked up milkshakes at a nearby drive through and parked under the deck of his second story apartment. His roommate was at work, and since we usually met someplace where we could swim together, I realized that I hadn’t been to his place in a while. It was still messy and stinky, and I made a mental note that I might have to set some cleaning rules when we move in together.

  That thought made my heart flutter.

  I followed him to his bedroom. He plopped down on the bed, which was nicely made up, and patted a spot next to him. We’d been together for years, and although we’d played around, our relationship had not moved to that next and final level yet. So I knew this was a gesture of comfort, not necessarily of need. Putting my milkshake on the bedside table, I sat down and snuggled up against Brendan’s warm, tall body. We stayed like that for several minutes before he broke the silence.

  “So what’s going to happen now that Kain is the heir?” he asked.

  I explained what I knew of the appointment ceremonies and what I thought my role would be. And then I told him that they moved up the wedding date and waited anxiously for his response. Considering his girlfriend needed to continue to play fiancée for the rest of the week, Brendan was surprisingly supportive and unaffected.

  “Don’t worry about the wedding,” he said while smoothing my hair as I nestled my head against his stomach. “We’re leaving Saturday night.” My reaction got a chuckle out of him before he continued. “I can see you’re excited.”

  I smiled from ear to ear and my relief momentarily trumped the guilt I felt over abandoning Kain on our wedding day. But I didn’t have a choice. I was meant to be with Brendan. “Yes, I’m excited!” I leaned over and kissed him. “Is everything arranged?”

  “Yes. We’re going to Maryland. I’ve been able to line up a temporary job and I closed my accounts yesterday in preparation. We’ll have to stay at a hotel for the first few weeks, but I think as soon as you’re eighteen, you’ll be able to find a job too.” He squeezed me in a tight embrace. “We’re going to make this work.”

  “We are, aren’t we?” I asked and he laughed again.

  “Just pack one bag and collect any of your savings that you can without arousing suspicion. I’m going to work extra shifts the rest of the week, so I don’t know if we’ll see each other again until Saturday. We’ll leave in the middle of the night.”

  I turned my body so that I could look at him. He was so confident and he’d come up with a plan like he promised. I truly loved him and I knew that as long as he was around, my life would be good. We spent the rest of the afternoon together lying on his bed looking at maps and plotting our routes. We wanted to stay off the beaten path, so to speak, until I was eighteen and my parents had no claim over me anymore. That would only be for the first twenty-four hours of our escape, and by then we planned to be in Kansas.

  We were heading to the Maryland coast where Brendan had made a contact at a college research laboratory and had gotten himself a paid internship. I was happy to see that he found something that he would enjoy. Although he made decent money bartending, he loved biology and could finally put his college degree to good use. The town was a popular summer destination, so he didn’t think it’d be too hard for me to pick up a waitressing or hostess position. He showed me all of the private coastal parks where we could swim freely and with very little notice. By the time my stomach reminded me that it was close to dinner, I was having a hard time believing I could get through the next few days. We were really going to do this, and I wanted to begin our life together now.

  Before I got out of the car, Brendan reminded me to act more somber and belligerent. After all, I didn’t want to tip the parents to our impending plan. I punched him for the belligerent comment and then tried to wipe the smile off of my face as he drove away. Just a few more days and we could be together forever.

  Although excited, it really didn’t take much for me to realize what this would mean for Kain. That thought brought me back into a guilt-ridden, depressed teenager. A perfect cover.

  I walked into my house and prepared to play the role for a few more days. Trying to push my feelings about Kain’s friendship aside, I vowed to be there for him during his appointment ceremony, and if I could find a way to warn him about the wedding I would.

  It was the least I could do.

  The packed memorial service on Friday felt cramped, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that our friends from Cotillion had made it to the event. Throughout the ceremony, I stole fleeting glances at Daniel, Lily, and Carissa who stayed interspersed amongst their clans throughout the back of the room. Vance and Brinsley had more freedom than the first year syrenkas, so they caught a few moments of our time for conversation. It sounded much like the other million exchanges I watched Kain go through. Everyone was sorry and they all wanted him to know that they were available to help in any way. Some were much sincerer than others. Considering Kain’s new elevated status in our society, it was more difficult to determine who was really on his side and who just wanted to get into his good graces.

  I stood next to Kain as he stepped into his father’s role that day. His mother acted stoic, yet quiet, allowing her son to represent their family with the grace and dignity she strained to hold on to through her grief. She was an admirable woman and her total faith in Kain allowed me to see him in another light. Strong, confident, and capable; Kain had become an adult overnight.

  The Matthews didn’t stay at our house. Secretly thankful for that, I tried not to let my emotions show. Just one more day to endure and then Brendan and I would be able to start our new life together.

  Although Kain and I had acted as a couple most of the day on Friday, we really hadn’t had much of a chance to talk. So I was surprised when he knocked lightly on my open door just a few minutes before his appointment ceremony was slated to begin downstairs.

  “May I come in?” he asked bashfully. Always such a gentleman.

  Dressed in my gown, I just needed to put the final touches on my hair and makeup. Even though I was to be a bride the next day, my dress tonight was much more elegant than I would have ever dreamed I could wear. The blue silk fabri
c clung to my body like ocean waves wrapping me in an embrace. It had a drop waist line that pointed down toward my feet where layers upon layers of fabric fell stylishly to the floor to make it look like I was floating. The top of the dress stretched over my left shoulder and around my neck like a serpent. Gold highlights interlaced with the royal blue material and the matching gold tiara with sapphire jewels only emphasized the elegance of the design. I fashioned my hair up into a twist, allowing a few subtle curls to drape lightly around my face.

  I stood as Kain asked his question. “Yes, please come in.” Even though I was sure he heard me, he didn’t move. Almost a full minute passed before we said anything. “Are you okay?” I finally asked.

  Kain shook his head and smiled apologetically. “You look really beautiful, Eviana.”

  He’d dressed in the formal leadership attire in the colors of his clan; royal blue and black. The jacket looked custom designed and fit his tall frame really well. The suit reminded me a bit of what a member of a human royal court would have worn centuries ago. Still admiring his presence, he stepped into the room and held out his hand toward me. Not knowing what he wanted, I laid my palm in his a little reluctantly.

  “I’m a lucky guy,” he said and lifted my hand to his mouth for a gentle and respectful kiss.

  My stomach knotted up instantly and guilt seared through my veins. I pulled my hand away and pretended to straighten out my dress. “Thanks,” I replied with my head down to avoid his questioning look. “You clean up nicely too.”

  He chuckled at that and walked further into the room, forcing me to take a few steps backward. I quickly glanced toward my closet where I had my bag packed and ready to go. It was as though I worried that he could see through the closed doors, but if he noticed my odd behavior, he didn’t comment on it as we sat on the edge of my bed.

  “I need to ask something of you,” he stated.

  “Sure. Anything,” I replied, not quite knowing what to expect.

  He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “I’d like for you to be the one to pin the shield on me tonight.”

  “What?”

  I was very surprised. The shield was a small pin fashioned out of gold, black pearl, and pink coral pieces that represented his leadership. Each clan had their own individual design. It was somewhat equal to high ranking military decorations, but the shield was only reserved for clan leaders. Typically, the wife or husband would have the honor of anointing the new leader by pinning on the shield. In his case, I’d assumed Kain would ask his mother. But now, he sat here, requesting something very important of me.

  “We’re to be married tomorrow.” I shifted in my seat as he continued. “A few hours don’t matter to me. You’ll be my wife and our clans will be united. There’s some unrest amongst us, and I think our show of unity will let those naysayers know we cannot be divided.”

  His suddenly serious demeanor frightened me a little. I hadn’t heard about any issues in the clans and not only did that make me feel uneasy, but also inadequate. I feared I didn’t know because I was a still considered a child.

  “Won’t your mother be upset?”

  “I’ve already talked to her. She understands.” He looked at me and smiled. “She’s ready for us to be married too.” I tried to return his grin but I’m sure that it looked forced. He grabbed my hand and squeezed. “I’d be honored if you would do this, Eviana.”

  Well, how could I say no now?

  “Of course I’ll do it, Kain.”

  And before I knew what happened, his lips pressed against mine in a kiss. It wasn’t a quick peck on the cheek, this was a full out passionate kiss. The warmth of his mouth consumed me and I momentarily forgot who I was. I gently placed my hands on his cheeks as he wrapped his arms around my back to pull me closer. My stomach fluttered and my heart felt like it would climb out of my body. All of the stress Kain had dealt with over the loss of his father seemed to pour into his movements, desperate for an escape. The moment seemed to last for minutes, but then we realized what was happening at the same time. I suddenly tensed and Kain jumped away from me to walk to the other side of the room. The abrupt end to our kiss stunned both of us.

  “I’m so sorry. I…I shouldn’t have done that,” Kain stuttered. His words sounded muffled through both of his hands which now covered his mouth like he could wipe the kiss away. “Please forgive me.”

  I didn’t really know what to say because right now I grappled with the feelings inside of me. I wasn’t mad at him. In fact, I’d enjoyed that kiss very much. Too much.

  I walked over to him and grabbed his hands. “You have nothing to apologize for.” I smiled up at his apprehensive face. “Like you said, we’re to be married tomorrow.”

  He stepped away from me, however, not before I saw the corner of his mouth curl up a little bit. “So it was like a practice kiss?”

  I still felt very uncomfortable, but I didn’t want to make the situation any worse. So I laughed. “Yes, that was the practice kiss.”

  He ran his hand through his hair and blew out a deep breath. “I’ll meet you downstairs then,” he said. “Thanks.”

  I listened to his footsteps walk through the hallway until I moved again. What had just happened? What did we just do? Before I could analyze the situation anymore, my phone beeped with a message.

  Tonight at 2am. Meet me at the end of the drive. Love you Evs.

  I almost started to cry. The kiss between Kain and I was wrong on so many levels but most especially because of my relationship with Brendan.

  “Eviana, it’s time,” my mother’s voice called up from the bottom of the stairs.

  It was time to play the most important person in Kain’s life and time for me to grow up. I brushed all of the anxious thoughts aside, threw my shoulders back, and lifted my chin. The tiara had tilted to the side during our little make out session, so I adjusted the crown and walked out of my room.

  A special area in our house had been built specifically for gatherings such as appointment ceremonies. And weddings. My mother added a raised dais at the far end of the room to serve as a stage. There were no chairs up there, only a lone microphone strategically placed in the center. I didn’t see Kain yet, but I knew we would walk up there together.

  Politely pushing through the crowd, I made my way to the side of the room and toward the awaiting party. Kain, his mother, my mother, and a few other important political clan members were lined up and talking amongst themselves. Kain’s mother tried to smooth down his hair and he kept pulling away and swatting at her hand. I smiled at that scene and when he caught my eye, he grinned and shook his head. Nothing like your mother doting over you before the most important day of your life.

  “It looks fine,” I whispered as I slid in next to his side. He still fiddled with it as a regal old man took the stage and began speaking. In just a few moments, we were called to the platform and the ceremony began.

  There was a formal agenda to follow that my mother had actually briefed me on. Basically, my role was to stand in the back and smile. There was nothing for me to say and nothing for me to do until the end when I’d be asked to pin the shield on Kain.

  My hands shook when I picked up the small ornate broach off of the pillow the old man held out to me. I wasn’t sure if it was due to the fact that a whole bunch of people had their attention focused on me, or because the shield seemed to pulse with electricity. I’d never touched a valuable clan item before and although I’d heard stories about them being charmed with merfolk magic, I always thought that was a fairy tale.

  But this shield seemed to radiate energy. It trickled through my fingers and up my arms as I looked at it in awe. Kain quietly cleared his throat, bringing me back to the present and encouraging me to continue with the task. I smiled up at him and took a step forward.

  The shield didn’t have a clasp or a pin and after a brief stir of panic rushed through me, I remembered that it should adhere to the leader without any physical attachments. A sign of our magic and birthri
ght, a shield will only adjoin with its rightful owner. I lifted my hands and held out the broach near an area on Kain’s upper left chest, just above his heart. In an instant, the shield literally jumped from my hands to land on his body. He took in a deep, shuddering breath, closed his eyes, and froze.

  The room fell silent. Not even the rotating ceiling fans seemed to make a noise. Everyone watched. Waited. I jumped when Kain suddenly let out a sigh and opened his eyes. He grabbed my hand and squeezed, using me for support in front of everyone. His grip was intense, but a few seconds later he released some of that tension and kept a hold of my hand. I moved to his side so that my back wouldn’t face the curious crowd anymore.

  “It is done,” the old man declared. “I give you Kain Harlan Matthew, leader of the Matthew Clan and Protector of All.”

  Kain stepped forward, pulling me along with him by my hand. The room erupted in cheer and a few of our friends in the back of the room whistled loudly with delight.

  “That was intense,” Kain whispered through his smile.

  I looked at him, questioning his comment, but he never had a chance to explain further. A round of sitting sessions occurred next so there would be an official portrait of the ceremony and of Kain. It would hang in all of the Matthew Clan houses as well as any official political building. The remainder of the day seemed to pass in a blur and once darkness came, we finally had a chance to relax and unwind.

  Our friends started a bon fire down at the beach. After exchanging the formal gown for a pair of jeans and a sweater, I took out my hair and walked downstairs to go join them. Kain met me in the kitchen, already free of his official attire except for the gold shield still attached to his chest.

  “Why did you do that?” I asked pointing to the broach. I didn’t think that he’d have to wear it all night. He looked down at it awkwardly while pulling his shirt away from his body.

  “I don’t know. It was like I couldn’t leave the room until it attached to me again.” He shook his head and laughed. “Freaky stuff.”