"Welcome to your ancestral home, Melissa." Wendell slowed his horse down to a walk as they

crested the small hill and peered down into the valley below. The last of the potion had worn off earlier

that afternoon, but they only had had to ride for another few hours to reach the border between Wendell's

Kingdom and the Eighth Kingdom. They had passed unmolested, and it was late afternoon now as they

stared down at the castle that Melissa knew was hers.

The water stretched out deep and blue in the distance, breaking against a tan, sandy shore. The

castle itself had been built right on the beach, and one set of gleaming stairs disappeared directly into the

water. The rest of the structure glimmered like some remarkable dream come to life. The stone was pale

yellow, and marble steps led up and curved all around its shining walls. Pillars circled the building, and a

gilt dome curved above the roof, giving it the feel of a splendid, unwrapped gift. As they approached,

Melissa noticed that the walls had tall windows filled with clear glass, and one could peer right inside the

castle into magnificent rooms.

"It's perfect," she breathed, forgetting Terry and her pain for a moment of wonder.

She felt Wendell's eyes eagerly watching her, and instinctively she turned away to protect herself.

*I'm not ready for that yet* she thought, trying not to imagine the hurt in his blue eyes.

"Come on," she said, spurring her horse to a trot. Glancing down at the imp, she saw he was

staring at the ocean with great interest, his round eyes even rounder. Not quite sure what was there that

interested him, she reminded herself to keep an eye on Grojavek while they were here. She heard the

steady thud of Wendell's horse following her as they rode down into the valley. There was a small fishing

village sprawled at the castle's base, stretching both directions along the shore and inward, the streets and

piers busy with villagers. People turned to watch them pass with suspicious eyes. Some recognized

Wendell, but few of those actually bowed. Melissa wondered whether that bothered him. Was she

inheriting a group of happily leader-less rebels? How would they feel about her when they found out who

she was? *Why does it matter? I'm not staying.*

They rode to the castle gates, which were closed against outsiders. As they approached, they saw

that the building was not as magnificent as from a distance. The pale stone was cracked and chipped, and

the shine she'd noticed was actually the sun reflecting off the sea. The tall windows, stretching up to the

roof, were dirty and pock-marked. It showed the wear of the constant sea wind and obviously hadn't been

cared for in many years.

Melissa wondered what it had been like before, when her family had lived here. *My family* she

thought, the idea of it to big to grasp. Terry could have told her. Suddenly, the fierce pain she'd been

trying to push aside swept over her. Her eyes filled with tears and her throat ached with grief. Wendell

rode up next to her. "Melissa?" His voice was quiet.

"I'm ok."

"Are you sure? I can do this on my own."

"No." She pressed her fingers against her eyes until it hurt, willing the grief away with thoughts of

Soul Ravager and revenge. "I have to do it."

He nodded, though his eyes were filled with doubt.

They continued to the castle, a few people falling in behind them with soft words and dark eyes.

She couldn't tell if they were simply curious or protective. Grojavek pulled the horse blanket around him,

effectively hiding himself. Wind brushed past them, carrying the tang of salt air, and a faint memory, with

it. Hadn't she always loved the ocean?

The lone guard straightened and executed a sloppy bow when he saw Wendell. "Your Highness.

We, ah ... what ... I mean, welcome. Is Lord Joffrey expecting you?" he asked, his voice weak.

"No. However, it is imperative that I speak with him. Is he available?"

"Ah, I ... I believe so. The castle -- we're not prepared to host any guests, your Highness."

Wendell smiled in a way only rulers could. "That's all right my boy." Melissa eyed the guard,

who looked old enough to be her father. "We just need to speak to him. It is extremely urgent."

"Of course. And who else may I say is calling on him?"

Melissa felt every last pair of eyes rest on her. She nudged her horse forward a step. "Tell him its

King Wendell and the daughter of Prince Andre." The small crowd inhaled as one and began chattering

furiously amongst themselves. The guard had gone white and stared at her with startled eyes.

"Are you ... certain, miss?"

She copied Wendell's posture, straight and confident, trying to look like someone who was used to

being obeyed. "Yes," she said simply. It worked, and the guard bowed deep and low, before scurrying

inside to open the gates.

Melissa glanced at Wendell, and they shared a brief, knowing smile. He looked away first, but not

before she saw the hope lighting his features. Realizing how cruelly she'd been treating him since Terry

had died, she hung her head slightly. She wanted to beg him to understand, to stay with her now when she

needed him the most, but she couldn't. Not in front of all these people. Gazing at the crowd, the air filled

with the stench of fish, Melissa shook her head slightly. Not just 'these' people, but her people. *I'm not

staying* she repeated firmly.

The gates inched open, grinding along the ground the whole way until everyone was wincing.

Melissa entered first, Wendell right behind her, and most of the crowd pushed its way in after. The guard

shouted for help and a few more armed men rushed out, struggling to keep the villagers back. Melissa

pushed through anyway, and her horse opened a path for them to the castle. They dismounted

simultaneously and, after untying Grojavek and taking him along, left their horses and the small mob in the

courtyard, entering into the building through an arched doorway. Two more guards appeared and swung

the large, wooden doors shut behind them, and it was quiet.

They stood in a long hallway, doors spaced evenly along its length. At the far end was a window

that took up most of the wall, looking out into the sea. When the sun set the orange and red rays would

light the whole room. Melissa imagined it would glow with light, warm and inviting. From out of a

doorway in the middle of the hall, a man walked out, supporting himself on a cane.

"Caterina?" he asked, his voice hesitant.

Wendell touched her arm and gestured at the imp. She gave him up willingly to meet the old man.

Frowning, she said. "Are you Lord Joffrey?"

"Yes." He continued his steady, but slow, progression, and she fidgeted in place until he finally

stopped several feet away. His face was heavily wrinkled, with creases etched long and deep along his

forehead and eyes. It made him look sad, and the way his lips seemed to naturally turn down only added to

the impression. His eyes were blue as an afternoon sky, but cloudy with age. They fastened on her,

studying her closely, pulling her in.

She shook her head, feeling dazed. "I'm Melissa. I ..." She paused, uncertain how to continue.

What could she say to this man? *The truth* she thought. *It's all I have.* "I recently found out that I'm

the daughter of Prince Andre. I was taken from here when I was too young to remember it. Are you - I

mean," she exhaled slowly. "Do you know me?"

"I do. Not as Melissa, but I remember you." He reached out and touched her cheek gently. His

skin felt soft and thin and frail. "You look so much like Andre did," he whispered. "You have his eyes."

Melissa smiled and felt her chin trembling. He knew her family. "What was he like? And my

mother? Were you here with them much?"

"Sometimes. They liked to have grand parties, with food and music and games." His lips crept up

into a warm smile. "The whole family did. They'd invite all of their relatives and friends and have a lavish

good time. Until Serena died." The brief happiness disappeared. "My dear sister was the first to go, and

the whole line has followed. Except for me." He touched her cheek again. "And now you."

"Are we related?"

The old man's lips trembled into a smile. "I'm your grandmother's brother."

"I didn't know," she murmured, taking his hand in hers. *A family* she repeated.

"Your mother took you across. Is she alive still?"

Melissa shook her head. "Terry, she said that my mother died of heartbreak after we crossed. My

father never made it across the mirror to us. What happened to him?"

Joffrey tugged on her hand, leading her towards one of the nearest doors. "I'm tired, Caterina, let's

sit down while I tell you."

Melissa blinked, startled at hearing the name. "Caterina," she repeated softly. It felt strange and

uncomfortable. She'd always been Melissa. *Not always* she thought.

"Ah, you don't remember that do you?" They walked slowly towards the door, Wendell on the

other side of Joffrey, hiding Grojavek who was being blessedly quiet. "You're Melissa now. I've always

thought of you as Caterina. It will be strange, using your new name. Surely you'll forgive an old man if I

slip up?"

"Of course," she promised.

"Caterina was my mother's name. Did you know that?" She shook her head. "Did that servant

girl, the one who lost her husband, did she survive?"

"Teresa," Melissa whispered. Her eyes filled with now-familiar tears. "Yes, she took care of me

when my mother died. She-" the words bottled up and she couldn't speak.

"She died a few days ago," Wendell spoke up. "She was a great woman, and raised Melissa as her

own."

Joffrey nodded. "That is good she cared for you. She must have told you about us, then. There

was no one else who could."

Melissa could only walk along silently, unable to get any words out.

They entered a small room, with a fire burning in the fireplace in one wall and another large

window opposite the door. Outside they could see part of the castle lawn, the plants mostly dead from lack

of care. There were several armchairs with comfortable cushions and a table made out of dark wood in the

center. They sat in the cushions, and Joffrey rested his cane on the table in front of them. Its carved head,

Melissa noted, was of a sea horse. Wendell settled Groj at his feet, earning a stare from the old man.

"Why do you have an imp as a prisoner?"

"He's helping us," Melissa jumped in before Wendell. "He won't hurt you."

Joffrey stared at him for a long time before shrugging it off, although his eyes wandered to

Grojavek occasionally. "Would you like anything to eat or drink?" he offered. "We don't have many

servants, but they aren't very busy, either." Melissa and Wendell both declined, and he shrugged. "Very

well, you're anxious. I can understand dear. Do you know anything of what happened to your father?"

"Just that he was supposed to head out to sea and enter the mirror from there, and then the servant

with him would shut it off and throw it in. We were supposed to meet him, but he never came. Terry never

knew what happened. Although I would guess that he died." Even though she knew she was talking about

her father, this was easier ground for her to stand on.

"Aye. He and his man went out to sea -- I tried to warn him not to, but he was always stubborn."

Melissa glanced at Wendell and caught the faintest hint of a smile. "But he went anyway, and a storm

came out of nowhere. It was a magical storm, everyone at the castle knew that she had sent it."

"Soul Ravager?"

"So you've heard that too. We took to calling her that after Andre's death. The storm raged for a

whole day and we could only wait it out with failing hopes. Three days later, Andre's boat came back in

pieces. The day after that, we found the servant and later that night, Andre's body washed up on shore. We

never knew what happened to the three of you. The mirror was never found."

"It sank into the Great North Sea," Wendell said. When they both looked at him, he explained,

"Gustav told us. He's a magic mirror."

Melissa frowned but let the explanation go. From what she'd seen of the Nine Kingdoms, it was a

perfectly normal occurrence. "How do you know these storms are the same?"

"If you saw them, you would know. One hit several days ago and killed three villagers. One was

a child." He sighed, and all the suffering settled around his shoulders. Melissa leaned over and squeezed

his hand gently.

"We were told that Soul Ravager is the mermaid that loved my grandfather."

"We've always known it was her. The wind, it spoke of her."

"The wind?"

"Aye. She controls it, as much as anyone can control the wind. We've tried to stop her, Caterina.

So many times we've tried, and everyone has been lost."

"We've come to stop her, Joffrey."

He sat up, staring at her in horror. "You mustn't! She'll kill you, and then who will rule here when

I am gone?"

"We know how to stop her, though. Someone told us, someone we can trust." Melissa thought

briefly of Inesh, of the endless depths of his eyes, and hoped he hid in peace for the rest of time. "There is

something here that can help us. Something that can kill her. Do you know what it is?"

Joffrey was shaking his head, rubbing his hands roughly against his knees. "She'll know your

coming and send a storm. You won't even get there."

"We have to try, Joffrey. I have to. Do you know what the item is?"

"No, I don't. There's nothing here. If we had known, we would have used it ourselves."

Melissa sank back into her chair, feeling defeat crushing her chest, making it hard to breathe. She

had to do this.

"Perhaps we could search the castle?" Wendell asked.

"Of course, but we would know already if something was here."

Wendell stood, holding a hand out to Melissa. "Still, it cannot hurt to search."

She looked up into his face, and he watched her intently. It struck her heart that his eyes still held

no malice, just calm assurance. Taking his hand, she lifted herself up, feeling renewed by Wendell's

support. "Right. We have to look. You stay here, we'll be fine."

"What about the imp?"

"He's tied up tightly. He won't go anywhere." Groj grunted in agreement, looking frustrated.

"We'll take care of him, don't worry."

"You won't find anything."

"I have to look," Melissa said, hearing desperation in her voice.

Joffrey leaned back into his chair. "If you wish, dear." His own voice was filled with

hopelessness.

They decided to split up, and for hours they searched the length and breadth of the castle. Melissa

paused whenever she came across a painting or a tapestry, studying each of them for some sign of the

familiar. In one, she thought she saw a man who she looked like, but it was hard to tell. All of the rooms

in the castle had huge windows and if they had no windows, then they had skylights. The castle felt much

fresher and lighter than it's stone walls and years of collapse would suggest. The furniture was old and

much of it dusty, but everything had been built to last and was made of sturdy materials. Her family may

have enjoyed their luxuries, but they certainly had a practical side. And though she searched every single

room, not stopping even when the sun had dropped below the rim of the horizon, she didn't find anything

that would help them kill a monster.

"Did you find it?" she demanded of Wendell later, when they met up in the grand hallway once

more. A servant was quietly checking the small torches that lined the walls. Other than that, the castle felt

empty in the darkness. From her search, Melissa knew that wasn't far from the truth. No more than twenty

people lived here, including the ten or so guards.

Wendell smoothed down his hair, frowning. "No. I saw nothing that it could even possibly have

been. I'm sorry, Melissa."

"Damn it!" The words echoed down the hallway, and the servant paused to look her way. She

stomped her foot, needing to do something with her angry energy. "Damn it. It has to be here, Wendell."

"It's not," he said simply.

She glared at him and took a step away, leaning against one of the side tables. It had to be here,

but they'd looked everywhere. Every last inch of the castle had been combed by both of them, separately.

"We both couldn't have missed it," she muttered.

"Why don't we have some food?"

"I'm not hungry." Every inch of the castle.

"You have to eat, Melissa."

"Damn it, I'm not hungry." She turned on him, welcoming a target for her frustration. "I'm not

giving up, Wendell. Inesh wouldn't lie to us."

"Inesh wasn't very helpful. He said only that you had to return home. There was nothing about

what or even how we would kill her. It's a fool's quest."

"Then I'm a bigger fool than you can imagine because I know it's here."

"You want it to be here," he sighed.

"It is." Melissa's hands fisted and she dug them into her thighs. "It has to be. I'm going outside to

look."

"Melissa, please. We're not going to find it. Let me form an army, like Antony suggested --"

"Jesus, Wendell! Why do you want me to fail at this?"

His lips thinned angrily. "I don't want you to fail. By the Queen! You don't even know what

we're looking for! I just don't want you to be hurt."

Their eyes locked, and she saw understanding in his. They both knew she was already hurt, too

deep and fresh to let this faint hope go. All her happiness rested on killing Soul Ravager. "I'm going

outside," she repeated.

He nodded slowly. "Eat something when you come back in. Please?"

His concern smoothed some of the edge on her temper and she smiled hesitantly at him. If she

weren't careful, she would lose him, too. "I will," she said, heading for the double doors. Opening one of

the doors, she stepped outside into the night air, assaulted by the sea wind. The smell was much fiercer

here, where the wind blew fresh and strong. *How can anyone control the wind?* she thought, scanning

the ground aimlessly.

The brown grass crunched underneath the soles of her shoes. She decided that she would have a

healthy garden if she were to live here. With plants that would do well so near to the ocean. Her feet led

her unerringly to the steps that disappeared into the water, and she stood at the top of the staircase, listening

to the waves break against the stone. The area was shored up from erosion, but the passage of time still had

left its mark. In the early moonlight, she could see glimmers of algae along some of the higher steps.

*Low tide* she thought, walking down the stairs, stopping before it got slippery. There was no railing to

hold her, just the wind buffeting her chest.

"How do you kill a mermaid?" she asked the water. The waves gave no answer, never ceasing

their endless movement. Inesh had told them she had to return home. "I'm here," she said, holding her

arms out to the water and the wind. "Where is it? Why aren't you helping me?"

Something flickered at the edge of her vision, silver in the moonlight. In the silence between the

crashing of waves, Melissa heard a whisper.

"Hello?" She peered into the black depths, seeing nothing. "Hello? Is someone there?" She

didn't feel afraid, she realized, just hopeful.

Again, she heard the whisper, and this time she could make out the words: "She must be stopped."

"Are you out there? Can you help me? Hello?" Melissa took another step down, her foot sliding

a little on the algae-slicked step.

"You wish to stop her?"

Melissa squinted, thinking she saw a form under the water, but the silver turned out to be merely

the crest of a breaking wave. "I do," she said, hoping she'd really heard the words. "I don't know how.

Can you help me?"

"We can." There was another flash, the shadow of another form, and it disappeared. "You are his

grandchild, we can sense it."

She stepped down again, standing unsteadily. "I am. I've come here to stop Soul Ravager."

"Rena." The one word was whispered by many voices.

"What?"

"Her name is Rena. Your grandfather never knew that."

"Who are you?" Melissa frowned, hoping it wasn't a trick. "Please, show yourselves."

The water glimmered, and for a moment she thought it was only the moonlight until the silver

shimmers became hair and the waves became women's bodies. *Mermaids* Melissa realized. There were

five of them, all women with flowing hair of bright silver and pale, pale skin. They were naked, like the

pictures in old books showed and not the Twentieth century versions. One flipped her tail up, slapping the

water gently and Melissa gasped aloud. It was long and sinuous and strong, blue-green in color, the scales

iridescent.

"We are her sisters. We can help you."

"How?" Melissa's heart pounded so hard it hurt. She took another tentative step, wishing there

were a railing. A wave crashed a step below and water splashed against her legs.

One of the sisters swam up to the steps, bobbing up and down with the waves. She held herself in

place with strong strokes of her tail. Slowly, she held up her palms with a knife resting on them. "There

are two things that must be done. First, she must be stabbed with this, the knife we gave her to kill the

prince."

"My grandfather."

"Yes. She is our sister, we do not care about some human."

Melissa frowned, but chanced another step down into the chilly water to get closer to the mermaid.

"Then why help me?"

All five women's faces turned sad and they keened as one. The sound was low and heartbreaking.

"She must find peace," the first mermaid finally said. "She will not find it this way." She swam even

closer, until her breasts brushed the steps. "Take this knife."

Carefully, Melissa crouched down and took the knife from the mermaid's hands, brushing the

woman's cold skin accidentally. "What is the second step?"

The mermaid swam backwards before speaking. "Once she is stabbed, she will be human. She

must be returned to the us, to the sea, to complete the task."

"You mean push her into the ocean?"

"Yes." The mermaids wailed again and Melissa felt her eyes fill with tears. "It is the only way.

But you must hurry, before the wind betrays you to her."

"Of course. We'll leave tonight -- now."

"We will help you. Take your ship and head that way." The mermaid pointed one long, slender

arm straight out to sea. "Her island is there. We will gather aid and help you get to her before the sun

rises."

Melissa stood, slipping a little and catching herself. She held the knife tightly in hand, determined

to not let it go. "How will we find you?"

"We will find you. Go!" They seemed to roar the word, and the wind picked up, blowing

intensely, seeming to push Melissa up the steps. She staggered up then, almost falling but always held up

by the wind.

She ran for the castle, waving the knife in the air and screaming, "Wendell! Wake up! Come

here! Wendell, I've got it! We have to leave now!"

**********

Half the castle was waiting for her when she rushed back through the open door. Wendell thought

she had finally snapped just by looking at her. She clutched a knife in her hand and waved it around

without thought of safety, her hair was a tangled mass, and her pants were wet. He had to admit she looked

glorious, even like that.

The others crowded around her, pushing Wendell to the outside and making enough noise to stir

the dogginess deep within. He snarled softly and, instead of forcing back the feeling, decided to use it. He

had learned humility from his time as a dog, but he'd also seen how easy it was to be pushed around.

Lately, that was all that seemed to be happening to him. Perhaps he could harness that dog quality again,

and get back a little of what he'd lost.

"Everyone be quiet!" he commanded, pleased with the way his voice carried down the long hall.

Even Melissa fell silent under his words, and he stifled a grin. *Success* he thought. Aloud, he said,

"Melissa, come with me into the study and we will discuss this. The rest of you are dismissed." The

servants and guards all bowed and slipped away after only the tiniest hesitation. The biting, churlish

feeling he'd termed his 'dogginess,' disappeared as he watched them go, making sure the crowd at least

made the pretense of leaving. After spending months struggling against it, he'd found the way to ease his

curse. Openly smiling, Wendell turned back to tell Melissa, but she had already disappeared through the

doorway.

He hurried after her, and found her pacing restlessly around the room. Her empty hand gestured in

sharp, frantic bursts, while she tapped the flat side of the knife blade against her hip. She nearly leapt

towards him when he entered, shoving the knife in his face.

"We have to go," she spit out. "Right now. This is it."

Holding a hand up, both to stop her and protect himself, Wendell put some distance between them.

"Wait. Go where? What is this knife you keep throwing around?"

She sighed, planting one hand on her hip. "I don't have time to tell you everything. The mermaids

are waiting. They're going to take us to Rena. We have to get a ship."

Wendell blinked, trying to piece together the information and failing. "Rena?" he ventured as a

start.

"Soul Ravager. Look, here's the summary: I went outside and mermaids came up to me from the

ocean. They want to help us kill Rena -- Soul Ravager -- because she's their sister. They want her to be at

peace. This," she held the knife out, "is the knife they gave her originally to kill the prince, who was my

grandfather. Now they say it's the one thing that can kill her. We have to stab her, and then we have to

push her into the sea. It's the only way. And they'll bring us to her island twice as fast if we get on a ship

and get out there right now." As she spoke, she walked around and scooped up a sleeping Grojavek. The

little imp squealed, his eyes flying open as she stopped at the doorway. "Let's go."

Unable to argue with that, Wendell followed after her.

Joffrey had just come down to the hallway to see what the noise was about, taking his slow, steady

steps to get to them. Melissa explained the story again to his disbelieving eyes and then abruptly left. The

young king shrugged and followed after her into the windy night.

The mob had long since dispersed and there was only the tired guard leaning against the gates as

they left on foot. Melissa demanded information on where they could get a ship, and he hurriedly answered

her, apparently as moved by her crazed eyes as everyone else had been. Wendell suspected the fact she

was wielding a knife in one hand and an imp in the other had something to do with it, as well.

They ran down towards the pier, stopping at the house the guard had suggested and knocking

furiously. It was a small, stone building, almost a tiny version of the castle. It showed even more wear in

the moonlight, and it's pale stone was grimier, though the garden along the side was well cared for. A man

answered Melissa's frantic pounding with heavy eyes and a curse on his lips. When he saw who was at his

door, he dropped a hasty bow and promised to be ready in a few minutes to serve the Princess. Apparently

the news of her arrival had spread quickly.

True to his word, the fisherman, Dennis, had them out on the water within minutes, the wind

pushing at the sails. His boat was nearly thirty feet long, and sliced eagerly through the waves. Dennis was

dressed in pants and a heavy coat, a knit cap rolled down to protect his ears from the wailing wind.

Wendell and Melissa huddled at the back of the boat, using Dennis as a shield from the cold.

"Uh, Princess?" Dennis' deep voice warbled uncertainly, "There's somethin' comin' at us. Big

fish, sorta. These them?" Melissa had relayed part of her tale to the fisherman as he'd worked to get them

going. She stood now and stalked to the bow, leaning over the edge until Wendell had to get up and follow

her, afraid she'd fall in. When he looked over the railing, he saw the pale features of a woman, her hair

sparkling silver.

Behind her, a male came into view pressing up against the side of the boat. His arms were hugely

muscled as he started to strain against the wood. Wendell frowned, and then looked down the length to

find merman lined up and doing the same. He jerked forward with the boat, and felt the surge of speed

through his feet. Somehow, these mermen were pushing them towards the island. "Remarkable," Wendell

breathed. Watching them gave him a headache, and the wind was biting into his skin, so he put an arm

around Melissa to lead her to the back again. She surprised him by settling into his embrace.

"They came," she said, holding the knife in both hands. The desperation was gone from her eyes,

he noticed with relief. But deep within he saw an implacable resolution that looked almost as frightening.

"May I see the knife?" he asked, gesturing at the weapon. She looked at it, then glanced at him

and he read the doubt in her face. "I'm not completely incompetent," he snapped. Though Melissa dipped

her eyes guiltily, it still took her a few more seconds before she held it out to him. He took the knife

quickly, before she changed her mind, and settled it into his own palms for closer examination. Though the

boat was moving fast, it was a smooth ride, and he didn't fear losing their precious weapon.

Up close, the knife appeared relatively unremarkable. The blade was extraordinarily thin, and

looked fragile, but the metal was solid and strong. Testing the edge, Wendell found it sharp, but not

excessively so, and the heft seemed oddly balanced. The handle was a simple piece of driftwood, carved to

curve with the hand so it was easy to hold and use. A good weapon, but not one that could fell a powerful

creature. He returned it with a shrug. "The mermaids gave this to you?"

Melissa's hand clutched the handle and she drew the knife in close to her body. "Yes."

"It does not seem magical."

"It will work." She looked at him hopefully. "It will."

"Of course." Wendell knew it was impossible to argue with faith. He put his arm around

Melissa's shoulder again and they huddled together as they sped towards the island.

Time passed without notice into the dark night. The wind whistled by them, occasionally drowned

out by the slapping of waves against the hull. Wendell tasted salt on his lips, and his cheeks itched from

the water that had misted against his face and dried. The arm he had around Melissa grew numb as they

continued silently on their trip, but he kept it there for both of them. His thoughts seemed scattered by the

wind, never settling for more than a moment on any one point. He thought of the monster they were going

to face; the merfolk that had appeared to help them; the imp, who lay snuggled against their feet.

Grojavek's warmth wrapped around Wendell's ankles, and he could only smile ruefully at the thought of the

imp helping them at all, even accidentally.

Eventually, Dennis turned and hollered at them to wake up. Wendell stirred, not having been

asleep, but neither really being awake, and rolled his shoulders. He stood after making sure Melissa was all

right, and faced towards the bow. An island loomed in front of them, one side streaked with moonlight, the

other hulking in shadow. The mermen's frantic push slowed, and the boat shifted under Wendell's feet

again. Melissa took slow steps towards the front, her eyes wide. It was as ominous a sight as they'd both

feared and, instinctively, Wendell knew they'd have to climb at least partway up the small mountain that

formed the bulk of the island.

The wind died suddenly, filling the air with the splashing of the mermen in the water. There were

a series of louder splashes, and the boat began drifting towards shore. Wendell peered over the railing to

find all of the merfolk gone.

"Looks like this is it," he murmured, even his soft words loud in the silent night. Dennis steered

them as close as he could before dropping anchor. They halted with a slight jerk, and all three exhaled as

one.

"If you don't mind, Princess," Dennis said, "I'll be stayin' onboard."

"That's fine." Melissa came back to the rear of the boat and picked up Grojavek. The imp's eyes

glowed in the moonlight, and he was staring at the island with obvious fear. "We're here," she told him.

"Don't forget that you're helping us now."

Grojavek shook his head. "I won't forget. I promise!"

Wendell kept his opinion on that to himself and helped Dennis ready the rowboat that would take

them to shore. The fisherman threw in an extra lantern he had for light and gave Wendell his small,

wickedly sharp gutting knife for emergencies. Melissa clambered in with the imp and her knife, and

Wendell followed after, catching the rope once the fisherman had untied it. "Wait for us!" he called.

Dennis grimaced, holding out his hands. "How long?"

Wendell shared a silent question with Melissa. "Noon," he finally answered. The fisherman

nodded and waved, and the young king wondered if they'd ever see him again.

He fervently hoped so as they rowed towards shore.

"Where is she staying?" Melissa asked Grojavek.

The little imp squeaked and tried to pull away from her, but she had a firm hold on his small body.

"In the mountain."

"Inside of it?"

"Yes, yes. I know where. I'll show you."

"How did you get here before?"

"Magic."

Melissa frowned. "Yours?"

"No!" Groj shook his head furiously. "No, no, no. Hers! She got me here." He blinked his

round eyes and asked shyly, "You untie me?"

"No way."

Wendell breathed a silent sigh of relief for that and rowed the boat into shore. He leapt out as they

got close, as did Melissa, and they pulled it far enough up that it wouldn't be dragged out to sea. Grabbing

Grojavek, Melissa stalked forward, the moon lighting their way. It was going to be dark inside that

mountain and he thanked Dennis under his breath for the light.

The trio found themselves at the mountain's base only a few feet from shore. It was no where near

the size of Dragon Mountain, but knowing they had to free climb it to get to the entrance made it just as

imposing.

Resting for a moment, Melissa set Grojavek down and stared at him, her eyes hard. "I'm going to

have to untie you so we can get to the entrance. You have to show us, and I can't be holding you to climb."

"Melissa-"

"Be quiet," she ordered Wendell. He felt himself bristle with angry words and bit them back.

Getting into an argument here could kill them all. She continued after a pause. "If you betray us, if I even

think you're betraying us, I'll kill you."

The imp nodded.

"You'll lead us there, without any tricks, understand?"

"Yes."

Wendell had never seen an imp so subdued. Still, he would make sure to watch him carefully on

their trek up.

Melissa used Wendell's knife to cut Grojavek's bonds, and the imp shook his arms and legs out for

a minute before he started scampering around the base of the mountain. They hurried after him, alarmed at

the speed he was moving, but he soon stopped, pointing at a well-hidden trail.

"Here!" he squeaked, starting again at a slower pace.

It took only a few minutes to realize the trail was not so much a hiking path, but a climbing one.

They had to crawl on hands and knees at times to pull themselves up, and after fifteen minutes, Wendell

felt sweat running down his back, his shirt sticking to his skin. He wished that he'd worn a lighter shirt, and

envied Melissa her short sleeves. He would have shirts like that made for him when he returned to his

castle. *If I return to my castle* he thought, worried. What if something did happen to him? Had he

picked a successor yet? He couldn't remember if he had, and that made him certain that he hadn't. They

would probably call Virginia back and give the crown to her, since she was the closest thing Wendell had

to a relative. His hand slipped on a rock, leaving his palm with a stinging cut, and he grunted. Climbing up

this mountain was not the time to regret not having a family.

They continued up, led by the constant reassurances by the imp that the entrance was this way, if

they just went a little bit further. The trail had turned to an almost continuous climb, and they were mostly

pulling themselves up now, the waves crashing hungrily at the mountain's edge on this side. Wendell was

starting to suspect a trick when Melissa screamed. Rocks bounced down towards him from above, and she

slipped down, her feet striking his hands. He let go, falling a couple of feet himself before grabbing onto a

boulder jutting out of the mountain's side. Then he heard the ring of metal on stone, and watched the knife

bounce past him. Melissa screamed again, a sound of pure despair, and Wendell reached out without

thinking to grab the knife before it bounced down and into the water.

He felt the blade slice his finger, and then, somehow, he had the handle and he was falling away

from Melissa, holding the knife above him. His feet slammed into a stone landing they'd passed, and he

felt the bones snap in his foot as his body collapsed on top. He fell to the side, stopping his fall, and the

knife clattered out of his hand and skittered a foot away, safe.

The throbbing began in his foot, and he pulled his bruised body to a sitting position. Above him,

he thought he heard Melissa calling his name, but a haze swathed his senses, muffling sight and sound.

Wendell examined his leg and saw the calf and foot were twisted at a monstrous angle and already starting

to swell against the confines of his pants and leather boot. Some detached part of himself reminded him

how much that was going to hurt to take off and he silently yelled at it. The pain started then, slowly,

pulsing with every beat of his heart and then overwhelming even that, driving his heartbeat at it's own pace.

The subdued throb turned sharp and hot and he wanted to reach down and cut his leg off at the knee to stop

the pain.

Melissa landed beside him and when he glanced at her, she was wide-eyed and trembling. "Oh

God, Wendell. Are you ok?"

He frowned, not sure how to answer the question.

"Please," she knelt at his side, her hands making soft, flitting movements over his leg without

touching it. "Don't die," she breathed.

Wendell smiled, knowing he could answer that. He felt drunk. "I won't." She was crying, and he

touched her cheek. "I won't," he repeated.

She wiped her cheeks with shaking fingers. "You can't."

"Then I won't."

It seemed to reassure her because she nodded and looked away from his leg, searching the ground.

"Where's the knife?"

His thoughts couldn't keep up with the quick change. "W-What?"

"The knife. It fell, where is it?"

He blinked, searching the ground near him as though he knew what she was talking about, silently

wishing she'd help him cut off his leg. The reasoning part of him that was left decided he must have

smacked his head and disappeared in helpless fury.

"I found it," she sighed, clutching it to her chest. Her eyes lit on his leg again and she grimaced.

"What are we going to do?"

Grojavek scrambled back down and hopped impatiently. "We have to go. She'll know we're here.

Come on, come on!"

"But Wendell's injured. He can't continue."

"We have to go."

"I can't just leave him!" Melissa hesitantly touched his ankle and Wendell gasped in agony.

"We have to."

"Will he be safe?"

The imp threw his hands up in the air. "No! She kill us all, if She want to. We have to go!"

Wendell felt her eyes on him, those stormy eyes he loved so much. He couldn't seem to think

straight, couldn't seem to get past the excruciating pain in his leg. Melissa was in trouble, he knew that was

true in some way, but he couldn't remember exactly why. He knew that she had to go and wished he could

go with her. "Leave me," he told her. "You need to." It was as much a question as a statement.

Melissa dropped his gaze, staring down at the knife in her hands. "I have to do this, Wendell," she

whispered to him. "I have to." She stood, and Grojavek seemed to run up the side of the mountain. She

followed after him, her movements slower and more cautious. Wendell saw her look back at him once, her

lovely face worried.

"Melissa?" he murmured, watching her leave him. Where was she going? He thought he was

supposed to know that. Her form got smaller and the lantern's light dimmed, and then both disappeared

from sight altogether. Wendell was left alone with the sea and the sky and his aching pain.

**********

Melissa took the rest of the climb more slowly, trying not to let her mind wander. She'd been so

consumed with imagining what she would do to Rena earlier that she'd dropped the knife. And now

Wendell lay alone, effectively helpless, as a result.

That decision had hurt her more than she liked to admit. There had been blood seeping down the

side of his head and she could hardly stand to look at his leg. But his voice had been strong and they were

too close to turn back now -- he must have known that when he told her to continue. And an image of

Terry had urged her until she knew she couldn't stay with him. She prayed to whatever force watched over

the people here that Wendell would be kept safe.

Grojavek stopped above her and pointed at something Melissa couldn't see. By the time she

reached his ledge, he was hopping up and down.

"In here!" he whispered. The imp disappeared into a door-sized opening in the mountain. The

darkness swallowed him up and she hurriedly lit the lantern before following after. The light was strong,

but still felt almost useless in the oppressive black. Even the silence seemed a living thing, eating at her

courage.

The fear boiled inside of her, like laughter, needing a release. Not long ago, she'd been a bored,

miserable actress. Now she was a Princess, her best friend gone, risking her life to get the revenge she so

desperately needed. Revenge would make everything worth it. She thought of Wendell, and the pain she

had seen in his eyes the past few days. It had to.

Grojavek crouched quietly on a rock deep inside the cavern, watching her with his buggy eyes.

"Where is she?" Melissa whispered, flashing the light around and finding only stone. Her spine

tickled with unease. "Do we go farther?" She stood next to the imp, scanning the dark anxiously.

"I do!" Grojavek shouted, leaping onto her arm. Melissa yelped in surprise and then screamed as

she felt sharp teeth bite into the fleshy part of her thumb. She shook her arm to release him, realizing her

mistake a moment too late.

The imp let go, taking the knife with him and slicing her palm as he fell. Melissa flinched but

tried to grab him, and succeeded only in smashing the lantern onto the stone floor. The small flame flared

as the oil washed out, and Melissa turned away, blinded. By the time the fire had settled to a flickering

burn, Grojavek was gone.

"Damn it!" Melissa shouted, her words reverberating in the empty cavern. She looked around

frantically for the imp while a little light remained, and could find nowhere else to go other than the

entrance they'd come through. The only way she saw that was by noting the paler darkness than the

surrounding wall.

The last oil was consumed by the greedy flames, taking her hopes with it. Melissa blinked in the

darkness for a long minute before accepting just how blind she was in here.

She went onto her hands and knees and started crawling for the door, exhausted suddenly. The

fierce energy that had been driving her had slipped out of reach, and it was hard just to lift her limbs. Her

knees and palms gathered stinging scratches as she shuffled along the stone floor. *At least I can get back

to Wendell now* she thought, relieved.

The loss of the knife was devastating, and every time she thought of it she started to

hyperventilate, but still, there was the simple peace in returning to Wendell. Leaving him down there had

sat heavy on her heart, and she wanted only to be back at his side and make sure he was truly all right. She

couldn't believe now, looking back on it, that she'd left him at all, even with his words. He would

understand and forgive her, at least she hoped so, if she hadn't pushed his forgiveness too far already. It

was one of the things she loved about him.

Melissa paused, the doorway only a few feet away. "I'm in love with a King," she whispered. It

felt right to say the words. Surging to her feet, she hurried for the entrance, even more anxious to return to

him.

She tripped and stumbled out into the night air, the cold, sea wind slapping her cheeks. Scanning

for any signs of the imp and finding none, Melissa started down the trail, carefully lowering herself the way

they'd come. It was more important than ever that she not slip here, defenseless as she was. The realization

they had neither seen nor heard from Rena was unsettling.

Stopping to rest on a small ledge, Melissa knelt and shuffled to the edge, peering over in hopes of

seeing Wendell. The moon was higher now, and after the darkness of the cavern, seemed infinitely bright

to her. Bright enough to show her Wendell, lying curled up on his side on his ledge. Her eyes focused and

a glint of silver caught her attention.

The world narrowed and stopped, even the waves seeming to cease their endless motion, as

Melissa took in the scene. Hovering next to Wendell was the traitor, Grojavek, the knife clutched in his

long-fingered hands. Next to him, her hair glowing in the moonlight, was a woman who could only be

Rena. Even from this distance, Melissa could see that her face was horribly disfigured, and one half of her

body seemed twice the size of the other. She was looming over Wendell's body, and Melissa finally made

out the blood that seemed to be covering him. In Rena's hands was a thick, sharp rock, poised for use.

Melissa tried to scream, to get her attention, but her throat choked closed with fear. There was no

way she would reach them in time. All she could do was watch, horrified, as Rena swung the rock,

laughing sharp and loud.

**********

Rena knew she could kill King Wendell, as she prepared to strike him again. She would have

done it already, but she couldn't resist the control she had over him. It had been unexpected luck to find

him here by himself, too dazed to do much to protect himself. He'd pierced her once with his dagger, but it

had healed when she'd struck the first blow against him. Actually killing him herself, one strike at a time,

was intoxicating.

She started to swing again, when the wind picked up and she felt the blood's presence resonate

within her. The blow she planned glanced off of Wendell's side, and the young king merely groaned.

Ignoring him, Rena looked up, and saw the woman, the moon making a silver halo around her. Their eyes

met, and the rock fell from Rena's hands, bouncing off the ledge and falling into the water below.

Hissing, Rena pointed at the woman, a woman she'd never met but knew instantly. She was *his*

blood. The last of the line, the one who'd escaped her. Why hadn't the wind told her that? The woman's

eyes widened and she started scrambling down the trail, sliding and slipping towards her.

Rena glared at Grojavek, motioning him closer. "You didn't say she was his line!" she accused.

The imp shrank back, babbling incoherently for a moment. "I-I'm sorry!"

"Idiot. I should have known better than to trust you." Rena waited for the woman to approach,

sure she could take the mortal, filled as she was with Wendell's life force, even before he was dead. Her

death would be even sweeter than his, and much more satisfying. To finally kill one of them with her own

hands! Rena shivered with delight.

The woman paused on a ledge several feet away, her eyes wary. Rena could see her prince in

those eyes.

"Leave him alone," the woman demanded, her tone arrogant. That was typical of Byron's family.

They all thought they could control her.

"You're his granddaughter," Rena whispered, pleased to see the shock register in the woman's

eyes. "You must feel so special. Coming to get the evil monster. What do they call me now? Soul

Ravager?" Her lips pulled into a gruesome smile. "How clever."

The woman shifted, taking a step closer but not leaving her ledge. "You killed them all, you bitch.

Innocent villagers, my whole family, even Terry."

Rena couldn't miss the agony that accompanied the name. "She was a pleasant accident," she said,

digging in, enjoying the pain that flared in the woman's eyes. "A sweet soul, but not enough."

"Enough for what?" The woman's voice had gone ragged.

"Do you know what your grandfather did to me?" she asked, ignoring the question. It was time

they learned the truth, even if they wouldn't live to share it. "I gave up everything I knew for him, and he

betrayed me for that whore, Serena. The sea witch cut off my tongue and split my fins with pain such as

you will never know. I slept at Byron's door like a dog, desperate to be near him. I danced at his wedding

until my feet bled, every step like walking on shells, and still he never gave me what I wanted. He was too

arrogant to love me, the mute who had saved his life. I should have let him drown. I should have killed

him when my sisters gave me the knife." Rena felt her arms trembling with the centuries of anger. "And

then I did kill him. And every last one of you will die before your sacrifice equals mine. Bring me the

knife, imp."

Grojavek cowered away from her, clutching it to his chest. She glanced at Melissa and smiled

again. "I know that knife anywhere, granddaughter of my murderer. Where did you get it?" The woman's

lips firmed with the stubbornness Rena recognized. "No matter. It is fitting that now I will finally get to

use it." She glared at the imp. "You stupid creature, don't you understand what I'm saying? Bring it here."

He took a step backward, his whole body shaking.

"You'll fall off the ledge," she nearly screamed. Every nerve was sharp and the wind blew strong

around them, whipping her hair back. The imp paused in his retreat, and stayed there. "I will kill you

either way, you insignificant speck. It's just a matter of time. Don't make it painful for yourself."

She sensed the woman's movement and turned, watching her as she lowered herself down to

Rena's ledge. And then the imp was screaming and running, and she felt the blade sink into her lower

thigh. It buried itself to the hilt, and when she looked down in shock, the imp still hung on, screaming

wildly.

Byron's granddaughter yelled, but her voice was lost as the wind wailed, and Rena felt her body

changing. The knife throbbed, sucking her power. She reached down to pull it and the imp loose and the

woman tackled her, and it felt like a boulder had struck her. The woman wrapped her arms around Rena

and the three of them staggered off the side of the ledge and crashed into the ice-cold ocean below.

**********

Wendell had woken when the imp started to scream, and watched as he impaled Soul Ravager

with the magical knife. Grojavek hung on, twisting and yelling, and Wendell rooted silently for the imp

before feeling panic tighten his heart until it nearly stopped. Melissa ran for the pair of them and did a

flying bearhug that sent all three tumbling over the side of the cliff.

Even though his body shrieked in protest, and the pain from his leg painted black edges in his

vision, Wendell pulled himself to the edge and watched as the trio disappeared into the depths of the ocean.

"Melissa!" he called out, helpless to do anything else. He watched the waters, desperate for a sign

that she was all right. The wind moaned and lessened, and became a whisper on his cheeks. And still he

searched for signs of life, finding nothing.

"No," he groaned, his fingers clenching. His heart felt sluggish and heavy, and he prayed it would

stop so he wouldn't have to feel the pain of losing Melissa. His whole world was in her eyes.

And then, the black flickered silver.

As he watched, mermaids, tens of them, swam upwards, and in their arms they supported her,

dragging her up onto the shore. One of them, a woman with the same silver hair as Soul Ravager had had,

stayed for a moment, and touched Melissa's face gently. She looked up, meeting Wendell's eyes, and then

slipped back into the sea. On the wind, he heard her words of thanks, though she hadn't seemed to talk.

He watched Melissa anxiously, wishing he could climb down on his own but recognizing how

dangerous it would be. *If she doesn't move soon, I'll head down* he promised himself, already planning

how he'd make it.

She started to cough, and rolled onto her side, her arms clutching her stomach as she vomited up

sea water. Wendell exhaled and felt his heart start to beat again. "Melissa," he called, hoping he had

strength enough so she would hear.

She finished coughing and struggled to her feet, her eyes searching the mountainside and finally

resting on him. He smiled at her, and watched her smile slowly in return.

"Are you all right?" he called.

She nodded. "Yes." Her voice rasped. "Are you?"

He looked down at himself and saw more blood than he thought he'd lost. "I think so."

"Hold on, I'll be right up."

Sighing, Wendell settled himself away from the edge and waited for her to arrive. What would

they do, now that it was all over?

The wind stopped, and the silence that remained fell expectantly around him. He heard an

unfamiliar noise coming from below, and crawled back to the edge to see what it was. Within the ocean

depths, a faint light was glowing and steadily growing brighter. Melissa had stopped on the shore, and

stared at it just as he was.

A column of light shot up from out of the ocean and touched the sky, lights flickering through it,

becoming stars. Wendell gasped, watching the specks as they glowed brightly in the black fabric of the

night, twinkling merrily. Two of the lights shifted out of the column and floated to Melissa, stopping in

front of her.

**********

Melissa watched the two glowing forms warily, her sight dimmed from the blinding column of

light. As the forms approached, she saw that they were people, and her mouth dried when she recognized

one was Teresa.

She formed Terry's name on her lips, but it died, unspoken. The other form, a man she had never

seen, came forward first. Stopping in front of her, she saw he had dark hair and gray eyes that looked

startlingly familiar.

"Caterina," he said, his voice hollow but somehow warm.

She felt the word in her blood, and knew who he was. "Daddy," she murmured.

"Look at you." He smiled, and his hands, outlined with golden light, reached out to her. She tried

to take them, but they passed through. "You're so beautiful," he sighed. "I wish I could have seen you

grow."

"I wish I could have seen you at all," she said, wanting desperately to touch him. He had died to

save her and her mother, this man she'd never met.

"I know. I'm proud of you. You've saved us, all of us." He gestured at the column of light, as a

few more forms flowed towards the sky and sparked into stars. "She was holding onto our souls, using

them for her power. We kept trying to escape, but no one ever could. And now, we're free."

Melissa smiled shyly. "Now what will happen to you?"

"We pass on, and can watch over our kin in peace." He tried to touch her again, and failed once

more. Her heart ached with the emptiness of not being able to even feel his touch. "Your mother is waiting

for me, I can feel her, even now. We love you very much, Caterina. Never forget that."

"I won't," she whispered. "I love you, too. Both of you. Tell her that for me, that I didn't mean

what I said."

He beamed, his whole face glowing with joy. "My little girl." He looked over his shoulder, and

when he turned back, his face was somber. "She loves you too, you know. As much as we do." He

stepped back while Melissa swallowed down the knot in her throat. It hurt to breathe through the sorrow

the gripped her. She felt like running away, but it was a second chance to say goodbye that she couldn't

throw away.

Terry came forward then, looking serene. "Missy, you did it."

Fighting to speak, she finally answered, "I did it for you."

The older woman shook her head slightly. "That's not entirely true, I think." Her eyes flicked to

Wendell, and then back. "We can't stay long, Missy, so listen to me now. You have held your happiness

hostage long enough." Melissa jerked, startled by Terry's words. "I know you feel like you can't be happy

when other people suffer, but that's not true. Let this be your redemption, as much as it's ours. Let yourself

love him and just be happy." She, too, reached out, her ghostly hand brushing Melissa's cheek and Melissa

prayed that she would feel her touch. But there was nothing, and it pierced her heart with pain. "You've

been my 'daughter' for so long, it's going to be hard to let you go."

Melissa fought back the heaviness in her chest to get the words out. It was her last chance to give

Terry what she most deserved. "Then don't let me go," she pleaded. "Terry, I love you. You've always

been there for me when I needed you, I wouldn't have made it without your support. You're the only

mother I've ever wanted." Years of words that should have been said piled up and she couldn't speak at all.

Terry smiled, gently, her kind eyes shining. Her form was blurry through the tears in Melissa's

eyes. "I love you too, Missy." She took a reluctant step away. "We have to go now. My dear, sweet girl."

"No," Melissa sobbed. There was so much she wanted to say. "You can't."

"Be happy, for me." She continued to retreat and Melissa felt panic seizing her. Terry was

leaving for good, and they would never meet again.

Melissa followed after her, splashing into the water, hardly able to see as tears streamed down her

cheeks. "Wait, don't go, Terry. Please." She reached out to grab her and force her to stay, but her hands

passed through the other woman's golden form. "What am I going to do without you?"

Teresa smiled. "I'll be here, Missy, watching over you every night. Just be happy. It's waiting for

you, you only have to accept it."

"I love you," she cried to the two forms as they flowed back into the column. They flashed once

and then sped up into the sky, joining the millions of other stars that lingered above. The column of light

dissolved back into the ocean and then was gone.

Melissa stood in the waves for a long time, her head craned back to the sky. The wind caressed

her wet cheeks, unable to dry the steady stream of tears. Finally the cold seeped through and she shivered

violently, dragging herself back to the shore. Wiping at her cheeks, knowing that it wouldn't be the last of

her tears, she began climbing slowly to where Wendell, with all his love, waited for her.

**********

They made the return trip down slowly, Wendell noting with irony he'd at least fallen past the

difficult part. With Melissa's aid, and the return of the energy Rena had stolen from him, they finally

reached the small shore again. Melissa rowed them out to the fishing boat and Dennis greeted them with

shaking hands.

"What, by the Queen, was that?" he asked, eyes wide.

Melissa helped Wendell settle into a comfortable position before responding. "It was the souls

finding peace."

"Then she's dead?"

"Yes." Melissa thumped to the floor next to Wendell, all of her energy gone. She struggled just to

keep her eyes open. Dennis whooped congratulations and started chattering to them about all that Soul

Ravager had done to deserve her fate.

"Rena," Melissa murmured, when she heard the name the fisherman called her.

"What?" Dennis looked over his shoulder at them, his brows furrowed.

"Her name was Rena."

He mulled over that and fell silent long enough for Melissa to sleep.

Some time later, a warm hand shook her gently. "Wake up, Princess. We've returned."

Her eyes fought to stay closed, but Dennis' soft urgings and her own willpower won out. She

stretched her arms above her head and stood. The sun had already risen, but the air still nipped coldly at

her cheeks. They had docked at the pier and it seemed the entire village was out, stretched along its length,

waiting for them.

A great roar erupted from the crowd when she helped Wendell stand, and they were both neatly

lifted from the ship to the pier. She met his startled gaze, grinning tiredly.

"Wendell!"

Melissa searched the crowd for the familiar voice and saw Tony pushing his way through,

followed by a handsome, dark haired man. She sobbed once when she saw Sport in Tony's arms.

The older man arrived, depositing the big tabby in Melissa's arms with a smile before turning on

Wendell. She buried her face in her cat's warm fur, and listened with half an ear to the reunion next to her.

"Look at you! What happened?"

"I fell off the side of a mountain, actually."

"You what?"

"It truly looks worse than it is."

"We have to get it fixed, where's a healer?" A man shouted at them to wait and ran off back to the

village. "We saw the light last night and rode into town, we just got here an hour ago. We were worried

about you." Melissa grinned to herself at the rugged emotion in his tone.

"Yeah, Wendy. Huff puff, you gave all of us a fright! My Virginia would bite my head off if we

let something happen to you!" She felt someone watching her intently. "Are you all right, miss?"

She glanced up, nodding to the unfamiliar man. She remembered Wendell's story and smiled.

"You must be Wolf," she said.

He gave a low bow, flourishing his hand grandly. "The one and only!"

"And we give thanks for that every day," Tony muttered.

Wolf glared sharply at him, then put on a smile that charmed Melissa. "Princess Melissa, your

carriage awaits!" He bounded back through the crowd to a roomy wagon, eyeing the three of them

impatiently.

"Is he always like that?" Melissa whispered.

Wendell rolled his eyes. "Always."

"He's exhausting!"

"Why do you think I stayed here?" Tony asked, supporting Wendell as they walked. "I don't know

how Virginia does it."

They paused while the village healer pushed through the crowd and bandaged Wendell

thoroughly, making sure he would be all right on the journey. Wolf and Tony got him into the wagon with

as few pained moans as possible, and then helped Melissa in as well.

"Is Virginia here, too?" she asked, settling herself next to Wendell. She took his hand in hers,

energized by his touch. She wanted to tell him everything but there were too many people surrounding

them.

"Oh yes!" Wolf replied. "My luscious lamb is waiting for us back at Tony's."

"She's excited to meet you, Ms. Duke." Tony glanced at her, and Melissa saw the familiar glaze of

hero-worship in his eyes. "For now, you and Wendell just get some rest."

"As long as you call me Melissa," she said on a yawn. Sport snuggled into her lap, purring

furiously.

"Caterina."

She glanced to the side of the wagon and saw Joffrey, his eyes soft and filled with hope. "Thank

you. You have done your family proud. Please, come back to your home. It is yours to rule, and we will

gladly have you." There were a few murmurs of agreement from the villagers, and some dark stares that

said much to the contrary.

"I'll think about it," she said. She had to talk to Wendell first.

Joffrey patted her free hand and stepped away from the wagon, accepting what she could give.

Wendell was watching her as the horses started forward, harnesses rattling. She could see all the

questions in his eyes but he remained quiet, giving her time.

"I love you," she said suddenly.

His eyes widened and then his face glowed with a joyful smile. "I was hoping you did," he

murmured.

Melissa felt an endless well of love open in her heart, and she regretted all the hurt she'd caused

him. "You waited for me. That's an incredible thing, Wendell. You had no reason to, but you still stayed

with me."

"Of course I had a reason, Melissa. I love you." He swallowed, turning serious. "I want you to

stay here, in this world. I had planned all along on letting you return, but I can't. Not even if I have to fight

your every step back."

She bit back tears and wondered if she would always be this amazed by him. "I'll stay. Of course

I'll stay. I couldn't leave you now, even though I don't really know your world."

He shifted a little to face her more fully, squeezing her hand. "You are my world," he said softly.

He leaned forward, kissing her with gentle lips, and her soul felt complete again.

Wolf leaned down between them, grinning. "So, who's castle are you gonna live at?"

They looked up at him and laughed. "That's a good question," Wendell said. He moved again,

wincing at the pain. "Mine for awhile, I think. While we have Melissa's renovated."

"And while I take care of things at home. Maybe I could fake my death, like Elvis." Tony began

snickering and the other two men gave her blank stares. "Never mind," she said.

Wolf nudged Wendell, and the King groaned, glaring at him. "What?"

"We can have a double wedding now!"

"Really, Wolf, don't you have to navigate or something?"

The dark haired man huffed and turned in his seat after flashing Melissa a smile. "Life is

definitely going to be interesting," she whispered.

Wendell nodded. "We're going to need a lot of energy. Let's rest now, while we can."

Sport meowed loudly when she moved him to settle down more comfortably next to Wendell.

The big tabby got up and curled on Wendell's legs, his eyes closing again quickly. Melissa lay her head

against Wendell's chest, warmed by his presence. She fell asleep quickly, lulled by the rhythmic sounds of

his heart.

**********

Grojavek woke up with a mouth full of sand.

He pulled himself into a ball, staring around at the long expanse of beach. In the distance he could

see ships and a shining castle towering over them.

"I'm alive!" he squeaked, jumping to his feet. He bounced around for a long time, doing

cartwheels and somersaults and covering himself in wet sand.

He sniffed the air, coughing on the overpowering combination of sea and fish. The recent events

were fuzzy, but he did remember attacking Soul Ravager. He was sick of her calling him stupid.

"I'm not stupid!" he announced to a nearby seagull. The bird shrieked at him and flew off.

He also remembered Muklavuk being very angry. Groj sighed to himself, feeling the familiar

presence gone. The little imp shrugged it off. He didn't really want to be king anyway, not if being

courageous was so terrifying, and that was all Muklavuk thought about. Grojavek started for home,

skipping and spinning in circles as he went. The mermaids had saved him, the remembered that, too. One

had pulled him off of Soul Ravager's leg and landed him here. He dug a slender finger into his ear and

pulled out a huge ball of wax. It had been too long, he thought, chewing on it happily. He was definitely

not the adventuring type.

When he got home, his mother pinched his ear and demanded an explanation of his absence, and

he didn't mind at all.

**********

The End