"What?" I snap, turning towards Aspen. There's no way I'm letting that lightning, or whatever it may be, get near America. I hug her tighter, as if my arms could protect her from the fantastical flares.
"Trust me," Aspen says, looking into my eyes with intensity. "It's said that if you touch the light, your deepest wish will be granted."
"It's said? You mean . . . you don't know?" I ask. What if it doesn't work? America could be hurt or worse . . . she could- I can't even think the word. I look at her, but she doesn't seem frightened. She almost looks determined.
"Not technically. It's just a myth, after all. But . . . I do know that anyone who's ever set out for Siren's Bay has never returned."
"And that's supposed to reassure me?" I gawk, wondering how stupid Aspen is. If they've never returned, that means they're dead.
Aspen rolls his eyes like I'm the stupid one. "They never returned because they got their wish. Presumably, I mean. There are no bodies found - no skeletons, no blood, nothing. No sign that they died. It's just as if they swam right out of this cave," he says, gesturing to the opening, "and walked on land."
"So, you're saying that every single person who's come to this cave has wished to be human?" America asks, leaning in closer to Aspen, curious. The light sparks again and we all jump back, clinging closer to the wall.
"I assume so."
"An assumption isn't enough," I yell, frustrated. Had I known Aspen wasn't sure about this . . . had I realized this was only a possibility, I never would have let America come.
"It is for me," America states.
"What?!"
"Maxon, even if this doesn't work . . . it's worth the risk. I don't want to live this life anymore. I want to be with you, on land."
"No, Mer, no, don't say that," I say, grabbing her shoulders. "If this doesn't work, you'll . . . you-"
"Die. I know," she shrugs, like it's not a big deal. But my heart is beating faster and my lungs are growing tighter. This is a big deal, and a very big one at that. "But, like Aspen said, it doesn't seem probable. I've never heard of anyone being found dead here. But I've heard of mermaids - girls who didn't fit in, who didn't like my world - going missing. People just assumed they swam away to another kingdom, but, Maxon, don't you see? This makes so much more sense."
And I have to admit, it does. But that doesn't mean I'm willing to risk America's life, not when there's even the tiniest hint of doubt.
"No," I say, grabbing her hand. "Mer, I can't lose you. I know this is what you want, but I . . . if you were to die because of this, because of me, I don't know how I'd go on. I need you, my dear." I give her a gentle kiss on the forehead and look into her eyes. She's looking at me with the strangest expression on her face, and I don't know what to make of it.
"You may need me, Maxon. But I need this," she replies before jumping away from my grasp and plunging right into a burst of lightning exploding from the water.
"AMERICA!" I scream, reaching out to her, but Aspen holds me back. As the burst extinguishes, I'm blind again. I reach into the darkness for her - her hands, her face, her tail, anything - but only grab at air. "Mer, please? Mer?" I scream. "Aspen? Where is she?"
But Aspen doesn't reply. Instead, I see the shimmer of his tail as he dives under water. It's black in the cave and eerily quiet. I don't hear the usual swish of water or echo of breaths. It's silent, and I'm alone, waiting in darkness for them to resurface.
I pray that they'll resurface. Both of them.
I hear a splash of water and turn towards the sound. Aspen's bright eyes glow in the dark and I sigh in relief. "Where is she?" I roar, agony filling my voice as I search for her blue eyes. But everything is black.
"I have her," Aspen says, sending a wave of relief (and confusion) through me.
"What . . . what do you mean?"
"She's unconscious, but breathing. She's fine," Aspen replies casually, though there's something weird about her voice.
"Are you sure? Is she hurt? What happ-"
"It worked," Aspen breathes, and I can hear the smile in his voice. "She's alright, Maxon. And she's human."
I struggle to swim back out of the cave. I asked to hold America, but Aspen is too worried about the sharks getting to her, and I know she's safer with him than me, so I comply. The darkness swallows us as we tread out, sticking to the walls to avoid the sharks. My nerves grow with stroke, and I can feel the butterflies wiggling around in my stomach. America's safe, and human. She's human. The thought makes me blush and I can't stop the grin from covering my face.
We could get married now. We could be together.
"MARLEE! Marlee, are you there?" Aspen calls out as we reach the mouth of the cave. It's still fairly dark, but light trickles in from the opening as we get closer, and I can see the faint outline of the boat.
"I'm here! And I'm fine, thanks for asking," she yells back. I'm relieved she's safe, and start to call back a reply, but then the light really hits us, and I gasp.
Cradled in Aspen's strong arms is America, curled against him. Her skin is smooth and wet, her hair clinging to it. And her legs . . . they seem to stretch for miles. They're long and beautiful, small yet strong, and it's hard to believe they're real.
"Oh my god!" Marlee gasps, bringing me back into reality. "Maxon, cover your eyes! Aspen, put her up here," she demands. I realize, belatedly, that America is naked. From behind Aspen, that, uh, part of her was obscured to me, so the idea hadn't really sunk in.
I cover my eyes, though I still struggle to swim closer to the boat. I hear a light thud as America is presumably laid on the boat. I hear the shuffle of fabric as Marlee sifts through her bag for the extra pair of clothes she brought for America.
"Okay, ready," Marlee squeals. I open my eyes and swim closer, then pull myself onto the boat. America's laid across the deck, dressed in a simple t-shirt and shorts. It's weird to see her in clothes, but the sight makes me grin. I lean over her and press a quick kiss on her lips, cupping her cheek. Her skin is hot.
I lift her head and put it in my lap so that it's not resting on the boat's hard floor. "My America," I whisper, stroking her hair. She looks so beautiful, so peaceful as she sleeps. I've never seen her asleep before, and the sight is almost breathtaking.
"I should be going," Aspen says, stealing my moment of awe. "People will be wondering where we are."
"You have the story, right?" I ask, twisting my neck over the ledge to look down at him in the water.
"Yes," Aspen nods. America told me that they had conceived a cover story for her disappearance, though she didn't tell me exactly what. But I trust Aspen enough to know that he'll handle it. "And you?"
"Umm . . still working on that," I admit, smirking. Marlee and I decided we'd brainstorm ideas on the way back as to why America's with us. We'll hopefully come up with something. "Will you be okay? I mean, after that shark attack?" I remember suddenly.
"Nothing time and medicine won't fix," he grins, though I can tell he's sugarcoating it. Whatever injury he obtained may not be horrible, but it's not minor either. "Well, I wish you luck," Aspen adds, nodding at me respectfully and signaling the end of our journey.
"As do I," I reply, remembering how America said he was in love with someone. Maybe now he'll get to be with her.
"Take care of her, okay?" Aspen whispers, looking up at me, his face much softer than before. The thought that something occurred between the two of them arises again in my mind, but I dismiss it. Even if there was something, it's over now.
"I will. Thank you."
He nods again and dives, his tail arching over the surface and slipping underwater effortlessly.
"Marlee, will you hold her?" I ask, looking up at her. She's sitting at the back of the boat, her legs swinging. She hops down and takes my spot, gently placing America' head in her lap. She starts to brush her hair out with her fingers and I smile at the scene. Marlee and America . . . they'd make good friends.
"Back to the palace," I mumble, starting up the boat. Marlee hears me and laughs, sensing my disdain. She knows I'd much rather be somewhere isolated, quiet, and she'd rather be at home with her love. Neither of us is looking forward to returning to the chaos that is the Selection, but at least now we have America to make things better- and to hopefully end the contest. I smile at the thought.
My smile only gets wider when I hear a soft yawn escape from America's lips.