Page 34 of Mountains of Mist and Magic (A World of Sun and Shadow #4)

S ion had heard that when people were near death, their lives tended to flash before their eyes in those final seconds. But he thought nothing of his own life when he saw Selenia had been swept over the side of the ship into the circle of mermaids. He hadn’t even thought as he leapt in after her, his body moving on pure instinct, knowing that if she perished, he didn't want to live.

The fact that Cressida had saved them both infuriated and confused him. He absolutely detested the witch, her very presence a constant reminder of his torment. But seeing Selenia, devoid of life, laid out on the deck while Renya performed some kind of primitive voodoo over her, forced him to reexamine his stance. He could still never forgive her, the memories of his captivity still raw and painful.

But, he wouldn't kill her. Couldn't kill her. He now owed her a life debt for both himself and Selenia. Sion wouldn't go out of his way to save her, but he wouldn't be the one to end her life. The realization sat uncomfortably in his chest, a mix of gratitude and resentment.

Selenia's teeth chattered, and she shook like a leaf desperately hanging on to a branch in the Autumn Realm. Sion couldn't help but keep running his fingers through her hair, over her shoulders, arms, and then back up to her face. He had to reassure himself that she was safe, alive and breathing. Her skin was cold and clammy under his touch, but the rise and fall of her chest brought him immense relief.

“Let me just say, mermaids here are nothing like the myths in the human world,” Renya said, breaking the tension and the fear that still gripped them. “I think Disney definitely took some liberties when they made The Little Mermaid .”

Agatha laughed, but no one else understood the reference.

Julietta appeared a few seconds later with a handful of blankets and some crimling tea. Sion grabbed a cup, but made sure Selenia took a large sip before he began drinking his own. The warmth of the tea seemed to breathe life back into Selenia, color slowly returning to her cheeks.

“I can't believe they're real,” Esmeralda murmured, her eyes still on the horizon as if they might reappear, a mix of fear and fascination in her voice.

“Honestly, I'm just as surprised as you are,” Triston responded, finally letting go of the ship's wheel. He joined them in the middle of the deck, and then stood next to Julietta, his arm protectively around her waist. “You hear of fisherfae and sailors telling tales, but nothing really matches up and more often than not, they're drunk on fireale when they recount their stories.”

“I'm not in a hurry to recount this story,” Selenia said, her voice still weak but with a hint of her usual spirit. Sion had to agree with her, pulling her closer to him.

He turned his head towards Cressida, wondering why she was so silent, and then he remembered she couldn't speak unless spoken to. But before he could even decide if he wanted to say anything to her, she took off to the sky, Brutus flying higher and higher until he could barely see the large dragon. The sight of her departure brought a mix of relief and unease.

Beauty, however, remained on the boat, despite Renya trying to shoo her away.

“Honestly Renya, you should ride her,” Grayden said, moving forward to pat the beast on the snout. “She wants you, and it would ease your seasickness.”

“You might be right.” Renya's hesitation was clear in her voice, but there was also a hint of excitement at the prospect.

Cyrus cleared his throat. “I think we all need to get some sleep. We should set up watches, with two individuals at a time, in shifts.”

“I'll take both shifts for Renya,” Grayden quickly said, his protectiveness evident.

“I'll take Selenia's as well,” Sion added, unable to bear the thought of leaving her side.

“Julietta needs her rest, so I'll do the same,” Triston said, his gaze softening as he looked at his mate.

Everyone looked expectantly at Phillippe, but as soon as he felt their eyes upon him, he shuffled his feet, and then took off, heading below deck. Esmeralda looked pained, and Selenia and Renya both went to comfort her.

“That was awkward,” Agatha said, her blunt observation cutting through the tension.

Sion sighed, and looked over at Grayden and Triston. They were both busy studying a large map and had several compasses out and were conferring with the stars. Sion left them to their navigation, walking down the narrow steps to below deck, lowering his head so he wouldn't hit it on his way down.

The ship was rather small, so it didn't take him long to find Phillippe. He was in the galley, munching on some nuts and berries. The second he saw Sion, he rolled his eyes, his defensive posture immediate.

“So, did they all take a vote and decide to send you after me?”

“No, they have other things to worry about than to figure out why you can't handle your own relationship.” Sion's tone was sharper than he intended, his own emotions still raw from the near-loss of Selenia.

Phillippe looked out the tiny porthole of the ship, ignoring Sion's accusation. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken tension.

“Fine. I only sought to help you.” Sion waited a few more seconds, and then turned on his heel, preparing to leave the room.

“Wait,” Phillippe called, his voice tinged with desperation.

Sion turned back towards his friend. There was still tension between the two, and even though Sion had forgiven Phillippe for his accusations against him the night they had found out he was fated to Selenia, their friendship didn't have the ease it once did.

“What?”

Phillippe looked out the window again, his beefy shoulders sagging. “I don't know how to make it right.”

“What did you do?”

“I'm not sure. After she found out Triston and Julietta were together, she got quite angry with me.”

“You must have done something.”

“Honestly, I can't think of anything.” Phillippe finally turned to face him, his expression a mix of confusion and frustration.

“Well, then there was something you should have done that you didn't.”

Phillippe frowned at Sion's statement. “Like what?”

Sion groaned, running a hand through his hair. “I don't know! You need to figure it out. And you better figure it out fast, because if you lose that girl, I can guarantee you, Phillippe Snowden, that you'll never find one like her again. And for the Gods' sake, take her share of the watch, you idiot!”

With that, Sion turned and left, leaving Phillippe to ponder his words. As he climbed back to the deck, he couldn't help but reflect on how much had changed. Once, he had been the one struggling with relationships, and now here he was, giving advice. The irony wasn't lost on him as he emerged into the night air, his eyes immediately seeking out Selenia's form, a newfound appreciation for what he almost lost filling his heart.