Page 14 of Rock of Stages (Moonlight Siren #4)

NAIYA

T he sea hugged me like an old friend—warm, comforting, and teeming with life.

Velvet currents brushed over my skin, carrying the scent of salt and seaweed.

I swam deeper, golden light rippling down in threads like beams of sunlight reflected from above.

A pod of whales sang a haunting, echoing melody in the distance.

With each kick of my tail, a subtle ache grew, which exacerbated the more I increased the distance between Caleb and me. But the sooner I spoke to my pod, the quicker I could return to him.

If my father didn’t try to stop me. I winced as I braced myself for the inevitable clash.

Whooshing my tail to propel me, I descended into the glowing reef, where vibrant coral bloomed like underwater towers in every hue—scarlet, orange, violet. Soft anemones waved lazily in the shifting tides.

I swam through swaying kelp curtains and darting bioluminescent fish that flashed like falling stars. The underwater world sparkled with familiarity—but it was time to leave.

My heart pounded. Not from the swim—but from the conversation waiting ahead.

Several merpeople in my pod greeted me back and asked where I’d been. I smiled and replied briefly, noting I’d fill them in later. “Have you seen my father?”

They indicated where he was and I swam in that direction, my pulse edging skyward.

I found him near a red fan sea coral. His back was toward me, yet he still loomed—imposing, long, and broader than most merpeople, with powerful shoulders and a deep-blue tail.

His long dark hair floated around him like seaweed, streaked with white that seemed to have grown more prominent in my absence.

“Naiya.” His voice was low, rippling with restrained anger. He turned toward me as if he sensed me approach.

I braced myself for what was sure to come next.

“You’ve been gone nearly an entire tide cycle without a word. What were you thinking?” he demanded.

I straightened, struggling to keep my voice calm. “It has not been that long.” Then I took a deep breath and admitted, “But I’m sorry if I worried you. It wasn’t intentional.”

He frowned, fins flicking with irritation. “You missed an important dinner with Tarel’s pod, where we discussed the arrangement.”

I closed my eyes to keep my anger in check, lest he think I was protesting like a toddler having a tantrum. That would do little to convince him I was able to take care of myself, out from his oppressive control.

Caleb flashed in my mind—strong and steady as stone—stirring my courage. Opening my eyes, I declared, “I’m not going to marry Tarel.”

My father stared at me, then narrowed his eyes. Silence between us deepened like a trench.

“How dare you?” he lashed out with a meaty forefinger pointed in my direction. “After all I’ve done to secure this. Your future .”

“No.” I shook my head. “A future you planned for me—one I don’t want.”

He motioned to the surface above. “Where have you been, off gallivanting with the land-walkers again?”

“Yes,” I agreed, struggling to keep my voice steady.

“I’ve been happy with them. And safe. You have no need to worry or fear about that.

” My pulse raced as I anticipated his reaction and I pushed myself to keep going before he cut in.

“In fact, I came back to say goodbye. I’ll be leaving for good in a week to go—” I paused and reassured myself that I could do this.

“—to live above. I’ll be onboard a ship. ”

His eyes widened. “You—no—you can’t… This is your home.”

I took a deep breath and admitted. “I never truly fit in here. But…I found somewhere where I belong. Where I can live in both worlds, land and sea.” I let out a shaky sigh. “It’s time for me to leave the pod and find my happiness.”

He stared at me, pain and disappointment etched across his face. His gaze dropped to the mating mark near my shoulder—and he winced, as though it lanced him. Without another word, he turned and swam away, turning his massive tail on me.

A hollow ache bloomed in my chest. His silence hurt worse than any scolding.

But I wouldn’t chase after him. It was time I stood up for myself and what I wanted, so I held firm—anchored by the choice I’d made.

I wasn’t turning away from my past. I was building a path to my future.