Free Playing with Food by K.A. Merikan Page B

choice, now however, he felt absolutely horrified by the perspective of disappearing. Or worse, what if his bones were used to build a chair or a plate in this ghastly place? Would he still feel it after he died?
    “Hello there, pretty fish.” Llawan heard a raspy voice just by his head and jerked away, with a strangled screech. His skin felt dry already, but thanks to the thin membrane on his eyes, he could see his buyer quite clearly. He swallowed, nervously gathering his hair over one shoulder. Why was the man even here? Shouldn’t he be at the table, now that he’d bought the meal?
    “You should feel lucky I’ve chosen you. You will get an opportunity the other fish didn’t.” The client’s voice sounded as if it came from deep within his chest and traveled up a throat of spikes and hooks. The servant followed the shark-like man out of the lavish room, still carrying Llawan in the cage like he was weightless. As strange as this was, at least Llawan wouldn’t have to look at the half-eaten mermaid carcass anymore.
    He gasped and coughed when he drew in too much air at once. He understood the land speak rather well, and when he didn’t know a word, most of the time he could understand its meaning from context. His active use of the language was limited, so he shook his head, looking around frantically. Only now could he smell the smoky, almost sweet aroma of roasted flesh and it made his teeth clatter. “Not fish!”
    His buyer gave him a toothy smile and slid his gloved hand through the ribs of the cage, to stroke Llawan’s wet hair. “Ah, yes. I should hope so.” Everything about him screamed shark .
    Llawan was carried through a wide corridor, with walls that turned out to be covered in skin when he looked close. There were even little hairs sticking out and Llawan could swear the wallpaper was covered in goose flesh. He shook his head, covering his ears at the cacophony of sounds. Unbelievable as it was, the corridor seemed to move and whistle, as if it was a breathing, living being.
    “Do you have a name, or should I make one for you?” The shark-man kept his hand in Llawan’s hair. It felt heavy and unfamiliar, yet being asked for a name was something completely new. Merpeople rarely communicated with those who lived on land, because it always meant putting themselves in danger. Llawan swallowed, looking at him from beneath the curtain of hair. He didn’t understand why someone would want to name their food, but in the end, he decided it was good to leave at least this little behind.
    “Llawan. Why?”
    “Llawan. That’s a pretty name.” It didn’t sound pretty at all with the man’s harsh accent. “My name is Rhys and I ask, as I am curious of you.” His hand slid down to Llawan’s nape and then, his shoulder. “You seem in need of water. I will help with that.”
    Llawan looked down at the huge palm before directing his gaze at Rhys again. “Why you help me?”
    The moment he finished speaking, they walked out onto the terrace and Llawan almost forgot his own question at the breathtaking sight. The sky was clear, with stars scattered all across the dark blue and a moon like a huge puffer fish. Instead of the spit roast he’d expected, he noticed marble stairs leading down to a pool of clear water that seemed to extend to the very edge of the terrace. Llawan heard the familiar squeal of seagulls, accompanied by a soft hum, which was unmistakably made by a waterfall nearby. The castle was built on a cliff and behind the pool, far below them, was an infinity of water. The Interior Ocean.
    He dashed forward with a gasp, clutching at the bone bars separating him from his home. His heart skipped a beat when he felt the familiar, salty breeze. His whole body yearned to return where he belonged.
    “Oh, you like the view?” Rhys asked and sat down on a stone bench to unbuckle his shoes. “Let him out into the pool.”
    Llawan blinked, taken aback, but he didn’t say anything, already eyeing