Free Damarian (A Merman's Kiss Novel) by Dee J. Stone Page B

I leave my room and enter the main quarters, I find Father, Mother, Doria, and Kiander seated at the table, eating fish. The little ones are playing on the floor.
    Mother smiles. “Good morning, Damarian. I am pleased to see you are well.” Though her expression is cheerful, I see the concern in her eyes. And the pain. It causes me to feel nothing but guilt.
    Father, on the other hand…he does not look cheerful or worried. His mouth is tight, his shoulders are rigid, and his eyes appear as though they can cut stone.
    “Good morning, Father,” I greet, then nod to my siblings.
    Father’s eyes move to mine in a very slow pace. “Damarian.”
    I sit next to Doria and reach for fish. We eat in silence for a little while until Father says, “Would you like to inform your family of your whereabouts yesterday?”
    Mother, Kiander, and Doria focus their attention on me while the little ones continue playing. I have devised an excuse on my journey home from land and as I attempted to sleep last night. I thought I was prepared, but now that I am faced with the situation, I do not feel as confident. I do not wish to lie to my family, but I do not have another choice.
    “I shared my time with my friends at the Ruby colony.” I bite into my fish, even though I do not have an appetite.
    “The Ruby colony?” Father asks. “I was not aware you were still acquainted with children from that clan. It was my understanding that you broke ties once you were no longer a fry.”
    “Why is it so terrible to associate oneself with members of another clan?” Kiander asks. “They are children of the sea, just as you and I are.”
    Father holds out his hand. “Please, this is not the appropriate time to state your views, Kiander.”
    He frowns. “They are not views. It is life. Is it not the reason why Damarian is mating with Princess Flora? To unite the clans?”
    I cannot help but gape at my brother. Kiander is not one to state his opinions so forcefully. He has always been the quietest sibling.
    Father removes his gaze from Kiander and places it on me. “Damarian, you stated you shared your time at the Ruby colony?”
    I swallow the bits of fish that have not slid down my throat. “Yes, Father. Though we were friends when we were fry and parted ways when we grew older, we recently agreed to enjoy each other’s company.” I am ashamed to admit that the lie flows quite easily from my lips.
    Father reaches for a large fish and bites into it. “Then why did I not sense you when I passed the Ruby colony during my search for you?”
    Fortunately, I anticipated this and am ready with a response. “My friends and I spent the night in a cave far from the colony. Perhaps that is the reason you were unable to sense us. But have no fear, for Fiske located me. I apologize I did not inform you or Mother of my plans. It was sudden.”
    Father’s eyes narrow as he stares at me. He does not believe me. But he does not say anything. He merely devours his fish.
    Everyone grows silent and focuses on their food.
    After a few minutes, Mother says, “Syren, I am afraid we have run low on fish.”
    Father nods. “Very well. Damarian and I will hunt immediately.”
    “What of me, Father?” Kiander asks.
    “I wish to hunt with Damarian only.”
    Kiander looks at me and smiles in a sympathetic manner. It is customary for the three of us to hunt together. When Father specifically requests to hunt with one of us only, it is because he wishes to speak to him about a very important manner, or to reprimand him. I am certain Father wishes to do both with me.
    “Yes, Father,” I say.
    Zarya slides onto Father’s lap and bounces. “Please allow me to explore with Dammy tomorrow, Father. Please!”
    He smiles and taps her nose. “What do you say, Kiandra? Do you believe our little darling is old enough to explore the sea with her eldest brother?”
    Mother places her hand on her chin as though she is contemplating an extremely hard problem. “I am not