Free The Little Mermaid (Faerie Tale Collection) by Jenni James

Why did this species not like water?
    He sighed and looked around.
    This was going to be even trickier than he thought.
    A soldier to the left of Keel seemed to get a bit agitated by his sudden appearance. So Keel kicked at a small shell with the toe of his shoe as if he were in deep thought. When he noticed the man make motions as if to come over and speak with Keel, he pretended not to perceive the movement and turned and walked back up toward the village instead.
    Thankfully, the soldier let him go without protest.
    Once he made it back to Pearl, he could tell things had not progressed. In fact, she had a wet sheen of beaded droplets all along her body, and she was shivering in her sleep. Placing a hand upon her head, he was amazed to feel the heat that met his palm. My goodness. At this rate, she would cook herself.
    Her wound must be infected. There was no other explanation for her illness. And without the saltwater to clean it out, chances were, it would only continue to grow, and with it coming from the back of her head, so close to her brain . . . Keel inhaled sharply. No, he would not allow himself to think such thoughts. He needed to stay focused and get her to the ocean as soon as possible.
    Because if he did not, her chances of survival had just become exceedingly slim.
    She whimpered and fidgeted.
    “Shh, Pearl. I am here. I have not left you,” he whispered as he picked her up in his arms. Her whole body responded by quaking, and then her teeth began to chatter. Even though she felt like fire, she was practically freezing death.
    Warmth. She needed warmth right this instant.
    Hurriedly, he removed his long-sleeved shirt and wrapped it around her. Tucking her into his chest, he gave her as much warmth as he could.
    After an hour, her condition only worsened. She was actually crying out, deliriously so, and shaking. Her whole body covered in the wet sheen. He could not fathom the pain she must be experiencing, either.
    Hang the humans’ royal army. Hang that brainless prince. Keel simply would not sit here under this prickly tree while he watched the love of his life die in his arms because of their thoughtless actions!
    Even if he had to perish to guarantee that she made it to the ocean safely, he would risk his life to do so. This sweet little mermaid deserved to go home!

AS HE STEPPED OUT from under the covering branches, shirtless, and hoisted her up in his arms, she awoke briefly. Her eyes met his and she whispered, “Keel?” before wincing in pain.
    “Yes, it is me. I am taking you home, my dear. We are getting you out of here so you may get better.”
    “What happened?” she asked, though her body slumped back down in his arms and her eyes lost their focus and shut before he could answer her.
    She had awakened and recognized him. It was not much, but at least he knew she was fighting to live.
    As he walked boldly down the main path, carrying her, he spoke constantly to her pale, sickly form.
    “Live. Do not stop fighting. Do not give up. I need you, my little one. I need your optimism and curiosity and zest for life, and most especially, I need your belief in humanity right now. Allow some small part of this world to be what you imagined it to be. Tell me, teach me that you were correct. That there is some sort of goodness to this race.
    “Allow me to hope more than I ever have before as I face them head on.” He shifted her slipping form a tad bit higher to compensate for the eternal weight determined to pull her out of his arms. “Now, more than ever, I need to grasp onto that light you possess. I do not know what would become of me if you ceased to exist. I cannot fathom it. Your defiance, your ever questioning, your happy exuberance, your bravery, your love of the world around you buoys me and revives me. Tell me I will not lose this piece of my heart. Tell me you will continue to fight this infection.”
    Down he walked. The closer he came to the village, the more people he met along his