“No,” Thayde shook his head. “Technically, Morgan is the strongest.”
“But she rules the merpeople. One cannot do both.”
Flynn glanced at Thayde and me, sitting in the sand. “Have you spoken to the others?”
“Aye, they are in agreement.”
“Do you want this burden, Thayde?” Flynn asked, his tone doubtful.
“What if I don’t?”
Regan ran a hand through her chestnut hair. “Then you’ll die.”
A small smile crept onto Thayde’s face. “Kill or be killed? Is that it?”
She agreed. “Something like that. It would be nice to have a leader who is partial to other races. All of us were tired of the way the Master ruled with an iron fist.” Regan smiled at Flynn. “We don’t believe in forcing people or allowing just anyone to become like us. Our society is very small and our code decrees only the extremely privileged be allowed to join.”
Flynn’s upper lip curled. “There are a few that are less than worthy,” he interjected. “In fact, if he had stuck to the code, I wouldn’t be here, would I?”
Regan finally dropped her defiant gaze. “Your tale is a very sad one, Flynn. I am sorry you were forced to endure such atrocities. He used you for his own gain, but thankfully, his plans were not fulfilled.”
Thayde helped me to my feet, putting his arms around my shoulders.
“I will rule, but there will be many changes,” he rubbed my arm. “And I won’t leave my family.”
Regan nodded. “The Master chooses where he wishes to live and with whom.”
“I don’t want to be referred to as the Master.”
“As you wish,” she cocked her head. “There should be a meeting in Florence soon. You must announce your reign as soon as possible. All of us will gather to partake in the ceremony. Your right hand will step in at that time as well.”
“My right hand?”
“Your second in command,”
“Flynn.” Thayde announced, making Flynn do a double take. “I want Flynn as my second in command.”
Regan’s demure facade fell.
“But the right hand is already chosen!”
“I won’t trust someone I don’t know.”
Her voice dropped. “I understand.”
“Was it you?” Thayde asked.
Regan nodded. “Usually it is the next most powerful in line.”
“Thank you,” he said and she frowned.
“For what?”
“For caring enough to find me and tell me. I trust Flynn. I don’t know you. Yet,”
Regan took a step back. “I will return and inform the family. Shall we expect you in a few days?”
Thayde nodded and she disappeared back into the trees.
“Thayde?” Flynn’s voice was incredulous. “You want me to be second? I’m shocked.”
“It’s going to be hard work,” Thayde sighed. “You know more about them than I do. And I trust you.”
“But I changed you.”
“I know. You stuck to the plan despite a huge risk to yourself and I appreciate it.”
“The plan?” I interrupted. “What plan?”
“I couldn’t let Gavran sacrifice himself,” Thayde began. “He’s not strong enough. He would have died and it would have been for nothing. So I met with Flynn that night when we left Pizza Hut. I told him it had to be me.”
Once again, Thayde had put his life on the line for me. “You didn’t know it would work! Why would you take such a chance?” I asked.
Thayde’s handsome brow furrowed. “I would die for you.”
Flynn cleared his throat and took the stance he had when he was about to drop through the earth.
“I’m going to return to Florence. I’ll have Regan start the proceedings.”
“Flynn?” I pulled away from Thayde and put my arms around Flynn. “Thank you,” I whispered in his ear. “For everything.”
He patted my back lightly. “It seems I do have a purpose after all.” He said.
“You always did,”
Flynn shook his head. “You merpeople,” he grinned and with that, melted through the ground.
I turned to Thayde and reached up, placing my hand against his cheek.
“I love you,” I said, tears forming.
He smiled that gorgeous smile. “I love you.”
“What happens now?”
“Anything you want.”
“Let’s go home.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE BEGINNING
To be courageous means you go forth, despite your fear.
To quote a line from the epic film Dune: The beginning is a very delicate time.
A beginning is also an end. Once you start something, you end what was. Thayde and I were treading on very new ground and the entire merfolk species was holding their breath. Would this work? Could this work?