The Merman's Hold

Aria's eyes fluttered open, and warmth cocooned her shoulders – a seaweed blanket that felt almost like her mothers embrace. She was tempted to sink into that sense of safety, but the hard ground beneath her dispelled the illusion. She was still in the cave. Only now, her head rested on something softer. Not truly soft, but gentler than the unyielding rocks.

Her gaze drifted upward, and her breath caught. Who was holding her? Kaelen? Or... was it the mermaid? She hoped desperately it was Sepiia, yet feared the green-eyed woman might only have been a fever dream.

But when Aria's eyes focused, she found herself looking into that same pair of bright green eyes. Relief washed over her, grounding her in the reality of Sepiia's presence. Sepiia was beautiful, even now, with her half-dry hair falling around her in dark, loose waves that seemed impossibly soft despite the saltwater. Aria had a strange, almost childlike impulse to reach up and touch it, to see if it felt as smooth as it looked. She lifted her hand, but her strength faltered, and it dropped back onto her lap.

"You're awake," Sepiia's voice broke through the silence, soothing and warm—a melody that seemed woven from the ocean itself. Aria's mind still felt clouded, her thoughts sluggish and scattered. Was she dreaming?

With Sepiia's help, Aria managed to sit up. Her thoughts were hazy, but one surfaced with clarity: I'm alive. Relief flooded her, followed by a darker realization – she could have died. She glanced at Sepiia, wondering if Kaelen would have truly helped her if her fever had worsened. Would he have taken her to the surface? Or would he have kept her here, regardless of the risk? She doubted he'd risk taking her back to the humans. She felt a pang of gratitude toward Sepiia, for doing what Kaelen might never have dared.

"Kaelen will be here soon; he'll be glad to see you're well," Sepiia said, her tone calm and steady, carrying a warmth that made Aria want to trust her.

But Aria was focused on something else entirely. "How is your hair so soft?" The question slipped out as she stared at Sepiia's dark, shimmering waves, ignoring the mention of Kaelen's return.

Sepiia laughed, the sound bright and lilting, filling the cave. She gently patted Aria's head, a comforting gesture that felt surprisingly natural. "Well, we use sea slugs and mash them up with whale oil. Then we—"

"Ew! Gross!" Aria recoiled, horrified, her strength returning just enough to express her disgust. "I thought it would be something like... shampoo."

Sepiia tilted her head, clearly intrigued. "Sham-poo?" she repeated, unfamiliar with the word.

"It's, um... a thing we humans use to wash our hair," Aria explained, waving her hands in a mimed washing motion. "We rinse it out with fresh water to keep our hair soft and clean."

"Well," Sepiia replied with a wink, "I suppose our mix is our version of 'sham-poo,' though it stays in, keeping our hair strong and protected."

Aria murmured almost to herself, "I'd like to try that..." She wasn't sure if Sepiia heard, but it didn't matter. She knew she wouldn't be staying long enough to need it. Not if she had any choice.

Sepiia's gaze softened. "Well, little human, I must go now," she said, her voice gentle. "But I'll see you again soon." She offered Aria a warm smile before diving back into the pool, sending a splash echoing through the cave. Water droplets rained down, and Aria shivered, dreading the chill. She couldn't stand the thought of getting sick again – it was a miracle she'd survived at all.

It wasn't long before Kaelen arrived. The moment he saw her awake, a smile lit up his face, and he swam to her, his tail flickering with excitement. Before she could even react, his arms were around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. His fin slapped the water, an unmistakable sign of joy.