Page 74 of Entangled

Twenty-Two

“This is ridiculous, you fool. Do this on land,” complained Elric, standing at the bow of a row boat with Darium rowing. Merrow’s mother sat at the back of the boat. They stopped out in the sea where Sebastian waited with Merrow in her sea nymph form to be married. Her sisters all surrounded her in the water, and even her father and brother watched from a distance. Owaine brought The Thunderbolt out to meet them, with everyone else on board.

“Nay, Elric. This is where we want to be married,” Sebastian told him. “Out at sea.” He treaded water, looking over at Merrow and giving her a big smile.

“Sebastian, we can go on land to be married,” Merrow told him. “This isn’t necessary.”

“No, we won’t. We will stay here. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Sebastian took one of her hands in his. “This way, your family can all be a part of the wedding and experience it up close. Elric, hurry up and say our vows. I’m not sure how much longer I can keep treading water.”

“Had I known you’d like being in the water so much, I never would have tricked you to go into the sea in the first place,” griped Elric.

“You can come in and join us, Sage.” Sebastian chuckled.

“I think not!” Elric stuck his nose in the air.

“Let me and my sisters help you stay afloat, Sebastian. Melite, Galene,” Merrow called out.

“We’re here, sister.” Galene held on to Sebastian.

“We won’t let him drown,” said Melite, doing the same. “Go ahead and take your vows now.”

Merrow’s heart swelled with love. No man she ever knew—no human man—would go to such extremes just to marry her. First, he’d risked everything by approaching her father because he knew she wanted to remain a sea nymph. He’d been so fearless, not caring what his loyal men thought of him. She loved him for that. And to actually marry her right here in the water was the most romantic thing she could imagine.

“All right,” grumbled Elric, standing on the bench of the boat, raising his hands in the air. “Since I hate being out here, this is the shortened version. Sebastian Ravenwolf, do you take Merrow as your wife?”

“I do,” he said, reaching up and kissing Merrow while her sisters helped him to stay afloat.

“And do you, Merrow Havfine, take Sebastian to be your husband?”

“Yes. I certainly do.” Merrow returned the kiss.

“Then you two are hitched. Do whatever you need to do.”

“Elric, thank you.” Sebastian swam to the rowboat and held out his hand for a shake.

“Whatever.” Elric reached down to take his hand. When he did, the rowboat shifted, Elric lost his balance, and he ended up in the water. He surfaced spitting water from his mouth.

“You big oaf, you did that on purpose,” screamed Elric.

“Sebastian? Did you?” whispered Merrow with a sly smile.

“Now, come on,” said Sebastian. “I am not a vindictive man. All I wanted to do was thank the elf. I can’t help it if he can’t keep his balance in a simple boat. Here, let me give you a lift back into the row boat.” Sebastian started to lift Elric but the little man didn’t want his help.

“Don’t touch me.” Elric used his skinny little arms to pull himself upward. He stretched one leg over the side of the rowboat, almost back on board.

“Congratulations,” called out Merrow’s mother, waving from the boat.

“Yes, I agree,” came the voice of her father. “Now, everyone back home through the portal. Right now.” The Old Man of the Sea blew the Calling Conch, causing the portal to open up. It wasn’t underwater, but atop the water this time. He dove through, and when he did, it caused a huge wave to tip the row boat over. Elric, Darium and Dee fell out and into the water.

Darium surfaced, laughing. Dee swam over to congratulate and hug Merrow. Elric’s head popped up, and he looked like a drown rat. The elf was surely not happy.

“Damn it, I told you this was a bad idea,” screamed Elric.“Someone get me out of this damned water. I can’t swim.”

“Take it easy, Elric,” said Darium. “Hold on to the rowboat. I see The Thunderbolt coming to pick us up now.”

Everyone had a good laugh and this time it was at the elf’s expense.

“Merrow, I must leave now,” said her mother. “Remember, just call to us in your mind if you want to visit and I’ll send Nereus to open the portal.”