ELEMENTS: Acquiesce by Kathryn Andrews (snow like ashes series .TXT) 📕

Marilla took Cordelia’s arm and held it by the candle light. A river network of blue blood flowed beneath her snowy white skin. “As blue as the sea,” said Marilla. “Whatever made the ocean made the blood in your veins. You have the power to do anything you set your mind to.”

“Anything?”

“You just have to believe in yourself. Everything else will follow.”

Cordelia hugged Marilla and dashed out of the snow dome.

Feeling that she had no time to lose, Cordelia hurried along the tunnels and bumped straight into Lana and the twins.

“Cordelia!” exclaimed Lana. “How are you? We’ve been wanting to come and see you but Mazu said no visitors.”

“I’m fine,” said Cordelia, breathlessly. “Have you seen Rafe?”

“Rafe?” said Masika. “What d’you want with him?”

Cordelia studied Masika’s inquisitive expression. She knew no matter what she said, Masika would read her thoughts sooner or later. “Help me find him and then I’ll explain.”

“We saw him going out to the horses a few minutes ago,” said Nerissa.

The four mermaids walked briskly along the tunnels towards the lighthouse.

“We’re not supposed to go outside without permission,” said Masika.

“Then stay inside,” said Cordelia.

“I’ll keep my father distracted,” said Lana when they reached the door of the lighthouse and she sprinted up the stairs to the lookout.

“I’ll keep watch from here,” said Nerissa, holding the door ajar.

“Will someone tell me what’s going on?” said Masika.

“I’m sure you’ll work it out,” said Cordelia and she slipped into the afternoon sunlight.

Cordelia skipped across the grass to the stables where Rafe was tending the horses. He turned and smiled at Cordelia.

“This is unexpected,” he said with a glint in his eye. “D’you have permission to be out here?”

“I granted myself permission,” she said, smiling.

Cordelia stepped closer to Rafe, looking deep into his eyes.

“What’s she doing?” whispered Nerissa, peering through the crack in the door.

“Making him forget,” said Masika.

“Forget what?” enquired Nerissa.

“Who she is.”

Rafe’s expression changed from intrigue to puzzlement. His attention was diverted by a loud whistle. It was Max returning on one of the horses. Cordelia stepped back.

“What are you two up to?” asked Max.

“I came to thank Rafe for his bravery the other night,” said Cordelia.

“He’s a hero, that’s for sure. He could have his pick of any girl in there,” said Max, pointing to the lighthouse.

“Where’ve you been?” asked Cordelia.

“Here and there,” replied Max.

“We’re supposed to be lying low,” said Cordelia.

“Rules don’t apply to me,” said Max, jumping down from the horse.

If looks could kill, Max would have dropped dead right there in front of her.

Max turned to Rafe. “Are you done?”

“Aye,” said Rafe, and the young men sauntered back to the lighthouse.

Nerissa and Masika climbed several steps until they were out of sight. When the coast was clear, they ran outside to Cordelia and signalled to the lookout window for Lana to join them. Then they mounted the horses.

“Follow me!” said Cordelia.

The four mermaids galloped bareback on white horses, their hooves flying off the ground, across the cliff tops.

Irvin Seymour saw the girls from the lookout. “Where in the blazes are you going?” he said through gritted teeth.

The girls rode past the peat bog where there was no sign of Breck and galloped across the beach, the horses kicking up sand with their hooves. Irvin followed them through his binoculars, all the way to George’s Head.

Masika jumped down from her horse and knelt before Cordelia. “Whatever you need, I am here for you. I am your loyal servant. Your protector.”

“Will someone tell me what’s going on?” said Lana, breathlessly.

Cordelia looked down at Masika. “You are my friend. Please get up.”

Masika rose to her feet, “Thank you,” she said and curtsied.

“Seriously, what’s going on?” asked Lana.

“She’s a direct descendent of Meren,” said Masika.

“You mean…” began Nerissa.

“She’s royalty?” asked Lana.

“According to The Book of Tails,” said Masika.

Lana and Nerissa jumped down from their horses and knelt before Cordelia who subsequently dismounted her horse.

“Stand up, both of you. I’m no different. I’m the same as I’ve always been. Or at least the same as you’ve known me to be.”

“No,” said Lana. “This is huge.”

“I really don’t want any fuss,” said Cordelia.

“Fuss or no fuss, you are different,” said Masika.

“What if I don’t want to be?” asked Cordelia.

“I don’t think you have a choice,” said Nerissa.

“If you’re of royal blood, you inhibit all merfolk powers,” said Masika.

“Do you have any idea how powerful you are?” asked Lana.

“Powerful enough to rescue Flynn?”

“And the rest,” said Lana. “You just need to know how to use it.”

“This is so exciting!” squealed Nerissa.

“You won’t need to worry about Zamira,” said Lana, “you can obliterate the lot of them. Probably.”

Cordelia gazed languorously across the mouth of the bay towards the islands.

“What is it Cordelia?” asked Lana, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s just all a bit of a shock, that’s all.”

Masika sensed there was more to it than that.

“Whatever happens, I hope we will always be friends,” said Cordelia.

“As long as the tides are turning,” said Lana, smiling.

Cordelia held out her arms and the four mermaids hugged. Given her newfound status, Masika tried to respect Cordelia’s privacy but with their heads almost touching it was an impossible task. No matter how hard she tried to block out Cordelia’s thoughts they were coming thicker and faster than ever before. Masika felt uneasy and pulled away from the group, watching Cordelia with intensity.

“What is it?” asked Nerissa.

“It’s nothing,” lied Masika. “I’m just feeling a little giddy.”

While the horses grazed and ocean spray ejected into the atmosphere, the mermaids sat and talked well into the evening, hatching a plan to rescue Flynn who at this very moment was experiencing something life changing of his own.

Struck with fever and chills, Flynn had become delirious, falling in and out of consciousness. Slumped in the dirty, sodden pit, blue waves of energy intermittently moved around his body in the lilac grey of evening dusk. His fingers began