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The surface was vicious today, waves thrashing and thunder rumbling. Waves crested high as mountains as the torrent of rain crashed down, tossing the ship like a plaything.
Whoever is on that boat must have a death wish, thought Rafayel as he lounged on a rock, watching the vessel from underneath.
It became a new pastime this stormy season, watching the sea toss humans into the waters. Oftentimes lightning would strike the vessel, and the mast would catch fire, lapping up the rest of the boat. In that case, some humans would jump overboard voluntarily.
Today, it seemed, something was different.
Two figures emerged at the stern, a burly man and a frail girl. The man held the girl by the back of her neck, dangling her precariously over the edge. Rafayel could hear the voices caught in the wind.
“Sacrificing her to the Sea God should calm the waves!”
“Throw her overboard!”
Rafayel scoffed; those idiots thought the storm, a natural phenomenon this time of year, was because he wanted a sacrifice. How dull.
However, his nonchalance didn’t last for long. The man threw the girl overboard, and she fell like a ragdoll into the sea. The moment the waves claimed her, Rafayel could sense her presence, her scent, surrounding him.
His bride.
She was unmoving, hair flowing and dress billowing around her in the waves, no doubt in shock from the icy cold of the unforgiving sea. Her eyes fluttered, mouth open as she slipped into unconsciousness.
Let the storm surge. Rafayel cared not for those humans; how dare they treat his bride as a sacrifice. A crack of lightning, then the roll of thunder as the ship became engulfed in flames. Screams could be heard, carried by the wind, as Rafayel held his bride’s head above the water. They were miles away from shore, from any land at all. She would not survive the journey to the nearest island.
Illuminated by the flames of the ship behind them, Rafayel could see his bride’s face clearly. She was unconscious, lashes brushing her cheeks, skin cold and clammy. Her wet hair stuck to her face, her neck, her shoulders.
He tilted her face up and claimed her lips with the kiss of life, pushing air into her lungs. She would need the ability to breathe underwater if Rafayel was to take her down and under.
They would not be going to his home. These waters held cave systems, and Rafayel knew of one with a large enough air pocket for her to dwell in. Perhaps not forever, but at least until the sea calmed enough to allow safe passage for his beloved.
She looked so lifelike underwater, so ethereal and strange. Her hair flowed around her, her skirt moved in slow, lazy arches. Even the fish slowed to take a glance at her.
The bride of the Sea God, in her element. How wondrous.
Rafayel swam through the cave systems, one arm cradling his bride. The cave walls were illuminated with bioluminescent algae and vibrant fish traversed the waters, something Rafayel was sure would delight his bride when she awoke. It was almost as gorgeous a sight as her.
He emerged from the water inside a vast air pocket, nodding in satisfaction. It would do for now; it was just large enough for her to have space to move around in, and the algae ensured she would have light to see. He deposited her on the rocky ledge, eagerly awaiting her return to consciousness.
Except, she didn’t stir.
Rafayel hoisted himself onto the ledge, leaning over her. She was breathing shallow, uneven breaths, but she was breathing. Perhaps she simply needed a push.
His melody usually entranced humans, or even sent them to sleep. He was unsure if it would work opposite, but if it was for his bride, he would try almost anything. He parted his lips and a wordless melody spilled out, rich and inviting, enough to pull anyone listening into a trance. It was a soft sound, inviting her to listen, to wake. It echoed off the walls, vibrating through his bones.
She groaned.
He did not stop, leaning forward, closer to her. He closed his lips, the song becoming a hum. Her head turned to the side, hand pressing against her forehead. Then, her eyes opened.
Finally, the melody faded away. As her sight adjusted, her gaze raked over Rafayel, taking in his gills, his fins, his scales….
Her eyes widened.
He grinned. “My beloved bride. I’ve waited centuries to see you again.”