Aliyah swam up to the mother’s small eye. She rubbed next to the barnacle on the whale’s face. She wanted to show the gentle giant that she was a friend. Special care was needed if you wanted to swim with baby whales. Arlen and Carlson were already drifting alongside the mother’s calf. Aliyah lingered next to the mother and traced her fingers along her gray marbled skin examining the natural scars from the whale’s search for food at the seafloor.

The three friends were about 12 miles south from the palace. Every year they liked swimming with the Gray Whales while they headed north with their calves. They had already greeted a few pods in late March and April. Arlen suggested they return on this fine day in May. Aliyah didn’t mind. She wasn’t feeling up for exploring sunken ships anyway. 

Aliyah was on an emotional roller coaster these past two weeks. Saturday and Sunday mornings were wonderful! Derek told Aliyah a little about school but mostly talked about the fun things he did with his friend, Heber, and Heber’s girlfriend. Aliyah longed to see what Derek saw. She wanted to be a part of his life. Up there. On land. Their visits in the ocean never felt long enough. And the mornings he ran with Heber on the beach were even less satisfying (Although, Aliyah still came just to get a glimpse at Derek). She spent her days either feeling sad they were apart or excited that they’d soon see each other. 

Swimming on his back with his hands behind his head Carlson floated up to Aliyah. “Allie, you’ve been awfully quiet. You’re thinking about that land-dweller again, aren’t you? What’s his name again?”

Arlen swam up to his friends. “Derek. His name’s Derek.”

Carlson rolled his eyes. “Oh, thanks Aliyah! Your hair color has changed a lot since I last talked to you. Did you get caught in some octopus ink or something?”

Arlen played along. “Yeah, I went out this morning and thought it would be great fun to wrestle one. It took forever to get the stain out.” He gestured to his green wetsuit top and matching skirt. Carlson laughed. Aliyah merely smiled. Arlen noticed. “Aliyah, what’s wrong?”

Aliyah ran her hand through her long hair to direct it away from her face. “Nothing.”

“Nothing? Glowing starfish, Aliyah! I can tell something’s bothering you.” 

Carlson added his two cents, “He’s right, Allie. We all noticed you haven’t been like yourself lately. Father even asked if you were sick.”

Aliyah hadn’t realized how obvious her emotions were. “I’m sorry guys. It’s just… well…” She sighed. Carlson and Arlen waited patiently. “You remember that song I sang a while ago? About the sky and sea?”

Arlen looked confused, “You mean the marriage advice song?” 

Aliyah returned the confused look, “Marriage advice?”

“Yeah… My dad quotes it a lot. He wishes that he would have tried harder to be united with my mom. They fought so much when they were married… He doesn’t want me to make the same mistakes they did. He reminds me to focus on the sweet moments when I’m married. Like how the rain kisses the sea.”

Lightning will flash like the waves crash

Arguing they may be

On other days when dolphins play

Sweet rain kisses the sea

Aliyah hadn’t thought about the song that way before. “Oh… Yes, that song, but I’ve been pondering a different meaning.”

Carlson was intrigued. “A different interpretation, huh? Like what?” 

“I’ve been thinking that fate brought Derek and I together. But it’s so unfair! We are like the sky and the sea. ‘Forever divided.’” She sighed again. “I just want to go to Auntie Mara and have her turn me into a land dweller!” 

Carlson didn’t hesitate. “So, do it!”

Aliyah was shocked. “Wait, what?”

“Look Allie, if you are interpreting the song that way, then you should follow through. Remember what the last verse says? ‘If you should be, like sky and sea… Try to be united.’ If you’re destined to be together, like you say you are, you shouldn’t stay here moping about!”

Carlson stated it so matter-of-factly. That was not the response she was expecting from her outburst. “But, Sage and Connie…” Aliyah shook her head, “won’t you guys miss me?”

Arlen answered. “Of course we would miss you… I hate to admit Carlson has a point, though. It’s hard to see you so distraught, Aliyah. This isn’t about us. I want you to be happy.”

Aliyah let that sink in for a moment. They swam in silence alongside the mother Gray Whale and her baby. If you’re destined to be together… you shouldn’t stay here moping about. This isn’t about us. Apparently all she needed was permission. Aliyah changed course, “See you guys later!”

“Where are you going?” Carlson asked.

“To Auntie Mara’s!”

Arlen looked startled, “Right now?”

“Sorry guys… Have fun without me!” She sprinted away. Carlson and Arlen weren’t so sure they would see her later. Should they have given her a proper goodbye?

---

The coral reef was bursting with color and excitement. Amongst all the fish a sea-dweller spun in circles with his little daughter. Other sea dwellers visited and shopped at simple booths for woven tops or skirts. They made them in their homes not too far away. Some sea-dwellers lived in natural caves or crevices. Some built homes from broken shells and rock. Aliyah’s home, the palace, was a combination of both. 

It occurred to Aliyah that she should let Auntie Mara know she was coming. She sent a quick telepawave message: Auntie, I’m coming for a visit. Almost there!

Technically as King Evan’s sister, Mara was a princess, but she preferred the title Auntie. Aliyah’s father was also a prince by blood (being the king’s brother), but preferred his other titles: Duke Sandstrum, Uncle Daniel, and Grandpa Danny. The difference was that everyone called Mara “Auntie” regardless of any blood relation or lack thereof. Most sea-dwellers talked about her as if she was that odd aunt at family reunions. It didn’t help that she was a rare magic-gifted sea-dweller.The magic-gift gene only ran in the royal family and typically skipped a generation. Most were afraid of magic because it’s so rare. But it was useful. Mara spent her days secluded in her cave developing new ways to use her magic for good.

Aliyah arrived at Mara’s cave at the edge of the kingdom. “Auntie Mara?”

“Come in, little one.” Aliyah wasn’t so little anymore, but Mara used that phrase when she wasn’t exactly sure which niece was coming to visit. Mara didn’t come to the palace often enough to tell their voices apart when they sent her occasional telepawaves.

When Aliyah let herself in, she was surrounded by shelves and shelves of plants. Mara grew her own ingredients for her potions. 

“Did you need a replacement?” Aliyah saw Mara reaching for another agate light.

Mara’s hair was black like Connie’s but unlike most woman sea-dwellers, it was cut short like a man’s. It always caught Aliyah off-guard. One time Aliyah built up the courage to ask Mara why she kept it so short. 

“Long hair gets in the way of my work. I don’t understand how you girls stand it! Aren’t you pushing it away all the time? It floats everywhere.” Fair enough.

Mara turned around to face Aliyah. Although she would never try it, she had to admit the short hair did wonders for Mara. It accentuated her feminine cheekbones and big dark eyes. Mara was beautiful. It was a shame her deep brown eyes always showed a hint of sorrow.

“Well?…” Mara held out the magic filled rock. “Are you going to take it or not?”

“Oh, sorry uh… I actually came for something else.”

Mara turned to put the agate back. “What would you like, Aliyah?”

Aliyah took a deep breath. “I would like…I would like to become a land-dweller.”

Mara crashed into her shelves causing many beautiful agates to sink to the floor. “What in the 5 Oceans! Aliyah…” Her tone was harsh and angry, but her face showed her deep pain and anguish. “No!”

“Please, Auntie. It’s for true love! Fate brought this land-dweller and I together. I’m destined to be with him.”

Mara sank downwards into a chair. Painful memories of her sister were no doubt playing over and over in her mind. “I can’t send another family member up there! It will break their hearts.” Mara referred to the royal family.

“But my heart will break, Auntie!” Desperation laced Aliyah’s voice. “It’s true love.”

There was a pause. Mara rubbed her temples and moned. “My sister is trapped as a land-dweller. I’ve tried everything! Nothing will change her back. The closest I’ve gotten is a potion that will turn you into a land-dweller temperalary for three days. But if you aren’t in the ocean after the 3rd day, it’s permanent. Since Rita’s already been a land-dweller for years, it won’t work on her…”

Three days? Aliyah could work with that. “Well, what if you turn me into a land-dweller for three days…”

Mara cut her off, “And then what, Sweety? Will you come back into the ocean after spending three days with that boy? How do you even know it’s true love anyway?”

“What if I can prove it’s true love?”

Mara laughed. “In three days? Impossible. How do you plan to do that?”

“Uh…” Aliyah had to think fast. She didn’t want to lose her chance at becoming a land-dweller for Derek. “I’ll know it’s true love… if he kisses me by the end of the third day!”

Mara rolled her eyes. “Aliyah, you’re not going to get kissed in three days.”

“Well… not if you don’t turn me into a land-dweller, I won’t!… It’s gotta be true love, Auntie. But if I don’t get kissed by the third day, I’ll return to the ocean. I promise.”

A sea-dweller was bound to his or her word. Mara knew Aliyah would return to the sea if she wasn’t kissed. She considered the situation.

“I don’t know, Aliyah…”

Aliyah was getting impatient. She really needed to sell her case. “If I were a land dweller for three days, I could stay with Auntie Rita. Don’t you think she deserves to meet her niece? It’s your fault she hasn’t met any of us in person!”

She didn’t mean the last part, but it did the job. Tears welled up in Mara’s eyes. She willed them away.

“Alright, Aliyah… I better let her know you’re coming.” Mara touched a pearl on the bracelet around her wrist. After a few seconds, the whole thing turned a deep blue. 

“What was that?” Aliyah pointed to the bracelet.

“Huh? Oh, right. Land-dwellers can’t use telepawaves like we do. I made this to let Rita know I want to talk. The pearls turn blue when she taps her matching bracelet. I’ll talk to her at the next low-tide… When were you planning on going anyway?”

“Tomorrow?” Aliyah knew that was wishful thinking, but it was worth a shot.

“Glowing starfish! No, I’ll need at least a few days to set everything up for you… How about Thursday? That would give you a day to get used to things and a weekend with your lover boy. You’d need to be in the ocean by Sunday morning.” 

Aliyah nodded. She couldn’t believe it was actually happening! Just a few more days…

“Be a doll and hand me that pink coral over there.” Mara swam to a pedestal with a massive fish skull on top. She threw the coral inside and pink foam seeped out of the teeth. “You might as well help me start up your potion.”

---

During the next few days, Mara worked hard on the details. She used telepawaves often to send Aliyah updates. Auntie Rita is ecstatic, but isn’t sure how you’ll meet at the same location. There were many beaches in Lincoln City. Aliyah suggested that she swim up the same way she rescued Derek. He ran there every morning. So she could give him Rita’s address and he could take her to her house. 

Mara reminded Aliyah that telepawaves wouldn’t work in land-dweller form. That means you won’t be able to use your singing voice. Aliyah forgot sea-dwellers used telepawaves to sing. Derek loved it when Aliyah sang for him. She hoped he would still love her without her voice. 

Wednesday arrived and Aliyah felt butterflies in her stomach all day long. She said her goodbye to Arlen and Carlson that evening before stopping by Auntie Mara’s to pick up her items. An orange potion, a pearl bracelet, and a piece of driftwood with Rita’s address. 

Back in her shared room, Aliyah swayed in her hammock. Connie was rearranging her rock collection to make room for a new specimen and Sage was braiding her dark auburn hair before bed. Aliyah fingered the potion in her pocket and smoothed her skirt out. Her fingers brushed against her smooth tail.

Sea-dwellers had dolphin-like tails (except for where their “knees” bent). Even the coloring was similar. Their tails were blue gray, brown gray, light gray, or dark gray. Sage’s brown tinted tail really brought out the warm red in her hair. Aliyah’s light gray brought out her eyes. Derek said so himself. 

Aliyah remembered the last time she talked with Derek in person. He asked her if he could see her tail. He moved off his board so she could climb on. Derek was amazed. He reached out his hand to touch her tail flukes but stopped. His gaze into Aliyah’s eyes asked for permission. Heat rushed to her cheeks and she nodded. As he stroked her fin, Aliyah felt as if electricity rushed through her veins…

“You’re daydreaming again.” Sage peered at Aliyah through the looking glass. “Derek again? Mom and Dad are getting insistent. You need to tell them the truth, Aliyah.” 

Aliyah knew she was right. She planned on writing them a note tonight explaining everything. Aliyah would place it on Mom’s nightstand before she left for good… She hoped they would forgive her. 

“Yeah… I will soon, Sage…” Aliyah noticed the precision Sage was putting into her fishtail braid. “I hope Prince Juan appreciates your hair tomorrow, Sage.” 

Aliyah wasn’t the only one taking off early in the morning. Carlson officially invited Sage to accompany him to the Westtrench Kingdom in the name of the King. It wasn’t stated in the invitation, but everyone knew the monarchs hoped Sage would be a good match for Prince Juan. Even though Sage was the King’s niece, her wedding would bind the kingdoms together. 

“I’m sure he will appreciate it, thank you.” Sage continued her tedious work. 

Aliyah propped her head up on her fist. “I just can’t believe you would agree to something like this! What if you take one look at him and know he’s not your true love?” 

“Aliyah it doesn’t work like that.” 

There was a gasp from Connie’s side of the room, “You don’t believe in true love?”

Sage faced her youngest sister. “No, no. That’s not what I meant! I believe in true love… I guess I just don’t believe in love-at-first-sight… I believe love doesn’t just happen. It… it takes effort.” 

Effort? Aliyah couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It wasn’t hard at all for Derek and her to fall in love. “Well I believe in love-at-first sight. I felt something for Derek right away.” 

Sage sighed. “I hope you both figure things out. Like, where would you guys live if you did get married?”

Aliyah hadn’t mentioned turning into a land-dweller yet. She was afraid it would upset Connie too much and then Mom and Dad would find out. But she was leaving very early tomorrow morning… Maybe she should let them know.

“Actually… We’d be married on land…”

Connie stopped sorting. “What do you mean?”

“I’m sorry Connie, I’m becoming a land-dweller tomorrow. If I can get Derek to kiss me within three days, I’ll stay permanently. If not, I’ll come home. That’s the deal I made with Auntie Mara.”

Sage was flabbergasted, “You can become a land-dweller temporarily? I thought Auntie Rita was stuck on land…”

“Yeah, it’s a long story. Mara found a way to make it temporary, but only if you start out that way. It’s too late for Auntie Rita…”

“But but… will I ever see you again?” Connie was close to tears.

“Oh Connie… It’s not for sure yet, I could come home after three days… Also, Auntie Mara recently found a way to communicate with Auntie Rita on land. She makes this bubble appear at low tide… It’s like the looking glass except when you look into it, you see the other person. So, you can still talk to me often.” 

Connie sniffled, “Okay.”

The three sisters gathered for a group hug. Mara sent another message. Aliyah, make sure to be on the shore before you drink the potion. You won’t be used to swimming with legs and they will be much weaker than your tail…

Don’t worry, Auntie! I’ll remember.

Aliyah gave her sisters one last squeeze.