Thawing His Heart

Richella landed on the deck of the fishing ship.

“I know your grievances against these men, and believe me I think you are in the right here. But you can’t kill every human who has wronged you.” Richella began.

“Watch us!” someone yelled back at her.

“What will you do when they travel with guns? You will have the navy on top of you if you keep this up.” Richella warned.

“Oh that sounds fun!” a selkie laughed behind her.

“Your king and I have convinced the BPRD to investigate these men, but you must stop the attack so they can question them.” Richella informed them.

“Nuada’s here!” the same selkie skipped behind her.

It wasn’t the reaction she expected, and she felt a pinch of jealously in her throat. The mermaid leader flipped in the water below the ship and Richella could see the mermaids moving towards her to talk. Mermaids were vicious but not stupid. Richella hoped she had said enough to convince them.

As the mermaids talked she watched the sailors come out of their trance. The glaze fell out of their eyes and the fear set in. She envied the mermaids for that, they only seduced men they wanted to. Her seduction was completely involuntary and more annoying than useful.

“We will talk.” The leader yelled from the waters below.

“Call to the boat out there to come and tie off on the starboard side.” Richella told a nearby sailor.

He smiled dumbly and raced to the communication board. Three other sailors followed behind, and Richella sighed. Must she constantly be reminded what she was.

“You don’t seem to enjoy this as much as the mermaids.” The selkie behind her smiled as she slipped her seal pelt back on.

“Mine is more curse than it is ability.” Was all Richella could manage.

The BPRD’s boat hummed closer to the ship and tied off on a loop next to a ladder. As the agents made their way onto the boat Richella ran the arguments through her head to be sure she had her case straight.

“Well now I understand why Nuada is working with the BPRD.” The mermaid leader purred behind her.

The mermaids had coaxed some sailors to lower ropes and pull them on board. They would be uncomfortable but they wanted to be present for this.

“He is helping out while he visits his sister.” Richella said.

“Oh right…it has nothing to do with the fact that his aura is an exact match to yours.” The leader rolled her eyes.

Richella froze. She was beginning to remember why she hated mermaids so much. They always assumed veela’s were their long lost sisters, and it never failed that they would say something that was out of order.

“If you want me to continue being on your side you should watch your words. Nuada and I are NOT together.” Richella warned.

“Didn’t say you were together, but if he’s single….” The leader batted her eyes in Nuada’s direction.

“Can we just focus?” Richella sighed. “What is your name anyway?”

“Vanessa and this is my second in command Tessa.” Vanessa answered with exquisite poise.

“So you do not take claim on that man?” Tessa asked pointing at Nuada.

“NO!!” Richella exclaimed.

“But your auras are familiars” she continued.

Richella just glared at her horrified. The last thing she needed was some mermaids telling her that Nuada and her auras matched. She closed her eyes and tried to think of how to get this process back on track.

“Well if he’s single” Tessa fluffed up her hair.

“I’d give up my pelt for him” a nearby selkie joined in.

“You’re so lucky. He probably can’t breathe under water” Tessa frowned.

Richella listened as they jockeyed for position. She could feel her blood turn under her skin and she had to stop the bird from taking over. Their conversation turned raunchy and Richella had to walk away to keep from losing her cool.

“Warriors have great stamina.” Vanessa pointed out.

“Plus he’s got royal blood and you know what good blood means…” the Selkie said and motioned that she meant he must be well endowed.

“Ok that’s enough!! We need to talk about what happened here” Richella broke in.

The mermaids and selkies stopped and smiled back at Richella. She took a deep breath and began gathering details. It was hard to stay mad at them for long. What they had been through at the hands of these fishermen was terrible. When she had gathered enough information she went over to see how things were going on the other side of the ship.

“They have killed 3 of my men” The captain said.

“Do you have proof?” Richella asked as she joined them.

“Well that’s what they do right? They seduce men and kill them.” the captain said.

Richella lunged at the guy. Red and Liz had to hold her back. She could feel her skin shift towards feathers but she couldn’t change so close to her friends so she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“Tell us exactly what happened.” Krauss said.

“They just walked off the side of the ship and the minute they hit the water they were dragged under by those sirens.” the captain replied.

“They forget that human men can’t breathe under water” Richella explained in a standoffish tone.

Krauss gave her a warning gesture so she took a step back. She could see it was going to be a struggle to listen to this guy. And she was right. He felt entitled to the fish in the mermaid’s territory. He gave a pity story about feeding his own children and not being able to meet quotas in the old waterways. He tried to claim the mermaids had invited them in, and in the same breath accused them of fishing in his waters. Richella could feel every lie in her bones, she had to walk away every time he turned and smiled at her. She prayed Krauss was actually listening to him and catching the mismatched facts he was spewing as truth.

“It was a huge mistake to have me here.” Nuada said catching her during a time she stepped away.

“Why is that?” Richella asked.

“I’ve hatched about 100 plans to kill these men since stepping on board.” Nuada admitted.

“You’re a bit behind then.” Richella answered.

But then Krauss signaled for her to come over.

“I’m not sure how much reason they will listen too.” Hellboy was saying as she walked over.

“Well they must. Rules are rules and breaking them is unacceptable.” Krauss answered.

Richella felt the worry build in her belly she was hoping they weren’t talking about the mermaids.

“Agent Richella I am sorry I was not looking at reason.” Krauss said as Richella joined the circle.

“OH!?” was all Richella could answer.

“These men shall be taken in and a further investigation will commence immediately.” Krauss informed her. “Could you please try and convince the mermaids to file a report with us before they attack another ship?”

“Yes….” Richella was dumb struck.

She had been fighting to have a fair investigation for so many different fae groups that the realization that this had worked was shocking. It had to of been Nuada’s presence. He carried more of a threat with him than she ever could.

As she approached the mermaids she could see them chatting with Nuada. Her stomach lurched and her face twisted quickly. She turned so that they wouldn’t see, and composed herself. Good lord what is wrong with me? She thought. Richella knew she was getting dangerously close to having feelings for Nuada. The minute she got back to the bureau she had to think of a way to avoid him.

“The fishermen are being turned in.” Richella began. “But you MUST let me know if there is another issue BEFORE you attack. Understood?”

“They are taking the humans? Where.?” Vanessa asked.

“Jail, and there will be an investigation into other fishing vessels. If you see one in your waters there is a number on the side of all boats to identify them, get that and turn it into me.” Richella explained.

“Why did you help us?” Tessa asked with a suspicious twinkle in her eye.

“Because….I know it’s not always fae that cause the problems.” Richella answered confused by the question.

The remaining mermaids just giggled and jumped over the side of the ship. The selkies finished putting on their seal pelts and followed close behind.

“You’re welcome.” Richella murmured after them.

“Don’t expect thanks from mermaids.” Nuada laughed. “You were great though, I will say thank you for them.”

He flashed her the most amazing smile, and her breath caught in her throat. As he walked away she had a flashback to the last victory they had shared. She needed to be more vigilant this time.

Nuada also set his resolve. He needed to get to know Richella, any woman who cared about his people that much needed to be kept close. Very close.