Chapter 15: The Fish
Nadeira looked at Maribel and winked her eye before anyone but Maribel could notice it.
Maribel nodded, and started watching their next moves.
The merchant shoved Nadeira hard into the room. She hit the floor with a thud and hissed, "Cow."
He didn't even glance at her. Instead, he yanked Maribel forward by the arm. "The Baron always likes the gentle ones first."
Nadeira scrambled to her knees, shouting, "No! Take me! Leave her alone!" Her shoulders slumped, and she stared at the floor, one single tear went down her cheek. Nadeira pulled against the ropes on her wrists until her skin burned. "You disgusting rat, take me instead!"
The Baron arched an eyebrow, and the left corner of his lips went up. "My, my… she has spirit."
The merchant grinned like he was proud. "Yes, my lord. But this one," he shook Maribel by the shoulder, "is soft. Easier to break."
Nadeira's scream was so violent, it felt like it would break her ribs apart. "I said take me! Do you not understand words?"
And then, just when things were getting worse, Maribel exploded into glitter and scales.
Yes….Glitter….And scales.
One second she was a terrified girl. The next, a golden fish flopping violently in the merchant's hands. Her tail slapped him in the face, leaving a wet mark.
The merchant looked like his bulging eyes were hypnotised to stare only at her. "What… What is THIS?!"
The Baron choked on his wine…unfortunately, the choke didn't make him travel to his death.
Meanwhile, Maribel flapped her tail like she was auditioning for "Fish of the Year," wriggling so hard the merchant nearly dropped her.
Nadeira blinked, speechless. Then blurted, "Aaah!!! What magic did you use??? Turn her back! Maribel!!!"
Maribel…fish-Maribel, rolled her eyes dramatically, then went limp.
She was…Completely limp. Like the saddest, deadest goldfish you've ever seen.
The merchant shook her. "No, no, no, don't die yet! The Baron doesn't like dead things!"
Maribel wasn't moving…tongue half-out like she was…
One thing Nadeira couldn't understand, but didn't dare to express…'do fishes really have tongues?'
Nadeira's throat tightened. She burst into tears, ugly, and very loud tears. "You killed her! You monster! She was my only friend and you KILLED HER!"
The Baron pinched his nose, muttering, "This is ridiculous."
The merchant panicked. "It's—it's still worth something, right?"
"No," Nadeira snapped, as white pearls continued falling down. "She's gone! My poor, beautiful fish girl is gone forever! I hope you choke on your own greed, you slimy eel!"
The merchant groaned, clearly disgusted, and stormed toward the window. "Useless cursed fish…" He hurled Maribel out into the night.
SPLASH…
They all didn't make a single move.
"…Was that a fountain?" Nadeira asked, trembling.
The Baron waved a hand. "Who cares. One less headache."
Nadeira pressed her hands to her mouth, sobbing loudly. "She… she's gone. She sacrificed herself for me." She rocked on her knees like her heart was shattered.
What nobody saw…because everyone was busy staring at the crying wreck that was Nadeira- was the golden fish sneaking back into human form just outside, soaking wet but very much alive.
Maribel pressed her finger to her lips in silence before tiptoeing away like the sneakiest fish in history.
Inside, the Baron finally stood up from his bead. Slowly, he crossed the room and crouched before Nadeira. His fingers brushed her cheek, tracing along her jawline as though she were a prize on display.
"You," he started softly, "are rare. Your hair. Your eyes. Your fire."
Nadeira flinched back. His touch burned even though it was only skin. Every muscle in her body kept ordering her to run.
He slid his hand down to her throat, lingering there just enough to make her belly feel the electricity going directly to her feet. "The merchant was right. I do enjoy breaking strong things."
Nadeira forced herself to meet his eyes. Her skin crawled under his fingers, but she lifted her chin stubbornly. "Then you'll be very disappointed."
The Baron smiled lazyly. His thumb pressed against her skin like he was testing her pulse. "We'll see."
Her heart felt like it was going to stop any moment now from the fast beating. She wanted to slap his hand away, but her wrists were tied. She wanted to vomit, to scream, to do anything but sit still.
But she didn't flinch again. If he wanted to see her break, she was going to make him wait forever.
"Leave us alone…and take the children. What I'm about to do isn't for the child's eyes to see."