Mermaids in Miami
Copyright© 2026 by Rachael Jane
Chapter 16: The Choice
The sun is low over the bay, turning the water gold. A small boat drifts near the mouth of the cove. Brian’s boat, its engine quiet, rocking gently with the tide.
Naida surfaces first. Her hair clings to her shoulders, her human legs kicking awkwardly beneath the water. She pulls herself up the side of the boat with practised effort. Brian reaches down to help her, hands warm and steady.
She collapses onto the deck, breathless. Brian kneels beside her, brushing wet strands of hair from her face.
“You came,” he says softly. “I recall this was the cove you talked about. Where you and Nerissa played when you were little. I assumed this was were you went after we freed Nerissa and Nerida.”
Naida smiles, touching his cheek. “Brian.”
He pulls her into a tight embrace. She melts into it, breathing in the familiar scent of salt and sunscreen and the man she loves.
But when she pulls back, her eyes drift toward the cove. Toward Nerissa. Toward Nerida. Brian follows her gaze.
The two mermaids wait just beyond the boat ... Nerissa holding Nerida close, both watching silently. Nerida waves her tiny hand, squealing when she sees her mother and father together.
Naida’s heart twists painfully. Brian sees it. He always sees it.
He sits beside her on the deck, legs dangling over the side. “You miss them.”
Naida nods, tears gathering. “Every moment.”
“You belong with them.”
She shakes her head. “I belong with you too.”
Brian’s voice softens. “Maybe. But not in the same way.”
Naida looks down at her legs ... human, heavy, and wrong in the water. “I tried to change back. I can’t.”
Brian studies her quietly. “Maybe something’s holding you back.”
Naida frowns. “What?”
He takes her hands gently. “Naida ... when we married, we made promises. Human promises. Maybe your heart thinks it has to keep them.”
Naida’s breath catches.
Brian squeezes her hands. “I love you. I always will. But I won’t be the reason you’re trapped between worlds.”
She shakes her head fiercely. “Brian...”
He lifts her chin, eyes warm and steady. “I release you, Naida. From every vow. Every promise. You’re free.”
The words settle over her like a warm tide. Something inside her loosens. Something deep and ancient. A release of magic she didn’t know she was holding back.