pick up the nets of fish with the others. She spotted Vala tying the nets around his waist with some of the other young men near clusters of coral. She glided over toward him to join him on the other side of the coral, but when she arrived, he was gone. He was just here, she thought. In an instant, he was behind her. She swung around, finding him hovering there. "How did you get here so...You know, don't you?" she said.
"Yes," he replied. "How could I have stayed by your side without knowing?" It was no longer a game for them; it was part of what they would need to know to survive. She smiled at him, and the two glided with the rest of the group toward their own coral forest.
Willow was pleased that Vala could travel with her that way. She knew it had started to concern him, but she hadn't known how to address it until she spent time with the ancients in the cave. They revealed to her that Vala would develop in his own way in his own time and that there would be strengths that not even she would be aware of until they surfaced.
They had explained to her that Vala also was from a strong ancient bloodline, and it would take the both of them to overcome the struggles they would face. Something else they shared with her that she could not understand yet was that between the two, there would grow two. She had asked them to explain, but they told her the day would come that it would become clear. So Willow stored it in her warehouse of thoughts for another time. She knew that when she was to understand the full message, it would all make sense.
22
Willow and Vala grew closer with each passing day, yet there were days Willow would disappear for long periods, and he did not know where she was and didn't want to ask when she returned. He was aware she was preparing for her place in the Sea Kingdom. He could only imagine what that would entail. Many times when she was away, so was Morven or Ellura. He assumed they were together, sharing more of the secrets Morven wanted to pass to Willow before her transition.
Everyone knew it would not be long before Morven would retreat to the depths of the cave of the ancients, never to return again, and then Willow would take her place as the Goddess of the Sea. Still, there were things that needed to be done before that day. Vala knew more than anyone why they stayed away so long. Willow was studying the ways of the ancients, and it was apparent that Morven weakened as Willow strengthened. There would be times the two would glide into the open waters with her friend Llyr to places the rest could only speculate about. None would dare travel in the open waters without a group of Delfins, but Llyr was the God of the Sea, the ancient of the Delfin Clan, and the leader of all Delfins. No one feared when Morven and Willow were out there with Llyr.
One day, as Willow and Morven set out to the open waters with Llyr, Vala remained at the edge of the coral forest near the caves, where he and Willow often sat. He was alone and reflecting on all that had happened in what seemed to be such a short time. Willow had been among the water people for only two fish migrations. A mirgration of fish to the warmer waters happened only once a year. It had not been that long since he had been by her side when she first entered into the endless waters.
Vala reflected on the time when she couldn't see anything and had no control of her movements. Hidden in the darkness of the waters, he had reached out and touched her arm, and it had comforted her, though she could not see him. Then he remembered when she had watched him from the edge of the forest, thinking he hadn't seen her. Vala had glided behind her, and they had become entangled in her long, golden hair, forcing them so close he could feel her breathe. He could have found her anywhere then, but now he needed to leave her alone with her teachers.
Vala still had a curious side. He wanted to know what they were doing out in the open waters. He wanted to experience what she was experiencing. He wanted to share it all with her. He saw Llyr in the distance with Willow, and he wondered where Morven was. He couldn't see her anywhere. Maybe she had glided past him without him seeing her. He watched as Willow and Llyr ventured out further and further into the open waters. He could hardly stand it any longer. What would be the harm if I stayed close, but out of sight, to watch what Llyr was teaching Willow? He thought. It would only help me to understand her better.
Vala was not even aware that he was advancing out into the open waters and the protection of the coral was disappearing behind him. Soon there would be no protection, and he would be vulnerable to the dangers that lurked there without the guidance of the Delfin Clan. He tried to follow closely, but not so close that he disturbed the waters, for he knew Willow would detect the movements. She was mastering the feeling of the waters as well as the sights and smells. She could detect when a migration of fish was approaching; she would even know when the giant shell clans were about to gather sand for their pearls. Day by day she became more aware of her environment, and she would need that to protect herself and the creatures of the sea.
Vala knew Willow would detect any sudden glide or movement he'd make, and she would be aware he was near. And if she did not notice, he wondered if Llyr would. He was the God of the Sea and the ancient of the Delfin Clan. Who would know the open waters better?
At times Vala felt they were moving too fast for him to keep up, yet he did not want to move any faster, for fear of being noticed. Ahead there was a large outcrop of rocks as well as small caves, and Willow and Llyr disappeared behind them. At first he thought Willow knew he was close and was going to surprise him as she had done in the past. He remained in the distance for a while, and nothing happened. He was afraid he would lose them if he remained where he was. He slowly glided forward to the rock outcrop and hovered near the small caves. He inched his way around the rocks, clinging onto each one, then poked his head forward just enough to see what was ahead without giving himself away. Rock by rock, he moved, yet there was no Willow or Llyr. He continued around to the other side—still nothing. He stood very still for a moment, hoping to hear her or see a stirring in the water, giving her position away. But nothing happened. He clung to one of the rocks for a little longer, hoping they would reappear.
The open waters were cooler than those of the coral forest, yet the water seemed to be getting warmer as he continued out into the open sea. Not only was it getting warmer, but it had a strange smell. It smelled like dying fish to him. Vala's whole body became rigid. He sensed danger; yes, it was danger he was feeling. He thought for a moment. I'd better return to the safety of the coral forest.
As he swung himself around to begin his glide home, he was face-to-face with Adaro. The Great Sea Beast's breath was strong with the odor of death, and Vala could feel it against his entire body. He froze. There he was, in front of the most dreaded of all the beasts of the sea, and there was nowhere to go. His fear overpowered him, and he could not think rationally. He couldn't remember a single thing Morven had taught him, nor did he know where to turn. His fear only intensified as the giant, black beast slowly came closer. There was no place to hide or escape to. Not only did his fear mount, but he also felt foolish for having wandered out into the open waters alone.
Adaro glared at Vala, and then he realized this was the one the sea creatures whispered about that would someday be Willow's mate. What a great catch he will make! Adaro knew Vala's fear would call Willow to the open waters, and he would finally have his chance to destroy her before she could receive the final power from Morven. He would finally rule the seas, with Willow's power becoming his once he devoured her. He hovered over Vala, securing the ripples of fear that emanated from him. It would be only moments until Willow would come to his rescue, and she would be his.
Adaro was so busy looking for Willow to approach, he didn't notice Vala trying to make a run for it through the open waters toward the coral forest. Vala had speed far beyond any of the water people Adaro had ever encountered, yet he would be no match for the ancient sea beast. Vala noticed an outcrop of coral ahead and thought, If only I can make it there and hide from the sea beast, just maybe he will give up his pursuit. Little did he know that Adaro had waited too long for the opportunity to snare the fu
ture Goddess of the Sea and all her powers to give up on the chase.
The powers Morven taught Vala about the movements within the sea were an advantage and briefly kept him out of the mighty jaws of Adaro, but he feared he would not be able to escape. He had to try; there was too much at stake for the future of the Sea Kingdom if he were to perish to the land of the ancients. He sped his glide, determined to bring himself within the safety of the coral. Maybe he would be able to think of something, if he could just make it.
Vala could not outsmart this mighty beast, and he could feel Adaro's breath so close he knew it would be any moment. Fear ripped through every part of his body, sending shockwaves through the open waters like a fierce storm. Sea creatures came out of their resting places and rushed to try to distract the sea beast from Vala. But it was to no avail; Adaro continued his pursuit.
Suddenly, there was a shattering call across the ripples of water. It was Willow, speaking the language of the ancients loud enough for all creatures to hear, especially Adaro. He came to an immediate halt. Willow was above him. He braced his mighty body to prepare to