With a sigh, Alba dropped her head down in despair and let her forehead clonk against the table a couple of times. She was trying to figure out how to decipher the treasure map but was getting nowhere. There just wasn't enough on the paper to read. Just a few scattered blobs and a dotted ridge in the middle. It could be anywhere. She needed some landmarks or directions to base their search on.

Her wallowing in pity was disturbed by a light puff against her shoulder. A cold scaly nose demanded her attention.

Alba looked up and peered at the lizard who trampled all over the map that laid unfolded on the captain's table. "Ignacio," she said. "You're not helping by putting your dirty paws all over."

A pattern of claw marks revealed where the iguana had just stepped. Ignacio now posed regally in the middle of the map, covering the blobs and lines with his body. Alba tried to gently push him away with her hand but the lizard wouldn't budge. She sighed again.

The sails would be ready the next day, and after that they should ideally leave the port as soon as possible. Their doubloons to pay for food and board were running out. But the question of where exactly they should set sail remained. Alba needed to somehow read the map to find the answer. The men were expecting their captain, in fearsome lizard form, to give them the directions to their next destination. Which, of course, put the responsibility of solving the riddle on Alba's shoulders.

But the map stubbornly refused to reveal its secrets to her. And her mind kept drifting towards a certain beautiful aquatic creature.

Perhaps a change of scenery would help.

***

Alba definitely wasn't on the beach because of Mirabel. She definitely wasn't hoping to see another glimpse of a shimmering tail grazing the surface. She definitely wasn't longing for another kiss from pearly lips.

But yet, she was on the beach, with her lizard bodyguard by her side. Ignacio happily skittered across the sand in search of bugs, leaving wavy trails from his tail behind, while Alba had spread out the map on top of the sand. Hopefully, the new surroundings would put the document in a different light.

Although her gaze kept peeking up from the map, towards the alluring waves beyond. She couldn't help it.

With a sigh, Alba got up. Staring at the map was getting her nowhere. It wasn't like new shapes would suddenly appear if looked at it hard enough. She needed to clear her mind somehow, to perhaps get new ideas.

She rolled up the map and put it in the bottle it came in. "You watch it, Ignacio," she ordered the iguana. Talking to the animal had become a habit for her, and often it seemed like he actually listened and obeyed. Or maybe she was just imagining things.

Judging from the fact that the giant lizard placed himself on top of the bottle and dutifully stayed behind while Alba made her way towards the water, there might be something to it. He was quite a sight, perched like a dragon prepared to defend its treasure.

While walking down towards the waterline Alba threw off her loose linen blouse. It landed behind her, on top of the iguana, who with an insulted look shook the item of clothing off. "Sorry Ignacio," she chuckled while reaching down to remove her sturdy boots. Then she unstrapped her belt to let her trousers fall. A perk of pirate life was that no one looked twice at a woman wearing britches. Skirts were not practical for scaling masts or hauling ropes.

Dressed in nothing but her undergarments, Alba walked out in the water. She let the waves wash over her body and calm her mind. The sand felt soft underneath her soles, not a trace of sharp seashells or jagged stones. A shudder went through her as the water reached her belly. She let her body accustom itself to the cold embrace before she leaned into it. The water welcomed her. It held her. It became part of her.

Alba closed her eyes and sunk down below. Fully emerged in the trustworthy ocean. It had always been there for her. The ocean was her friend. It was her mother and father. When no one else took care of her the ocean always did. It gave her fish to eat and material to build a shelter. Driftwood had become walls and shredded sailcloth had become the roof for the small hut that she had called her home back in San Carlos.

But that was all before she met Captain Ignacio. He had given her an opportunity to not just survive but actually thrive on the ocean. To have goals and dreams. To be someone.

Alba lingered under the water for a moment and held her breath while she peered at the distorted world that lived below. Sunlight broke through the surface and splintered into a kaleidoscope of hues and shapes.

With a blink, it was all gone. Alba closed her eyes and became one with the ocean. If she was the ocean how would she figure out this map? Because somewhere out there was the treasure. An isle among the endless waves held the spot she searched for. If only she could call on it through the network of endless velvety tides.

As Alba rose to the surface she felt a presence inching closer. Suddenly the water around her felt still as if someone lingered right in front of her. Not wanting to break the illusion Alba kept her eyes closed. The presence was still there. And small signs told her it was real. A stroke of her hand that continued upwards to her neck. Light as the tentacles of a sea anemone moving in the currents. A press against her chest. Subtle but constant like the rhythm of the tides. A peck on her lips. Sweet and precious like a rare pink pearl.

Alba knew it was real now, and she embraced it. Her lips moved against another pair of lips. The movement created ripples through her entire body, like a water drop hitting the surface. Rings reverberating endlessly across calm water.

"Mirabel," she mumbled and slowly opened her eyes. The eyes that met her were the color of the ocean. Not blue, because any sailor knew the ocean wasn't always blue, but rather deep and in constant flux.

"Alba," the mermaid replied with a knowing smile. It seemed as if Mirabel knew all the mysteries of what lay beneath the surface.

A moment of quiet followed. Alba hesitated to speak. Overwhelmed by beauty and emotion.

"I thought you only kissed me before to put the spell on me," she finally stuttered. "I didn't think you actually cared for me."

Mirabel threw herself back in the water with a laugh. Her laughter sounded like water drops against glass, clear and pure. "Is that what you think?" she said.

"That's how it seemed. You just left afterward."

"Why do you think I put the spell on you? I wouldn't have done that if I didn't care. You said the stupid men didn't listen to you, and I knew a way to make them do so. The kiss wasn't even necessary, I could have done it just by touching your arm."

Alba didn't know what to reply, so she just looked down in the whirling dark waters while her cheeks blushed red.

"I'm not supposed to meddle in human matters," Mirabel continued. "So I had to leave right after the spell took effect. Otherwise, I could get in trouble. But I followed you. I couldn't keep away. Not because of the spell, but... because of you."

Underneath the all-knowing smile laid an uncertainty. Perhaps Mirabel didn't know it all. Perhaps she was just finding her way in the world just like everyone else. Her world was just different than Alba's world.

"Thank you," Alba said. "For the spell, and for the... kisses."

"I knew you would figure how to use my gift. I could see the clever spirit in your eyes."

Alba sighed once again. "I'm not that clever. If I was I would be able to figure out the damn map that came with the iguana."

She threw a look towards the beach where Ignacio still sat perched on top of the bottle. He really was the most reliable pet. And probably very jealous at the moment that Mirabel hogged all of Alba's attention while he was forced to stay behind.

Mirabel traced her hand through Alba's braids. The touch created a trail of tingles all over her skin. "The answer might be right in front of you," she said. "Don't just look at the map, look around you for clues. If anyone can solve that riddle, it's you. I know it."

Their lips locked again. Slow tastes that searched deeper and deeper. A forked tongue soon met Alba's in circular motions.

Who knew mermaids had forked tongues? Well, now Alba knew, and she was happy to retain the knowledge.

A low hymn suddenly reverberated through the water. One single note that traveled on the waves to spread its message.

"I have to go," Mirabel whispered in a rushed tone. Her eyes were neither all-knowing nor uncertain anymore, but scared.

Before Alba could answer, the mermaid was gone. Washed away like a leaf by the currents.

But she left Alba with the knowledge that what she had experienced was real. Mysterious, overwhelming, and weird, but still real.

With that knowledge, she made her way to shore and was greeted by a perturbed Ignacio who wagged his tail back and forth in jerky motions. This must be lizard-speak for "Where the hell have you been, young lady?".

Alba picked up her blouse and pulled it over her wet undergarments. In that way, she looked decently proper at least. She pulled the map out of the bottle again with a sigh. Time to get to work again.

A scaly lizard nose demanded her attention as she surveyed the document once again. There was still something missing. Colors, lines, shapes. A landscape on where to put the blueprint she held.

Absentmindedly she petted Ignacio on his back. As the lizard let out a satisfied low wheeze she looked over towards him. "You like that, don't you?" she said.

As her eyes traced the colorful scales of the iguana, she suddenly found the answer to the riddle. Of course. The missing piece had been there all along, right in front of her eyes. Just like Mirabel said.