Marielle lives on the isle of Ryda. She is of the Mer people, the descendants of mermaids as told in the Great Book of knowledge. Marielle is the daughter of the priestess, the holder of all their ancient wisdom. And one day her time would come. She will also be teacher to all who would learn.

Marielle longs to explore the world. She is an adventuress and every time she looks across the waters to see the distant land, she longs to go there. It’s almost like a compulsion, this need to see what is there. One day she followed her heart and went on a long swim.

Marielle saw a tribe of people unlike any she had ever seen. She thought they were nice but finds out, all is not, as it seems. The chief held her captive with plans to mate with her. Marielle’s plan of escape was a very dangerous one the other choice was unacceptable. She had to swim the dark mutant-infested waters to the other island.

Marielle was almost to shore but a mutant garbi was closing in on her fast. Just as she was about to get out she slipped and started falling back towards the garbi. Then, at the last minute, a hand reached out, plucking her right out of the water. As Marielle looked up she saw the face of her dream lover. The one so different in color as well as spirit, to her people, the real reason she had come on this journey; to find her true mate.

Matt looked into the most beautiful face he had ever seen. “Am I dreaming”, he asked himself. Were there human life forms already living above ground? Had he been right in thinking that the radiation had cleared and humans could once again live there? How long has this beautiful woman been able to breathe fresh air and watch the sunset? He had so many questions, very important questions, but for now all he could think about was her lips and how soft she felt in his arms. He wanted to run his hands all over her; just to be sure she was real.

Matt now knew he was right the radiation was gone. He should tell his people the news, but all he wants to do is find out this beautiful woman’s name. He had been drawn to the surface, he thought now maybe she was the true reason. He knew he had to find a way to make her his.

This type of story isn’t one I think would be easy to write. Helping a reader to visualize the world a writer creates isn’t the easiest thing to do. Even more so when the story is telling about a completely different world from our reality. Ms. Nour’s descriptions of the animal life and the human and mutant life forms give us a great view of this world she has created. The love story is in some ways an old tale. Matt isn’t sure his people will accept Marielle since she has some mutant traits. Will Matt and Marielle survive the hatred as well as the dangerous mutant humanoids and animals? I think you will enjoy this story. I know I did very much. Myra Nour is a very talented writer and I think we will be buying her stories for a long time.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Diane T.
November 28, 2003