“Gray! Come put your feet in the water, it’s lovely!” he says as he pats the spot next to him.
I look at Mal. He nods his permission, so I make my way over to Lello. The kelpie frowns at Mal as if he doesn’t like him, but he swiftly turns his attention to me and his smile returns.
I drop down to the ground and pull my shoes and socks off. Then I wriggle forward and lower my feet into the salty water. The coldness makes me grimace. Lello giggles. Easy for him, he is a water creature. It won’t feel cold to him.
I peer into the clear depths of the pool. I can see a small figure huddled at the bottom. The person who dived in as Mal and I approached.
“That’s Blue,” says Lello. “Do you remember him?”
I shake my head.
“That’s okay, I don’t think he came into your room much. He is very scared.”
I stare down at Blue. Is he okay down there?
“He is a siren, and he likes to hide at the bottom of the swimming pool. He probably won’t come up while Mal is here, but I hope you get to meet him soon”
I nod, and it seems to satisfy Lello. I glance back at Mal. He has settled himself in one of the oddly shaped half-chair, half-bed things, and is tilting his face up towards the sun. The sight makes me happy. I like that he enjoys the sun as much as I do, and I really like that he is allowing me to spend some time with Lello out under this wonderful sky.
I take a deep breath and drink it all in. The sky. The light of the summer sun. The warmth. The smells. The sound of the breeze in the trees and the gentle lapping of the water.
Coldness against my feet. Summer heat against the rest of me. This is bliss. It has to be what heaven feels like.
Lello smiles at me. “You like it out here?”
I almost nod but I catch myself just in time. The little kelpie seems harmless enough but I know appearances can be deceiving. Never again will I give away information that can be used against me.
I shrug instead and do my best to act as if I don’t care about anything. Lello’s kind eyes seem to understand far too much, but he says nothing. He will keep my secrets. For now.
“I’m sorry Carter scared you the other day,” he says.
I blink at him. Oh, he must be talking about his mate.
“He used to be an enforcer and his warrior instincts are still strong. He is lovely when you get to know him.” The kelpie’s eyes are all dreamy and soft.
It must be nice to be in love. Even if it is powered by mating-magic. That feeling of the world being wonderful and the future full of promise. I’ll never get to experience it again. It makes me almost wistful. But I’m glad Lello is happy. His mate isn’t beating him, as far as I can tell. And he is certainly protecting him. That’s good enough in this dark and twisted world.
Suddenly, Lello takes my hand and holds it. The warmth of it is startling. The steady pulse of a living being touching me with no malice, no purpose. Touch just for the pleasure of it. Goldencompanionship. It is so achingly familiar. I think I had friends once. I wish I could remember them.
I shudder. No, I take that back. Some things are best left buried. If I had friends, they must be long dead by now. Or they betrayed me. Their absence can mean nothing else. I’d rather have a vague warm feeling than memories that would hurt.
“Tell me about Mal,” says Lello brightly. His eyes glowing with curiosity.
Tell him about Mal? I don’t know how to answer that. I know next to nothing about the man. Save that he is handsome, has a fantastic cock and is as dangerous as hell.
I don’t think Lello wishes to be told any of that. Besides, he can probably discern it for himself. And talking is difficult. Putting my thoughts into words and then getting my throat to form the sounds? I’m very much out of practice. Mal doesn’t seem to mind that I barely talk. So I guess it is a thing that is not changing anytime soon.
I look at the kelpie and give him another shrug.
He squeezes my hand and doesn’t seem to mind my lack of an answer.
“Are you happy?” he asks.
I nod. That’s an easy question. I don’t trust Mal, but he treats me well, and this is easily the happiest I’ve been in what feels like forever.
Lello gives my hand another squeeze, and he doesn’t let go. I turn my head to look over the water so he doesn’t see me blink my tears away.
I’m not in love, but I’m starting to feel a flickering hope that the future holds promise. And that is terrifying. I know all too well how cruelly hopes can be dashed.
