"Getting some breakfast?" I called.
Kamari's fin stopped when he heard my voice, then he leapt out of the water and landed as a man in the shallows. I wagged my tail as he ran up to me, then I shifted and hugged him.
"I was scared you ran off," I said.
"Ran off?" Kamari raised a brow. "Please. Since we're fated matesandyou knocked me up, you're pretty much stuck with me now." He flicked my arm teasingly.
I grinned, stupidly happy. Having a fated mate really was the most amazing feeling, and I was even more glad to hear Kamari say he wasn't going anywhere.
"What's with all the fish?" I asked.
"I'm an orca, in case you forgot," Kamari said. "Big animal form means big appetite."
"Wow, pretty sexy."
He snorted and grabbed a hefty fish, dropping it in my hands. "Here. Even if it's not stormy anymore, you'll need your strength to swim back to the coast."
"Thanks."
Even though I could've eaten it in human form, it was easier to--excuse the pun--wolf it down in my animal form. When I was full, I sat back and watched Kamari slip fish down his throat while trying to reign in my mind from thinking dirty thoughts.
But there was an odd expression on his face. Not obvious at first, but I saw it in the wrinkles in the corners of his eyes, the tautness of his mouth, and the way he stared unblinking out into the waters.
"What's up?" I asked.
He turned to me as if startled. Now I really knew something was bothering him.
Kamari hesitated like he was about to lie, then sighed and smoothed back his pale hair. "You know that feeling when a storm's about to break but it hasn't quite happened yet?"
I glanced up at the blue sky, puzzled. "I don't think it's going to storm today."
"I don't mean literally. Just the sensation of it."
"Yeah, I do. Why?"
Kamari exhaled through his nostrils. "I feel like something bad is going to happen, Zak."
Frowning, I went to sit closer to him. I put my arm around his waist. Was he still on edge after everything that happened? I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. Besides, being pregnant must've been anxiety-inducing on its own, even though Kamari wouldn't give birth for months.
"I'm here," I said softly, hoping to be of comfort.
Kamari smiled thinly. "Thanks. I appreciate it." His gaze slid down to our hands, side by side in the sand. He linked his fingers with mine. "It's good to know that whatever happens, we'll face it together."
I nuzzled my cheek against his. "Of course. But how about we try to look on the bright side? Look, the sky's clear, the waters are calm, the--wait. What is that?"
In the sky, there was a thin winged shape careening towards us. At first I thought it was a gull or some other bird distorted by the distance but as it got closer I recognized it was distinctly man-shaped. A harpy.
"Is that Mistral?" I blurted out.
Kamari sharply raised his face. His face drained of color. He shot to his feet and I followed suit, instantly alert.
The air spirit's movements were jerky and frantic. His blue hair and off-white feathers were both ruffled, and as he drew close enough to see his face properly, I even saw sweat trickling down his brow. I didn't know spiritscouldsweat.
Mistral flared out his wings and clawed at the sand with his talons, making a messy landing. He gasped. "Zak, Kamari."
"Mistral, what's wrong?" Kamari demanded. His expression was tense, like he already had an idea of what Mistral was going to say.
"Where's Nautilus?" Mistral asked, glancing around wildly.
