I take a moment to consider her question. Am I adjusting well? I look around at the lively restaurant, the fantastical creatures around me, the delicious pizza before me, and the charming Kraken beside me. I think of the warmth and acceptance I’ve felt here, and the sense of belonging that’s slowly but surely seeping in.
And I know my answer.
“I’m taking one day at a time,” I respond, squeezing Zethe’s hand and smiling. “Zethe has taken good care of me, and has been making sure that I’m not having any health complications. So far, so good.”
Zoe raises an eyebrow at that, and her eyes dart to Zethe, who is sitting beside me. He curls a tentacle around me, pressing me closer to him, as he offers her a nod. Makes me wonder why he’s been quiet so far—just listening and observing—but I want to assume he wants to give me time to calm Zoe’s concerns.
“Zethe, huh?” Zoe’s lips curve into a smirk. “Never thought he’d be the one to play tour guide.”
I shrug, and struggle to hold back a smile. “He’s been very helpful. Showed me all the important places around the resort, introduced me to some of the other monsters… he’s been really nice.”
Zoe’s smirk softens into a genuine smile. “I’m glad to hear that. He’s one of our best lifeguards. Very responsible.”
My heart swells at her praise for Zethe. I feel a warm flush creep onto my cheeks, and I cast a glance at him. He’s staring at me, his gaze soft.
“So how did the two of you meet?” I ask, my fingers tracing the condensation on the glass of my fruity drink. I cast a glancebetween her and the emerald Naga next to her; they were sharing the same large booth cushion that took up the entire corner. “You two seem close.”
“Sage and I are… well, we are fated mates,” she confesses, her voice just a whisper above the hum of the restaurant.
A gasp parts my lips. I blink at her, my brain struggling to catch up. Zoe and Sage… fated mates?
I’m struck dumb, staring at Zoe and Sage by how they interact with each other, the subtle glances they share when they think no one’s looking.
I look over at Zethe, and I see a similar dynamic between us.
He’s been there for me, protective and caring, ever since we met. The way he held my hand earlier, the way he reassured me when I was nervous.
Zoe’s gaze finds mine across the table. She clears her throat, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her brown eyes unusually soft.
She nods, a faint smile curving her lips as she continues. “I first knew when I bumped into him on the way to a job interview. I’d slept through Eli’s knocks when he came to get me… and when I saw Sage, everything just… clicked.”
Her smile widens, and she claps her hands together.
“Once I scored the job, I decided to dive in headfirst and accept my bond with Sage. We’ve been living together ever since, working in different departments in the resort. It allows us to maintain our independence and avoid any… inappropriate situations at work.”
“Has Zethe mentioned fated mates to you?” Sage, the emerald Naga gardener, asks, interrupting his silent contemplation of his own pizza slice.
“Yes.” I nod to them both. “He told me as soon as I woke up that I was his fated mate, and we’ve talked about what that means and our connection.”
Sage glances at Zoe, his gaze thoughtful. “I only ask because I know how difficult it can be to reconcile the human understanding of relationships with the deep, instinctual bond that fated mates share. It’s not something that’s easily explained, and it can be overwhelming.”
I look at Zethe, his dark eyes meeting mine. I feel a reassuring squeeze from his hand, his rough skin contrasting with my own. “Zethe has been very patient with me. He’s been understanding and has not rushed me into anything.”
Zoe speaks up then, her voice soft. “It’s a big decision, Rey. Nobody expects you to make it overnight. Just know that we’re here to support you, however this plays out. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have, whenever.”
I smile, appreciating their concern. “I know. And I appreciate it. I think I’m in a good place right now, and I’m willing to see where this leads.”
“But would you be happy, Zethe?” Sage presses, his gaze fixed on my kraken lifeguard. “You love the water. Would you be content working on land?”
For a moment, Zethe’s gaze flickers to me, his tentacles tightening around my hand. “I would do anything to make Rey happy,” he says firmly. “And if that means finding a job on land, then I’ll do it.”
I feel a tight knot of worry start to form in my stomach as I think about the implications of what Sage is saying. I know Zethe loves his job as a lifeguard here at the resort, loves being able to help people.
Would he be happy working somewhere else, somewhere on land?
I take a deep breath, ready to voice my concerns, but Zethe beats me to it. “I’m aware that it would be a unique situation,” he says, his voice steady. “But I believe that Rey and I are capableof handling it. Besides, this resort is large enough that we could separate our professional and personal lives.”
“I… I hadn’t really thought about it,” I admit, my voice sounding small even to my own ears. “But you’re right. It’s something we should talk about.”
