Isn’t this the confirmation I needed? He wouldn’t send an entire pirate crew to their deaths over a casual lover. How could I ever think he would abandon me?
It’s amazing how another brush with death can make everything seem clear.
“Your anger with me is misplaced,” I say softly, taking a tentative step closer to the beach. “I have no knowledge of what the merman did.”
His sword trembles in his grip. The sun glints off the deadly sharp blade. The blue water glimmers in the corner of my eye. So close and yet so far.
“You should be dead,” he spits at me. “No matter. I’ll sacrifice you myself. Gut you and throw you into the sea.”
I scream as he jumps forward. I dodge just in time. The blade slices through the bodice of my dress, cutting through the padding of my corset. His dark eyes dance with madness. My slippers slide on the sand as I jump back. The sand cushions my back as I fall to the ground.
The pirate rights himself, gripping the sword in his hands and bringing it back. This blow will be more precise, and I won’t be able to withstand it. I can’t crawl fast enough to avoid the strike. I lift my hands, the only rudimentary shield I have.
I brace myself for the deathblow. Closing my eyes, I let the salty air and warm sun wash over me. My last moments alive, and just like before, I’m leaving this world with an insurmountable amount of regrets. I see Qurill’s face in my mind, and I reach for it. He’ll be waiting for me in the next life. I know it.
As the moments tick by, my death doesn’t come. The sound of choking makes me blink my eyes open. They take a moment to adjust in the blinding sun. Once clear, I register the gruesome sight before me.
The pirate’s hands hang limply at his side. His sword falls to the sand with a thud. Crimson pours from his stomach as a blue-scaled hand emerges covered in gore. Blood trails down his gasping mouth. Bile rushes up my throat at the sight, but I swallow it down.
Qurill is here.
Blue eyes rage as he growls down at the man in his grip. He bares his teeth at the pirate, and the man whimpers.
“It was a mistake coming after her,” Qurill spits. “One you will pay for with your life. Just as your captain and the rest of your crew did.”
In a flash, Qurill drags the man towards the water. The two of them disappear into the depths. Finally aware of my body, I lurch up from the ground, my mind racing with all that’s just happened.
I nearly died. Qurill has come back to me. I nearly died, and Qurill saved me yet again. He didn’t abandon me. If I didn’t think I could leave him before, I definitely cannot now. I rush towards the water. Waves wash over my slippers and soak the bottom half of my dress.
Calling out to my merman, I scan the horizon for any sign of him.
Finally, I see his familiar face breaking through the water. He is alone as he makes his way towards me. The pirate never emerges—another one of my enemies dealt with by the male I love. Desire for him pounds within me. The ache between my thighs is renewed the closer he gets.
I don’t realize how much I’m shaking until Qurill reaches me and folds me into his strong arms. His large palms skim up and down my back as I burrow my face in his chest. His scent of sandalwood and citrus calms me. It is a balm to my fragile nerves. Tears pour down my cheeks as the weight of everything hits me.
Qurill hushes me softly, skimming his fingers through my hair. He places a soft kiss atop my head, tucking me under his chin.
“I’m so sorry, Astryd. I should’ve ensured they were all dead before I left you here.”
I shake my head, pulling back to meet his eyes.
“You saved me,” I whisper in awe. “Again.”
A slight smile curves his lips.
“Always,” he vows. “Even if you do not want me, I’ll always be close by. Making sure you're safe.”
My grip on him tightens, pulling our bodies flush together. There’s no time for hesitating. Was this not a sign from the universe? Seems like I would be an even bigger fool to ignore a second brush with death. No more denials, no more half-truths. There is only space for truth in my life. No matter how scary it seems.
“Qurill, I do want you. I was coming back to the water to call out to you.” My fingers skim up his naked torso. “To confess that I more than want you. I—I love you.”
Qurill sucks in a shaky breath. I press on, afraid that if I stop, I’ll lose my nerve.
“It was my mind telling me to leave you. I was afraid. I have been alone for so long—relying solely on myself—that I’ve forgotten what it means to trust someone. To have someone look out for you and make you a priority. I thought true happiness was peaceful solidarity. But you’ve shown me there’s more to life. Why would I choose to live on the land when my heart already resides below the waves with you?”
Fresh tears skim down my cheeks. Qurill takes both thumbs and smooths them away.
“I love you too, Astryd. I’ll love you forever.” My heart is so full it feels as if it may burst. “My father fell for my mother in the same way. I did not need days or months to reach the conclusion I did the moment I met you. You are mine. Now and forever. My feelings for you will never wane—will only grow deeper the longer we spend together.”
