“Okay, I’ll do it. But I’m not going naked.” I pull my shirt over my head, then wiggle out of my shorts, leaving my bra and underwear on.
The water’s gonna be freezing, but this feels important. I have the sense I’m standing on the edge of something big, something that will flip my world upside down. Like the feeling you get on a rollercoaster just before the drop.
“Come.” Caspian takes my hand, and soon we’re running down the beach toward the waves, laughing as we kick up sun-warmed sand.
His delight as we hit the water pummels into my chest through the bond as strong as any of the waves we wade through. It feels like nostalgia and homecoming, like comfort and peace.
Caspian rushes past the breakpoint as if he’s trying to get to something, and he’s worried he won’t make it in time. His hand slips out of mine as he dives over a wave.
And doesn’t come up.
Another wave nearly knocks me over, but then I’m past it, treading water, searching for my mate. My pulse hammers with each second he doesn’t surface.
“Caspian?”
No answer.
“Caspian!”
Something brushes against my leg, and I jerk away with a scream. Still, Caspian doesn’t surface. Is he down there? Was that him I felt? Is he stuck? Passed out? Shit. I need to find him.
Dunking under the water, Ikeep my eyes open to search, despite the way the salt water stings. This far out, it's clear enough to see coral and schools of fish, but no Caspian.
I’m about to spin around to look the other way, when a hand grasps my ankle, and I’m pulled deeper, spun until I’m in Caspian’s arms. He’s smiling. A beautiful smile. Not drowning. Not hurt.
He’s happy.
I point up, kicking to reach the surface. My foot brushes something smoother and harder than skin, and I look down.
What the fuck?!
Caspian’s legs are gone, replaced by a stunning tail of shimmering rainbow scales. I gasp, and water floods my airways.
The saltwater burns my nose and throat as I inhale, the sensation of suffocation instant and terrifying.
Caspian’s panic spikes through the bond as he pulls me to the surface, faster than I could ever swim myself. When we break the waterline, I sputter and cough, dragging in big lungfuls of fresh air, spitting out water until I’ve recovered.
His arms stay around my waist, lifting me as his tail works in smooth strokes to keep us high above the water. So much strength.
“I’m so sorry, starfish. I thought… I didn’t…” He studies me, distraught with worry.
“It’s okay,” I soothe, kissing his cheek. “I was just surprised.”
“I didn’t realize humans need air so quickly. I thought…” He shakes his head. “I don’t know what I thought.”
“Yeah, we can’t go long without breathing.” There’s atouch of humor in my words that has him smiling again, a small one this time. I’m actually surprised I was able to look for him so long without coming up for air or my lungs burning. I’ve always been a strong swimmer, but have never had the lung capacity for free diving. Today, I didn’t feel desperate for air until I foolishly tried to scream underwater.
“Will you forgive me?” Caspian asks, serious now. “Next time, I will be more prepared. More careful to give you what you need.”
“Next time.” I glance down at where his firm abs turn to smooth scales. “Right. Because… I’m bonded to a merman.”
15
My mate surprises me with her calm. There is no panic or fear in the bond now that she’s above water, nor any disgust. She radiates wonder and pure awe. Her legs wrap around my body slowly, bare feet sliding along my scales, and sending a shudder of pleasure through me. I didn’t realize how good it would feel to have my mate touch this part of me. My cock hardens inside of its sheath, wanting to protrude and sink into something better.
I breathe deeply to control myself, but the ocean air mixing with my mate’s scent of tropical fruit and something else intoxicating that I can’t identify only makes matters worse.
“Come swim with me?” I need a distraction or we’ll end up too entwined to appreciate the sea together. I want her to see this part of me. “Let me show you my world.”
