“Speak, Mei.”
“Speak, Mei.” They both say at the same time.
I lunge before I can think better of it and spear my trident into Mei.
Her mouth opens and red blood fountains up, pouring out of her mouth.
“REED! WHAT DID YOU DO!” Lirin screams.
I do not look away from this fake Mei. I know this isn’t my omega. My omega…is she mine? Not yet, but she will be. Wait…just wait a minute. Is Mei my scent match? I glance to the side and see the satisfied smile on her lips.
There’s not even a flicker of doubt in my mind, but I can feel the others aren’t so certain.
The Mei on my trident collapses, and I lower her to the road, watching as she dies.
It suddenly changes shape, and we see a grizzled old woman who is covered in wrinkles. As we watch, she turns to dust and disappears.
“How did you know?” Mei asks as she leans into my arms.
“Because you are a song I would always know.”
And that’s that.
Mei is mine.
I pull her into my arms and kiss her hard.
“Home. We’re going home,” I snarl. “I am done with this place.”
Chapter 30
Mei
Reed sets me on the side of the pool and sinks below the surface. For a moment, I think I’ll stay on the side where it’s safe, but I trust him to be there, so I push off, sinking into the cold water, and like I predict, his hands slide over my hips, dragging me to his chest as we rise out of the water.
He spins us around and around, then laughs.
The sound is like pure music.
I wrap my arms around his neck and bury my face in his neck and shoulder.
“Thank you for knowing it was me,” I say softly. I’m still not sure how he knew, but there’s a spot in my chest that is light and warm because of what he did.
His hands stroke my back in soothing circles.
“Of course, I would know it’s you.”
Lirin fake coughs. “I knew, too.”
I muffle a laugh into Reed's shoulder.
“Sure, you did,” Reed growls.
Lirin slides into the water. I hear the softest splash, and then he’s pressed against my back, his mouth trailing down the side of my neck. He pulls at my clothes, exposing more skin.
There is nothing rushed or urgent, it’s just a soft, teasing touch, one that starts a warmth in my belly. Not a fire, no, this is moderated, controlled, a heat that comes like the tides.
“Come on, out now. Food’s ready.”
