“Yes.I know your bloodlines from our people and have seen the ones from yours.You are a precise fusion of all four.”He leaned up on one elbow.
“Four?”
“Two elite lines, one omega line, and something strong, like cool mint and ozone.”
Vine piped up.“That’s the magic.Her magic specifically.Mine tastes like blue raspberry.”
Meeda smiled and sighed as she rolled her shoulders.“Great.Now I am hungry again.See ya.”
She walked off the deck, and Akervel moved to block her.“Miss, please allow me to offer myself once again.”
“Why?”
“What?”
“Why should I drink from you?The first time you saw me, you took off.I felt my soul break in that moment.The second time, you tried to use your power to crush me.Now, you want a third chance to hurt me?No, thank you.”
“I was frightened when I saw you.My mate looked so savage, but then instinct took over, and I expected you to chase me.It was over a mile before I realized you weren’t behind me, and by then, you were gone.”
“I don’t chase men.Ever.I see them coming and brace to defend myself.”She looked up at him.“They are the most brutal members of the species.Any species.But the women are the most vicious.They have the most to lose.”
He looked at her and knelt at her feet.“Please, Meeda.I have lived in the ocean for most of my time here.My social skills are difficult to master.Will you teach me what you will and will not put up with?”
She looked at him and nodded.“Do you have funds?”
“Yes.”
“Good.We are going to get you a cuff, and then we will see how compatible we are according to the programming that has been embedded in the cuffs.Well, a little programming and a little magic.It isn’t confused by the pheromones and magical static that the originals are.”
He frowned.“And this will allow you to trust me?”
“It will make things easier for me.If you can do what I ask, then I will assume you will actually respect my needs and requirements.I have not had an actual relationship before, so I want to work slowly.You are old.You get it.”
He winced.“Right.Whatever it takes to get us to open communication.”
“Great because my instincts were telling me you should have preened and flexed for me and then chased me through the skies or brought me shiny stones and pretty shells.”She started walking, and he got to his feet and kept pace with her.“So, you wrecked all the anticipation different parts of me had.”
He rubbed the back of his neck.“I am not an actual fish or merfolk when I transform.”
“What is your actual form?”
He hunched his shoulders.“I am a sea monster.”
“Oh.That explains the tentacles.”
He chuckled.“Thank you for being unfazed.”
She smiled as they walked.“It isn’t like I don’t qualify as one myself.”
“Your progenitors were very well-respected.I saw them through your bloodlines.It is strange that they managed to connect via your ancestry.They were born to some star-divided lovers, separated by distance and social classes.The pixie was forbidden to mix with their line, and it held that way for generations.While they are respected warriors, they lack manners unless they have opted for training.”
She smiled.“The ones I have met were very nice.”
“And forbidden to pursue you.”
“Oh, those manners again, and the worry over inbreeding mutating the very useful wings.”
“They have a tendency to sweep their mates away.Why are we taking this path?”
