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“We will bring humans back here, help them flourish anew. Some of the descendants of the old Astaurian villages escaped to other realms, but we will find them and offer them a home here once again.”

“This is…unbelievable,” Aria breathed. “It is pure magic. More than any rumor or legend painted it to be. The power is all around us, from the sea to the land to the sky.” She tipped her head up and soaked in the bright sun. “We’ll do your parents right. We’ll do everyone, everything, right as we move forward. You and me. Together. We can do amazing things.”

Caspian twisted her to face him, holding her waist as his fins caressed her tail. “Willdo, my darling. There is nothing we won’t conquer to make this world the best place to thrive.”

He dipped his head and pressed a soft kiss to her lips that instantly shocked her body into a heated storm. “But first, why don’t we shed the scales for a bit? Lay on the sand, soak in this brilliant sun?” He traced a finger between her breasts. “And let me take care of you the way you love?”

Aria draped her arms around his neck, curling her fingers in his damp hair. “I think I like the way that sounds, my king.”

“I hope you never feel otherwise.”

She teased his bottom lip with a playful nibble. He groaned.

“As long as I have you and you’re by my side, it will never change.” She scraped her nails along his scalp and earned a pleasure-induced growl from Caspian. “And I’m yours forever, remember?”

He snickered, wrapping her hair around his hand and tugging until he had her head exactly where he wanted it: The perfect angle to claim her with his riveting kiss. “Forever will never be long enough to love you.”

“Love forever, and for an eternity beyond.”

His lips brushed over hers again. “We have a beach waiting for us.”

THE END