Page 11

CHAPTER TEN

“WAIT!” NISHA panicked. With a flip of his tail, he darted after Kannon.

“What… dammit, Nisha!”

Nisha grabbed Kannon around the waist and quickly headed back to deeper water. Somehow he knew letting Kannon out of the water would be a mistake. Well, another mistake. He’d assumed Kannon would want an apology for what he’d done concerning Cree. It appeared he was mistaken about what he needed to apologize for.

“Just… just wait a minute.” Nisha grunted as Kannon kicked his tail. “Ow. That hurts, Kannon.”

“Really? Here’s a thought… let go !”

This was going so horribly, horribly wrong. Now he had Kannon struggling in his arms. It appeared he was wrong about several things. Humans. Would he ever understand them? Obviously he should’ve apologized for starting the mating process with Kannon. Unfortunately that was not something he could bring himself to apologize for.

“Please, Kannon.” He gulped. Kannon was really mad. “ Please .”

So focused on Kannon fighting, they both almost went under the water when his mate suddenly stilled. Was Kannon okay? Had he somehow inadvertently hurt him?

“Kannon?” They were quite a distance from the beach, so he stopped swimming and treaded water with his tail to keep them afloat.

Kannon turned his head but didn’t make eye contact. “That’s the first time you’ve ever said please to me.”

Hearing the hopelessness and confusion in Kannon’s voice, Nisha turned Kannon to him. “I’m sorry for that. I am… I am sorry for so many things, my mate. The list is long and seems to be growing with every passing minute.”

Kannon stared at him then his lips twitched, and a small smile crossed his face. “But at least you’ve gotten started on it.”

His mate should only know happiness. He couldn’t change what he’d done fifteen years ago. That was in the past. He wasn’t sure he would’ve changed anything now either. With Cree showing up and threatening Kannon, he’d had to do something to protect his mate.

Claiming him would provide that protection. He was also willing to bet Kannon wouldn’t see it that way. If he was honest with himself, he had to admit he wanted this. Wanted to claim Kannon. He wanted his mate.

“Oh, Kannon. I’ve gone about this entirely wrong. Please understand, I regret scaring you to the point you wouldn’t go near the water for so long. I regret that your introduction to my people happened in such a frightful way. And I regret our mating hasn’t gone as smoothly as I could’ve wished.”

Kannon snorted.

“But as far as mating you? No. I don’t regret that at all. You mean more to me than the ocean itself. I… I need you.”

Kannon relaxed in his arms. “Dammit, how can I stay mad when you say stuff like that? From the moment I looked at you, there was this pull. No one has ever affected me like you have. Of course, I haven’t been seriously interested in anyone else since you bit me either.”

“We need to talk.”

“I agree. We need to talk, and talk calmly.” Kannon shoved his wet hair out of his face. “I know you’re probably more comfortable in the water, but I’m really not. At least, not yet. Can we do this on land?”

“I guess that’s only fair. Your unease of the water comes from me. But you’re right. I’m much more comfortable in the water than on land. I sincerely hope you can adjust.”

“Compromise. If this thing between us has a chance, we’re going to have to work on compromise. I also have a lot of questions I need answers to.”

“I will answer to the best of my ability.” Nisha released Kannon. “Why don’t you go ahead and wait for me on the beach? And, um, maybe it would be best for you to start heading on back. I can meet you at the bungalow.”

“I’m getting the distinct impression you’re trying to get rid of me.”

“That would be because I am.”

“Why?”

“Because honestly, my transformation might be a little… For an introduction to my kind, it might be a little extreme.”

“I’m here talking to you, so I’d say I’ve done been introduced to your kind. Now quit beating around the bush, and tell me what it is you’re trying to say.”

“I’m saying it can be rather… gruesome. There is no flash of light and suddenly I have legs. When I say transformation, I mean transformation. My tail splits and—I guess for lack of a better word—it devolves and forms human legs. It’s not pleasant. It’s not pretty. And yes, for a very brief time, it is painful. I don’t want to freak you out.”

“Okay, see? That’s what I’m talking about. Blunt, precise, and to the point. I don’t want to head back to the bungalow, especially after what happened, without you with me. So I’ll go to the beach, and I don’t know, turn my back and not watch. How’s that?”

“Good enough. Just remember you wanted to do this when you hear the transformation.” Nisha released Kannon and watched as his mate swam back toward the little beach.

When Nisha was satisfied Kannon was far enough away, he too swam to the beach and pulled himself out of the water. Looking up, he saw Kannon still facing him. Their eyes locked for a moment, and they stared at each other.

“One day I want the time to examine every square inch of that tail of yours.” With that, Kannon turned around and presented his back to Nisha.

Nisha flipped around so he was on his back. Resting on his elbows, he stared up at the cave, waiting. One day soon, he’d be more than happy to let Kannon explore. He eased back until he was flat on the sand. Breathing deeply, he prepared himself.

As the change started, he clamped his lips closed, refusing to let the pain out as it tore through him. He really wished Kannon would have gone ahead and not heard this. Desperately he struggled to keep his cries inside. Centuries passed as the change ripped his body apart and remade it.

Once it was finished he lay in the sand, panting. He knew he needed to get up and go find Kannon, but he needed a minute. Just a minute to acclimate himself. Closing his eyes, he focused on the difference, now that he had legs instead of a tail.

He controlled his breathing and focused on centering himself. In… and out and… in and… out. As he settled into his human body, he felt a presence beside him. He opened his eyes to see Kannon sitting next to him on the beach.

“Are you okay?” Kannon reached out, but before he touched Nisha, he froze.

“I am, yes. I thought you were going to wait for me.”

Kannon sighed. “I was going to, but… That sound. That sound… my God, Nisha. I didn’t turn around, but as soon as I could I hurried down here to you. That was… something. I honestly felt kind of sick.”

Nisha set up and calmly wiggled his toes. “I did warn you.”

“Yes, you did. I’m glad now you didn’t let me watch it. That was seriously disturbing. We might get to that someday, but not right now.”

“Maybe.” Nisha stood then held his hand out to Kannon. Kannon clasped it and let Nisha pull him up.

“Um, what are you going to do about clothes?”

Nisha walked over to a waterproof bag, opened it up, and got a pair of shorts out. “I keep some things here for instances like this.” Nisha quickly dressed and returned to Kannon.

He held out his hand. Never again would he force Kannon to do something he didn’t want to do. When Kannon took his hand, relief swept through him. Maybe, just maybe, they could make this work. After extinguishing the lamps, they walked up the path until they got to the surface. The moon peeked out from behind the clouds. Once on land Nisha looked around, checking for threats.

Detecting none, they headed toward Kannon’s bungalow, still holding hands. Nisha entered the bungalow and did a quick check for any dangers. Satisfied Cree hadn’t come back, he moved aside and let Kannon enter.

“What a mess.” Kannon removed a lamp from the floor and put it back on an end table. “Brett is going to freak.”

“It’s not as bad as it could have been.” Nisha picked up several broken knickknacks and placed them on the coffee table.

“I guess.” Kannon walked into the kitchen. He checked to see if there were any spare trash bags. He opened a cabinet under the sink and found a box of them. He returned to the living area. “At least no one was seriously hurt. I mean, Brett is going to be okay, right? He’s getting married shortly.”

“He will be. The blisters will be mostly gone by then.”

“Good,” Kannon said. “What the hell was that net thing on him?”

“It was a regular net coated with poisons that causes blisters when it comes in contact with skin. Brooke has a salve to treat them.”

“Is that something you… your people… What do you call yourselves?”

“Merfolk. And yes, it’s something we make. The poison, in small doses, is used in several medicines. It can be very beneficial. It was never intended to be used as a weapon, but as you saw, it can be. Like any dangerous substance, it can be misused.”

“I see.”

Conversation died down as they cleaned up the place.

“Do you want something to drink?” Kannon asked once they were done.

“Just water. And thank you.”

After Kannon fixed a soda and Nisha’s water, they returned to the living area and sat on the couch. Kannon sat close to Nisha, his legs curled up underneath him and then studied his soda. “You know, it would’ve really been nice if you could’ve run this past me first. What if I didn’t feel what you felt? What if you had bit me, changed me, and there was no attraction between us?”

Was this what was bothering Kannon? “Do you remember the first time you saw me?”

Kannon snorted. “You bet your ass I do.”

“You were attracted to me even though you were scared. And yes, before you argue, you were. I could smell your arousal that day. But it’s more than that, Kannon. We believe we’re paired with a mate. Usually it is another mer, but this time it was human.”

“Lucky you.”

“Yes, I am very lucky.” He needed Kannon to see he meant what he said. “I know that was sarcasm, but I am lucky. The moment I saw you in the water I knew you were my mate.”

“But—”

“No buts. There is no mistake. You can call it Fate or whatever you want. It doesn’t matter. You are mine, and I am yours.”

Kannon laid his head on Nisha’s shoulder. “But do you love me?”

“I’ve never experienced love, but I can tell you already what I feel for you is strong. Deep. And it grows with every passing second. What about you?”

“I’ve never been attracted to anyone as I am to you. And just like you, what I feel for you is also growing.”

Kannon lifted his head off Nisha’s shoulder and sat up. “So now what?”

“I would ask that you consider living on the island. I have to live near the water, Kannon.” Nisha reached out and threaded his hands through Kannon’s hair. The vibrant color fascinated him. So soft and silky.

Kannon sighed. “Of course, the one place I swore I’d never be.”

“I understand that, but I’m a creature of the deep blue sea. This area is my territory. I allow certain merfolk to reside here. They keep the area clear of crap humans throw in the ocean, and in turn they depend on me for protection. I… I don’t think I could survive away from here.”

“Hey, hey, hey.” Kannon put his hand on top of Nisha’s knee. “I never said I wouldn’t live here. I totally get what you’re saying. You have a life I can’t really even begin to comprehend, and it’s here. I was just saying I never figured I’d end up here. I can’t imagine you in the big city.”

Nisha shuddered. “Neither can I. Is it going to be hard for you to move here? I mean, in terms of furniture and stuff like that.”

Kannon shrugged. “Oddly enough, I don’t have much. I rented an apartment that came fully furnished. I just never… It didn’t feel right putting down roots. At the time, I didn’t understand it.” Kannon turned to look at Nisha. “I guess I understand why now.”

“Thank you. I know I’ve turned your life upside down, and I truly am very appreciative that you are willing to do what I need in order for us to live together.”