Page 19 of Entranced By the Nakken (Freedom, Love, Monsters #4)
Tsunis
Tsunis gnawed on the crunchy treat Casimir’s mother offered. They didn’t have to fake the sound of bliss that escaped them when the sweet flavors burst on their tongue, which delighted Martha endlessly.
For so long, Tsunis had waited in the rapids while humans lived their lives nearby.
Before that, they fought bloody battles, used their dragon form for destruction, and sang songs of battle and funeral dirges.
They never complained. Never imagined a better life, although plenty of times, they wondered about the humans living carefree above.
“I’m so glad you like them!” Martha’s smile was so infectious that Tsunis giggled in a very non-warrior-like way. A ding rang out from somewhere in the house. “Oh! It’s lovely to meet you, Tsunis. I hope you kids have fun at the show.”
“The pleasure is mine.” Tsunis stood from the bed and bowed low. “You have my gratitude.”
“Oh, gosh!” the kind woman rushed Tsunis.
Tsunis hesitated, worried she might notice the damp hem of the floor-length dress they’d borrowed from Casimir’s sibling’s closet when they snuck through the window.
The damn hem grew wet at the slightest touch of their ankles and would not stay dry no matter how much magic they flung its way.
Tsunis relented to Martha’s embrace, meeting Casimir’s mocking gaze over her shoulder.
The alarm blared again, startling Martha into action. When the door shut, it was Casimir who giggled. Tsunis scowled, which only made him giggle harder.
Casimir’s device trilled. He answered, assuring Sophie they’d be on their way soon. Tsunis had met her briefly at the water’s edge. She had a warm voice, complimentary to Casimir’s. Tsunis believed it would be a thrilling experience to watch them perform the song.
Not long later, Tsunis was admiring their mate’s firm ass as he lead them outside.
“Doing okay?” Casimir held open the door to his land vehicle. Tsunis nodded then growled as Casimir’s palm smacked their ass before it landed on the seat. Casimir shut the door with a wink.
They arrived at Sophie’s building, and Casimir laced their fingers together as they climbed the stairs to a dilapidated housing complex. Tsunis was grateful for the anchor, but they found themself so curious about their surroundings, they forgot to be nervous.
Then a large, hairy human opened the door with a grunt. Tsunis tensed, driving Casimir behind them, ready to take up arms.
Casimir placed his free hand on the back of Tsunis’ neck in a possessive manner Tsunis quite liked and kissed their temple. “Hey, Noah. This is Tsunis.”
“Tsunis!” Noah’s gruff demeanor shifted. He pushed a wad of unkempt yellow hair from his face and did a double take, gaze landing above Tsunis’ head before swiveling toward someone inside the home. “Oh, fuck, you guys were for real?”
Casimir’s chuckle rumbled against Tsunis’ back. He circled them in the doorway and nudged Noah aside.
“Nice to meet you, Tsunis,” Noah said as they passed, his tone more alert and welcoming, though he was devoid of color and radiating apprehension. “I’m Noah, Sophie’s boyfriend.”
“Ew,” Sophie muttered from the lounge area. “Just say husband. Or partner. Boyfriend sounds weird.”
Casimir laughed and shut the door. “How long do we have?”
“Long enough!” Sophie popped up from the couch and grabbed Tsunis’ free hand. “You’re with me.”
Casimir squeezed their hand before letting go. Tsunis nodded once, following the peppy woman clad in all black to a bedroom. On the riverbank, they’d agreed to let her help style them for the night, seeing as they were about the same size.
The door clicked shut. Sophie shuffled Tsunis forward until they stood awkwardly at the edge of a disheveled mattress.
Sophie flung open the doors to a wardrobe full of black clothing and flicked through the garments, occasionally pausing to ponder one while tossing glances at Tsunis.
Every few pauses, she ripped an item from the rod and tossed it onto the bed.
“So, I know this is out of your comfort zone,” Sophie broached during one of her glances. “Casey said you don’t normally wear clothes.”
Tsunis dipped their head.
“Did you pick out that dress yourself?” she asked, motioning toward the long floral dress with loose sleeves that flowed when they walked. When Tsunis nodded, Sophie beamed. “Okay, that’s a great starting point. What did you like about it?”
Tsunis frowned. They looked down at the fabric, which was fitted to their waist but draped loosely on the lower half. The straight neckline swooped under their clavicle and hugged muscular shoulders.
Overwhelmed, they scowled at the dress in silence. Sophie softened, placing a gentle hand on their shoulder and guiding them to the long mirror hanging on the inside of the wardrobe door.
“I know this is a lot.” Sophie stood next to them in the mirror with a sympathetic smile. “Want to point towards the bits you like?”
Tsunis ground their teeth together. Glacia save them, humanity was much easier to handle from a distance, with the kindness and the questions, so many questions.
“This,” Tsunis grunted, motioning to the neckline. Then they pinched the loose skirt. “I find this not too restrictive.”
Sophie clapped once, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Tsunis watched her in the mirror as she sorted through the heap of clothes on the bed then grabbed something from the wardrobe.
“So.” Sophie held a velvet and gossamer blouse to Tsunis’ torso. “Loose neckline. Long sleeves to cover your arms, flared at the elbow to fit your fins underneath. Not to mention, the semi-sheer fabric will highlight your tone nicely.”
She handed it over, and they held it in place while Sophie tucked the next item of clothing behind her back. She raised a palm and hedged, “Hear me out on this.”
Tsunis narrowed their eyes but gave a dip of their chin.
Sophie revealed a small, black, leather loincloth, pleated all around. It looked much like the battle leathers they wore back home while not on transport duty, though without the long leather loincloth hanging down the middle for added protection.
“It’s flowy, like your dress, but even less restrictive since it’s so short! You know, so you can dance.” Sophie extended it, and Tsunis didn’t hesitate to accept, trading her the blouse. Sophie smirked as she slipped it from the hanger. “So, you like it? I did good?”
Tsunis rubbed the warrior’s gear between their thumb and forefinger. It was a mockery of lunar whale leather, but it reminded them of home and would show off their strong thighs.
“It is fit for a Glacisian warrior.” They glanced up at Sophie, who looked confused. “You chose well.”
“Fuck yes!” Sophie clapped. “One final touch. You change. I’ll be right back.”
Tsunis stripped. The flowery dress pooled around their ankles. While the loincloth bore a resemblance to the style in Glacis, it was glossy and smooth to the touch. Tsunis ran their hand down the pleats and had to admit the fabric paired nicely with the plush blouse.
“Shit fucking tits!” Sophie exclaimed as she rounded the corner holding a pile of netting.
Tsunis frowned, taking the bundle from her and peeling it apart. “A net?”
“Oooh,” Sophie whispered. “Is that—I mean, it’s a style of tights people wear to concerts. What the fuck, I’m so sorry! I wasn’t thinking.”
Sophie reached for the tights, but Tsunis stepped back. They considered a moment, then broke into a wicked grin. They’d never be caught in someone’s net. They were a Glacisian warrior. It was just enough poetic irony to be perfect.
Sophie helped roll them up Tsunis’ thighs. They ripped a little around their leg fins, but the final product was worth it. They looked so tempting, they might decide to mate themselves.
“Fuck. Casey’s gonna flip when he sees you.”
“I believe you are correct.” Tsunis met her gaze in the mirror. “Thank you, Sophie.”
“No need. I’m so glad you’re coming. And that you’re safe. You scared Casey pretty bad. Are you alright?”
“I am.” There was no need to share details with the stranger, but the thought of Casimir worrying chipped their frigid soul. “Thanks to your help.”
“What are friends for?”
A strange question. Tsunis knew what comrades-in-arms were for. It wasn’t like they’d never known friendship within their pod, but there was a cost. This felt far more intimate.
Sophie peered out the bedroom door and whistled.
Tsunis was a warrior. They shouldn’t be nervous to have eyes on them.
They followed her into the lounge area, where a human with distinct genetic similarities to Sophie was using a stencil and sponge to cover Noah in scales of blue and green hues.
Casimir had matching body paint decorating random spots along bared skin under a loose black top with tiny sleeves and cropped black trousers.
“Oh shit! You’re the, ah, Casey’s, ah, water. . .um,” Sophie’s relative stuttered. Her round cheeks reddened, and she bared her teeth in a grimace. “Casey’s friend.”
Tsunis chuckled. Casimir’s friends were doing an impeccable job at attempting hospitality, pretending not to be startled by Tsunis’ differences and the proof that their malevolent spirit stories were true.
Tsunis was beyond grateful, but it was nice to see someone struggle for normalcy at a time like this when they themselves were well below the depths.
“Tsunis. Casimir’s mate,” Tsunis clarified. The human’s mouth slackened before she plastered on a wide smile.
Behind them, Sophie stage-whispered, “That, Noah! That’s how you refer to me from now on.”
“I’m Anna. You look badass.”
“Many thanks to Sophie,” Tsunis deferred to their hostess, but Sophie waved dismissively.
Tsunis’ gaze caught Casimir, a blush heating their neck as everyone discussed their appearance. Tsunis fought not to fidget with the diamond netting on their legs. Casimir’s eyes drank Tsunis in, but his features were carved of stone.