Page 17 of Fionn (Starlight Mermen #1 | Starlight Alien Mail Order Brides #7)

Elise

S and was being poured over me, buckets upon buckets.

It landed heavily on my naked body, pushing my limbs against the hard ground, trapping me in place.

I opened my mouth to scream but more sand rained down on me, filling my mouth, my throat, my lungs.

I couldn't breathe, couldn't even scream as I was buried beneath the sand-

"It's alright, Elise. It's just a dream. Wake up. Please, wake up."

I recognised that voice, but it took me a long time to remember. Sleep was sticky and persistent, trying to keep me in its treacherous embrace, but his voice led me back into reality, in a world without sand and fear and pain.

I opened my eyes to find Fionn staring down at me, concern on his perfectly angular face. His features reminded me of a marble statue that had been chiselled by hand but hadn't been polished yet.

"Hi." My throat was dry but a glass of water would soon fix that.

He smiled. "Hi. How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been run over by a lorry. Or been hugged by a giant octopus with anger issues. What time is it?"

"A late morning meal has just been served. You slept throughout the evening and night. I was going to let you sleep for a while longer, but you started thrashing and whimpering. I couldn't watch it. I had to wake you. I hope you will forgive me?"

I laughed. "For waking me from a nightmare? I forgive you. And I thank you." I sat up, relieved that my strength had mostly returned. My arms and legs were sore, and I knew my muscles would be aching for a while, but at least that bone-deep exhaustion had disappeared.

When I remembered why I'd been so exhausted, my mood darkened. "Have you found Kelon?"

"Not yet. But the Tidebound is about to go on a recon flight. He won't be able to hide from her scanners. Would you like to have some breakfast?"

I pushed the blanket off me, only to realise I was still in that skimpy bikini. At least it hadn't slipped while I'd slept.

"Actually, I'd love a shower first. I smell like seaweed."

"A most beautiful scent." Fionn smiled. "I will wait in your living room, if you don't mind."

I was about to ask him to wait outside my suite but then stopped myself. What would be the point? He was already here. He'd seen my body from top to bottom. He had carried me, protected me, saved me. I did not need fake modesty and shame in his presence.

I got up from the bed and swayed for a second as blood rushed to my head. Fionn wrapped an arm around my waist, steadying me.

"I'm fine," I muttered.

"I know. I just... I need to make sure you are alright. It is a deep instinct that I find hard to suppress when I am in your company."

I wanted to lean against him. Feel his warm, strangely textured skin again. Slide my hands over his greenskin, find out what it felt like. But instead, I smiled, stepped away from him and went for a shower.

Fionn looked entirely out of place on that plush sofa. It was too small for this oversized alien. I was taller than most women but next to him, I felt like a child.

He got up as soon as I entered the room. His wide smile made me all warm and fuzzy inside. I could wake up to that any day – no. He was an alien. I was human. This wouldn’t work.

Someone had brought two breakfast trays to my suite, laden with both sweet and savoury dishes as well as a giant fruit basket.

A pitcher of orange juice stood next to pots of tea and coffee.

I was glad I didn’t have to leave my private rooms. I wasn’t quite ready yet to face other people.

For some reason, Fionn didn’t count. I was entirely comfortable in his company.

Because Fionn had looked so uncomfortable on the sofa, I grabbed a blanket hanging over one of the armchairs. “Let’s have a picnic outside.”

For a moment, he hesitated. I thought it was because he wanted to stay inside or because he had better things to do than spend time with me, but then he asked, “What is a picnic?”

I almost laughed in relief. It was just a cultural misunderstanding. I explained the concept to him.

“Why do you prefer to eat on the ground?” he asked, clearly confused about the whole thing.

This time, I did laugh. “I don’t even know. I think it’s more relaxed than sitting at a table. Maybe I associate picnics with my childhood when us children could be messy and play rather than having to sit still and worrying about table manners. There’s a sort of freedom in picnics.”

“I am excited to try it. Let me just inform my brothers.” He pressed a button on the black bracelet he had around his left wrist. A holographic display appeared above it, hovering in the air like magic.

I watched with wide eyes as he scrolled through menus and clicked buttons that didn’t actually exist. I wanted to have a go at this technology.

A blue face appeared above his wrist. The man looked vaguely familiar, but my memory of yesterday’s events was foggy. Was he the one who had met us on the beach before Fionn had carried me into the spaceship?

“Rainse, we’re about to go outside to have breakfast on the beach. Any update on the search?”

“The Tidebound’s just taken off. Cerban’s on board to oversee the search. Captain Maggnus has been most accommodating after his chat with Pam this morning. I’ll update you as soon as I hear something. Po'shran and Liltty have stayed on land to help guard the females.”

Fionn sighed. “Hopefully, this will all be over soon and we can focus on the reason we came here.”

“Wouldn’t that be nice.” Rainse grinned. “I have some good news on that front. The plane carrying the other females has landed on a neighbouring island. As soon as Kelon has been found and secured, they will be transported here by boat. The mating game can finally continue.”

“Dating, not mating. That would be a very different affair. I don’t think the Peritan females want to proceed that quickly.”

I suppressed a chuckle. I’d gone on Tinder dates in the past where dating had turned into mating by the end of the evening. None of them had ever resulted in a long-term relationship.

Fionn ended the call and together we carried the food outside.

I spread the blanket on a patch of sand close to the veranda and Fionn built us a banquet.

I would have preferred to sit further away from the building, but as long as Kelon was still out there, it was better to stay away from the water.

I shuddered.

"What's wrong?"

Fionn must have been watching me.

"Nothing. Just remembered what happened yesterday."

He was by my side in an instant. He hesitated for a second, then put his hands on my shoulders.

"I know it will be hard to put that behind you, but please believe me, not all finmen are like Kelon.

If his adoptive mother knew how he behaved, she would be ashamed.

She'd likely throw him out of the family for good.

On my planet, females are treasured. We do not treat them like he treated you. "

I craned my neck and looked him straight in the eyes. "I believe you. You have been nothing but kind to me. I almost wish-"

"Yes?"

I wished I hadn't started that sentence.

I wanted to tell him that I'd have liked it if I'd had that first dinner with him only.

No complications, no confusion, no Kelon.

I could have enjoyed the evening and then the memory of it.

And maybe there could have been a second date, a third. I could have fallen in love with Fionn.

But as it was, there was so much baggage. Thinking of Kelon still gave me the shivers. I wouldn't sleep easily until he was caught. Could I look at Fionn without thinking of Kelon? How he'd grabbed me, touched me, pulled off my oxygen mask, threatened me?

"You're shaking." Fionn removed his hands from my shoulders. "Are you unwell? What's wrong?"

Again that question.

"I don't... I don't know if I can do this," I whispered.

"Do what?" His tone was gentle yet insistent.

"This. Dating. Us. What the agency wants us to do. We're so different from each other. And-"

"You love swimming. I love swimming. You like fish. I like fish. You are funny and interesting. I like to listen to you. You are small. I am big enough for both of us. You walk on land. I can walk on land as well. You are beautiful. I like to bask in your beauty. You-"

I interrupted him with a laugh. "Stop it. That's not what I meant. Besides, I don't know if I can ever look at you without being reminded of Kelon."

His expression darkened for a moment, then his gentle smile returned. "Kelon is this much shorter than me. His hair is darker and curlier. He has a seventh toe on both feet, a genetic mutation that runs in his family. He-"

"Six toes! You have six toes and fingers. I only just noticed."

"See?" Fionn laughed. "You didn't even notice all the differences between our species.

That means they are not important. And really, I'd like to think it's all about what's inside, what we feel in our heart, rather than how many toes we have.

Except when we're counting them to be different from Kelon. Then it's very important."

He winked at me.

I chuckled. "You're funny."

"So are you. I told you we're similar. Now, shall we have some of this food? You can explain the dishes to me. I don't know much about human food."

"I'm not familiar with all of these either. I don't know how it is on your planet, but here, every country and region has their own cuisine. I've not been to the Caribbean before, if that is where we are, but I guess we can try these together and figure out what they are."

We sat down on opposite sides of the blanket, the food a barrier between us.

I almost wished breakfast was over already so I could find an excuse to snuggle into Fionn.

I remembered him carrying me, first in the water, then on land.

I'd felt safe in his arms. But was that a reason to go out with him?

Was there enough chemistry between us to make this work?

And could relationships between humans and aliens even persist?

Wait a minute. The Hot Tatties agency had set this up. Everyone here on the island took being surrounded by aliens in their stride. That made me think that this wasn't the first time they'd set up human women with alien men. I had to talk to Pam.

I told Fionn that I needed a moment alone inside. He probably thought that I had to go to the toilet, because he didn't argue and simply continued to nibble on some fruit.

Back inside, I rummaged for the hotel's tablet and dialled the agency's number. Pam answered on the second ring. I’d met her that day in the office, after I’d talked to Cleo and signed all the forms. When she recognised me, her face lit up.

"Elise! I'm so glad to see you! I was going to give you a ring later but after what happened yesterday, I thought you might need a lazy, undisturbed morning. How are you doing?"

The finmen must have told her about what happened.

"Fine. Mostly. My muscles are sore from all the swimming, but that'll pass quickly. Fionn has been taking care of me."

"Where is he now?"

"Outside. I asked for a moment of privacy because I wanted to speak to you."

A knowing glint appeared in her eye. "I take it you have questions. Before you start, I need you to know that your DNA test results have been added to the database - and there is a match. Usually, I'd pass on this news with more preparation and ceremony, but this case is different."

I froze. My throat was suddenly bone-dry. "Is it one of the finmen?" I croaked.

"Yes."

"Is it... Please tell me it's not Kelon."

She smiled and shook her head. "It is not.

His details have been erased from the database and he has been permanently blocked.

I have also taken steps to inform the Intergalactic Authority.

He tried to abduct an Earth citizen. If you support this going to court, he could be tried as a pirate and people trafficker. "

Thank goodness. The relief was like cold rain washing over me, draining away my anxiety.

"Who is it?" I asked.

But I already knew, deep in my heart.