Page 65

Marin

A few months later…

“Here. Try this one.” I broke off a square of rich, dark chocolate and passed it to Sirena. She leaned her elbows on the rock, seawater lapping against her shoulders. Her tail shimmered faintly beneath the surface.

I sat cross-legged on the warm stone, breathing in the salty air. This was our new ritual, gathering with a delicious treat and sea-faring gossip—a mermaid, and one forever caught in between—but always friends.

Sirena’s eyes closed in delight as she savored the chocolate. “I think that’s better than the honey. I love chocolate.” She wriggled her fingers for another piece.

“Anything is better than seaweed, but chocolate is special.” I broke off two more squares and ate one myself.

“Don’t you ever say the word seaweed again. That stuff is dead to me. I can still see the way it bubbled in my bowl like it was still alive.“ She shuddered.

“I think it was. ” I made a face and tried not to gag, which was difficult. I folded my arms across my middle and breathed deeply through my nose. “Tell me, what’s new since the last time we met? ”

Sirena brushed her wet hair off her shoulder and shrugged. “I adopted a sea dragon and named her Pearl. She’s a bit temperamental and keeps blowing fire bubbles at my new neighbor—” her voice dropped with a sly twist. “a sea lord I’m currently playing hard to get with.”

“A sea lord?”

“Mhm. Very handsome, doesn’t mind that I’m an ex-con. He says it makes me mysterious. He's also determined to help me get my lure back. I’ll probably keep him around for a little while. Just to see if he can.”

She said it lightly, like it didn't still hurt—but I saw the way her fingers tightened against the rock.

My mouth dropped open, and I nearly choked on the last bite of chocolate. “That's amazing.”

“It is. But I do have to keep my options open. Pearl and I are taking the currents by storm. I’m sowing wild kelp, Marin.

I’ve got a few solitary years to make up for.

I can’t just settle down with the first muscular sea lord who swims my way.

” Sirena leaned forward, her eyes glinting.

“Unlike yourself, landing a rugged thief who worships the sand you walk on.”

“I know. My wild kelp days are over.” I sighed, the gross, dreamy kind that earned me a splash in the face.

I wiped the water from my cheeks and grinned. Sirena shielded her eyes from the sun and nodded toward the rocky cliff behind me.

“Speaking of thieves stealing you away, there’s one up there who seems to be looking for you. You’d better go before he comes down here and tries to eat the rest of our chocolate.” She winked. “From now on, I only share chocolate with prison mates.”

“You’re right. He’s still upset I ate the last bit of honey while we were in the sky.

The chocolate is our secret.” I pulled my tunic up around my waist, bunching it in my grip as I slipped into the shallow water.

Over my shoulder, I said, “Next time, I’ll bring warm strawberry jam and shortbread.

And you’ll tell me more about this sea lord and his plan to get your song back, along with your other wild kelp adventures. ”

“It’s a deal, Marin! I’ll bring Pearl.”

Sirena waited until I’d reached the water’s edge, then dipped below the waves.

I took my time, climbing the worn path up the cliffside, letting the wind dry the dampness from my hair. But when I reached the top, I stopped short.

Gavin was pacing. No, not just pacing, talking to himself. He dragged a hand through his windswept hair, muttering under his breath as if working out how to tell me he’d lost his hammer.

A smile curled my lips. I’d be devastated.

His boots trampled through the weeds, back and forth, until he caught sight of me. He rolled something small and glittering between his fingers.

“Is that a jewel?” I asked, eyebrows lifting.

Gavin looked down like he’d forgotten he was holding anything. Then he blew out a quick breath, squared his shoulders, and angled his chin with practiced ease.

The thief with a secret.

“Yeah. I found it just lying around in the dirt.”

“You don’t say? That’s twice in one lifetime. I bet someone dropped it.”

A gleam sparked in his gaze.

“Doesn’t matter. It’s fair game. Unless you want to try and steal it, again.” He dropped the jewel into his pocket and patted his side. “Second time’s never as easy. I won’t be fooled by the usual tricks.”

“Hmm… you’re right.” I strolled closer, swaying my hips, and chewing the corner of my lip as I considered his challenge. “You already know the rock-in-the-boot trick.”

He nodded, eyes locked on my hips, before he meet my gaze.

“And I already fainted in the Fields of Futile Escape.”

“Let’s not try that one again. Worst moment of my life.”

“Agreed.” I stopped in front of him, fingers tugging on the lapels of his jacket. “And I already tried to steal your cloud token during a kiss.”

“I won’t be so gullible this time.”

My fingers drummed against the wall of his chest. “That doesn’t leave much left.”

His hands settled on my waist. “Guess you can’t do it. First time was merely luck, no skill.”

I narrowed my eyes. I still had one trick up my sleeve. And Gavin would never see it coming.

“My secret’s out. You beat me at my own game.” I rose on my toes, brushing my mouth against the shell of his ear. He went still as my fingers delved into his pocket.

“Drop it,” he said.

I closed my fingers over the jewel as I let go of the other object in my grip.

“What did you leave this time? More sea glass?”

I shook my head, sliding a lock of hair out of his eyes. “Something better.”

He removed a folded piece of parchment, his brows drawn together. “Did you use my fortune to buy another house? Maybe one of those huts overlooking the clouds in the sky?”

“Your money? Please. Cass and I are mystical plant entrepreneurs now. This is a quest. Do you want to go on another adventure?”

He held up the parchment, gaze widening at the familiar crest inked in the corner.

“Is that?”

“Your family crest? Yes. I had Annie make me a map—Bowen approved, of course. She's getting really good.”

I pressed my hand against his chest, over his heart. “Gavin, you’ve spent a lifetime looking for answers. And my greatest desire is to give them to you. You said I was your compass. Let me lead the way. We’ll find the rest of your family. Together.”

“Gods, Mare...”

He pulled me in, hands bracing the sides of my face, and kissed me. His mouth was warm and trembling at the edges as if he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I threaded my fingers through his hair, smiling against his lips, still holding the jewel in my other hand.

Except… it didn’t feel like a jewel.

I pulled back, opening my hand with a frown. A golden band rested in my palm, set with a massive sapphire that sparkled like the ocean.

My breath caught.

“Gavin—Is this? Are you?”

He took the ring from my palm and slid to one knee in the grass.

“I had a whole speech planned. It was really quite moving.

And I'm the thief, but I look at you, and you steal every thought. Every breath.” Gavin swallowed thickly.

“So I'll keep it simple. Marry me, Mare. You’ve given me everything. So now…” His voice roughened with emotion.

“Give me the rest of your days. Because you already have the rest of mine. ”

I sank to my knees in front of him, hand shaking as he slipped the ring onto my finger. I looked up at him, the man who never let me go, who rebuilt my house, and promised to fill it with a lifetime of love and adventure.

And I answered in the only way a thief like him would understand.

“Don’t tempt me with a good time, Gavin.”

Then we sealed the deal—like partners always do. I kept the last word, and he carried me home.

Thank you for reading Gavin and Marin's story!