Chapter 11
F resh air hit Greta's face like a slap. She gasped — really gasped — her newly human lungs burning as they dragged in their first real breath in what felt like hours.
Saltwater streamed from her mouth and nose. She coughed hard, body convulsing in Klari's arms.
Klari kept one powerful arm locked around her waist, holding her head above water while his tail worked beneath the surface to keep them both afloat. His chest heaved with exertion, bioluminescent markings still glowing brightly from the effort.
"Easy," he rasped, voice rough with relief and leftover fear. "Breathe. Just breathe."
Greta's fingers dug into his shoulders as another coughing fit wracked her. She was completely naked now — soft human skin, no scales, no gills, no tail. Not even any freaking clothes!
The cool air raised goosebumps across her bare breasts and stomach. She felt impossibly small and fragile against Klari's much larger blue body .
"I'm… I'm human again," she wheezed between coughs, voice hoarse. "Holy shit, I'm actually human."
Klari's free hand came up to brush wet strands of hair from her face. His eyes were wide with concern as he scanned her.
"You're alive," he said, the words carrying visible relief. "That's all that matters right now."
Greta clung to him, legs dangling uselessly in the water. The small coral island was only twenty yards away — a low hump of rock and what looked like a mini-jungle rising from the turquoise sea. Waves lapped gently against its edges.
Klari's tail curled protectively around her legs, keeping her close. His erection throbbed insistently against her as he started swimming them slowly toward the island, one arm still cradling her tightly to his chest.
"You're safe for the moment," he murmured against her wet hair. "But we can't stay out in the open."
Greta nodded weakly, still coughing, her naked body shivering against his warm blue skin.
For the first time since waking up in that pod, she didn't try to pull away from him.
Klari swam them the last short distance to the coral island with powerful, steady strokes of his tail, never once letting go of Greta.
The moment they reached shallow water, he stood up, water streaming off his broad blue shoulders. Without hesitation, he scooped her fully into his arms, cradling her naked, shivering body against his chest like she weighed nothing.
Greta's arms instinctively wrapped around his neck. She was exhausted — limbs heavy, lungs still burning from the frantic ascent .
Being pressed skin-to-skin against him made her acutely aware of how vulnerable she was now. No scales. No gills. No tail. Just soft, bare human flesh against his sleek, powerful body.
And he was still very, very hard.
His thick cock rested hot and heavy against her hip, the ridged length throbbing with every step he took as he carried her out of the surf and onto the wet coral rocks. He didn't even try to hide it.
"You're freezing," he murmured, voice low and rough. One large hand rubbed slow circles over her back, trying to warm her. "Your skin is so soft like this… so different."
Greta let out a shaky, breathless laugh. "Yeah, well, enjoy the view while it lasts. I'm sure the rivals will be here any second to ruin the moment."
Klari's amber eyes flicked down to her naked breasts, the curve of her waist, the way her legs dangled over his arm. Fascination and raw hunger warred openly on his face. His cock gave another heavy throb against her side.
"I shouldn't want you this badly right now," he admitted, voice strained. "You're human. Fragile. But you're still so beautiful it hurts to look at you."
Greta's cheeks burned. She was too tired to snap back properly, so she just buried her face against his neck, mumbling, "Stop staring and keep walking, shark-boy. I can feel how much you're enjoying carrying your naked damsel in distress."
Klari's tail flicked behind him as he climbed higher onto the rocky shore, heading toward the denser vegetation in the island's interior.