Chapter 36
Ari
Doing my best to keep my worrisome thoughts and anxiety from creeping down our bond, to disturb or worry Erica any more than she already is, we make our way to the beach.
She’s wearing another bikini I haven’t seen, and there’s clearly nothing wrong with my heart as it thumps in my chest at the sight. There’s also nothing wrong further south, but now isn’t exactly the time to think about how nice her plump ass looks while her hips sway through the sand ahead of me.
I have to adjust myself as we near the shore. The sun is set, yet again, and I wish to spend a morning at the beach with my mate in the light of day, without having to hide. I’ll have to find a way to make that happen. Soon.
Ready? she asks with her hand outstretched to take mine and walk with me to where the tide laps at the sand.
As ready as I can be. But... No matter the outcome, this still isn’t your fault, I reiterate, narrowing my eyes at her.
She blushes slightly, nods, and right now, that’s good enough for me.
The first step into the water has my scales rippling sporadically across my body, and the patches that spring up look so much like Erica’s mate mark.
We continue to wade into the water, hand in hand until Erica shrieks, her hands flying to her neck.
What is it? What’s wrong? I’m on her in an instant, pulling her hands away, and I’m surprised by what I see.
It’s common knowledge that most humans aren’t granted a mer form when they mate one of us, but it is possible. In most cases, when a gift is passed, it’s usually just a small bit of magic and Erica’s gift is perfect. With it, I can share pieces of our world with her.
Oh, little siren, you have no idea how much this means to me.
Without another word, I continue to walk her into the water, past where we can no longer touch the sand beneath our feet. When she shoots me a suspicious glance while she treads water, I encourage her. Come under water with me.
She doesn’t ask any questions, just takes a deep breath and lets herself sink below the water.
Now open your eyes.
What? No! The salt will burn.
I hadn’t thought of that, but surely she wouldn’t be granted one ability without the other.
Can you try for me?
Ari Seabrook if this burns my eyes I swear to—
Her words end abruptly when she opens her eyes below water, and I can see the change. Her sky-blue irises now surround a vertical, beaded pupil that merpeople have, allowing us to see clearly in water.
Before I can elaborate, she moves to crest above the waves for air.
Wait, I plead.
She shoots me a look that tells me she thinks I’ve lost my mind.
Take a breath. Her eyes widen comically and it looks so majestic with her mer eyes. I was right about your eyes, wasn’t I?
Rolling those very same eyes, she takes the tiniest breath, and I see her gills flicker with the movement, her hands reaching for them once more.
How is this possible?! She shrieks through our bond.
I take that moment as my cue to let my mer form take over completely. She’ll be able to really see it for the first time with her new eyes.
It doesn’t feel as painful as a shifter’s transformation looks. Ours is more magical . . . it’s the only way I can explain it. Bubbles and shimmers wrap around us and then fade to reveal our full form.
Her mouth drops open as she takes me in. A long and strong teal-colored tail, scales spattered across the rest of my body, webbed hands, gills, and all.
You’re so beautiful. Her voice is full of awe as love overwhelms our bond.
Me? Look at you. Sharing my world with me.
Her blush is just as breathtaking under water.
She shakes her head, whether it’s at me or herself, I don’t know.
How does your throat feel? The weight of those words brings my mind back to the situation. The guys pick that moment to join us. Bach and Scooter must have finished with band duties and knew to come here. Everyone is just as shocked and impressed by Erica’s magical gifts.
It doesn’t feel any different. It’s sore but there isn’t much pain. It just feels swollen, and my voice just . . . it won’t come out.
She nods and swims closer to me, the guys bobbing and weaving through the water, showing off.
Offering her my hand, I take her further out in the water, showing her our underwater world for hours before we finally make it back to the hotel, my voice still missing in action.