Page 37 of Surface Pressure

“Autumn,” Soulara’s voice cracked. “I don’t want to have to make that choice. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I’m not worth being saved,” Autumn whispered, hoping the wind would carry her voice away and that Soulara wouldn’t hear her.

“Oh, you’re worth it.” Soulara turned, brushing their cheeks together. The salty scent, a hint of seaweed mixed in, entranced Autumn. “You better be worth it.”

Was that a threat?

Or the truth?

Or Soulara’s hope?

Autumn bit her lip, pushing her cheek into Soulara’s as her eyes fluttered shut. “I need to get back. Find out more from Marshall.”

“I’ll be around. Just come here, and I’ll meet you as soon as I can.” Soulara pulled away slightly, but not before pressing their lips together.

Autumn gasped. She smiled against Soulara’s mouth, pushing in even more until their tongues touched. She was being seduced by the underwater alien, but in moments like these, even knowing that, she couldn’t bring herself to care. Soulara had shown her so much more compassion than any human she’d ever met.

Soulara bent Autumn back, resting her in the sand. Her hand was under Autumn’s head, cradling her as their mouths moved against each other. If Soulara wanted it, Autumn would let her take her right here. She would revel in the feel of the sand scratching against her skin, knowing that Soulara was there just for her and no one else.

Humming, Autumn pulled back slightly. “Soulara.”

“I know.” Soulara pressed their foreheads together and slowed her breathing. “I know.”

“I promise I’ll see you soon,” Autumn said, hoping she wasn’t lying.

“Not soon enough.” Soulara kissed her again, quickly. “You need to leave.”

“Yes,” Autumn answered, still not moving.

“I’ll protect you as much as I can.” Soulara kissed each of Autumn’s cheeks. “I can’t imagine this world without you.”

“Soulara.” Autumn bucked her hips up, putting space between them. “Go. Just go.”

Soulara seemed stunned, but she slid away and then pulled herself into the water. She put her legs together, the skin morphing into scales, dark navy blue scales that knitted together in a long tail, with fins that had a silvery edge to them.

“You’re so beautiful,” Autumn murmured. “In every form and essence of who you are.”

Soulara’s face broke into a smile. “I think you’re the first person that’s said that and meant it.”

“How could anyone not?”

“I’m royalty, Autumn.” Soulara put her hands up. “Everyone wants a piece of me.”

Without another word, Soulara splashed into the waves.

Autumn stayed and watched her until she disappeared under the surface of the water. A pressure built in her chest, tight and fraught with tension. This wasn’t going to be easy. And they’d be lucky if they both survived.

12

Soulara lingered in the water just below the surface. She watched and waited. Her tail moved back and forth in a slow stroke keeping herself in place.

Autumn remained on the beach until the sun had moved farther across the sky. When she stood up and dusted off sand from her bottom, Soulara smiled despite herself. Such simple things about this woman had her smiling.

But how much easier would this have been if they had never met?

That thought stabbed Soulara in the chest. Unfamiliar and far too close to her heart. She couldn’t love one of the invaders. One of the people here with the sole purpose of taking her people’s water. But this was Autumn, not some stranger.

Autumn, who had gone against her own people to bring Soulara the information about the next deep sounding attack.

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