Page 75 of Siren in the Rain

Once I’ve finished my dinner, I head back to the hot spring building. I get undressed and put everything in a locker, where I also discover a clean towel and washcloth. In the shower stall, I find soap, shampoo, and conditioner waiting for me as well. I take my time cleansing my body and trying to clear my mind using Anemone’s suggestions. Then, when I’m squeaky clean, I head outside with my towel to the hot spring.

It’s what the Japanese would call a rotenburo, or open-air hot spring. Coral explained that a natural spring on the island provides the water, which then pools here in a deep basin formation made from a natural depression in the rock. Soft lighting nestled within the foliage surrounding the basin illuminates the space.

Setting my towel on a handy bench nearby, I slowly enter the water, savoring the exquisite heat that seems to seep into my very bones. When I sit down on a carved ledge in the pool, I groan and lean back, taking it all in.

It’s official. All the anime shows and movies I watched as a kid totally got it right. Hot springs are fucking amazing.

I wish Griffin could have joined me for this.

In my mind, I can already see him grinning like a fool and splashing around with his tail wagging. He would absolutely love this.

Maybe we’ll just need to take a trip to Japan together one day and experience the real deal there.

Closing my eyes, I allow myself to daydream about the future in a way I haven’t fully dared to since I managed to escape. I smile to myself. Griffin has been instrumental in getting me to this point. His boundless optimism and sweet affection have the power to blow away even my darkest of thoughts.

While I still feel lingering anxiety about the fated-mates thing, I know I want to stay with him.

I settle in and let the waters do their work, and soon find my mind turning more and more to Griffin. A slideshow of his cute expressions plays behind my eyes and brings a smile to my lips. At the same time, the sublime heat makes my whole body unclench and before I know it, I’m drifting into a near sleep-like state of relaxation.

Something alerts me to a change in the atmosphere and I blink my eyes open to see that the outdoor lighting around me has begun to dim while the water in the hot spring has started to give off a faint bluish glow. Coral had prepared me for this, but it’s still surprising to witness.

Contrary to proper onsen etiquette, I fully submerge myself under the water now that it’s glowing. I stay under until I need to come up for air, which is quite a long time even though I’m only half-siren. When I return to the surface I admire the glow from the water, which produces a blanket of sparkles swirling in the air around me, and I close my eyes again, basking in the magic as it envelops me.

After about twenty minutes, the bluish light fades away and the water returns to normal. Warm and unexpectedly drowsy, I finally drag myself out of the hot spring and wrap my towel around myself. I quickly change into some sweats and a T-shirt to sleep in and make my way to the temple.

My body feels lighter than I can ever remember, and some of the faint aches and pains that are usually there in the background with me have disappeared. The temple is small and has a Mediterranean aesthetic, with colorful mosaic tilework and white stucco walls. The wooden door at the entrance opens easily, and I step inside to find it pleasantly cool within.

There are two rooms in the temple. First is a large main space that I assume is for the healing ritual. It features a sunken area lined with bright cushions and pillows in the middle of the floor. I wander the space before entering the second room off to the side. It’s a small bedroom that holds a twin bed, nightstand, and a tiny attached bathroom with a toilet and sink. Definitely not a luxury resort but perfectly comfortable for my needs.

By now, I’m struggling to keep my eyes open. Coral had warned me this might happen, so I waste no time in getting myself into bed even though it’s early. The mattress is surprisingly soft and the sheets are clean and smell like they’ve been dried out in the sun. I reach in my bag and grab my stuffed sea otter that I got when Griffin and I went to Pacific Park. Cuddling it close, I pull the heavier comforter around myself and make a cozy cocoon to sleep in.

I’m out so fast I don’t recall my last thoughts.

Sunlight streaming through the one window in the room awakens me early the next morning. As I slowly come to consciousness, I assess my body. It’s no overstatement to say that I feel fantastic, like I had an epic massage followed by the best sleep of my entire life. I’m relaxed and refreshed, and my mind is clearer than ever.

Also, for the first time in several years, I have a massive boner.

I’m not even exaggerating when I say I get tears in my eyes at the sight. Who knew I’d ever be so relieved to wake up with morning wood, but there you have it.

Out of nowhere, my mind recalls the rather explicit dream I had last night involving me and Wolf Boy. That only makes my dick even harder.

Grabbing some lotion from the side table, I quickly get to work relieving myself. When it comes to erections, I’ve long been of the “waste not, want not” mindset. I have to take advantage of this good fortune.

Of its own volition, my mind returns to that dream I had, the one where I was fucking Griffin while he was on all fours.

In moments, I’m racing toward my climax and when it hits, it’s like some kind of floodgate that’s been sealed for far too long opens inside me. Waves of pleasure wash over me, but all I can see in my mind is Griffin.

Fuck.

It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours and I miss him something fierce.

It’s more than I expected and confirms a number of truths I’ve been shying away from. If everything works out well with my ritual today, I need to confront my fears, and Griffin, when I get back.

After heading to the bathroom to heed the now imperative call of nature, I also clean up and get dressed in a pair of yoga pants courtesy of Griffin and a lightweight tunic my grandmother provided. I probably look a bit foolish, but I was touched by their offerings and brought them with me to wear for the ritual.

Lastly, I take a few moments to brush my long hair. I’ve contemplated cutting it, but when I mentioned the idea to Griffin, he looked like he was going to cry. The man loves my hair, so I’m willing to put up with the hassle of it for him, especially since he’s the one who has taken to combing and styling it for me. Dealing with my hair the few times I wake up without him is a small price to pay to keep that smile on his face.

Cal was so fucking on the money when he warned me early on that I’d succumb to the Wolfkin. Griffin’s adorableness has broken through all of my defenses in a way no one else has. Now I can’t bear the thought of making him sad.

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