Page 84 of Siren in the Rain

I covered my face and groaned while Griffin beamed with pleasure.

“Be careful with your mate, Shae,” Coral had added. “While sexual activities in the water are very natural for sirens, it’s not always the same for other species. Be sure to spend some time getting frisky on land, as well.”

Talk about embarrassing.

As for the fated-mate bond itself, Griffin has been oddly reticent about explaining what we need to do to officially confirm our status as consenting, permanent mates. I did learn that just verbally accepting the bond isn’t enough; there’s more involved, but he’s not telling me what yet.

He’s assured me it’s nothing that needs to be rushed into immediately and that we can wait until we’re back home. But after all his efforts to win me over, why is he being so vague now?

I asked my grandmother if she could enlighten me more, but she told me it was something private that Griffin and I needed to discuss, not anything to worry about. I suspect they’re both being protective after all that I’ve been through, but I feel like I’ve found parts of myself that were lost for far too long, and I’m doing better than I have been in years.

Now that I’ve made my decision, I want to see it through. When it comes to these types of big life-altering choices, I don’t second-guess myself once I’ve chosen my path. I go all in.

And I am definitely all in on Griffin McIntyre.

Coral was right. Griffin is nothing like my father and neither am I. He and I complement one another so well. Being with him is as natural as swimming in the ocean for me.

Now I want to swim in the waters of life with Griffin by my side.

Oh, god. Now I’m thinking all kinds of cheesy schmoopy thoughts, which I still find kind of gross, for the record, but also kind of awwww!

It’s a conundrum.

On my last day on the island, Coral and Anemone prepare a private coming-of-age ceremony for me—many years late, but that doesn’t matter. We make our way to a small field with a circle at the center that’s lined with stones.

“Is this a fairy ring?” I ask.

Coral gives me an amused smile. “No, but something similar. This is the center point of a magical ley line that runs through this island.” She gestures toward the circle. “Step inside and you’ll feel it.”

Griffin bounces on his toes. “Ooh! I can’t wait to see what superpowers you have!”

I roll my eyes but can’t stop a smile from curving my lips. “I appreciate your enthusiasm, but it’s not like I’m going to become some overpowered MC in a battle-themed manga.”

Even though my inner child is rooting for that.

Griffin starts humming happily to himself and I start when I realize it’s the theme song to Sailor Moon.

Laughter bubbles up in my throat, and soon I’m gasping for air and clutching my sides as I dissolve into giggles. This man is ridiculous and wonderful—and he’s totally perfect for me.

When I can finally breathe again, I lay an intense kiss on him before pulling away. “We are totally going to watch all the classic anime shows together.”

“Right on,” he says with a grin.

Brimming with confidence, I step into the circle.

I imagine stepping on a live wire is somewhat similar.

It’s as if my feet are anchored to the ground and the powerful ley line is feeding me energy through the soles of my feet. The sheer intensity of it all is staggering. To my relief, it doesn’t hurt. Rather, it’s as if I’m being supercharged.

Okay, my childhood Dragon Ball Z Super Saiyan fantasies might be momentarily resurrected during all this.

Then, just as quickly as it began, the moment is over. The magical energy recedes and eventually goes quiet, leaving me a bit dazed and confused in the middle of the grass circle once again.

“You may exit the circle,” Coral tells me.

I manage to do as she says, but far from gracefully. In fact, my legs are quite wobbly and Griffin has to catch me before I face-plant on the ground.

“Whoa, there!” he warns, his sexy tanned arms wrapping around me.

---