Page 31 of Homecoming

Thera was fun to play with. They moved smoothly and silently. No bubbles disturbed the fish that they passed.

They took pictures of each other and played in the water, doing barrel rolls and mimicking tiptoeing up to the fish.

After a while, they just started shopping. One fish after another gave way, and Thera had to surface for a few breaths but was back and harvesting lunch a few minutes later. When they were loaded, Aeryn put her arm around Thera, and the column of water that she commanded took them back to the boat, past the startled sharks and other predators looking for a snack.

They got back to the yacht in record time, handed their lines off, and were hauled out of the water a moment later. Orc had his arms around Thera, muttering about stupid sharks needing a comeuppance.

Sohar hugged Aeryn and muttered, “Why didn’t you breathe?”

“I don’t need to.”

A voice next to her asked, “Ma’am, how do you like your fish?”

“If I have a choice? Battered in nugget form.”

The man laughed. “That can be done.”

Aeryn looked up at Sohar. “I need to shower, or the salt will make me itchy.”

“Fine, but then back for a hug.”

The fresh spray was right there, and she rinsed out her hair before turning under the cool water.

When she was clean, she looked at Sohar, and he had a towel ready for the hug. When she walked forward, he wrapped her up and lifted her off her feet. He walked her up to the forward deck and sat down with her on his lap.

“I need to get the camera off.”

He nodded and helped her unclip it. Orc came over and got the camera. “This footage is gorgeous. You and Thera make a good team.”

She smiled. “It was fun.”

“How did you get back so fast?”

“Skills, my friend. Nothing but skills.”

Thera laughed.

Sohar held her close, and Aeryn felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time. Protected. She leaned against his shoulder, and he kissed her forehead.

He murmured, “I am sorry I am so inept at this, but I have not tried to ease a mate into my grasp before.”

“Good thing, too. I almost gave up and thought about pitching for the other team.”

Ahheel looked up with a smile. “Glad to have you.”

Sohar murmured, “She said almost.”

The boutique owner laughed.

Mini’s head lifted, and she looked into the distance. “He’s so sad.”

Orc asked, “You can hear that?”

Mini nodded. “Yeah. It’s low and sad and whiney all at the same time.”

Exoval laughed. “My brother is extra lonely of late. The golden alpha is also a big blue boy, and he spends his days off deep in the water, complaining.”

Mini frowned. “Why can I hear him out here?”

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