Page 80 of Echoes of the Tide

It was almost mind bending to see them all. To her people, the undine were monsters. She’d never given it much thoughtto what they did when they weren’t hunting humans. In a way, she’d assumed they were all holed up in some cavern in the middle of the ocean, clawed hands stretching out of the darkness when they scented prey. Or perhaps that they just floated there, waiting for the next attack.

They were silly thoughts. She knew that now. Because there was a mother here with her child, tugging on its tail and laughing as the little one got more and more angry. Then there was a young couple, each of them twining around the other as they swam toward the surface. Their tails were so graceful and long, looping in a spiral that looked like DNA as the sun’s rays grew stronger and highlighted the female’s lovely dark blue scales and the male’s pretty green.

This entire place was like a dream. And as they approached the building that she never would have guessed was here, she realized she had thought so low of the undines, but clearly they were far more than she’d ever imagined.

Maketes held her a little tighter as they approached. She could feel his claws digging into her sides, pressing her to his skin like someone was going to take her from him.

But no one even swam toward them. It seemed like some of the other undines were looking at her with rather odd expressions, but no one spoke to them. She supposed that was likely because they already knew other humans. She could only guess that this was where Mira and Anya lived, considering the home was filled with greenery that she could already see through the windows.

Ace couldn’t wait to get out of the water. She loved experiencing all of this with Maketes too, but having a bit more of a civilized place to rest her head would also be very welcome.

Still, she placed her hands on his shoulders and squeezed hard enough to get his attention. “You seem nervous.”

“I am.”

“Why?”

His forearm flexed against her back, the hard muscles there bouncing with emotion. “I just... I want them to treat you kindly.”

Was that what he was worried about? This sweet, wonderful man feared that she wouldn’t get along with the others?

Ace chuckled, the sound causing bubbles to erupt from her mouth. “I’ve been around humans my entire life, Maketes. Some of them don’t like me, others do. It’s okay if they don’t like me.”

“It’s not.”

“Why?”

He paused near the building, his gaze dancing over her features. “Because you are the most wonderful person I have ever met. The idea of them disappointing you, or seeing less of you than you deserve? It kills me.”

She bumped her nose against his. “I promise, if they are mean, I will tell you.”

“You will tell me.”

She nodded, and then for good measure, pressed a kiss to his lips. Because it seemed natural to do so. They were here, they had been... whatever they were. And now it only felt right that she kiss him and linger when...

Well, fuck. She didn’t know if it was the right thing to do in front of what was essentially his family. But he reacted like she’d stuck him with a brand. Maketes became a live wire in her arms, all of his gills fluttering like mad and his arms dragging her even closer. It was so nice to have someone be this obsessed with her.

Then he sighed against her lips, bubbles obscuring her vision of him for a few moments before he swam her closer to the building again.

“Be safe, kefi,” he said, before holding her up to the opening of the moon pool. “I will return for you.”

“Where are you going?”

“To find my brothers. They need to know who I have brought back to our home, and what our plan is.” His gaze lingered on her face, as though just looking at her eased his anxiety. “You can hold your own against them. Yes?”

“I don’t think there will be any issues.”

Although now he was making her nervous.

He flicked his tail and headed away from the building, so she turned toward the surface at the same moment his tentacle disconnected with her neck. Nowhere to go now but up, she supposed.

Kicking her feet, she headed up and grabbed onto the edge of the moon pool. With a sharp gasp, she drew air into her lungs all on her own and heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

Ace had only just managed to ungracefully crawl her way out of the water and roll wet and soaking onto the floor when a door burst open. It hit the wall hard, and Ace caught a glimpse of the interior. It was rather bare in this room, with a table set up on a raised platform in the back and glass windows everywhere. There was an opening to her right that looked like it might go into a garden area which had recently been expanded, guessing by the old bolts sitting next to the new ones she could see glinting in the light.

But then she could only look at the beautiful woman standing in the doorway. Not a single golden lock out of place. She was a stunning example of near perfection. Her blue eyes were so lovely, the curves of her body carefully hugged by a rather lovely looking dress that was in the peak of fashion. The blue gown tucked in at the waist, hugged her breasts, and showed off the ring of pearls around her throat.

Surreal, Ace had the momentary thought. It was surreal to see someone so put together in a building that had clearly recently been built.

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