Page 9 of Tides of Time

“What if we could go back and make our choices again?”

The Orion from eight minutes ago had not been impressed with her desires to go back and stop them from becoming what they were. This version of him may be different.

“You’d ask me not to save you?” his eyes darkened, and he crossed the small space in a blink, his hand cupping her cheek.

She could undo her gift, but she’d never live without him. He was her rock, and there was no life without him. She would undo his acceptance and erase her choice. She wouldn’t drown because she’d have her current self to save her past self.

The plan was a jumble in her head, formed only as they’d swum in silence. Ariana couldn’t do it - not without his approval and not yet. She could, but it didn’t feel right to steal something from him if he wanted it.

She knew in her heart that whatever path they chose would lead to the best outcome for both of them. The flickering light sun sometimes reaching into the depths where they swam highlighted the contours of his face, emphasizing every line and angle. His expression was one of determination and understanding, but Ariana didn’t know if it was for saving the girl, or something else.

The details swirled around her, a jumbled mess of endless possibilities and decisions. But as she gazed into his deep, mesmerizing eyes, she found a sense of calm wash over her.

They would live together in his country - away from the hellish internal wars and damnation in hers. Normal jobs paled compared to what she did now, but she’d always intended to be a doctor and save people that way.

If Ariana could prevent Orion from drowning, she would remain human because she could get caught by the time stream. It’s not that they would never meet, because she would travel to his time, she just would live in the past. With him. It was the only warning she’d been given when Poseidon spoke to her in her mind shortly after she’d been reborn.

The pain of her transformation had barely worn off. Still, the sea king came to her mind, and she’d listened with rapt attention even as the need to murder those who caused her undoing ate at her.

Her gift would allow her to walk amongst the waves and the pull of tides the moon created each month. She could go as far back as she wished, but should she create turmoil within the timeline that sprouted in her life, she would be stuck, unable to ever return.

It’s the real reason she’d never dared to learn the secrets of Orion’s life that he undoubtedly didn’t share. She couldn’t risk being trapped alone should she alter something in his life.

This was different. If she could save him, her timeline would be altered, and she would be forever stuck.

Which is why you must have legs when you do this, or all is lost.

Ariana's throat tightened, her heart thudding with nervousness. The stakes were high and one wrong move could lead to permanent consequences. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself for the task at hand. It was daunting, but she knew she was capable.

Would do this.

Life as a human was undoubtedly not as wonderful as her life as a mermaid, but she was tired of being indebted to the pod. Not her Orion.

“Take me to the surface.”

“That’s how you intend to end this conversation?”

She nodded. “I did what I did to save a young girl. I’ve had a terrible day, and sinking my toes into the sand is still my favorite sensation.”

“Oh?” A dark brow quirked upward. “I should hope there is a sensation you enjoy much, much more.”

Laughing, she ignored the growing desire. Her dismay from earlier lifted. Her gifts had come in handy, for now, they’d chased away the sorrow from the hunt and would aid her in starting life anew.

“That is precisely why I want to use our lunar cycle. I want to make love to you on the beach.” She gave him a grin. “With my toes in the sand.”

His eyes darkened for the fifth time in as many minutes.

“You make my head spin, my love, but yes, if you wish for time on the surface to erase what ails your soul, then I will give it to you.”

“Not because I planted a very wonderful image in your head?”

He snorted. “I can take you on the sand in the black of night without the fear of humans in this form anytime you wish it.”

She grinned, thinking of all the times the pod had been near shore and they’d slipped away. “Then you’d better make this one extra special.” She winked and darted forward, the internal compass they all shared pointing her to the nearest land mass - America this time.

She blew out a breath.Get legs, check.

Ariana had no doubt she could do this correctly, but still, the slightest fear that she’d save him and fail to get stuck and merely propel herself into the future and drown began to creep from the corner of her mind to the forefront.

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