Page 89 of The Kraken Games

He propped up on a tentacle. Clearly, he’d been wide awake too.

She let her fingers drift across his chest softly, trying to find the right words. “I’m sorry,” she managed finally. “That I told you not to touch me earlier. It’s just… all this—feeling loved, feeling cared about, like I actuallymatter—it’s too much for me at times. It makes me feel vulnerable. And when I feel vulnerable, I hit out. I’m sorry, I hate myself for it.”

He gathered her hand in his and put it to his lips, dropped a soft kiss on the back of it.

“Then take my kisses,” he turned her hand over and laid kisses on the palm, “and drown out the hate.” And when he held out a tentacle, inviting her to snuggle in next to him, what else could a girl do but accept?

The next morning, after a huge breakfast of sea hen eggs, cooked up with the most delicious medley of sea vegetables, it was time to say their farewells.

Luna and Tom hugged, and he tried to give her back the locket she’d given him as a gift yesterday. “No Tom. I vowed if I ever found you, that you would keep this forever.”

“But it’s all you have to remind you of Mom and Dad.”

“And I’ve had it with me for the last fifteen years, so now it’s your turn. Besides,” she fingered the mother of pearl pendant at her neck that he’d made for her, “I have this from you now.”

With a grin, he looped the chain back over his head. “I will cherish it forever.”

“And I will see it every time I visit.” Luna hugged him close. It was definitely getting easier, this whole hugging thing. “Goodbye, my dearest brother, Tom.”

“Goodbye, my lovely sister, Luna.”

Kai watched Luna coming toward them, her arm looped in Tom’s after their private goodbye. She was so beautiful with the sun turning her hair to spun gold, he couldn’t help gawking at her. The tension that had made her look sharp and tight when he’d first met her was gone, and that let her beauty shine out. She glanced over at him quizzically, then he saw the stain of a blush creeping across her cheeks, her lips parting softly.

My Luna.

But not for much longer.

With difficulty, Kai ripped his gaze away and focused back on the group of merfolk bidding them a warm farewell. They assured him he would always be welcome, as would any of his kind.

“We don’t have nought against kraken here,” Brooke said, hugging him.

“What happens now?” Luna asked Brooke.

“You can visit whenever you wish. Even come live here with us, if you choose. You’d be welcome, sweetheart.”

He saw Luna retract into herself, the wall coming up as love was sent her way. He guessed it would take a while for her to totally trust that folks cared about her.

“That’s very kind. I will certainly visit, but I’m… I’m set up in my life, in my home. I’m not sure I could take all this...”

“All this what?” Brooke cocked her head.

Luna shook her head, laughing softly. “All this… kindness.”

“Oh you daft girl.” Brooke beckoned her with a strong arm, and Luna walked over. Brooke grinned and pointed at her rosy round cheek. “Won’t hug you if that feels too much, but you can kiss my cheek if you like.”

Luna did, and then, hesitating, she put her arms round Brooke and hugged her.

“Ah, that’s more like it, kiddo.”

“Thank you.” She went to Letitia next and did the same, and all the Mer folks cheered. “Remember, make love, not war,” Brooke called after them as they left.

Kai smiled to himself. It was a message he intended to heed.

At the gate, they turned and waved. Luna moved closer, and then he felt the softest thing against his tentacle. Her hand. She wanted to hold his, and he couldn’t let that opportunity go. Swiftly he transformed the end of his tentacle into fingers, then closed his palm around hers. Squeezed. She squeezed back.

He was amazed when a minute went past, then two, and she didn’t try to remove her hand from his. They kept walking, hand in hand, like… real lovers.

It felt wonderful. So right. Perfect. As if all his life he’d known he was meant to be side by side with this beautiful human.

---