Page 13 of The Tides of March

Despite taking regular dips in the sea, Ronan still filled the tub with cold water every other night and scrubbed himself from head to toe with Castile soap “to keep the critters away.” Ronan would find any excuse to fill the tub and Tony suspected the sound and reflection of the water off the cottage’s walls and ceiling comforted the merrow. It was decadent for Tony,whenever Ronan moved the tub closer to the fire and filled it with steaming water, then insisted he soak and drink tea or warmed, honeyed wine as he read.

If Tony could have designed his ideal spa getaway, it would look a lot like an isolated beach cottage, filled with books, beautiful art, and lots of dogs. He’d eat hearty, homey foods and drink plenty of tea and wine. And he’d request a grumpy hunk to keep him company, making Tony wonder if they were taking full advantage of the situation.

He had eventually nodded off and Tony was far more daring in his dreams, taunting Ronan as he bathed with filthy demonstrations and helping him towel off. Thankfully,anythingwas possible in dreams because Tony didn’t think he could possibly swallow every inch of Ronan.That partdid not appear to be human. It was very long, like a seal’s, and appeared rather heavy. After Ronan’s “thick juicy steak” comment, Tony was even more curious about what sex with a merrow would be like.

As fate would have it, Tony didn’t have much longer to wait. But the clapping of his students alerted Tony that the film had ended and that it was time to return to the present. He blinked back tears and discreetly adjusted the front of his trousers while the room was still dark, waiting for the pain in his chest and the ominous ache in his gut to recede.

There was also a searing twinge in his side and Tony held on tight to the armrests until it passed, cursing Ronan for whatever he had done to them before rising. “Alright, it’s almost time to go. Don’t forget to check the syllabus for this week’s assignment. There will be questions and you need to post in the discussion forum about the topics I posted,” he said but Tony was drowned out by the sounds of books and binders closing and bags zipping as schedules and plans were discussed. “See you all on Wednesday,” Tony called, receiving only a few half-hearted waves.

The door slammed behind the last student, leaving Tony alone with his thoughts and weakened after a rough tumble down memory lane. “Not that you really care,” he murmured at the empty desks. “Do I?” Once again, Tony wondered if he actually loved teaching anthropology or if he had been drawn to the classroom because of Nox.

He now understood that his passion for books and learning about history was because of his Epona ancestors and a desire to know more of his own backstory. Instead of finding clarity and closure in the truth, Tony felt more like an outsider after his time on Pooles Island. He knew himself so much better now, but Tony made so much less sense in his old life.

“Thanks for nothing, Ronan,” he said sadly.

In the aftermath of his expulsion from Pooles Island and return to reality, it felt like Ronan had left Tony hanging and vulnerable in a world he no longer fit in.

Six

Glory to the gods, the skies finally cleared and the sun came out after four days of nonstop rain. Ronan was glad to see Tony sitting upright and attempting to walk, but the cottage felt even smaller with another man knocking about. And Ronan was too aware of every beautiful inch of that man.

“Why don’t I put out a blanket so ye can read in the sun for a bit? Some fresh air will do ye good,” he suggested after helping Tony to the toilet and the sink to freshen up.

Like Ronan, Tony kept his body and his bunk tidy. But the lad had no shame and he certainly wasn’t shy.

The lad also had impeccable manners so Tony had asked if Ronan minded. But Ronan, being an insatiable idiot, insisted he didn’t. He coveted every glance and paid for them dearly, but Ronan couldn’t resist staring and imagining what Tony would taste and feel like. It was driving Ronan mad and wearing him down, but Tony still needed constant supervision and assistance. His energy was depleted after the simplest task and he would nod off at the most inconvenient times.

Tony couldn’t do any harm to himself on a blanket on the grass, Ronan had reasoned. And Ronan could do with a briskwalk with the dogs so Tony dressed and a blanket was laid out just a few feet away from the cottage door.

“I won’ go far or be long,” Ronan told Tony as he helped him lower onto the blanket.

“I’ll be fine!”

“I’m sure ye will be.” That didn’t stop Ronan from stomping back into the cottage for another blanket and tucking it around Tony’s waist. “Will that be enough?” he asked, pointing at the book and the Thermos of tea. “Ye usually read three or four books in an afternoon.”

“Stop it. I have theOdysseyand can entertain myself for an hour. If I get bored or the wind gets to me, I’ll go inside.”

Ronan grimaced at the house, concerned about the distance and the steps. The further Ronan went and the longer he was away, the weaker Tony got. His little human battery didn’t last long when Ronan was on hand and drained even faster when he left the cottage.

“I’ll probably just take a nap, so I won’t even notice,” Tony mused, giving Ronan’s thigh a shove. “It’s a beautiful day. Go and enjoy it with the gang,” he commanded with a flick of his hand. That quick, little gesture alerted the dogs and they sprang into action, barking and prancing excitedly. “Maybe I’ll be able to join you soon,” Tony said with a hopeful look at Ronan.

“Aye. That’d be nice.”

He saluted Tony as if he hadn’t just knocked Ronan’s world onto a different axis. His entire universe had tipped onto its side and Ronan was dazed, as if he’d just taken a brick to the side of the head as he set off.

What could be better than long walks with Tony?

Ronan couldn’t think of anything and imagined pointing out various landmarks and facts as he headed out with his dogs. Fergus and Flynn led the hunt, galloping into the waves as therest of the pack followed. Ronan could picture Tony, laughing as he chased them.

The idea didn’t seem all that impossible and Ronan was looking forward to an outing with Tony until Flynn alerted him to the presence of something nefarious in one of the tide pools. Ronan’s hackles were raised as he approached and he let out an angry oath when he spotted the corpse. It appeared to be a young man and Ronan resisted the urge to race back to the cottage and check on Tony.

“Back off!” Ronan ordered the dogs as he went to get a closer look.

All that was left was a gangly pile of pale, bruised limbs, a scrap of net, and strands of seaweed. It had been several decades since Ronan had seen a dead human and it was even more of a shock, seeing one that looked so much like Tony. The young man was tall and lean, with dark, wavy hair and thick, black lashes that fanned along his cheeks.

Another angel had washed up on Ronan’s shore but he was too late to save this one.

“Better call Winston,” Ronan said with a heavy sigh.

---