Page 101 of Jewel of the Sea

Arkon carried them amidst the tiny blue points of light, which flowed in a wide stream toward land. Aymee stared in awe and reached a hand out. Several of the flecks, most no larger than a grain of sand, flared as they flowed between her fingers, returning to their prior brightness once they’d moved away.

“Halorium fields detected,” Sam said. Something resembling a map with spots of blue color, varying in thickness, blinked across the mask. “Interference is currently minimal, but it is suggested that you turn back and avoid further exposure.”

Aymee frowned. “What will the exposure do, Sam?”

“My systems may be compromised by the energy fields emitted by halorium, which could result in failure of life support.”

“Is the halorium dangerous?”

“Only for its potential effects on your PDS.”

An unfamiliar thrum pulsed over her skin; she knew the suit created some sort of invisible buffer between itself and its wearer, but this was the first time she’d felt it.

“It does not have any known adverse effects on living creatures,” Arkon said. The tiny spheres bathed his face in a soft glow, making his smile even gentler.

“Is this what you wanted to show me?” she asked.

“Yes. But we’re not quite where I intended yet.”

“The concentration of the halorium radiation is increasing,” Sam said, a hint of static in his voice. The vibrations in the suit increased.

“Sam, release the mask.”

The seal broke with a hiss and the thrumming ceased. Aymee removed the mask and tugged off her hood. Relaxing against Arkon’s back, she kept her arms around him as he continued forward, smiling when one of his hands brushed her arm.

The blue flecks thickened around them until it looked as though they were swimming through a clear night sky. Waves of blue flared, rippling out around them.

“The color reminds me of your glow,” Aymee said.

“I do not think it is an accident,” he replied. “Many native sea creatures have similar bioluminescence.”

Arkon took them toward a stretch of beach. The sand was pale against the dark, imposing forms of the cliffs backing it, but even from a distance, she could tell it was covered with the little flecks of light. As soon as the water was shallow enough, she released her hold and walked alongside Arkon onto land.

She turned to face the ocean, water skimming past her ankles, and her breath caught at the beauty of it. Waves rolled ashore, and the flecks they disturbed pulsed like lightning crackling in the clouds. Kneeling, she ran her hand over the water’s surface, watching it come to life, and when she lifted her hand, particles sparkled on her suit.

“This is incredible!” she exclaimed, looking up at Arkon.

His eyes were upon her. “It is.”

Warmth flooded her. The combination of his words and intense expression made her heart pound. She looked back down. “Why isn’t it like this everywhere?”

“I do not know,” he replied, moving closer. “But this — this place, at this moment — is just for the two of us.”

Aymee tilted her head back and smiled. She stood up, running a finger from the center of his waist to his chest. “What should the two of us do in such a place?”

“Anything we want.”

Stepping away from him, Aymee moved up the beach until she was a safe distance from the water. She tossed the mask into the sand and turned to face Arkon. Wrapping her hand around the suit’s centerpiece, she twisted her fingers, and the fabric separated at her back.

“And what do you want, Arkon?” she asked, peeling the sleeves off her arms.

He approached slowly, the glowing surf sweeping around his tentacles, gaze fixed upon her. “I want you. Only you. Forever, you.”

Aymee’s heart raced. His voice, deep and filled with desire, enveloped her. She slipped the suit down her body until she was able to kick it aside. Her breasts ached, and her nipples tightened, begging for his touch, and a throb of arousal slickened her inner thighs. She held her arms out to him.

“You have me.”

He slipped an arm around her waist, and she looped hers around his neck. He eased her onto the sand and held himself over her. Tiny glowing orbs clung to his skin, granting him an ethereal visage.

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