Page 34 of Beneath the Surface

He held out his hand. Never again would he force Kannon to do something he didn’t want to do. When Kannon took his hand, relief swept through him. Maybe, just maybe, they could make this work. After extinguishing the lamps, they walked up the path until they got to the surface. The moon peeked out from behind the clouds. Once on land Nisha looked around, checking for threats.

Detecting none, they headed toward Kannon’s bungalow, still holding hands. Nisha entered the bungalow and did a quick check for any dangers. Satisfied Cree hadn’t come back, he moved aside and let Kannon enter.

“What a mess.” Kannon removed a lamp from the floor and put it back on an end table. “Brett is going to freak.”

“It’s not as bad as it could have been.” Nisha picked up several broken knickknacks and placed them on the coffee table.

“I guess.” Kannon walked into the kitchen. He checked to see if there were any spare trash bags. He opened a cabinet under the sink and found a box of them. He returned to the living area. “At least no one was seriously hurt. I mean, Brett is going to be okay, right? He’s getting married shortly.”

“He will be. The blisters will be mostly gone by then.”

“Good,” Kannon said. “What the hell was that net thing on him?”

“It was a regular net coated with poisons that causes blisters when it comes in contact with skin. Brooke has a salve to treat them.”

“Is that something you… your people… What do you call yourselves?”

“Merfolk. And yes, it’s something we make. The poison, in small doses, is used in several medicines. It can be very beneficial. It was never intended to be used as a weapon, but as you saw, it can be. Like any dangerous substance, it can be misused.”

“I see.”

Conversation died down as they cleaned up the place.

“Do you want something to drink?” Kannon asked once they were done.

“Just water. And thank you.”

After Kannon fixed a soda and Nisha’s water, they returned to the living area and sat on the couch. Kannon sat close to Nisha, his legs curled up underneath him and then studied his soda. “You know, it would’ve really been nice if you could’ve run this past me first. What if I didn’t feel what you felt? What if you had bit me, changed me, and there was no attraction between us?”

Was this what was bothering Kannon? “Do you remember the first time you saw me?”

Kannon snorted. “You bet your ass I do.”

“You were attracted to me even though you were scared. And yes, before you argue, you were. I could smell your arousal that day. But it’s more than that, Kannon. We believe we’re paired with a mate. Usually it is another mer, but this time it was human.”

“Lucky you.”

“Yes, I am very lucky.” He needed Kannon to see he meant what he said. “I know that was sarcasm, but Iamlucky. The moment I saw you in the water I knew you were my mate.”

“But—”

“No buts. There is no mistake. You can call it Fate or whatever you want. It doesn’t matter. You are mine, and I am yours.”

Kannon laid his head on Nisha’s shoulder. “But do you love me?”

“I’ve never experienced love, but I can tell you already what I feel for you is strong. Deep. And it grows with every passing second. What about you?”

“I’ve never been attracted to anyone as I am to you. And just like you, what I feel for you is also growing.”

Kannon lifted his head off Nisha’s shoulder and sat up. “So now what?”

“I would ask that you consider living on the island. I have to live near the water, Kannon.” Nisha reached out and threaded his hands through Kannon’s hair. The vibrant color fascinated him. So soft and silky.

Kannon sighed. “Of course, the one place I swore I’d never be.”

“I understand that, but I’m a creature of the deep blue sea. This area is my territory. I allow certain merfolk to reside here. They keep the area clear of crap humans throw in the ocean, and in turn they depend on me for protection. I… I don’t think I could survive away from here.”

“Hey, hey, hey.” Kannon put his hand on top of Nisha’s knee. “I never said I wouldn’t live here. I totally get what you’re saying. You have a life I can’t really even begin to comprehend, and it’s here. I was just saying I never figured I’d end up here. I can’t imagine you in the big city.”

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