Page 81 of Make Out With A Merman

His mouth meets mine and I feel it, a rush of warmth, ofair, of him pressing breath into me like it’s my only lifeline.

Because it is.

My whole body trembles, eyes wide, hands still clutching his, as the tether pulses between us brighter than ever.

I breathe him in.

All of him.

And I realize, we’re still sinking.

But we’re doing it together.

And I believe he’s not going to let me drown.

CHAPTER 26

RYDER

She’s still kissing me.

Or maybe I’m still kissing her.

I don’t know anymore.

The only thing I know is she’salive.

Her fingers grip mine with iron strength, and the tether hums between us, still burning bright in the dark.

But the rift?

The rift is gone.

Collapsed in on itself the moment she touched me. The moment her magic, no,her lovewrapped around mine and held.

I felt it.

Not just seal.

Accept.

Like the lake finally understood.

I’m not its weapon.

I’m itsguardian.

I pull her close, one arm around her waist, kick hard with my legs, and push for the surface.

She clings to me.

We rise slow but steady.

I can feel the magic dissipating. Sinking back into the water like mist.

The pressure lessens.

The cold fades.

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