Page 65 of Where the Current Takes Him
“How did you do that?” Beau demanded.
“The same way I am talking to you now.” Loriun shrugged. “I suppose having gills helps.”
“Could you understand me if I tried to talk underwater?” Beau asked, fascinated. His education had definitely not included enough Mer biology.
Loriun looked skeptical. “I have never heard a human try, but I doubt it will work.”
“I’m gonna try.” Beau dove down a few feet, then attempted to shout, “Loriun!” A large bubble burst from his mouth and wobbled to the surface.
Clear laughter sounded in his ears. “I don’t think your kind were meant to speak in the sea.”
Beau popped back out of the water. “Damn, that would have been really cool.”
A soft brush of Loriun’s tail caressed Beau’s legs. “I cannot say I’m surprised,” he said. “You humans can barely swim.”
Indignation sparked in Beau’s chest. “Hey, we can swim!”
“Sure, you can avoid drowning, but I wouldn’t call thatswimming.”
“Excuse you, watch this.” Beau took in another lungful of air and propelled himself down toward the seafloor. Through the stinging salt water, Beau could see an amorphous, teal blur watching his progress.
“You are incredibly slow.”
Unable to retort, Beau made do with a middle finger. His lungs were starting to protest the lack of air.
I really need to improve my lung capacity if I’m going to be with a Mer for the rest of my life. And have Mer babies. And live on the beach forever.
“You’ve made your point.” Loriun’s voice was amused. “Go back. I can hear your heart rate increasing.”
Ever stubborn, Beau kicked out one last time. Without warning, a rip current seized his upper body, tearing him from the nearby surface. He let out a shout on instinct, losing most of the air in his lungs.
“Beau!” Loriun’s voice was fading into the distance.
His chest was on fire, desperate for air. The ocean’s pressure dug into his ear drums and pounded in his head. He was going to drown. Seawater filled his mouth and throat, flooding his lungs and shocking the tissues.
Then, he had oxygen. Beau floated where the current had spat him out, feeling little swirls of water escape the sides of his neck. Terror held him captive as his body took over. Water poured in, bringing oxygen to his blood, then filtered back out. Again and again.
“Beau!” Loriun’s panicked shout was close.
Beau could see the indistinct shape of his mate slicing through the water, arms outstretched.
“Wait,” Beau said, just as Loriun’s fingers reached him. The Mer froze.
“Loriun, I’m breathing.”
“You—You’re talking,” he said, dazed. “What…?”
“I don’t know.” Beau ran a hand over his neck. Little frills jutted out from narrow slits in his skin. “I think I have gills.”
Loriun’s hand joined his, brushing along the sides of his neck.
“Turys’asi nuonumsh,”he swore softly.
Chapter 27
Loriun
Gills. He had gills. His human Omega had gills. Beau’s wide brown eyes met Loriun’s, though he knew Beau’s vision was poor in an aquatic environment.
