Page 82 of Where the Current Takes Him
“If it is not okay, I will make it okay. That I can promise.”
Beau took a steadying breath and watched the two Mer shift into their terrestrial form. It occurred to him that this was his first time seeing Vuos shifted. He was less human than Loriun, with the black parts of his fins and scales marring faintly green skin. He looked off-balance without his tail, but dressed in a suit and with black hair flowing down his back, no one could deny he was attractive regardless.
Loriun’s suit was a light teal that matched his scales, though they faded from view in this form. Beau had opted for a darker shade of the same color—one that matched his ring.
Jaime and Vuos would carry the jackets to the conservatory, so as not to arouse too much suspicion from Beau’s parents. As the older couple crept off to the conservatory entrance, Beau and Loriun were shown into the foyer by a bored security guard. It took several minutes for them to wind through the maze of hallways.
Beau paused just outside his mother’s room. Loriun slipped an arm over his shoulders.
“It will be okay,” Loriun murmured.
Beau felt his fiance’s lips brush his hair. His heart pulsed in his ears as he tried to stomp the tidal wave of panic back down.
“My dad is going to be pissed,” Beau whispered, looking up at Loriun’s worry-lined face.
“And if he is?” Loriun’s lip curled. “What exactly is he going to do about it? Especially with your mother in the room.”
Beau nodded. His Alpha was right, of course. But a lifetime of fear and mind games did a number on a person’s psyche.
Loriun remained at his side, not speaking, but holding Beau tight to his body. The pressure soothed the sharpest edges of Beau’s nerves. After a few more breaths, Beau steeled himself.
“I’m ready.”
Together, they pushed the double doors open.
“Mijo!”his mother called. She spread her arms wide, and Beau half ran into her embrace.
Through the antiseptic, he could still catch the faintest hint of his mother’s scent—something that brought him back to the few good parts of his childhood.
“Hi,Mamá.Te extrañé…”
His mother’s thin arms squeezed him harder. “I missed you too,mijo.”
“It is lovely to see you, Ileana,” Loriun said from behind Beau.
“Loriun, come here this instant.” One arm released Beau and reached out to crush the Mer into an equally firm hug.
All three of them jumped at the sound of the door banging shut.
“Apologies, apologies,” Ashford said, flashing a flat-eyed smile. “Wind caught the door. I’ve just had the maids open all the windows for some fresh air,corazón. The cool breeze will work wonders, I’m sure of it.”
Beau’s father stretched a hand out to Loriun. “Great to see you, Loriun.” It appeared he was attempting to wring Loriun’s fingers, but the Mer clearly could not feel it.
“Likewise, Ashford,” Loriun responded. The warm smile that he’d worn for Ileana was long gone.
His father’s dark eyes turned to him. “Beaumont.”
Beau scrubbed his sweaty palm on his pants before returning the handshake.
“So,” Ashford said, once everyone was settled into their respective chairs. “To what do we owe the visit?”
“Does our son need a reason to spend time with his family?” Ileana smiled over at him. Beau was relieved she didn’t look much worse than the last time he’d seen her.
“Of course, we have come to see the charming Ileana,” Loriun said, shooting her a wink. “And we have also come bearing gifts.”
Beau’s arms felt like overcooked noodles as he held out two envelopes—one to his mother, and one to his father.
“What’s this?” Ileana beamed as she accepted the card with wavering hands. Her husband, in contrast, took it as though Beau had passed him a ransom note.
