Page 41 of Where the Current Takes Him
Beau was sure he’d never met the Mer, but somehow, he looked familiar…
“Good morning,Jaei,” Loriun said. The greeting had a nervous edge to it.
“Good morning to you,noa’yasi,” the Omega said with a fond smile.
Beau’s eyes flicked between the two. An anxiety-riddled voice in his head was howling that this was a former lover, while his more rational, even-keeled inner voice bellowed at it to shut up.
Loriun cleared his throat. “Jaei,this is Beau. Beau, this is Fauos Valhn, my father.”
Beau felt his eyebrows shoot for his hairline before he managed to get his face under control. He’d never realized how difficult it was to tell a Mer’s age.
“Oh.” He hastily took Fauos’s outstretched hand. “It’s… It’s nice to meet you.”
What the hell do you call your alien mate’s Omega dad? Mr. Valhn? Fauos? Sir? Something in Loaish?
Loriun’s father seemed to notice Beau’s panic and kindly put him out of his misery. “You can just call me Fauos,” he said, giving Beau’s hand one last squeeze. “My mate and I have been looking forward to meeting you, though I did not expect to run into you here.”
Fauos glanced up at his son. “Since when did you become the morning market type?”
Loriun’s ear fins flattened ever so slightly. What emotion was that, Beau wondered.
“I thought Beau would enjoy it,” he muttered.
“I am enjoying it,” Beau said quickly. “It’s really interesting to see an interspecies market.”
Fauos smiled. “I agree. I come here every week, both for the fresh fish and for that vegan bakery stand over there.” He gestured toward a large table stacked with cookies, cakes, pies, and loaves of bread.
“Vegan?” Beau asked, confused.
“No dairy,” Loriun supplied. “Vegan human food is the most Mer-safe.”
“And their brownies are excellent,” Fauos added. “I have tried to figure out the recipe at home, but it is never quite right.”
“We’ll have to get some then.” Despite the initial terror of running into his new father-in-law, Beau could feel some of the tension leaving his body. The other Omega was a calming presence with an easy smile.
“Loriun, when will you and Beau be able to visit us? We would be happy to cook for you sometime.”
Loriun peeked down at Beau. “Well, Beau is still settling in, but I’m sure we can come for dinner soon. I will call you andRiuelater today to let you know.”
Fauos brightened. “Wonderful. Well, I am just finishing up here, so I will let you both continue to enjoy the market. It was lovely to meet you, Beau. I hope to see you soon.”
With a flare of his bluish facial fins, the Omega glided off toward dry land.
Beau let out a breath. “That was terrifying.”
Loriun cringed and placed a hand on Beau’s back, guiding him deeper into the market. “I am sorry. I forgot that my father frequents this market.”
“No, no, it’s fine.” Beau shook his head. “It’s just that everything is going so fast, and now I’m meeting your parents.”
“I understand. It must be quite overwhelming to be surrounded by members of another species.”
Beau paused. “That’s not why I was nervous.”
Loriun tilted his head. “Is it not?”
“The fact that your dad is a Mer doesn’t scare me. It’s because he’s your dad.” Beau couldn’t believe he had to explain this. “Isn’t it a big deal to meet your partner’s parents in Mer culture?”
“Why would it be?”
