Page 43 of Entranced By the Nakken
“Yes, Lily?”
“Will you watch the sunrise with me?” Casimir glanced down at their mess and added, “After a swim, maybe. Far away from here.”
“Anything for you.”
The sunset was indeed a beautiful sight. Tsunis sat bundled between lush thighs as Casimir leaned back against the tree, his large from cocooning Tsunis. They’d never in their life experienced such safety, though they could do without Casimir’s clothing between them, but he’d insisted.
“Tell me more about Glacis.”
“Steamfalls form a veil between Hydra and Fyre, the land of our opposite. Oppositional elements grant the power of healing.” Tsunis paused, considering what else might be interesting, without being too painful to talk about. “Hmm. Waterfalls go both ways, not only down. This is due tothe proximity of the Aeros clouds, home of the Zephyr fae. Hmmmm. There are creatures made of pure water.”
“Like when you go all slippery?”
“Some merlings can liquefy, but waterfolk are made of water entirely. Rainwolves, for instance. They only appear during storms, their bark made of thunder and their teeth destructive as lightning.”
“Are they, like, kept as pets?”
Tsunis snorted. “It would be difficult to keep your hands on one.” Casimir tugged a lock of hair as if to saybrat. “But we do have pets. Many merlings have liotis. Loyal creatures. A lioti’s natural defense against predators is to camouflage as nymphaiias, innocent water lillies.”
Casimir stilled. “Wait. Has your pet name for me literally been descriptive this whole time? You think I’m some innocent flower?”
Tsunis laughed. Casimir had never appeared innocent. From the moment they’d met, he’d been rebellious, assertive, and cunning.
“You are not the type to be tamed. Although, come to think of it,” Tsunis tipped back on Casimir’s shoulder. “You do take direction very well.”
A low rumble vibrated from Casimir’s chest. “I’ll have you know, I have never submitted to anyone as easily as with you. Somehow, a sparkly brat has total control over me whenever.”
Before Tsunis could dispute the brat comment, Casimir’s lips were on theirs, and they drowned in him.
Casimir ended the kiss sooner than Tsunis would’ve liked. They prepared to demand he kiss them more, but his next whispered words stopped them short.
“What if we fix the portal tonight? Would you show me your world?”
A ripple of unpleasant emotion froze Tsunis to the spot. They shot a thinly veiled glare at their mate. “I’ve tried everything.”
Casimir smiled, then glanced past Tsunis just as a twig snapped. Someone cleared their throat.
“Not everything,” said a new voice.
Casimir was grinning down at them, but Tsunis was rendered motionless. They must have fallen asleep, for there was no reality in which a stranger would stumble into the special spot at the brook cloaked by portal magic, claiming to have the solution to their ten years of suffering.
“This is real,” Casimir whispered, reading their mind. He kissed the top of their head in the way that made them melt. “Do you trust me?”
Tsunis took a breath and nodded.
“Then hear her out. She can get you home.” Casmir stood, extending his hand to help Tsunis do the same.
A pale woman dressed in full diving gear stood paces away. Her raven hair matched the dark themes of her makeup, blackened lips curved in a warm smile. She gripped a thick, fortified case.
“Hi,” she stated, unfazed by Tsunis’ distinctly non-human appearance. “I’m Cass. I’m here to fix your portal.”
“Impossible.” A lump of seaweed lodged in Tsunis’ throat. Their nails dug into Casimir’s flesh. “How did you get past the barrier?”
“I’ve got my ways,” Cass’ smile grew, and she shrugged one shoulder then lifted the case like its existence was supposed to put them at ease. “And I don’t listen when people sayimpossibleanymore.”
“She’s done this before,” Casimir reassured, his breath skittering over their fin.
Tsunis eyed the woman warily, unable to speak.
