Page 28 of Cerban
Because I was selfish.
I wanted him.
I forced myself to move. “We should go. The air won’t last forever.”
He nodded, but there was something unreadable in his expression as he turned back to the sphere, running one last hand across its glowing surface. The symbols dimmed at his touch, and the hum softened until it was barely audible.
As we packed our gear and prepared to leave, I couldn’t stop glancing back. The orb seemed to watch us, its faint light following our movements.
Was it judging me? Or would it give me its blessing if I fought for what was mine?
16
Cerban
Something was wrong. The water between us felt cold and heavy. She avoided my gaze, only making the most basic necessary dive gestures, as we ascended slowly. This time, I made sure to take breaks. I didn’t want her to become unwell again.
When we finally broke the surface, sunlight splintered across the waves. Maelis lifted her mask and squinted toward shore. A few figures were waiting by the waterline – Paul, Tyrone, and two other staff members. They were watching us, arms folded, tension visible even from here.
Maelis gave a brief wave. “We’re fine!” she called, her voice rough from the regulator.
Paul didn’t look convinced. He stepped into the shallows as we approached, hands on his hips. “You were supposed to rest, Maelis,” he said tightly. “And you–” he shot me a glare “–were supposed to stay away from her.”
“We found something important,” she said evenly before I could defend myself. “Something the finmen and the agency will want to see.”
“Not the point,” Paul snapped. “You risked both your lives. Again.”
Maelis stripped off her fins, water streaming down her hair and wetsuit. “I knew what I was doing, Paul. We both did.”
"Again, not the point. Cerban, I talked to Pam when I discovered that both of you were missing. She's decided that you cannot stay on Earth. She will be contacting the Intergalactic Authority to arrange an official ban and to organise transport to your planet."
My blood froze. I couldn't breathe.
Banished. Taken away from her. Forever. For a finman, being separated from his mate was worse than death.
"You... you can't do that," I gasped.
Paul's glare was icy. "You have been warned repeatedly. You ignored the rules. Ignored your punishment. You seem to think that we are beneath you and that you can do whatever you want. Well, you are wrong. You-"
He was distracted by someone running along the beach. I recognised him right away. Rainse.
His presence gave me strength. Heat rose through me, not just anger but something deeper, more primal. I stepped forward, the water surging against my greenskin. “I will not go.”
Paul’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t have a choice.”
“I do.” My voice deepened, carrying over the wind. “I will not leave her.”
Maelis blinked at me. “Cerban, you said you have a-”
“She is mine,” I said, the words erupting from somewhere I couldn’t suppress any longer. “Maelis is my mate.”
Everything stopped.
The waves lapped at the sand. My brother came to a stop, breathless and flustered. Tyrone dropped the pen he'd been holding. Paul stared at me, stunned into silence.
And Maelis… Maelis went very still, as though the entire world had narrowed to the space between us.
“I…” she breathed, her voice faint. “What did you just say?”
