Page 21 of Lost in the Dark

I grabbed him and rolled him, pinning him back onto my mat.

I held him down, forcing him to look at me. He fought, shoving against me until finally— he stilled.

“Breathe,” I growled. “Breathe how you’re used to.”

He was crying, I realized. A pang of guilt worked through me.

“It’s magic,” I whispered. “This is real and you’re okay. You’re alive, as I promised. Through your nose, human.”

He stared at me and I started to stroke the top of his head, hoping to calm him. The fresh gills in his neck flared and I watched him take his first fully conscious breath underwater.

“Breathe with me,” I whispered softly.

He made another noise, his expression contorting. “How?”

His eyes widened as he realized he could speak.

“Breathe,” I reminded him, my voice becoming almost hypnotic.

His chest swelled as his gills flared, bubbles coming from his lips.

“You’re safe,” I whispered. I continued to stroke his head while he watched me, his eyes still wide. “You’re safe and you’re mine.”

I felt something stir against me and I frowned, looking down between us.

His human cock was hardening beneath his clothing, straining against the fabric.

I smiled, unable to stop myself.

His body knew it belonged to me.

Now, I just had to convince him that his heart did.

“See something you want?” I asked him, looking back up.

“I’m scared but I’m also horny. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Maybe I’m losing my mind,” he whispered. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” I said. “Do you want to see mine?”

“Your what?” he asked.

“My cocks,” I said.

He made a noise, his eyes closing for a second. His cheeks flushed, his body warming against me.

“You belong to me now, human. I created a mating bond to you when I saved you. I’m sorry,” I said.

“A mating bond?” he asked. “Fuck. My mind is spinning.”

“I’m sure it is,” I said, chuckling.

Silence settled between us before he raised his head, his eyes sliding over my body. I shivered, feeling my muscles flex. I wanted to please him, wanted him to find me attractive.

The soft feathered fins down my hips lifted, responding to his piercing gaze.

He was mine. I could feel it deep within my soul, the same way I had felt with Aegaeon when we met long ago.

I had felt this human’s presence which was why I had wandered so closely to the surface. They had been fishing when I’d become caught in their horrid nets.

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