Page 139 of Cruel Tides

“I was agreeing to a plan, yes,” I said, choosing my words carefully. I was no good at this—conversations and connections. It wasn’t surprising she’d misinterpreted my intentions. “For us to meet.”

“And go to your kingdom, of course. You never told me that part,” she mumbled, tossing back her wet hair.

“I’d thought asking you to wear a swimsuit made it clear,” I said, not sure what else to say.

It seemed clearing up the misunderstanding hadn’t made her any less upset. “Well, I’ve now lost half of the bikini you got for me.” She huffed, blowing back more wet hair. “So, sorry about that.”

It made sense now. Why she hadn’t taken the bottom half off when I’d taken off mine. “It doesn’t matter,” I said with a shrug.

“It matters tome,” she threw back. “You gave it to me. I wanted to keep it.”

Although she was upset, it was difficult to conceal my smile.

She would keep the swimsuit simply because I gave it to her?Mmmh.That was one thing we had in common.

“Barren—are youlaughing?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I said again, leaning over to pick the swimsuit top off the deck. “Because this half was the one I picked out.” Her scowl broke as I offered it to her. Shrugging, I mumbled, “Didn’t know it came as a set.”

“Oh, really?” she said as she snatched it from me.

I turned my gaze away so she could put it on. “Really.”

“You mermen really couldn’t care less about the bottom half of clothing, could you?” Her quiet laughter seemed to smooth out all my rough edges, and I stared out at the water’s dying blue glow. It was impossible to ignore the way her tail draped over mine and the thought of how our legs might be once they returned.

“For a moment, I thought you might have swum topless with the others,” I said before thinking better of it. “What did you think we would be doing?”

She paused halfway through tying the strings behind her back to say, “Enjoying the scenery. Somebody promised me nude beaches.”

A deep, rumbling laugh escaped me. She was incredible. “Mmmh. I’m not sure I ever confirmed that.”

“Well, it’s fine.” She sighed, and I was caught off guard when she reached into the front of her swimsuit to readjust her breasts, hiking them up.

Clearing my throat, I turned away to give her more privacy. “I’m sorry my intentions weren’t clear. I struggle with… this.” Without looking back, I made a gesture between us. “Conversations.”

“That’s not true,” she said, and I could hear the frown in her voice. “Maybe you don’t always say the words, but your actions say enough. You’re always helping Lee and Kai out. Taking care of us.” She laughed lightly, leaning over to place a hand on my tail. “Plus, Lee says you’re good at reading people. That’s got to help with conversations.”

Apprehension filled me, and I forced myself to swallow, trying to ignore the sensation her touch had caused in my tail. “It isn’t difficult for me. Reading people.”

“Oh?” She leaned in further. “Care to share your secrets? I won’t tell anyone. Not even Sprout.”

She was so close. Dangerously close. The only time we’d ever been closer was the moment underwater where I’d kissed her on impulse.

“But I can’t promise I won’t tell your plants,” she added slyly, breaking my focus on her lips. “Maybe I’ll evensing them a song.”

A wave of heat burned my face. “No.” I shook my head, but her smile remained firmly in place. I—had she heard me singing to my plants? For once, it felt like someone could see into my mind, uncover my deepest thoughts. “How do you know that?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” Her shoulders rolled in an exaggerated shrug. “Maybe I’ll share my secrets if you share yours.”

Share my secrets?

Feeling bold, I nodded. “Come to my kingdom, and I’ll share one of them.”

33

Claira

This was exactly what Queen Javalynn had explicitly warned me not to do.

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