Laurence startled, a look of surprise, then hurt, flashing across his face as he looked down at Connor. “Me? He’s the one who’s always acting crazy. Throwing eggs at Adonis, luring him onto the street, and then making him shift so he’s stranded. Bee and Dew told me all about that.” Laurence’s dark-brown eyes fixed on Austin, filled with fiery determination. “And then you abduct Kit—and okay, Kit gave out to me for how I behaved that day. He said that you were just asking about the pendant, not trying to steal it, but yourboyfriendstill abducted him. And I don’t know what that octopus remark was about, but I’m sure you—but—” A full-on scowl twisted Laurence’s pretty features, yet the animosity washed over Austin harmless as a wave. “ButSamgave out to me too! He’s the nicest person ever, and he took your side, so I don’t know what to think!”
Sam took his side?
Laurence abruptly stood and marched over to one of the loungers on deck. He snatched up a blanket and roughly offered it to Austin with his eyes averted. His cheeks were beet red.
“What are you doing?” Connor asked, a little more strength in his voice now.
“He’s completely naked.”
Austin took the blanket, realising the source of Laurence’s erratic behaviour. It wasn’t loathing; he was flustered.
“Taking Kit was a misunderstanding.” Austin arranged the blanket on the deck and settled into a relaxed, sideways sitting pose on top of it. Laurence’s eyes flashed so quickly away that Austin didn’t even have to hide his amused grin. “Tristan had tasked his men with finding a similar stone, and they were a tad over-enthusiastic about completing the assignment. The man responsible was fired.”
Laurence stood with his back to Austin. “I’ll draw you one,” he offered.
“I don’t need you.”
“I just mean—”
“I have one.”
“Oh.” Laurence sounded genuinely disappointed. “That doesn’t explain the eggs you threw at Adonis. Adonis could hardly get a word out about it, he was so angry, but Bee and Dew told me in detail what you did. They keep going on about it, actually. Whenever Adonis is in earshot.”
“Yes. It was funny.”
Laurence twisted to scowl at him.
Austin smiled sweetly back, and Laurence’s red cheeks went even darker.
“Can youpleasecover up?”
“He was marching around the throne room naked,” Connor said. “He doesn’t care that we can see him without clothes.” Slowly, Connor tugged off the towel, squinting at the fading light in the sky. “You were always like that,” he added to Austin.
“I grew up in a lab. I never learned to be shy.”
Laurence sat roughly at Connor’s side, crossing his legs. “I doubt that’s it. You’re just like the other mermen. They don’t care about being totally naked when they shift, even if people are there.”
Austin considered that. “Maybe.” He had always enjoyed swimming nude. The only time being seen nude had bothered him was when Hal came by, and Austin wasn’t yet secure with Tristan. He turned his attention to Connor. “Is your headache better?”
“A bit.” Connor sighed. He tossed the towel aside and angled his head towards Austin.
“Why were you looking for me?”
Connor waved a hand at Laurence. “He wanted to apologise.”
Laurence’s head bowed. It didn’t seem like an apology wanted to come out. “Iamsorry about how I spoke to you that day. It was uncalled for, and I realise now that you hadn’t been aggressive or anything. I was the one who escalated it. I still think throwing eggs at Adonis is stupid, but I suppose it’s no worse than Bee and Dew throwing fish at people… Actually, now that I think about it…” Laurence’s dark eyes flicked up, studying Austin’s face with a thoughtful look. “You really do act more like a merman. Way more than Connor ever does.Andyou can transform.”
“What?” Connor frowned.
“Did I not mention that to you? Bee was going on about a whirlpool—I don’t know what that was about—and Dew said Austin’s tail wasalmostas pretty as his, which means he thinks it’s the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen.”
Two pairs of curious eyes were on Austin now.
Curiosity stirring despite himself, Austin gazed back at Connor. “You can’t?”
“No.”
“How did it happen?” Laurence asked, all animosity eclipsed by curiosity.
