Aurin let out a deep sigh.I can feel it reinvigorating me.
He was stunningly beautiful. His golden flecks glimmered, his big eyes shone as he let his arms coil and stretch.Sink with me, he said.I need to feel the depth, the weight.
Salem linked an arm with Aurin’s, and they reached the bottom together. And mercy be, Aurin was right. He usually was. But oh yes, how Salem needed this too.
He needed to be in his cephamorph form, on the sea floor beneath the weight of water. Saltwater, darkness, pressure holding his form to rights.
He felt as if he’d been holding his breath for weeks and was now finally able to breathe, Aurin’s limbs entwined with his—touching, feeling, tasting—their hearts beating in sync.
He could clear his mind and just... be.
Be himself. Be true. Be happy.
Be home.
This is your home, Aurin said.
Yes, it has been for a long time.
Aurin looked up toward the surface.They were right. The water is clearer. Not as dark.
Give it time. Now it knows I’m back, it will recover.
I love that this place missed you when you were gone.
I suppose I don’t need the water to camouflage me anymore, now they all know about me.
Aurin scanned the water above them.But it’s beautiful, and it’s yours. The way it glitters, and how it moves. Plus, it keeps all the humans out. They’re petrified of it.
That much was true.
It’s not only the water they’re afraid of here, Salem said.
Aurin smiled then.No, it’s not. I always knew this place was special. But now that I’ve seen the other forest folk, I know why.But then his smile became something pensive.Does what we saw fall under the treaty? I’m sure Ciaran will have questions, and I don’t know what I’m allowed to tell him.
Salem wasn’t up to speed on the pedantry of it all.It might be moot anyway, given Tobin can see into our minds if he so wishes.
I’d forgotten about that.
It’s quite the gift.
I suppose we should go up there. We’ll have a lot of questions to answer. And I want to know everything that happened after we left. What happened with Lusca. The two new guys. There’s a lot to catch up on.
Are you feeling well enough?
I feel better just for being in this water,Aurin said.Still not great, though. I think food and sleep will fix me.
Salem chuckled, but then he drew a gentle line along the side of Aurin’s face.I hope so. I don’t like to see you unwell.
I’m never drinking honey mead again, just so you know.
That made Salem laugh.Okay, my love. Let’s get the interrogation over with. The sooner we do, the sooner you can go to bed.
Deal.But before they could begin their ascent, Aurin stopped him.What are you telling them? About you? How much do you want them to know? We need to have our stories straightbefore we start talking. Whatever you decide. Whatever you’re comfortable with them knowing.
Oh, my darling, Salem replied.I plan to tell them everything. No more lies, no more hiding.
Chapter
