Page 110 of Storm and Sea

“What’s her name?”

“Sabella,” Sonia said, kissing her daughter’s head. “It’s what he wanted.”

Nyel squeezed her shoulder. “You’ve done an amazing job.”

She pressed her lips together, fighting off the lingering waves of grief. “He’s here. The Opikun would have brought him for this. I know it.”

Now Nyel had to fight off the sting in his eyes. “I think you’re right.” He kissed her gently on the forehead, hoping she could feel how loved she was.

He didn’t know if his uncle Santé was with them, but if anyone could sense his visiting soul, it would be his mate—bound by a Bond that transcended the planes of the living and the dead.

“Okay, Sonia, we need to get you cleaned up,” one of the sirena said. “Nyel, let’s leave it to the women, yes?”

Nyel nodded. “I’ll stay long enough to see you again,” he promised before joining his father in the main room. A few minutes later, his mother and the other sirena entered.

“She’s resting,” Bianca announced.

His mother thanked the other two women and closed the door behind them. And it was the three of them: Mother, Father, and Son.

“I know we have a lot to talk about,” Nyel began.

“You’re sure as sharks we do!” his mother bristled, her fins standing on end.

“Bianca, please. Sonia needs the quiet,” Donato said, urging his wife to calm down.

She lowered her voice, though the manic energy remained. “Start talking,” she hissed. But before Nyel could open his mouth, she cut him off: “Do you know how worried I’ve been? I swear I’ve aged a decade. Are we not enough? Was I such a terrible mother? Do you hate me so much you’d rather live with those land creatures?!” she said hysterically, her volume rising with each word.

Again, Donato placed a calming hand on her arm, quieting her.

Nyel waited patiently for his mother to finish, and when her words finally ran dry, he said softly, “I don’t hate you, Mom. I never did, and I never will.” He searched for the words he’d rehearsed a thousand times, but they evaded him. “I couldn’t go on the Tideway with Chel. I don’t love her, Mom.”

She huffed. “You didn’t even try.”

“It would never have worked. You never asked me what I wanted. Nobody even discussed it with me, and when everything started happening so fast I… I had to get away.”

“Well, forgive me for knowing what is best for my only son,” she whined. “And to think you’d go so far as to risk death to avoid your mother. I’m such a sea witch.”

Nyel took a calming breath.

“Mom, that isn’t what I said. Don’t put words in my mouth. I didn’t plan on going to Baia Vita. It just happened. I met a Mer who’s been living with them for years. He showed me how to do it safely. I’ve started a life there, Mom, and I love it. I’m not leaving.”

For the first time in his life, his mother looked too shocked to speak and Nyel took the opportunity to continue.

“And there is another thing I need to say. But we need to invite in some Mer before I start. I’ll get them.”

Without waiting for permission, Nyel opened the door, letting himself outside, happy for the walls separating him and his parents for a moment. Like he’d suspected, Nephi and Atreus were nearby. Nephi sat with his usual bored expression, picking at his talons while Atreus scratched a very excited Ripple under the chin.

“He likes it right behind the antenna,” Nyel said, showing Atreus where. The sandwinder made a low groaning sound before kicking all three legs on his left side.

“I’ve never seen one,” Atreus said, mimicking Nyel’s movement, which caused the beast to roll over for belly rubs. “What is he?”

“He’s a sandwinder, and his name is Ripple. You can visit him anytime. He loves the attention.” Nyel said, knowing full well he was stalling.

The flat ends of the sandwinder’s antenna reached for Atreus and began running up and down his torso with unnerving dexterity.

“Uuh, what is it doing?” Atreus asked, frozen in place.

Nyel laughed. “It means he likes you. He’s getting a good look.”