Page 9 of Storm and Sea

Because mating, or even worse, conceiving while Unbonded, well… there was no greater shame. Unbonded couples were driven out of Corallina and left to navigate the wild seas alone. Being Bonded with your mate was not optional. Lifebonds were the center of everything they knew. Everything they were. Everything they sought to be.

And now, the weight of that connection, the expectation for him to forge such a Bond with a sirena, made the water around him as thick as mud. Nyel could hardly breathe, his gills heavy. He was eighteen. Old enough to find a mate. Old enough to experience what it was to be Bonded.

He couldn’t do it.

“No.”

The word rolled from his lips before he registered that he’d spoken.

Nobody heard him as they chattered enthusiastically about all the sightseeing Chel and Nyel would experience during the Tideway. Nobody noticed how pale he’d grown. Nobody noticed the shake in his hands. Nobody… but Sonia. Her eyes met his as incoherent words mumbled around him.

It was like looking into a mirror. The same scales, same sad expression. Even their eyes were the same, brown with scattered flecks of gold. Nyel supposed his mother had eyes like that, too, but he’d never looked long enough to notice. She’d never held his gaze long enough to see him. Not the way Sonia did.

When it was clear nobody was going to stop for breath anytime soon, Sonia cleared her throat, forcing the chatter to cease. The water grew still again, and Nyel’s shoulders shook as he found his voice.

“I… I have to decline.”

“What are you talking about?” Bianca said, brows scrunched, “Of course, you’re going. Where else would two young Sireni hope for a Lifebond to take hold? It’s the perfect environment.”

“I can’t,” Nyel stuttered again.

“Nyel,” his mother said with an air of exasperation, “We’ve had dinner with every eligible sirena in the village. I saved the lovely Chel Ernesti for last at your insistence. Even you have to admit this is the best fit for you. You two are long-time friends, and your interests are aligned. It’s a match blessed by Elowen herself. Don’t you worry my little minnow; it’ll be singing and Lifebond ceremonies in no time.”

Nyel cringed at the mention of Elowen, the Spirit of Bonds.

“It’s not that, I⁠—”

“When do you think is the best time for them to depart?” His mother addressed the Ernesti couple. “The tide is already moving; I say the sooner, the better,” Bianca continued as though Nyel weren’t there.

“My nephew and his mate left last week,” Mrs. Ernesti said. “They’ve been trying for a baby for two winters now, Lasidru bless them.”

“How much did they pack to carry along? I already started a travel bag for Nyel, though I’m worried that⁠—”

“I’m not going,” Nyel said, his voice loud and slightly hysterical.

All fell silent.

Bianca rounded on him, her voice a heated whisper, though everyone could hear. “You will not start one of your scenes right now, Nyel.”

“I’m not going. I don’t agree with this,” Nyel said again. Chel’s eyes welled in front of him; all her previous joy evaporated. “I’m sorry, Chel. This… this wasn’t my idea. I never wanted⁠—”

“You hush right this instant!” Bianca hissed. “Not another word to this poor girl. What do you think you’re doing? This is your best chance for a Bonding, for a Lifemate. I will not let you throw it all away because of foolish nerves.”

Nyel’s mouth went sour. His stomach threatened a rebellion as all eyes glued to him. But he forced himself to speak, knowing he might never get another chance. “I can’t do this, Mom. I’m sorry.”

“Do you want to spend the rest of your life alone? Huh? Go about your life as a lone sireno with no family and no connections? You want to spend your entire life never knowing the joys of being Bonded?” She gave a mirthless laugh. “Or are you planning on running away and pairing yourself off Unbonded?”

“No, it’s not that I⁠—”

“Well, if you’re going to be an Unbonded heathen, might as well take a lover that isn’t Sireni. Fill the world with more half-breeds.”

“Bianca.” His father’s voice was firm, stopping her rant before she could go any further. “That’s enough. I think he gets the idea.”

Bianca looked like she wanted to continue her verbal tirade but stopped. She took a deep breath, composing herself. “Well. Now that the stakes are clear, we can move forward.” She shook herself, plastering on a perfect smile like she hadn’t just torn her son’s heart in two. “Back to what I was saying. Next week would be the best time for Nyel and Chel to— Nyel!”

Bianca shrieked behind him as he darted from the room. He was out of their house in one lunge, shoving Mrs. Ernesti in his haste. He didn’t know if it was the rush of adrenaline or the repressed sobs that made pulling water through his gills impossible as he swam. Only when he escaped the boundaries of their property did a distant voice break through the pounding in his head.

“Nyel!” Sonia chased after him.