Page 26 of Drown Me Gently

So he waited. With gladness, he waited. Because Elias had waited for him, and this time, Auren would not turn away.

Spring bloomed beneath the melting snow, and the sun returned from its journey through the cold. Winter had passed quietly in Atlantis—without Elias to visit, Auren had little reason to sneak away and, to the Kraken’s quiet satisfaction, stayed put within the palace walls. By the time the ice thawed and the tides began to turn, months of good behavior had pushed him to the back of Ulric’s mind, making it easier than ever to slip away unnoticed.

And on the first night the ships returned to port, Auren was there, hidden beneath the dock, heart pounding. The Windless led the convoy, and when the lanterns were snuffed and the crew disembarked, he hauled himself onto the deck, eager as a seal pup.

Elias was already there—like he’d known Auren would come. Immaculately dressed, his shirt crisp and open at the collar, Auren’s seashell necklace lying delicately against his chest. He looked radiant. Alive. And so, so beautiful. Elias turned and smiled as though he’d waited all winter for this moment.

“My sea-born angel,” he whispered, rushing toward the edge of the deck. He slowed at the last moment. His voice gentled. “May I come closer?”

Auren’s instincts screamed. To run. To flee. To dive.

But he didn’t.

He stayed and nodded.

Elias stepped forward, careful and slow, before kneeling in the pool of water beside Auren’s tail. His fingers reached up, brushing the damp strands of hair clinging to Auren’s shoulders, until he found the silver silk braided there.

“You kept this,” Elias said softly. “I’m honored.”

Auren nodded, a shy smile tugging at his lips.

“Then you shall have another,” Elias whispered. “Wait here.”

He darted below deck and returned seconds later, holding a golden silk ribbon.

“For you, my sweet. Now you’ll have them in both colors.”

Auren took the gift with shaking fingers. Their hands brushed, and he froze. Elias’s hand was… just like his. Five fingers. A palm. Calloused and warm. Not the same. But so close. So very close.

Elias didn’t push. But he was breathing harder now, eyes bright and wide with joy shining behind them.

“I know you can’t speak,” Elias said, voice raw. “I don’t even know your name. But I have to tell you…” He dropped to his knees again, so that they were eye level. “I have completely fallen for you.”

Auren’s heart jolted.

“I haven’t stopped thinking about you since the moment I saw you. This winter, without you, it was torture. I… I missed you more than I thought it was possible to miss someone.”

He reached, then stopped. “May I touch you?”

Auren’s chest tightened, gills aching—but he nodded. Elias leaned forward until they were nose to nose, water dripping between them. He paused again, waiting for any sign of resistance. Waiting for an objection.

Auren didn’t give one. He only closed his eyes and allowed himself to exist in the moment. He felt Elias close the distance between them and…

And kissed him.

The world stopped.

Auren’s first kiss… was with a human. And it was warm.

When they pulled apart, Elias pressed their foreheads together, voice shaking.

“Go,” he whispered. “Go now, before you suffocate.”

Auren hesitated.

“Come back tomorrow,” Elias said, voice so full of devotion it cracked. “Please. For now that I’ve tasted the salt on your lips… I will starve without them.”

Auren dove into the sea, heart blazing, arms shaking. He was seen. He was wanted. He’d found a place where he belonged.