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Ismiled watching Fynn stroke the underside of Sheba’s pectoral fin. It had been a relief when she had found us the night we had to run. There would have been no way I could have swum with Fynn for long distances each day. He wasn’t a small guy. We couldn’t risk going on land near the bay. It was best if we waited to until we could meet up with Eason, Storm and Kye.I had been relieved to find that my blood heated his body, keeping him comfortable during the days spent in the water. We still had to avoid the depths; those temperatures would be too much for him.
Fynn had enjoyed every minute of the journey, excitedly pointing to schools of fish or colorful displays of corals along the way. More than once he had awkwardly clung to rocks and kicked uselessly as he tried to explore crevices or hidden coves. When he strayed too far, Sheba would appear from nowhere and smack him with her tail. I laughed at the odd yet beautiful bond they had formed.
Fynn’s love for the ocean shown in his eyes, and he was making the most of the chance to observe creatures in their habitat. Watching my mate explore the world that had become my home was a gift. I could spend time on land, but I wasn’t truly comfortable there. When I was in the ocean, the water supported the weight of my tail and fluke, easing the strain on my body. I wondered if I would ever be able to call the land my home again.
Twice while we rested in kelp beds, smaller sharks had swum near us. Sheba didn’t wait to see if they were friend or foe. Passing close enough to bump us, she made it clear she was the only one hunting in that area.
The one thing Fynn hadn’t enjoyed was eating raw fish, but he had treated our ocean journey just as you would treat journey into the wilderness. You did what you must to survive. The past several days had drawn us closer. I hadn’t thought I would ever have this type of bond with another human. In the peaceful world below the surface, we were able to speak and learn about each other, all without the world interrupting us.
Fynn had shared news about the recent ocean mining for the natural resource the humans called ‘Orpati.’ I had listened without commenting, but my brain was working overtime. Was the drilling what had woken me? I was also worried that what they were mining for, was pieces from the heart of Atlantis. I hated to think of what would happen if the world got ahold of the full heart, especially while the Lure was still claiming souls. I had to find Atlantis and secure our secrets. There was so much I needed to do, but I was growing weaker with each hour.
We had been traveling for nine days. I needed my bonded, all of them. The longer we were apart, the worse I felt. My body ached and my head pounded mercilessly. We had moved into warmer waters, but I remained cold. Feeding from Fynn helped, but that relief only lasted a few hours. I was struggling to hide how sick I had become, not wanting to alarm him while he was still relying on me.
With Sheba’s aid, we had made good time. One more day until we arrived in Key West. I just had to hang in there. Sheba pressed her side against me, her massive pectoral fin sliding underneath my body, supporting my weight. I continued to pump my fluke and swim beside her. Her annoyance flashed in my mind. I was lagging and she could go faster if I accepted help.
With her massive body blocking Fynn’s view of me, I allowed myself to be weak. I turned and flattened myself against her to create as little drag as possible. I used my palms to suction and secure myself.
“Take care of him.”
I whispered my plea to her, not sure if she understood. Closing my eyes, I drifted to into the bliss of sleep.
