Free Damarian (A Merman's Kiss Novel) by Dee J. Stone

Even though I am quite a distance away, I can still see the beach. Cassie Price is no longer there. She has returned to her home and she will return to her life, as if she had never laid eyes upon a child of the sea. And I must do the same.
    I swim over to Fiske and nuzzle his nose. Forgive me. I did not intend to worry you .
    Fiske’s eyes narrow at me. You were on land .
    I cannot lie to him. Yes .
    I was so certain! I sensed you were on land .
    Panic takes hold of me. Have Father and Mother sensed me as well?
    Fiske shakes his head. They sensed you were far from the colony, but I told them I would trail you until I found you .
    I sigh in relief. Father must be too preoccupied with King Palaemon and the crown to search for me. His hunt would have led him to land, and he would have known what I have done.
    And Mother ? I ask Fiske.
    She wished to search for you, but I assured her I would locate you. We must travel home immediately .
    Fiske and I swim side by side. I begin to form an explanation in my mind that I will present Father and my family. But my thoughts are interrupted by Fiske.
    Why have you been on land?
    I shut my eyes for a few seconds before opening them. I appreciate your concern, but I do not wish to discuss this .
    Fiske is not one to surrender easily, so it is no surprise when he says, I told you not to see her again .
    My swimming comes to a halt. I did not travel to land in search for her. I…
    Explain .
    I was caught in the storm. I grew unconscious and washed up on land. The human rescued me .
    I see the panic in his eyes, the failure that he did not perform his duty to protect me.
    I touch the top of his head. Do not feel guilty, Fiske. All is well. I am all right .
    Has she seen your true form?
    I continue swimming. We can trust her .
    Fiske bolts in front of me, blocking my path. You have exposed yourself to her .
    I cannot meet his gaze. It was an accident .
    Damarian!
    I am not a fry, Fiske! You do not need to scold me. I am very aware of the consequences of my actions .
    He does not say anything. He moves aside, and we continue the journey home. After a while, Fiske says, You are correct. She is a human we can trust .
    I stare at him.
    He slightly inclines his head. I felt it the moment you saved her. She is a good human .
    I do not understand what you are claiming .
    He shakes his head. I am not claiming anything. But you cannot see her again. You must promise to never see her again .
    I cannot make that promise. I say, I am to mate with Princess Flora .
    He looks into my eyes. Will you indeed?
    Yes, I must. It is my duty, my destiny. Nothing can change that, not even the lovely face of a brown-eyed female human.
    We do not converse anymore as we swim to the colony. When we reach the entrance, we are bombarded by the Sentinels. The voice of the largest bull shark of the group invades my mind. Who is trespassing?
    Though I have been through this process many times, the sharks will refuse to grant me entry until they ascertain precisely who I am. And it seems to not matter than I have Fiske by my side.
    Damarian of the Sapphire clan .
    The sharks part to the sides so that the bull moves forward. He stares at me with intent eyes before placing his attention on Fiske. After a second or two, he moves aside.
    There are not many children of the sea swimming around, for they are all asleep. It is not common for a child to leave the colony so late at night. I enter the Sapphire colony and head to my home. Vinx, the shark sworn to protect my family, watches me with the same intent eyes as Fiske as I draw nearer to my cave. I gently rub the top of his head, then turn to Fiske. Thank you for everything .
    He inclines his head. You have no need to thank me .
    I rub the top of his head, too, wish him a good night, then swim inside the cave. Fortunately, it seems everyone is in their shell. As quietly as possible, I swim to my room. Just as I am ready to settle in my shell, I hear movement outside my room. For