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The first moment they could see his home, the swirling patterns of stones marking the way to their nests, they were spotted. The undines rose from their nests, all of them swimming toward him in a wall of colorful creatures that likely terrified her with their movements. They rose out of the ocean and came for her, long claws outstretched and their dark eyes wide.
He tried to see them as she did. They were rather monstrous compared to her, although they were his family and friends. They looked like him. Alys tightened her tails around him, holding onto his shoulders and squeezing a little harder as she tried to straighten up.
He wanted to tell her to be brave. He wouldn’t leave her side, even if they tried to tear her from him.
But he didn’t have to worry about any of it. The moment the first of his people reached for her, she went without question. She untangled her tails from her, brushing her hair back away from her face, and reaching out for the giant female as well.
Aluo was one of the largest females in his pod, if not the largest. He still remembered watching her grow as they were children and being ridiculously intimidated by her size. She had ended up nearly double his size, and her broad shoulders with stacks upon stacks of muscles made her a formidable opponent. He’d seen many males die as she mated with them.
But Alys didn’t even flinch. She touched her fingertips to Aluo’s, a smile on her face as she looked at how large in comparison the hand was to hers. And then, with a surprising movement, she pressed Aluo’s fingers against her forehead.
How did she know?
How did she so easily fit into his people without question and make a movement that was clearly meant with respect? He watched Aluo’s expression change from one of suspicion to softness, and then they were swarmed by the People of Water.
So many of them dove all around him, darting through the currents as they tried to touch her. Some of them ran their claws through her hair, others touched gentle fingers to the bottom of her feet. So many people, all trying to catch a glimpse of the strange creature he had brought to them.
She did what she could to endure their curiosity. Imber could see she was getting nervous, though. Most of that had to do with when one of his people got too close to the short cord holding them together. If they ripped out his tentacle, she was too deep underwater to reach the surface before she would drown.
Flicking his tail, he moved closer, gripping her hand in his so she wouldn’t float too far from his side.
“I’ve got you,” he murmured, dragging her a little closer as yet another of his people caught hold of her foot. “I won’t let anything happen.”
“I know,” she whispered, squeezing his fingers.
But her eyes were still a little wider than he’d like to see. Even though she put on a brave face, he knew this was overwhelming.
Finally, the crowd parted and his sister swam through it. Virago looked particularly exhausted today. Or maybe that was just the little one attached to her hip that was wriggling and reaching out for him with grabbing hands.
Soon, he would hold his niece again. But right now, he wanted them all to see that she wasn’t a threat.
“Brother,” Virago said, her voice pitched loud so that everyone could hear her. “You have brought one of the achromos to our home.”
“I did.”
“The dangers they have caused in our waters are reason enough to not bring her here. So please, explain to us all why you hold on to her like a mate.”
His sister already knew the answer, but the others didn’t. This was her way of telling him to weave a tale that would make them all relax. A tale that would convince them to let her stay.
So they all sank down toward the sands and the spiraling stones. He kept her in his arms, wrapping his tail around her so she was as tangled with him as he was with her. It was a sign that she was his mate, but also that he wouldn’t let anyone else touch her.
Then he told them their story.
Every word warmed him to the core. He had chosen correctly. Alys had proven herself to be good and wise with every turn. Her adventurous spirit was a captivating part of the story, as was her bravery when she first faced him down. He left out the parts where they had explored each other’s bodies, namely because he didn’t know what to say about it.
She hid a treasure trove between her twin tails, one that tasted as sweet as the oysters that he harvested for his pod to eat. He’d never look at one the same again.
Even though his grip had loosened around her as he spoke—as he was less concerned with someone taking her from his arms—she had taken to stroking his tail. He knew there were many who watched her do so. They were pleased with how easily she showed him affection, and even more pleased that she wasn’t disgusted with the touch.
They didn’t know, of course, that she could understand every word he said. At least until he told them about the device she’d created and affixed to his ear.
“She can understand us?” Virago asked, her voice loud and booming, even though she already knew this detail of the story.
“Just as I can understand her.”
Alys glanced between the two of them, clearly sensing the tension in the water. But then again, she didn’t need to be a shark to be able to smell that. “If I may?”
He saw a few of the others wince at the sound of her clipped voice. “Quietly, little one. Your voice is...”
