He pulls her to him, leaning her back against his chest. “Well, I’m hoping that this time when I come back, it won’t be to the sight of you kissing Toraf.”

The snickers beside them let them know their two minutes of privacy are up. “Yeah. Or someone’s gonna die,” Rayna says cordially.

Galen helps Emma up and swats the leftover sand out of her sundress. He takes her hands into his. “Could I please just ask one thing without you getting all mad about it?”

She scowls. “Let me guess. You don’t want me to get in the water while you’re gone.”

“But I’m not ordering you to stay out of it. I’m asking, no begging, very politely, and with all my heart for you not to get it in. It’s your choice. But it would make me the happiest man-fish on the coast if you wouldn’t.” They sense the stalker almost daily now. That and the fact that Dr. Milligan blew his theory about Emma’s dad being a Half-Breed out of the water makes Galen more nervous than he can say. It means they still don’t have any answers about who could know about Emma. Or why they keep hanging around.

Emma rewards him with a breathtaking smile. “I won’t. Because you asked.”

Toraf was right. I just had to ask. He shakes his head. “Now I can sleep tonight.”

“That makes one of us. Don’t stay gone too long. Or Mark will sit by me at lunch.”

He grimaces. “I’ll hurry.” He leans down to kiss her. Behind them, he hears Rayna’s initial splash.

“She’s leaving without you,” Emma whispers on his lips.

“She could have left hours ago and I’d still catch her. Good-bye, angelfish. Be good.” He places a forceful kiss on her forehead, then gets a running start and dives in.

And he misses her already.

*   *   *

Galen finds Grom exactly where he shouldn’t be—the minefield. Hours before his mating ceremony, he still sulks for his lost love. But who is Galen to judge? His brother is mating with someone he doesn’t love—which enables Galen to be with someone he does.

Grom greets him with a smile full of nausea. “I’m not ready for this, little brother,” he confesses.

“Sure you are,” Galen laughs, slapping his brother’s back.

Grom shakes his head. “It feels like … like I’m betraying her. Nalia.”

Galen stiffens. Oh. He doesn’t feel qualified to talk Grom out of this kind of mood. “I’m sure she would understand,” he offers.

Grom studies him thoughtfully. “I’d like to think she would. But you didn’t know Nalia. She had an amazing temper.” He chuckles. “I keep looking over my shoulder, expecting to see her ready to bludgeon me with something for mating with someone else.”

Galen frowns, unsure of what to say.

Grom chuckles. “I’m joking, of course.” Then he shrugs. “Well, half joking, anyway. I swear I’ve been sensing her lately, Galen. It feels so real. It takes all I’ve got not to follow the pulse. Do you think I’m losing my mind?”

Galen shakes his head out of obligation. Secretly though, he thinks he might be. “I’m sure you’re just feeling guilty. Er … not that you have a reason to feel guilty. Uh, it’s just natural that you feel that way before your mating ceremony. Nerves and all.” Galen runs a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I’m not very good at this sort of thing.”

“What sort of thing? Being mature?” Grom smirks.

“Funny.”

“Maybe you should spend some more time on land, then come back and talk to me. Being on land ages you, you know. Might do you some good.”

Galen snorts. Now you tell me. “I heard.”

Out of nowhere, Grom grabs Galen’s face and wrestles him into a hold. Galen hates it when he does this. “Let me see that cute little face of yours, minnow. Yep, just like I thought. Your eyes are turning blue. How much time have you been spending on land? Please tell me you’re not head over fin for a human!” Then he laughs and releases him just as suddenly.

Galen stares at him. “What do you mean?”

“I was just teasing, minnow. Giving you a hard time.”

“I know but … why did you say my eyes are turning blue? What does that have to do with the humans?”

Grom waves a dismissive hand at him. “Forget it. I think you might be more uptight than me right now. I said I was just kidding.”

“Grom, if it’s something about the humans, I need to know. I’m ambassador. You’re keeping me from doing my job.” Galen’s voice is more calm than he feels. He remembers the painting on the wall in Tartessos. The Syrena whose eyes looked blue instead of violet.

“Triton’s trident, Galen. It’s got nothing to do with your responsibility as ambassador. It’s just a rumor. In fact, I’m surprised you haven’t heard of it before.”

Galen crosses his arms. “Well, I haven’t.”

Grom rolls his eyes. “You’re right. You’re not very good at this sort of thing. The legend is that sometimes when Syrena spend a lot of time on land, their eyes fade to blue. It’s just a myth, minnow. Calm down. Your eyes aren’t turning blue.”

Maybe I do spend too much time on land. I know more about human history than Syrena history.

“What are you two up to?” a feminine voice calls from behind them. They turn to see Paca.