Chapter 16

Holding her hands, I guide Nita deeper and deeper into the ocean's depths. The protective suit she wears will insulate her from most of the dangerous pressures and temperatures, but we still need to stop every dozen feet or so to clear the pressure from her ears before descending once again. It's slow going this way, but I'm in no hurry. It's best that she adjusts to the water gradually, and the last thing I want is for her to associate the water with more fear-inducing memories.

When the subtle glow from the city of Nelquin finally appears, her eyes grow wide, this time not with fear.

"It's just like The Little Mermaid," she sighs as her dark eyes dart from the city and then to me. I have no idea what she means, but I'm entranced by the excitement and wonder that dances across her face and the way her mouth is split into a wide smile.

The gates to the city are a towering series of golden arches. They are open to all but are still guarded over by a pair of sentries. Once, I may have recognized the gatekeepers, but no longer, which reminds me just how long I've been gone.

"I thought your people weren't welcoming to strangers?" Nita asks when they wave us through without much more than a cursory glance, and we continue our way.

"That rumor is only true for anyone who might not appeal through the proper channels. For the most part, it's conjecture that was started that no one bothered to refute."

Nita snorts and shakes her head. "You also said your people were primitive." She waves a hand at the bustling golden city laid out before us. "There is nothing primitive about any of this!"

"I already told you Negurans split our time beneath the waves and on land," I say as we slip into the bustling city center. "We keep our land homes simple, but our underwater cities are modern and extraordinary. It's in these cities where we utilize our sciences and tech."

"This is incredible," Nita marvels, and my heart swells. I'm seeing the city I called home with fresh eyes through my mate. The golden spirals that glow with their own inner light. The cobblestoned lanes and motorized cruisers that dart back and forth. Besides the Negura, there are many species that call Vuloria home. While it's true our planet doesn't exactly encourage tourism, we are more than welcoming to those who call our cities their home.

"It's so beautiful here," Nita breathes with wonder. Then she turns her wide eyes, brimming with unshed tears, to me. "Thank you for bringing me."

"I'm glad you like it." I let my thumb stroke across her temple, just beneath her hairline that isn't covered by the mask.

"Can we come back to visit again soon?" Her eyes dart around us, trying to capture everything she can, which is impossible. There is simply too much to see.

"Of course. If you wanted, we could even live here."

Her eyes snap back to mine. "Really? You would want that?"

"I never meant to give you the impression I wasn't happy here. This is as much my home as the island is, and if you want to spend most of your time here, then that's just fine with me. Wherever you are is my home."

She blinks rapidly as tears pool in her dark eyes. Then she slaps me lightly across my chest. "Damn it, Shuvo. You're going to make me cry, and then my mask is going to fog up, and I won't be able to see anything!"

Gathering her into my arms, I kiss the place along her hairline where my fingers were a moment ago. "We can't have that; there is still far too much to see."

For the rest of the day, I take her through the bustling streets, stopping to examine everything that catches her eye. We visit parks and shops, cafes that are carefully protected from the crushing depths so she can remove her mask and try new foods and sweets. I sneak kisses and explain to her that even Negurans who spend most of their time beneath the waves still utilize dry pockets. No one wants to eat soggy meals.

Hours pass by in the blink of an eye, and the crowds begin clearing out, preparing for the evening. Finally, with much reluctance, we bid the city goodbye and make our way back to the surface.

"That was incredible!" Nita tells me excitedly me as we ascend. "Why didn't you tell me it would be so amazing?"

I grin at her. "Would you have believed me? And besides, watching your face when you saw it for the first time was the best part."

"Are all of your underwater cities like Nelquin?"

"Actually, Nelquin is one of the smaller cities on Vuloria. One day I'll take you to Neesin."

She rests her head on my shoulder as the water around us grows brighter and we make our way to the surface. I still have my arms wrapped around her, holding her against my body when my feet touch down on the rocky bottom, and we start making our way out of the water. My focus is completely on her, until the distinct whine of a blaster jolts me from my reverie and freezes us in place.

My head snaps up to see that the shore is lined with Pizats, all of them with blasters pointed at us. A tall blue female with a bulbous skull, wearing a luxurious gown, stands behind them, looking completely out of place. Her chin juts up when she sees us, and a wide grin spreads across her lips, revealing a mouth full of sharp teeth.

"There you are, darling," Madame Althea coos as she pushes her way through the line of Pizats to the edge of the water. "You've had your fun; now say goodbye to your friend. It's time to get back to Lux. If you come without a fuss, all will be forgiven. Like it never happened."

Nita's nails bite into my shoulders, and she presses herself against my body as I angle her away from the line of fire. With her wrapped in my arms, I dive back under the waves, but not before I hear Madame Althea's shrill scream: "Shoot him!"

The lasers mostly dissipate when they hit the water, but my body jerks as one hits me in the side.

"Be careful of the girl, you idiots!" the madame's screeches travel even through the water.

Blue blood blooms in the water around us, and I grit my teeth against the searing pain.

"Go!" I try to push Nita away. "Dive. Get to the city!"

"No, I can't," she cries, clutching at my arms. "I can't swim."

When pushing her away doesn't work, I pull her close, wincing when the movement tugs at the hole in my side. "You can. You'll be safe in Nelquin."

She shakes her head, tears streaming down her cheeks and fogging the mask.

More lasers streak through the water, and she screams when one grazes the side of her arm, ripping through her suit and drawing a line of red blood. I curse, knowing she won't be able to dive to the depths of Nelquin now that her suit is compromised.

There's no time to argue with her, so I draw her into my arms and kick my legs, trying to get us as far from the shore as I can. But my injury is impeding the momentum we need. Several of the Pizats have waded into the water, their clumsy strokes pulling them through the choppy waves faster than my injury allows me to escape, and soon they catch up to us.

Nita screams, a scream that will haunt me for all my days, when one of them wraps a thick green arm around her waist and wrenches her from me. A second Pizat punches me in the side, right where I'm bleeding. Pain flares, and my vision dims until I think I might black out.

By the time I've gathered myself and my head has cleared, Nita is nowhere to be seen. Churning water is the only hint of where they dragged her back onto land. My teeth gnash, and I push down the pain as I rush after her. The moment my head surfaces, a hail of lasers pelts the waves around me.

Vittu!

Before my gills can seal, I dive back into the choppy waters.

An anguished howl bursts from my chest as I hold a hand against my side and frantically kick, propelling myself into the depths.