19. Chapter 19

Chapter nineteen

Blue

T he fish are settling in well. They were spawned in tiny tanks and were finding the space of the swimming pool vast and overwhelming. But now, every one of them is adjusting quickly, and I am so proud.

I like that there are no predators here, apart from me, and I'm not going to eat them. So these little fish are going to have long and stress-free lives. Whether or not that is enough compensation for a lack of freedom, I don't know. That's far too deep and philosophical a question for me.

Besides, they weren't taken from the ocean. They were liberated from a pet store. If it wasn't for Sammy, they would have spent their lives confined to a tiny tank.

And I would have spent my days in a barren pool. Sammy is an angel and a saint and I can't believe all the trouble he has gone to for me. Sirens are cold and selfish. Nobody has ever cared for me as much as Sammy does. Not even my own mother. So it is no wonder I am finding it intoxicating. Exhilarating. Breathtaking.

The fact that my friends, my new family, all helped, is going to overwhelm me with gratitude. But I know it was all Sammy's idea. He is the special one.

My gaze turns irresistibly to Sammy. He is doing something to the base of one of the plants. Digging it deeper into the gravel, I think.

The sight of him underwater, in my pool, with me, is making me feel all kinds of giddy. He has taken to the aquatic world, well, like a fish to water. And the awe and amazement in his eyes is a wonder to behold. I will cherish his joy forever.

He turns to look at me, and he grins. I adore the way his blond hair floats around his face in the water.

I swim towards him and he tries to swim away from me in a cheeky game of chase, but he is still so hopeless in the water. All elbows and knees and no grace at all.

I let him stay just out of my reach. Trailing leisurely behind him while he flounders like something mortally wounded.

He gives up after a short while and flops down to lie on his back. He puts his hands behind his head and stares up happily at the rippling surface. I lie down beside him and copy his pose. The surface refracts light into beautiful patterns that I've never truly appreciated before. Seeing my world through Sammy's fresh eyes is a blessing.

The dancing patterns of sunlight are hypnotic and soothing. I could lie here happily for hours. Especially with Sammy by my side. His presence is a soothing balm to my soul. And growing more so every day.

But Sammy never stays still for long. He sits up and points at the surface. I nod and follow him up. He probably wants to talk. He loves talking. About everything and nothing. And I love listening to him. Maybe one day our mate bond will strengthen and grow to the extent that we can communicate telepathically. Then we wouldn't need to surface for Sammy to babble away delightfully.

As we break the surface, Sammy starts chattering immediately. We bob along in the water and I guide him to the shallow end so his toes can touch the floor. He seems happy to stay in the water, which is fine by me.

His eyes are wide with excitement as he recounts a YouTube video about aquatic plants. His words spill out in a rush, his enthusiasm infectious. I listen, nodding, absorbing every detail, every inflection in his voice. The way his eyes light up when he talks, the animated gestures that accompany his explanations. They are all part of what makes Sammy so special to me.

He describes the process of photosynthesis with the fervor of a poet, his hands mimicking the movement of sunlight and leaves. He talks about different species of fish, their behaviors, and their environment. His voice rises and falls in a rhythm that is music to my ears, a melody of wonder and curiosity.

As he talks, I marvel at how effortlessly he bridges our worlds. He's human, yet he fits by my side perfectly. And his joy, his awe, his boundless curiosity, they all breathe new life into my world, making the familiar extraordinary.

The sun is sinking lower in the sky, casting long, golden rays across the pool's surface. The light catches Sammy's hair, turning it into a halo of gold, and I can't help but reach out to brush a lock away from his face. He pauses, his eyes meeting mine, and for a moment, the world holds its breath. The connection between us feels almost tangible, a thread of warmth and understanding that binds us together.

"You know," Sammy says softly, his voice breaking the spell but not the magic, "I've never been this happy." His eyes are bright, his smile genuine. "This place, these fish, you. It's everything I never knew I needed."

I smile back, my heart swelling with a mixture of emotions too complex to name. "You've given me so much, Sammy," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. "More than I ever dreamed possible."

He grins, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Well, it's a good thing I'm not done yet," he says, his tone playful. "I've got a few more surprises up my sleeve."

I laugh, the sound mingling with the soft lapping of water around us. "I can't wait to see what you come up with," I say, my heart light with anticipation.

He grins again and then sighs happily. I think he is done with talking for now. So I lie back in the water and float. Sammy squeals in excitement and tries to copy me. After a few false starts, he gets it.

We float there, side by side, as the sun dips below the horizon and paints the sky in hues of orange and pink. The day fades into twilight, and the stars begin to twinkle above us, their light reflecting on the water like scattered diamonds. It's a perfect moment, a slice of eternity that I wish could last forever.

As night falls, the pool transforms into a luminous oasis as the lights cast a soft, ethereal glow. The fish continue their gentle dance, their movements adding to the ripples that shimmer in the artificial moonlight. Sammy and I remain entwined in the water, our hands clasped, our hearts in sync.

This feels magical. I feel a profound sense of belonging. With Sammy by my side, the world is a canvas of endless possibilities, each day a new adventure waiting to unfold. And as I gaze into his eyes, I know that this is just the beginning of a journey that will take us beyond the confines of this pool, into a future filled with wonder, love, and boundless joy.

I'm free. Truly free. The harem is in the past. I have a home. A family. Sammy. Everything I need to heal and grow. The dark days are done. The future is calling, and it is perfect.

"Hey!" calls Jade as he runs across the grass from the house. He is clutching a heavy looking leather-bound book to his chest.

I pull myself out of the water and absentmindedly pull Sammy out too. Water streams off of us as we stand together to face Jade.

"I've found it!" Jade gushes. "I've found how to break your mate bond!"

My head whips around to look at Sammy. He is smiling. A big smile that stretches ear to ear. His eyes are bright. Almost glassy.

"Great!" he says.

My heart sinks. Heavier than lead. I swear if I look down, I'll see it spattered on the grass between my toes. My life blood seeping into the earth .

"That's great news, isn't it Blue?" Sammy asks me. There is something brittle about his expression.

I swallow. "The best. I can't wait to get rid of this stupid mate bond."

That's the truth. Surely? All those grand and dreamy thoughts I was having a moment ago about my future with Sammy, were as friends. I was thinking about all the wonderful things we could do together as best friends. We don't need a mate bond for that. That's an absurd idea. Nothing has changed from my initial reaction to being mated to Sammy. It's still a ridiculous idea. I can't be anyone's mate.

I may be able to touch Sammy now. But I'm still never having sex. That's never going to change. And Sammy is a sensual, passionate soul. As he should be. We could never truly be mates.

"How soon can we do it?" I ask Jade.

Sammy snatches his hand away from mine. I hadn't even realized we had been holding hands. Now the absence of his touch feels cold. Cold enough to burn. I rub my palm against my thigh, but it doesn't ease the pain.

Jade's gaze is flicking between Sammy and I. The fey's pretty features twist into a strange expression.

"Um…I'm not sure. We need some ingredients and stuff."

"The sooner the better," I say.

"Damn right!" exclaims Sammy hoarsely.

My stomach nearly heaves. Of course, Sammy is going to be keen to be free. Why wouldn't he? He never asked for this.

"Okay," says Jade, and he sounds confused. "I'll go tell the others."

"I'll come with you," says Sammy brightly. "Night, Blue," he adds without looking at me.

And just like that, he walks away with Jade. Across the grass, and into the house and out of view. And now I'm standing here all alone, feeling like I'm about to burst into tears.

What the hell is wrong with me?