Forbidden Tides by Kyla Stan

Author:Kyla Stan [Stan, Kyla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-04-16T20:00:00+00:00

When the sun began to sink below the horizon, the whales bid Astrid and Zander goodnight. Astrid inhaled deeply, thankful for the fresh sea air that invigorated her lungs. She was able to hold her breath for two hours without any discomfort.

Zander held her close as the rough waves rose and fell around them. There was a new light in her eyes that made him proud. “How was it? Were you able to talk with Reeki?”

Her green eyes sparkled. “I can’t believe this! I can talk with whales!” she blurted before laughing.

“What did she say to you?” Zander was familiar with Reeki’s non-stop chatter, especially about others. It was just her way of socializing, especially since she was so young.

Astrid blushed and looked away. “Stuff…you know…she says you were talking about me. Is that true?”

Zander turned away before meeting her gaze. Words desired to spill out, but he was silent. The fear of admiration never made him shiver as much as now. He realized it was also the fear of rejection. Astrid was half human. Did she see his Sirenia form as disgusting like the other humans?

“I—I told them how brave you are. That you will be a good leader one day.” Zander felt pained as Astrid’s face fell before she continued.

“It was just so…amazing. I was kind of scared at first, being out in the open with such big hunters. But it was also humbling.” She spoke quietly, as if reflecting.

“I’m happy the sea makes you feel that way. But there are also dangers out here at this time of the day. The Moon Goddess can only protect us for so long.” Zander grabbed Astrid’s hand and dove under the surface.

She turned to him with suspicion and worry, but the Sirenia warrior remained focused on heading back to land. The sea surrounding them grew colder with the absence of the sun’s warmth and light, making it difficult to discern what creatures lay in wait. Astrid was aware of the presence of sharks, especially great whites, but was that what Zander, the fierce warrior, was so afraid of?

Once they made it back to shore, Astrid’s body collapsed in the shallows. She tried to stand, but the muscles in her legs quivered with exhaustion from swimming all day. Zander placed a hand on her shoulder and pushed her back down to a sitting position. “There is no need to rush. Give yourself a minute to rest. You swam farther than any human I’ve seen before.”

She submerged herself in the shallows next to Zander and flexed her back. This was her real bed. The soft, sandy layers of the beach were her mattress and the lapping waves of the ocean were her blankets. Her eyelids suddenly grew heavy, and she let out a yawn. The sea told a lullaby that made sailors tired, but perhaps it was the intoxicating smell of the ocean. Zander gently shook her awake. “Time to return to your home. For now,” he whispered.

Before she could say goodbye, his tailfin flicked the surface and disappeared into the darkness beyond the shore.

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