Page 12 of Little Saint Nautilus

“You like them, though, correct?”

Cory stood beside me, looking over his space as I did. “Yes. I have a lot of great memories with them. We did one every year at home, and I would go to my grandfather’s house to help him decorate his as well.”

His eyes twinkled as he spoke, his adoration for the tradition clear. “Are there a limited number of trees?”

One side of Cory’s mouth tipped up, making me wish I could trace his lips to feel every minute movement of them. “Well, yes and no. Real trees are cut and harvested each year. Seedlings are planted to replace them, but they take time to grow. Some people prefer the feel and smell of a real tree, but others have chosen to use artificial trees which can be used over and over again.”

I nodded, absorbing the information. “I think I would much prefer the second.”

“I do, as well.”

“Then you should have one. Is it not allowed to do something simply because it brings you joy?”

Cory gave me a sweet smile and threw an arm over my shoulder, squeezing me to his side. The warmth of him and the way I fit against him made my mind go blank and my body ignite. I’d heard a mate’s touch was different, but I couldn't have prepared myself for how overwhelming it would be. Although I’d never been this close to anyone in this form with all my senses heightened.

“You know what? No, there’s nothing to stop someone from doing what they enjoy as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else. And I like the sound of it. Maybe later you could…”

He shut his mouth tight, stopping whatever he was about to say from spilling out. My curiosity about this man had me asking. “I could what, Cory?”

His hand went through his hair, an action I was beginning to recognize came with uncertainty. “It’s silly. You just got here. I know nothing about you, or how any of thisis possible, or if you have any kind of schedule or plans. I don’t want to make assumptions. Let’s just forget about it.”

Lifting my face to see his, I said, “My memory is very good. I don’t forget easily.”

Cory laughed, a sound I felt rumble through him, exciting all my senses, which thrived on vibrations.

“You are something else,” he said with a smirk.

“I am, Cory. I’m a nautilus. But I’m human, too.”

Another wonderful laugh and then he pulled away from me. “Come on, let’s have something to eat.”

“And you need your stronger drink?” I offered.

“No, actually. I think I’m good.” He led me to a round table and pulled a chair out for me to sit in. So thoughtful, my mate. He gave my shoulder a light squeeze, sending sparks through my skin, before leaving me to open a white door that revealed a storage space within. Cory looked over the door at me. “Uh, are you a meat-eater, vegetarian, something else? I’m sorry, I don’t remember very much about nautiluses…nautili? Although, you aren’t a typical nautilus, anyway and I know absolutelynothingabout, well, sea shifters. Shit,anyshifters. I always thought they were myths.”

“Myths often come from reality. Like me. Here I am.”

Cory met my gaze once more, an awed expression on his face. We stared at each other until his cheeks warmed and his eyes shifted away. “To answer your question, in myshelled form, I am a scavenger, but in this body, I haven’t tried too many different things. Fruits, mostly. Oh, and something called a coconut. Have you ever had one? I quite enjoyed them. As for anything else, I have a strong stomach and I’m open to trying new things.”

Cory coughed and laughed at the same time. “Good to know. Maybe we’ll start simple with eggs and toast.”

“Okay.” I watched as he pulled things out of what he said was a fridge. A feeling of happiness filled me at the idea of him wanting to provide food for me. Even in a short time, Cory already wanted to protect and provide for me. The thought made me hum.

Cory sat across from me and put a dish in front of me. Steam rose from it, and I found it new and fascinating. Sniffing, I took in the aroma of cooked eggs. I’d never had anything cooked before. The scent made my stomach grumble with a hunger I wasn’t used to experiencing. Cory snickered at my reaction. “Go ahead, eat.”

I watched as he picked up a pronged utensil and pushed it into the fluffy, yellow food, and I copied his motions. I held the bite in my mouth for a moment, focusing on its taste and texture. The eggs were savory and mellow, soft and silky, with a hint of saltiness. It was a new experience in every way. Cory seemed to be eagerly awaiting my reaction. When I swallowed at last, it left a pleasant taste behind, and a groan of appreciation left me. Cory grinned and stared at me with fascination.

“Dude, that's wild. It really is new to you, isn't it? I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all. You can actually change forms? Shell and everything?”

I was grateful he was taking to the idea so well. From what I'd heard about humans, they didn't often respond well to the unfamiliar, but my mate already accepted me and was curious to know more. The thought made me happy, except… the mention of my shell made that light feeling fall.

He must have noticed a change in my expression and rushed to speak. “Ah, fuck, I'm sorry. Am I being too pushy? I don't mean to be. This is all just so…well, it’s a lot. If you’re not comfortable talking about anything, you just have to tell me, okay?”

I reached across the table, sliding my fingers over his. I didn't mean to make him feel bad. It was simply ingrained into us that revealing our secrets and our vulnerabilities to humans was dangerous. It was different with him, though. An instinct deep within told me I could trust him. I did, I had. He was my mate, but I didn't want to disappoint him, either.

“No, Cory. I appreciate you asking. I like that you want to know me more. Theansweris difficult, not the question. Yes, I do change. I have three different forms I can take. My human form, as you see me now. My hybrid form, as I was when I helped you after your fall. It allows me to be my full size, but I can also utilize some of the advantages my kindhave: breathing underwater, propelling quickly through the ocean, and being able to sense my surroundings more clearly. I am also stronger in that form.”

He listened and nodded, seemingly unbothered by what I told him. "And your third form?"

---