Page 113 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

“I planned to talk about my conversation with Havoc, but I wanted us to have a little bit of time to reconnect before I did. He helped me sort some shit out. The long journey gave me a lot of time to consider what he said. How I feel. And I realize now that I took the easy road out. I’m sorry that I hurt you by doing that.”

Echo stared at him, silent. Anticipating. What? Mael wasn’t completely sure. He felt like anywhere he stepped he might fuck things up more.

“I basically inserted you into the woman’s spot in my straight relationship fantasy instead of moving myself into our gay one. That wasn’t fair to you. I hate that you’ve been living in fear of this moment, wondering if I’d see reason or reject you.”

He inched closer and slid his hand behind his mate’s neck, cradling the back of Echo’s head. “I’m so sorry, Echo. Can you ever forgive me?”

Tears welled in Echo’s eyes. “There’s nothing to forgive. I’m just glad you finally got here.”

Mael dragged Echo into his arms, squeezing his mate tight. He’d dreamt of Echo against him on the long nights in the dark waters of the sea, the scent of his hair, the smoothness of his skin. Mael inhaled deep, committing it to memory once more after their time apart.

“Coming to terms with this kind of change, one that completely shifts how you perceive yourself, can’t be easy,” Echo murmured against his chest, the words vibrating into him. “But I feared ignoring it too long might destroy us in the end. Either you would reject me, or I’d grow resentful for not being seen for who I was. I didn’t want either of those to happen.”

“Nor would I,” Mael murmured. “I love you, Echo. Masc, femme, wherever you are on the gender spectrum—I’m there, by your side, for the rest of our days.”

Echo lifted on his tiptoes, seeking a kiss. Mael met him halfway, swooping down to press his lips to his mate’s.

“I need to stop by the house this morning before we go to see council.” He chuckled. “The clothes I brought are a bit too frilly for me today.”

“Okay,” Mael said, smiling. “No problem. I can aim us toward the dock now.”

He stood staring at Echo a moment, unmoving. Their conversation was over, yet it didn’t feel quite finished. He was scared to reach out to his mate, worried he’d be the one to cross a line. He didn’t know how to handle days like that.

“What’s wrong?” Echo asked.

“Are there different rules for days like this? Things I should or shouldn’t do?”

Echo sighed. “I’m still the same person. The person who loves you and wants to be loved by you. Therearen’tdifferent rules.”

“I’m just checking. Not like there’s a manual, you know. I’m learning as I go, and I don’t want to fuck up again.”

Echo chuckled. “Would you like a hug? A kiss?”

“Very much.”

A slow smile crossed Echo’s lips. “Then kiss me.”

Maelstrom grinned.“Yesss,sir.”

He leaned in for a kiss and quickly realized he enjoyed kissing his masc mate as much as the femme one. When they parted, he felt their connection grow even deeper. “You said this was the worst day for this, but maybe it isn’t.” He caressed the side of Echo’s face. “Hopefully the doubts are now gone, and we can face this firing squad together. And win.”

Echo smiled up at him. “We’re gonna kick ass.”

25

Echo walked into the public assembly hall hand-in-hand with Mael. His gaze swiveled back and forth. He’d never seen it so packed. It seemed like the whole of Dolphin Bay filled the room, their harsh stares on he and Mael. He’d been nervous before walking in. Seeing the place filled to the rafters wasn’t making things any easier.

Maelstrom squeezed his hand. He lifted his gaze and did his best to return his orca’s smile.

They approached the front, hearing whispers and murmurs zip through the room behind them.

As he neared the gate separating the council from the audience, he saw Diego sitting up front. He reached out and squeezed Echo’s other hand as they passed. At least he knew he had one ally in the room. It might not seem like much, but for Echo, it was everything.

“Thanks,” he whispered.

“I’m here for you. You’ve got this,” Diego whispered back.

“Step forward,” Mayor John Ashbridge said into the microphone as he looked over the rim of his black glasses at them. “Approach the podium.”

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