Page 69 of Crossing Between
"Are you sure?" His voice was barely audible over the gentle lapping of the water.
In answer, I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his again, a soft, reassuring kiss. "I'm sure."
Elias took a deep breath, then closed his eyes. I watched in fascination as the transformation began. It wasn't violent or jarring like I might have expected. Instead, it was fluid and graceful.
His skin shifted, taking on a grayish-blue hue with patches of iridescent scales that caught the moonlight. His tentacles emerged fully now, not just from his armsbut from his back as well, unfurling like ribbons in the water around us. They were beautiful, powerful, and elegant, with suction cups that glowed with the same blue light as the mark on his back.
When he opened his eyes, they were completely transformed. Large, luminous orbs with vertical pupils like a cat's, glowing with that same ethereal light. His face remained recognizably Elias, but with subtle changes. His cheekbones were more pronounced, his ears slightly pointed, his teeth sharper.
"Kærasta," his voice was deeper, more resonant, I could still hear Elias in it. "My mate."
I reached out, my hand hovering just inches from his face. "May I?"
He nodded and I gently traced the new contours of his face, marveling at the smooth texture of his skin, the subtle pattern of scales along his jawline. He leaned into my touch, his eyes half-closing in pleasure.
"You're beautiful," I meant it. There was nothing monstrous about him. He was otherworldly, yes, but in the way of ancient, powerful things that commanded awe rather than fear.
A tentacle curled around my wrist, the touch delicate despite the obvious strength behind it. Another wrapped around my waist, drawing me closer to him. I went willingly, fascinated by this new aspect of him.
"Mine," his kraken, but this time with a note of wonder in the word. "Found you. After so long."
"Yes," I agreed, understanding instinctively that this was important to him. To both parts of him. "I'm here now."
His tentacles cradled me, lifting me slightly in the water so that we were eye to eye. I could feel the controlled power in them, the restraint he was exercising to hold me gently. It was humbling and thrilling all at once.
"Protect," the kraken promised, one tentacle brushing my cheek with surprising tenderness. "Cherish."
I leaned forward, pressing my forehead against his. "I know you will."
We stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, suspended in the water, connected in a way that transcended the physical. I could feel his kraken's consciousness, ancient and vast, brushing against my own. He was curious, protective, and possessive, but never threatening.
Gradually, I felt the shift as Elias reasserted control. The tentacles remained, but their movements became more deliberate, less instinctual. His eyes shifted back toward human, though they retained an otherworldly glow.
"Thank you," his voice was his own again. "For accepting him. For accepting me."
I smiled, running my fingers along one of his tentacles. "Thank you for trusting me enough to show me."
He pulled me close and wrapped me in a gentle embrace. I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
"The water's getting cold," he murmured after a while, his chin resting on top of my head.
I hadn't noticed, but he was right. The pool's warmth had dissipated somewhat, or perhaps we'd simply been in it too long. I nodded against his chest, reluctant to break the moment but aware that we both needed rest.
He helped me out of the pool, his tentacles giving me a boost that made me laugh in surprise. Once we were standing on the tile, he wrapped a large, fluffy towel around my shoulders.
"Better?" His own towel was draped casually around his neck.
"Much," I was shivering slightly as the air hit my wet clothes. "Though I'm going to need to change beforeI catch a cold."
He nodded, his expression growing serious again. "I'll walk you back to your room."
We made our way through the quiet mansion, leaving damp footprints on the marble floors. When we reached my door, I turned to face him, suddenly shy despite everything we'd shared.
"Thank you," I fidgeted with the edge of my towel. "For the swim. For everything."
His smile was gentle. "Sleep well,kærasta."
As he turned to go, I reached out and caught his hand. "Elias?"
