Page 64 of The Merman's Betrothal
‘You are doing it!’ Fionn cried, and his delight shone through his song. ‘See, I am believable—you should believe me! I am right, after all.’
Rory gave a silent chuckle and tried to form a reply. ‘I… believe you. But you are still… unbelievable.’
Was that the flash of a pout from Fionn? ‘By the end of the day you will not say so.’
‘I doubt it.’ Rory hummed, discerning the way the sound propelled the water between them. Noting the subtle tickle of the current against the hairs across his bare skin. Savouring how comfortable he felt for the first time in weeks.
Finally relaxing, he dared to poke a finger into Fionn’s chest. DeepSong flowed easily now from his heart. ‘You are unbelievable, Fionn. Unbelievably magnificent. Beautiful. You’re so strong and fucking delicious—’
He paused to laugh. The rhythm of DeepSong made his words sound more eloquent than anything he came out with on land. ‘Delicious’ certainly wasn’t a word he’d have consciously chosen, but it was very accurate. Yet the song had also stumbled with a discordant note over the curse word, striving to keep his meaning intact.
‘What is so funny?’ Fionn was staring at Rory’s hand, now splayed over his sternum.
‘I can’t believe that you want me.’ Finally, Rory felt free to admit it. The voice of his father couldn’t reach him down here. He fancied he could feel Fionn’s heartbeat beneath his palm. It quickened. ‘I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you.’
‘Nor I, you.’
Rory was giddy. The water wasn’t silent, exactly—there was constant movement filled with odd gurgles and ripples from afar—but it felt like he and Fionn were nestled in a bubble of peace. Was this what it would be like to accept every part of himself? To sayfuck it,I love a merman,and move on with his life?
Oof. Too much. Rory gave himself emotional whiplash with the rate at which he pulled away.
Fionn had been reaching to take his hand and now blinked at Rory, baffled, now floating several feet away.
‘Let’s swim,’ Rory mumbled, trying to ignore the tone of embarrassment inflected on his song. Fionn nodded and led the way.
They continued at a leisurely speed. Rory had always been a strong swimmer, but it was curious how his muscles didn’t seem to be getting tired. Moving this way was easy. Like everything underwater seemed easy.
As they headed further into the ocean strait, more sounds, like echoes, reached Rory’s ears. In the far distance, a low hum of DeepSong undulated across the expanse.
‘I… Am… Here. Child… Is… Here. Follow. Follow.’
It repeated in a slow loop, a calm mantra cycling through Rory’s brain. He caught Fionn’s arm, pulling them both to a stop. ‘What is that?’
Fionn cocked his head. ‘A whale mother and her calf. She is calling to other nearby mothers.’
Rory hung in the water with his mouth wide open. Listening. Revelling in the sound.
Fionn nudged him gently. ‘Are you well?’
‘It’s incredible.’
Fionn’s concerned expression melted. He waited with Rory for a few minutes more, giving him time to soak in his awe. ‘May I show you more incredible things?’
‘Please.’
‘We shall use the current, if you are willing.’ Fionn opened his arms, gesturing for Rory to fold into them.
Gingerly, he did so. Fionn’s solid arms closed around his back.
Rory needed a moment to swallow back his desire. He was wearing even fewer clothes than the last time they’d done this. His chest was flush with Fionn’s. He could feel every firm muscle there. If he wanted he could just bend his head forward to taste—
Fionn spun, rolling Rory to be lying on top of him, which was even worse. Now Rory’s face was pressed right against Fionn’s collarbone and his hips rested over the merman’s kilt.
Then Fionn began to sing. The water spiralled around them, became a rushing tunnel. A familiar surge of momentum told Rory they were being carried very fast. Then Fionn made a deft twist—jostling Rory a bit too pleasantly—and exited onto calmer water.
‘This is my home,’ Fionn sang into his ear, sending a shiver down to Rory’s toes.
Rory turned in Fionn’s arms and at first glimpse didn’t make sense of the scene that greeted him. The water shimmered strangely, like air in a heat haze. One moment Rory was certain he was looking at a barren patch of dark seabed, and the next he swore it was some giant monument, or a tower, eerily lit with a greenish glow. The image vanished and reappeared as he turned his head, like some strange optical illusion.
