Page 66 of The Merman's Betrothal
Minchmen were difficult to find in these outer reaches. Fionn explained that many of the locals were foragers who would roamfar and wide across the Minch, keeping their presence scattered and difficult to detect.
When they did happen upon a merman—who Rory was always too late to spot, thanks to how well they blended with their surroundings—Fionn was careful to make a swift getaway before Rory could be noticed.
‘Will you get into trouble for being with me?’ Rory asked after the third time this happened.
‘It is not normal to bring a human into our home, no.’
‘I thought we’d established I’m not totally human.’ Rory pointed wryly at his gills. ‘But I meant more us being… uh… together. In a soul bond-y way.’
Fionn’s cheeks flushed. ‘Truthfully, I don’t know how everyone will react to that.’
‘I thought you said it happened all the time. Humans and mermen.’
‘A long time ago. Not so much, any more. Besides…’ Fionn looked away. A tangible wave of guilt flowed from his side of the bond.
‘What?’ Rory narrowed his eyes. ‘Are you hiding something?’
‘Perhaps we should move on—’
‘Fionn.’
The sound of his name stopped Fionn in his tracks. It occurred to Rory that he’d never addressed him by name before. It felt weirdly personal, like he’d just crossed another invisible boundary.
Rory got hold of his tongue and continued the song. ‘Fionn, I’m here now. I won’t pretend I’ve made up my mind about everything, but I’m as close to all-in as I can be. So if there’s something I should know, you ought to trust me to handle it rather than make the decision for me.’
He felt Fionn’s emotions billowing through the bond, giving away more than he wanted it to. It was tinged with the sameout-of-place insecurity that Rory had glimpsed before—what did Fionn, of all people, have to feel insecure about? Yet still, there was this looming sense of inadequacy that reared over Fionn like a shadow. For a startling second Rory thought he could even taste it in the water.
‘I have not been completely honest,’ Fionn began heavily. ‘Or rather, I have omitted an important detail.’
Christ, he did like to waffle. Rory refrained from waving a ‘speed-up’ gesture and crossed his arms instead.
‘While our soul bond is certainly real, and my feelings for you are real, there is a political matter I have failed to mention that might have unforeseen consequences and I—’
‘Can you get to the point?’
‘I am betrothed.’
Rory wasn’t sure that he’d heard correctly. ‘You’re what?’
‘Betrothed. Promised to another. I am due to wed—’
‘Fucking hold up.’ Rory’s DeepSong clanged with his choice of words. ‘Are you telling me you’re already seeing someone? What the actual fuck, Fionn?’
He hoped Fionn could feel his anger through the bond. At least, anger was what Rory tried to focus on. It was much easier to deal with than betrayal. Than admitting that this might actually fucking hurt a little bit.
‘I do not know them!’ Fionn sang desperately. The water vibrated with his dismay. ‘It is an arranged marriage to someone I have never met, from a tribe of Redfolk who are completely separate from our own people. And I do not want it, Rory. Please believe me, I have never wanted it.’
Rory’s rising fury softened to a low simmer. He needed a minute to process this.
Unfortunately, his silence turned Fionn into a cloud of anxiety. ‘Rory, I did not wish to burden you with this.’
‘Fine.’
‘You must understand I was given no choice.’
‘Uh huh.’
‘But it is a fate I intend to escape, and I want you to know that I—’
