Page 59 of Claimed By the Deep
Her fingers tighten around mine, the layers between us a poor substitute for the contact we crave. "There has to be another way."
"If there is, I haven't found it." I stroke my thumb across her knuckles, feeling the rough texture of her work gloves. "Fergus could assist with the evidence side—perhaps arrange for 'reliable witnesses' to report sightings at the appropriate times and locations."
"He does know a lot of old sea captains who owe him favors." A reluctant smile touches her lips. "And he's surprisingly good at spreading exactly the kind of information he wants people to hear."
"Then it could work."
"When would you leave?"
"Tomorrow night. The storm system moving through would provide ideal cover for the initial departure."
She inhales sharply, unprepared for the immediacy. "So soon?"
"The researchers are analyzing new data from yesterday's drone deployment. I need to establish the first sighting before they consolidate their findings and lock in this region as their primary search area."
The practical logic is irrefutable, though I can see her struggling with the emotional implications. Finally, she nods, decision made. "I'll talk to Fergus tonight. He can make some calls, set things in motion on the human side."
"Thank you." I squeeze her hand gently. "This separation is temporary. A necessary tactical retreat to ensure our future security."
"I know." She looks out over the water, where the last light fades from the winter sky. "I just hate that we've already spent so much time apart because of these researchers. Now it'll be another month, at least."
"When I return, the houseboat will be nearly complete. We'll never have to endure this kind of separation again." I rise further from the water, ignoring the discomfort of frigid air against my skin. "Whatever environment threatens one of us, we'll simply move to another. That's the promise of what we're building."
She leans down, her free hand coming to rest against my face. "Be careful. These waters are dangerous enough in winter. The journeysouth—"
"I've survived far worse than winter storms." I turn my face to press a kiss against her palm. "I crossed interstellar space, crashed on an alien world, and adapted to a completely foreign ecosystem. A coastal journey is well within my capabilities."
"Logically, I know that. But logic isn't driving my concern right now."
I understand her fear. It mirrors my own when I think of her navigating these winter seas in her boat, working in freezing conditions, pushing herself beyond reasonable limits to complete our home.
"Three weeks," I promise. "Four at most. Then I return, the researchers depart for warmer waters, and we focus entirely on our future."
She nods, though uncertainty lingers in her expression. "I should get back to the boathouse. Fergus is waiting, and we need to finalize the plans for the circulation system before tomorrow."
"Of course." I begin to withdraw, but she tightens her grip on my hand.
"Wait. Since you're leaving tomorrow..." She glances toward the boathouse, then back to me. "The workers are gone. Fergus won't be back for another hour. We have some time."
"Time for what?"
Instead of answering, she begins removing her gloves, then her heavy coat. The temperature can't be more than a few degrees above freezing, yet she continues stripping away layers with determined efficiency.
"Meri, what are you—"
"If you're leaving for a month, I'm not letting you go without a proper goodbye." Her sweater joins the pile on the dock, followed by her thermal shirt. "And I'm not waiting until spring to touch you again."
"The water temperature is barely above freezing. You can't—"
"I've been preparing for this." She pulls a bundle from her remaining bag—a modern dry suit of advanced design. "Special order. Rated for arctic diving. Completely waterproof with thermal underlayers."
I watch in amazement as she dons the suit with practiced movements, sealing closures and checking connections with professional precision. Within minutes, she's transformed from a bundled dock worker to a sleek, insulated diver ready to enter waters that would kill most humans within minutes.
"You've been planning this," I observe, impressed and concerned in equal measure.
"For weeks." She secures the final seal at her neck, then reaches for a pair of insulated gloves. "I told you, Cyreus. I'm done letting circumstances dictate when and how we can be together."
"The water will still be dangerously cold for you, even with protection."
