Page 142 of Midnightsong
“I’ll hold you to that.” Mia made the ‘I’m-watching-you’ gesture at him, but the happiness on her and Cyrus’ face was unmistakable. “Rosie, take care of your brother!”
“I will.” Rosa didn’t make another remark about being called her childhood name and ducked underwater with Cyrus and Hadrien.
“And Angie, I’ll see you whenever. Have fun with your husband.” Mia gave her a wink and a wave, and Angie’s face warmed. Beside Mia, she caught Bàba narrowing his eyes at her.
They descended, passing a polar bear who had plunged into the sea from a nearby ice shelf. Angie followed Kaden beneath the waves, swimming through a dense kelp forest.
“I missed you.” He pulled her in for a long kiss once they were alone.
Angie swatted his shoulder. “I saw you last night at my family’s barbecue.” She had pulled her boat ashore to meet her family last night, and they had invited the mer. Kaden visited with Cyrus, Adrielle, Libbi and Hadrien, and Adrielle had left shortly after to return to the queendom.
“True. I enjoyed it, never had it before.” Kaden licked his lips pensive. “I still haven’t gotten the taste of burnt pineapple out of my mouth.”
She snorted. “It’s your fault you ate the burned zucchini and pineapple.”
“I thought the charcoal would give it more flavor!” He threw up his hands, his eyes lighting up.
“Now you know. Don’t go for the black, gritty stuff next time.” Angie arched an eyebrow at him. “Well, next time might be in a couple days. I have to bring my family back to shore.”
“There will be a next time?” Kaden pretended to act surprised, one hand to his heart and a soft gasp leaving his lips.
“Of course! Your family seemed to enjoy it, especially Libbi and Hadrien. You all looked cute on the loungers. And my dad and sister love to barbecue.”
“The chairs need to be longer to fit our tails,” Kaden said through a happy grin.
“It’s all we have, so, it’s either that or you all can hang out on the sand.” Angiekissed his shoulder.
“I kid, I kid. I look forward to more sandy dinners, princess.”
Even though she had been married to him for ten years, an excited shiver still danced through her when he called her that.
“Let’s go this way.” Kaden tugged on her hand, keeping her close.
“Found another new spot?” Angie squeezed his fingers.
“Always. It’s a little far, so hold on.” Kaden tightened his grip around her, and Angie tensed, grabbing his wrist with her free hand.
And with a blast of magic, as she always did, she shrieked and wrapped her legs around his tail as they propelled through the seas on a massive rush of water, like they were in a watery tunnel, and then another.
“I wish I could do that,” Angie said with a laugh. She had mer breath, but she didn’t get their ability to manipulate water.
“But how would I keep impressing you?” Kaden flicked her legs with his tailfin once they were cutting through the sea again.
“Good point,” she said with a chuckle and a playful squeeze on his forearm.
She swam upward and over a hissing hydrothermal vent, the steam grazing her bare legs, and they passed over a slew of undersea memorials. It reminded her of celebrating Varin’s life at the Central Queendom shortly after she and Kaden married, and it brought a fresh wave of sadness. Kaden told her it was as if he were watching his own mother lifeless and pale on that smooth rock slab. But his own grief paled in comparison to Cassia’s. Cassia had been a shaking wreck, while Calora tried to console her mother at the funeral.
“I almost forgot to tell you, but Aiereka and Narea returned from their travels at low suntide.”
“How are they?” Angie brightened. “Feels like I haven’t seen them in forever.”
“They’re happy, adopted a merling recently.”
She grinned. Adrielle had asked Aiereka to work with them at the palace once it was rebuilt. She remembered when, six years ago, she went for a family dinner with Kaden and Cyrus and their cousins, and Aiereka was talking excitedly about planning their wedding.
“Let me know when you’re meeting them again. I’d love to join.”
“I will. I’m sure they want to see you, too.” Kaden squeezed her forearm.
