Page 54 of Rainse
"I'm staying here," I said. "On the island. For my research."
"Excellent. I'm sure Elise will let you use the Tidebound for your move. If not, the agency can arrange it."
"Moving," I muttered. It suddenly all seemed so real. And I was ready for it.
I looked at Rainse. His greenskin was glowing properly now, bright enough to cast blue-green shadows on the walls. The bond hummed between us, stronger than ever, pulsing with shared joy.
The rest of the morning dissolved into celebration. Someone—probably Elise—had arranged an impromptu party on the beach. Tables laden with food, drinks cooling in ice buckets, other finfolk and humans already gathering when word spread.
"This is too much," I protested as we emerged into sunshine and noise.
"This is exactly right," Fionn said. "We don't get many mate bonds confirmed. Let us celebrate."
What followed was a blur of congratulations and well-wishes. Finfolk I'd never met touched my shoulder in greeting. Humans welcomed me with hugs. The kitchen staff brought out dish after dish—some human, some finfolk, some fascinating fusion of both.
Through it all, Rainse stayed close, his hand in mine or his greenskin brushing against my arm. The bond pulsed steadily, anchoring me when the attention became overwhelming.
"Okay?" he murmured during a brief lull.
"Yes. Just... a lot of people."
"We can leave if you want. Go somewhere quiet."
I looked around at the smiling faces, the joy that seemed to radiate from everyone. "Give me five more minutes. Then yes, please."
Those five minutes stretched to twenty, but eventually we managed to slip away. The crowd had thinned anyway, people drifting back to their various pursuits, and no one seemed to notice when we disappeared down the beach path.
We walked in comfortable silence until the sounds of the party faded behind us, replaced by the steady rhythm of waves. The afternoon sun painted everything gold.
"Better?" Rainse asked.
"Much." I squeezed his hand. "Though I think your brothers are planning something. Cerban had that look."
"They're always planning something. Usually it involves embarrassing me."
"I look forward to it."
He laughed, and we kept walking until we reached a quiet stretch of beach, sheltered by rocks on one side and palm trees on the other. The sand here was pristine, unmarked by footprints.
Rainse stopped and turned to face me, both hands finding mine. His greenskin shimmered in the afternoon light, and I could feel the bond thrumming between us—stronger now, more certain.
"We're official," he said.
"Scientifically verified," I agreed. "I'm your mate. You're stuck with me."
"Stuck," he repeated, smiling. "That's one way to put it."
"How would you put it?"
He was quiet for a moment, his thumbs tracing circles on the backs of my hands. "Blessed. Lucky. Grateful beyond measure."
My throat went tight. "That's very poetic."
"You bring it out in me." He pulled me closer. "I spent mooncrossings thinking I'd never have this. That I wasn't worthy of it. And then you fell into my ocean."
"Technically I was thrown into your ocean by a whale."
"Best thing that whale ever did."
