Page 25 of Rainse
“Don’t apologise,” I said quickly. “You kept me warm.”
That earned a half-smile. “Guess we’re even then.”
I almost said not even close. The bond thrummed again, a soft ache in my chest that made me glance toward the sea — and freeze.
The water beyond the reef was shifting, a column of bubbles rising in the distance. The current carried a sound I knew too well: the deep, rhythmic pulse of Finfolk resonance. A song of search and recognition.
Fionn. He'd found me.
I was on my feet before I’d even thought about it.
“What is it?” Verity asked, alarmed.
“My brother,” I said. “He’s coming.”
“Here?”
I nodded. The water exploded as a tall figure broke the surface — green skin glinting in the sunlight, hair slicked back, eyes sharp and searching.
Verity gasped softly. “There are more of you.”
“I told you,” I said quietly. “I have brothers.”
Fionn raised his hand in greeting. His expression didn't hold anger, just worry and relief. His gaze flicked to Verity. I instinctively blocked his view. He raised an eyebrow at that.
I cringed. Fionn was my brother. I should let him help me with this situation, not hide the truth from him.
"So that is why you've disappeared," Fionn sighed. Water pearled down his skin, and I imagined what he would look like to Verity - alien, masculine, attractive.
I had to stop being so jealous and protective. But it was hard to shut down those thoughts.
"Won't you introduce us?" Verity asked, stepping out of my shadow.
I'd known it wouldn't last. Taking my mate to this tiny island had been a desperate attempt for us to have privacy as we got to know each other. Avoid them taking her away from me. But it hadn't been long enough. I hadn't had the chance to tell her that she was my mate. It was all too soon.
I sighed. "Verity, this is Fionn, my clutch-brother and the interim leader of the finfolk on Earth. Fionn, this is Verity, an ocean scientist who I saved from the waves' clutch - and then she saved me."
Fionn nodded knowingly. "Yesterday. There was a disturbance in the water. It is why I went to search for you, to make sure you were safe. What happened?"
"I was attacked by huge, toothy monsters. They almost killed me."
Verity snort-laughed. "It was tiny jellyfish. No teeth or monsters involved." Her smile weakened. "But you are right. They did almost kill you. I don't know why they were attracted to you in such numbers, and why you reacted so strongly to their stings, but you would have drowned if I hadn't pulled you ashore."
"I would not. Finfolk can't drown."
Fionn sighed. "They can if they stop breathing for some reason. If what you say is true, Verity, you have my thanks for saving my brother's life. We are in your debt."
She looked at him as if she wasn't sure if he was serious. Then, she gracefully inclined her head. "It was a debt I owed. Now Rainse and I are even."
Fionn smiled. "It seems my brother has found his match. Have you talked about-"
"Not now," I interrupted.
"If it is obvious to me, it will be obvious to the other finmen on the island. And you can't stay here forever." He looked around the islet. "You haven't even got a shelter. A storm is approaching, you must have felt it. It may hit tomorrow, or the sunpass after, but it is coming. You are not safe to stay here."
"Verity is injured," I snapped. "I didn't want to risk the swim until she was better."
"Injured?" my clutch-brother asked sharply. "Then you should have contacted me immediately. We could have got her to a med pod."
