Page 95 of Fae Tithe

“Yes. It makes me feel better, knowing that someone I trust is nearby when I am away. If the Fae come, you will need all the help you can get. I hope you won’t be too angry with me. I am finding it… challenging to balance my court duties with my need to be with you. In the sea, being a High Prince isn’t laden with luxuries like it seems to be on land. It is a constant series of acts of service. I spend most of time looking after my Seafolk, which I am glad to do, but it is tiring,” he admitted.

“If we come to live on an island in your territory…” She felt a small spark of excitement. “Could it be one near Nautilus? That’s where you mostly work, right?”

In the glow from the water, she watched his throat bob, tears silver in his eyes.

“I would love nothing more. It means I would be able to see you all nearly every day.”

Helena opened and then closed her mouth, a combination of frustration and excitement bubbling within her. Having two guards seems ridiculous, but it means a lot to him. She ran her gaze over Lance. And the idea of all of us being safe, together, and seeing him every day… it’s worth it. Plus, the guards could help us if the family agrees to move.

“I’m not happy about it, but I understand this is probably for the best… for now.” Helena watched as the pair of Encantados leapt together, breeching high from the water, before their dorsal fins swam side by side into deeper water. “Where are they going?”

The Merman let out a long exhale of relief, and she felt the tension leave the grip on her shoulder.

“They have gone hunting. If you need to send me a message while I am away, they do understand Seeliespeak. You can tell them, and they will swim to wherever I am and relay it. They just cannot form the words when they are in their dolphin shapes.”

“Ah, just like you in your Mer form?” Helena asked.

“Exactly right.” Lance smiled down at her, but then took a deep breath, a look of apprehension settled on his face.

“What is it, love?” she asked, a twist of concern in her stomach.

“I… I feel nervous, but I wanted to ask you.” He caressed her upper bicep with a slow stroke of his fingertips. “I would like to be Bound to you, more than anything. And now you know everything, this is me formally asking.” The question shining in his gaze.

“How does it work?” Helena asked, curiosity piqued, limbs tingling with excitement.

“Some have a handfasting ceremony and declare themselves as a Bound couple in front of their loved ones. They then retreat to privacy to make the Bite, as it is quite… intimate. Others prefer to just exchange them in solitude. Basically, you bite me, and then I bite you. It must be hard enough to leave a scar. Seafolk will recognise that we are Bound from the mark— ”

“Yes,” she answered.

“There’s more.” Lance took a deep breath. “I need you to know, Len. My folk will take lovers and temporary partners, but once we are Bound, it is for life. Are you sure?”

“I said yes.”

Helena turned fully to him and rested her arms around his neck, her fingers threaded under his hair.

He lied to me. I left him behind. Every other moment though, before and after? I couldn’t ask for a better partner.

The Merman settled his hands on the small of Helena’s back. She looked up into his eyes with a soft smile and stood on her tiptoes. Lance lowered his ear to her lips.

“I have never been surer of anything. We can have a ceremony later. I don’t want to wait a moment more.” A grin spread over Helena’s face. “But you’ll have to catch me first. Then we’ll be Bound,” Helena teased. “Do you remember our word, just in case?”

The High Prince’s eyes narrowed in lust as he looked down at her in his arms. “Pearl,” he whispered huskily

Helena tore away from his grasp. Lance liked to chase and hold her. She knew it was because he was a hunter, and it gave him a thrill. Helena also loved to be caught by the Merman. She hastily stepped out of her new dress, abandoning it on the shore, and splashed into the glowing waves.

“Come get me!” she taunted, the cool water comforting her burning joints, but also making her scarring burns sting.

“You’re at a distinct disadvantage in there, Len!” the Merman called back.

He tore off his clothes, desire on his face, and dove into the smooth water. The blue glow temporarily dispersed before joining together as he cut through it.

As his head surfaced, she giggled.

“That’s the point! I want to be caught.”

Lance’s shift took a short while, and Helena sped away in a skilful front stroke, putting a significant distance between them. She looked over her shoulder, noting that the Merman had disappeared beneath the waves. The moment she faced out to sea, Helena nearly slammed into his lean chest.

Lance wrapped his arms firmly around her waist and locked his webbed hands to the small of her back. His long tail worked lazily back and forth to keep them afloat. Helena traced her fingers around the grey scar she had left just under his left collar bone. It marred the top of his blue spiral tattoo that twisted down his chest.