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She clasped her hands around her knees. “Because this form doesn’t last and I can’t control it.”

“How did you become a sea serpent? Were you cursed?”

“I’m not cursed. I’m a descendant of Ryūjin.”

The Japanese dragon god of the sea. Yume was a demigod like Vale.

“I’ve always been able to take human form. When I met Ben, I only meant to seduce him and return to the water. That’s what I always did.”

“But then you fell in love.”

Nodding, she drew her knees closer to her chest. “I would change form when he was at work to relieve some of the pressure. Occasionally, I would go for a midnight swim when he was sound asleep. I thought I could continue after the baby was born.”

“It sounds like it was a difficult birth.”

“Much harder than I anticipated. Ben wanted to call an ambulance, but I couldn’t risk being taken to a hospital. None of my labs would look normal.” She sniffed. “I managed to deliver, but then my body gave out. I couldn’t maintain my human form anymore. I fled as fast as I could. I was terrified I would hurt our son.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“I was so ashamed. Once I regained my strength, I considered returning, but I decided it was best to leave. It’s too risky if I can’t control it. They deserve a normal life, which is the one thing I can’t give them.”

“Except you haven’t left, Yume. You’ve been visiting the house; I assume to check on them.”

She dipped her head again. “I miss them so much.”

“Of course you do. They’re your family and you love them.”

She burst into tears. “I never should’ve agreed to marry him. I lost all sense of reality. Before I knew it, I was pregnant.”

I pulled a clean, folded tissue from my pocket and handed it to her.

“If he knew what I truly was, Ben would never want to see me again. He certainly wouldn’t want me near our son.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“No, but how could he?”

“Maybe you should leave that decision to him.”

Yume buried her face between her knees. “I don’t think I could bear the rejection.”

“Which is why you chose to leave first.” I softened my voice. “Yume, would you have fallen in love with the kind of man who would reject you for being different?”

She raised her face to peer at me. “I’m not just different, Maya. I’m a monster.”

“Trust me. I understand more than you realize, but I think you’re underestimating Ben. He needs you. Your son needs you. At least have a conversation with him. He deserves that much.”

She was quiet for a moment. “Would you speak to him on my behalf?”

“I really think this should come directly from you.”

“Tell him you found me, but that I’m the serpent monster. Ask him if it’s a dealbreaker. If it isn’t, then I’ll see him and our son.”

“His name is Kouji, by the way. Your son.”

Tears stuck to the ends of her long lashes. “It means to mix or to blend. I thought it was a good name.”

“It is,” I agreed.