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Walking through the tunnels to her private cave, Gideon stared down at the flowers, hoping he had made the right choice. Why am I so nervous? It’s only some flowers. Gideon shook off the nerves as he found her standing on a tall rock. He opened his mouth to call her, but she didn't notice him and dove into the water, leaving her belongings. She placed the flowers beside her belongings and stepped up onto the tall rock. It was no small dive. Seeing the real her, tail and all, when she reached the surface, she flicked her tail, splashing him by accident. The water was nearly impossible to see through at this hour, but he leaned in closer, not expecting the mossy edge to take him unawares, and slid right off into the water with a splash. He might not need to breathe, but water going down the wrong pipe made him cough as he reached the surface.

“Are you crazy?” Aerin said, appearing in front of him. “Diving into dark waters like that? You could hit the rocks or knock yourself out.”

“I slipped on the moss,” he rasped as she took his hand and helped him back to the rocks. He bit back a smile, not wanting her to see how happy he was that she was worried about him. Climbing out of the water onto the rocks at the cave entrance, he said nothing as she sat beside him, the ends of her tail still in the water. The scales glittering in the moonlight were impossible to ignore.

“It’s rude to stare,” she said, flicking some water at him with her tail.

“It’s hard not to stare at someone so beautiful,” he admitted.

“Most recoil at first sight; it’s our song that draws them in. Few find razor-sharp teeth and claws, and soulless black eyes endearing.”

“They aren’t soulless, and I do.”

“What? Recoil?” She snorted.

“Find you endearing.”

Aerin frowned at him as though she wasn’t sure whether he was serious. Instead, he leaned in closer, gently brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. And for a creature so fearsome, she was the one who looked frightened by his gentle touch. She was the first to look away.

“And you thought you were the most frightening creature in my house,” she joked, the compliment clearly making her nervous.

“I don’t think you’re frightening. You’re mesmerising.”

“Says the predator to another. I’m designed to lure you in; even my voice, without my song, could convince you to drown yourself right now without straining a muscle.”

“You won’t scare me off.”

“I’ve killed.”

“I’m sure I have too.”

“Yes, but you probably killed because you needed their blood to survive and lost control. I murdered someone.”

“I don’t think it matters how or why. Killing is killing, and I feel like you’re saying this because you’re trying to push me away. I’m not going anywhere. Besides, even if you did murder someone, with your heart, I’m sure they either deserved it or it was an accident, so which one was it?”

Her glare confirmed she was trying to push him away on purpose, but he was determined to get past her scales. Sitting by her side, he brushed his hand against hers, the scales on her wrist, and she flinched. A troubled furrow formed in her brow as she pulled her hand away.

“I’m sorry, I should have asked to hold your hand,” he apologized, forgetting his manners.

“You wanted to hold my hand?” She blushed. “I thought you were merely curious about my scales.”

“I did want to hold your hand, and I was curious, but I would never dare to touch you without your permission. I didn’t mean to get lured into it.”

“It’s okay. Everything about a siren will draw you in. The reflection in our eyes shows you what you want to see, the glimmer of scales like the most precious gems. It’s not just our voice that we use to lure our prey,” she explained.

“I don’t know whether to be flattered or frightened.”

“If you were smart, you’d be frightened.”

“I’d be more than willing to play dumb if it allows me to get closer to you.”

“Your time beneath the waves really did a number on your senses. Here,” she said, taking his hand. He noticed her brief hesitation before she placed it gently on her tail. “My tail is rather slimy, and my scales are quite rough,” she said. “Don’t be fooled by their soft, luminous glow.” He heard her sharp intake of breath, and she braced herself for rejection, for his disgust.

“Did you expect me to recoil?” he asked, watching her breath catch as his fingertips brushed her hip and slid over her scales. “I’d never turn away from you in any form. She was the one who hesitated, who recoiled, and her breath caught.

“You don’t have to hide from me. I won’t hurt you.”

Gideon noticed her staring out at the sea, and he feared his honesty would make her flee, afraid of the vulnerability and exposure she felt.