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“Please tell me what you’re thinking?” he asked, cupping her cheek. Being so close to her felt like touching a raw nerve.

“Your kindness is unsettling,” she confessed. “How much I want to touch you, kiss you⁠—”

Even without her song, her words were music to his ears. He leaned in to fulfil her wish, only for her to turn her chin at the last second.

“My teeth—I don’t want to hurt you. In this form, I’m not as in control, my senses are so much more intense and I lose control,” she explained. “You crave blood; your thirst can overwhelm you, but my desire in this form is just as primal. All I want to do is hunt, protect, fuck.” He loved how she blushed as the last word left her lips, but he let her finish, relieved to know how she honestly felt. “I’m more animal than human, and I could drown you by accident, lost in my own desire to be with you, to be with the sea.”

He listened intently, patiently, without interrupting.

“You’ve never recoiled from my nature. Why would you think I would be afraid of you?” he asked, holding her gaze so she’d know he was sincere.

“Because I have a mouth full and you have four.” She smiled. In her moment of distraction, he quickly brushed his lips against hers.

“I’m not afraid of you hurting me. Are you afraid of me hurting you?” he asked, exposing his fangs. Her small gasp as his lips claimed hers lit a dangerous fire in him.

“No.” She swallowed, staring at his lips.

“Wait,” he said, hating to pull away now, when all he wanted was to give in to his worst desires.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, her lips tantalizingly close.

“I got you something.” He got off the rock before he forgot and grabbed the bouquet. “This might be a little outdated for your liking, but I wanted to show my appreciation for your grace this morning.”

“You got me flowers?”

“If you don’t like them, I can find you another, more suitable gift, but it’s tradition for courtship–” he said, lowering the bouquet. She snatched them from his hand so quickly that it took him a second to realize his hand was empty.

“No, no. I love them. Thank you, I can’t remember the last time I got flowers. That’s a lie; no one has ever given me flowers,” she said, hugging the bouquet to her chest and burying her face in the flowers.

“I’m honored to be the first, though I am surprised no one has ever⁠—”

“Court me? Is that what these mean?” she asked, looking between him and the mix of roses and tulips.

“Only if you’re willing. I should never have kissed you without a formal offer of courtship,” he apologized. “I wanted to declare my intentions before kissing you again, but I very much wanted to kiss you again.”

“Thank you for the flowers.” Aerin blushed, and he only hoped she didn’t laugh at him. “But the other night on the pier was my fault. I kissed you, so there is nothing for you to apologize for. I don’t want you to confuse liking me with gratitude or obligation,” she said softly.

“Is that your only concern that I’ve confused my feelings for you?” he asked, hopeful that this wasn’t a refusal.

“You’ve been lost for so long; growing attached is to be expected. I don’t want you to commit yourself to something you’ll regret.”

“This isn’t a proposal.” Her eyes widened at the mention of marriage, and he quickly added, “But a chance to get to know each other on a more intimate level. I want to be clear about my intentions. I like you, scales and all. There is no obligation for you to accept; a gentleman never assumes a lady’s feelings.” He bowed his head, hoping he hadn’t embarrassed himself. Had I been so wrong in reading her feelings?

Aerin leaned over the rock and tipped his chin up to meet her gaze. She pressed her lips to his, silencing his doubts. “I’d be honored to get to know you on a more intimate level,” she mocked him, but he didn’t care. She could mock him all she wanted so long as she let him kiss her again. He climbed back up on the rock to sit by her side, and when he turned to face her, he found her picking the petals off the roses and chewing them.

“Taste good?” he asked, watching her enjoy the treat. He chewed his cheek to stop himself from laughing. He didn’t expect her to eat flowers.

“Really fresh. How did you know I love roses and tulips?” she groaned, layering the pink and blue petals. “Want some?”

“I had some sunflowers and dandelions earlier, so I’m all full up.” He patted his stomach, and she nearly nudged him off the rock. She wasn’t lying when she said she was stronger in this form. “A guess, but Hazel helped me, so I can’t take full credit.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek as she chewed. She snuggled into his side, and he stroked her hair as they watched the current. With her in his embrace, he’d happily lose track of the centuries, then he heard her yawn.

“We should get some rest,” he said, not wanting to keep her up all night. Out of the water, she shifted back and grabbed her things from the rock. He noticed the leather-bound book peeking out of her bag, which he didn’t recall her having earlier.

“Did Miranda give you that?” he asked. “I got so caught up that it slipped my mind.”

“She did, but it’s a book I ordered a while ago. She didn’t have any updates yet for you, sadly, but she has sent some letters out, and she’s hoping to hear back soon,” she said nervously. “I’m sorry to disappoint you. I know how anxious you were this morning for answers.”

“After spending the evening with you, it’s impossible for me to be anything but happy. You were right, answers will come when the time is right, and if being patient means more time with you, then I’m happy to wait,” Gideon said, kissing the side of her head.