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behind her. The red in her irises returned. Her hair shimmered around her narrow face while she sang a melodic siren song.
    I rolled my eyes. "That isn't necessary with me."
    "It will hurt more because you're in human form," she warned, but there was pleasure in her voice. Sirens fed on pain—emotional and physical.
    The water's edge was several yards away. I could've begged her to do it in the water so it wouldn't hurt as much. Then I reminded myself that the pain would be nothing compared to what awaited me on the Triple Eighteen. Might as well get used to it.
    "More pleasure for you, my garnet goddess. Have your way with me."
    Her mouth closed over mine and I forced myself to think of the memory I had tried so hard to bury. Bringing it to the surface, I focused on the last time I had seen my grandmother's sapphire eyes, and the fear in them as she died—gruesomely and needlessly—because of me. Just like my mother.
    Nixie's teeth sank into my bottom lip. I clawed at the muddy ground as my back bowed, plowing my shoulders deeper into the earth. The pain forced me to tense so rigidly I thought I would snap in half. Nixie moaned in ecstasy while she devoured a pivotal moment of my life—removing it from my mind and soul forever.
     
     
    H ow could I possibly act normal when my world was crash-and-burning? Suspecting Treygan had kidnapped Yara was one thing. Actually facing the reality of her as a mermaid had my head all jacked up. How much did she remember about me, or us, or any of her past?
    Treygan screwed up everything. Years of planning, wasted. I had lost her. My heart, my soul, the love of my life—we would never have our happily ever after. There had to be a way to fix it. True love always triumphs. Isn't that what fairytales preached?
    To add to the misery of my current hell, it had to be nearing ninety degrees outside. The ocean breeze wasn't helping my internal temperature. My blood felt like it might start boiling any second.
    Yara ran her hands over the fur of my coat. "I've never felt anything so soft against my skin." Her voice sounded silkier than the layers of fine, white hair she was petting. Her mer traits were already developing. "It's incredible."
    I faked a smile. "You look incredible in it."
    She stopped walking and squeezed my hand. "You don't have to pretend you're okay with this. I know you're not, and neither am I."
    I pushed a damp, blonde lock of hair over her shoulder. Waves of repulsion shot through my arm, but I stopped myself from cringing. "I did like you better as a brunette."
    She pressed my palm against her cheek and sighed. "Me too."
    How long would it be before she realized my touch didn't feel the same? Could the bond we shared be strong enough to keep her crushing on me? The answer terrified me.
    "Jesus, Rownan! What happened to your arms?"
    I forgot she would be able to see my scars. Playing dumb would be my best option. "What are you talking about? They've always been like that."
    She held my hands in hers, studying the faded lines on the insides of my arms and the bruise from Nixie. "There's like a hundred. What happened to you?"
    "Clumsy kid. Lots of accidents."
    "How did I never notice them before?"
    "You're a mermaid now. Your sight has enhanced. I can barely see them." That sounded good, even to me. Totally believable.
    Her new fluid voice went all soft and weak. "Are you grossed out by me?"
    I wanted to say yes. I wanted to scream it. "Baby, no, of course not. Have you seen yourself? You're glowing."
    "Ugh. I don't want to glow. I don't want to be a mermaid."
    I didn't want her to be a mermaid either. I wanted a rewind button so I could go back and do it all kinds of different. I would keep her locked in my arms, surround us with an army, and do whatever it took to keep the merfolk from getting anywhere near her. Why hadn't I done that in the first place? My piece of shit brother had ruined my last chance at having love in my life. "Treygan will pay for this. I