I swim beneath the surface, keeping an eye on Halla as she makes her way back to shore. When she reaches it, I watch as her brother helps her back into her chair. “You should not stay in the water this late,” he gently chastises. “It’s cold; you might catch your death out here.”
Panic stops my heart. I had no idea this could happen. I make a mental note to make certain she returns to the land far before sunset tomorrow. I do not want Halla to die.
As I make my way back to my home, I cannot stop thinking of her. I turn my open palm up, studying it a moment and remembering the feel of her skin against mine.
If I were human, I would court her according to the ways of her people. I would kiss her and ask her to be mine. I would bind myself to her: body, mind, heart, and soul.
Something inside me is pulled to her, and I feel as if she is meant to be mine.
But how could this be? It would be impossible. We are too different. I can never give her the life that a human male could. I cannot give her a home, family, children…
I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t notice my father is nearby until his voice booms in my head. “Where were you?”
“Hunting,” I reply quickly. The only excuse I could come up with on short notice.
“Then, where is your catch for the day?”
“I was unsuccessful,” I tell him.
“Princess Luriel is coming soon to see you,” he says. “Do not forget.”
Reluctantly, I nod. “I won’t, Father.”
“Good.” He claps a hand on my shoulder. “Now come join me and your brother for dinner. We waited for you.”
When I follow him into the dining hall, I take a seat next to Toren. We listen as father tells us about his day.
After we’re done, Toren follows me to my room. He crosses his arms over his chest. “Where were you really?”
I could lie, but I won’t. Not to Toren. “With Halla.”
His eyes widen. “Are you mad?”
“What’s wrong with spending time with her?”
“It’s dangerous,” he counters.
“Halla isn’t dangerous, Toren.”
“Not her,” he agrees. “Others of her kind. Many of them are afraid of us. And fear can easily lead to hate.”
I sigh. “You have nothing to worry about. I’m careful when I’m on the surface.”
He claps a hand on my shoulder. “I just worry for you. Besides, if Father finds out you’ve been spending time with a human, he’ll be furious.”
I shrug. “Then… I will just have to make sure he does not find out.”
Toren sighs. “I do not think it will be that easy to hide it from him.” He turns to go to his own room, pausing at my door a moment. “If you’re going to lie to him, at least think of a better excuse beside ‘hunting.’”
He’s right. If I’m going to continue spending time with Halla, I’ll need to think of a better excuse for why I’m gone most of the day. The last thing I need is Father getting suspicious and investigating where I am.
