by A R Hall
Chapter 2
The call to the surface was welcome. For the first time in a decade, she wouldn’t fight it and sleep. Astrid didn’t see the point in coming out of the lake every month just to be disappointed and return like many of the others. The chance of finding her true mate was better if she slept a few years between each visit. Ten years worked for her. She chose to remain in a deep sleep during that time. This allowed her to walk the town with different generations each time. Nobody would recognize her. She only hoped her true mate hadn’t come and gone during one of her deep sleeps.
She eyed the serpent who seemed extra antsy as it paced across the lake floor. It barely blinked as its eyes roamed over the area. He glanced at her for a few seconds before she swam to the surface. Astrid welcomed the cool night air on her face before walking out of the water and along the rocky area. The early morning moon lit the recently mowed path to her small cabin.
Astrid walked to her home and was once again thankful for the package that awaited her on the small porch next to the front door. She had once made a deal with her best friend, Mel, who had long since found her true mate and passed but her family continued the tradition. They would leave a box on the porch for her the afternoon before her arrival. There were always fresh clothes, new technology, and a letter with a brief description of what she previously missed while she was still in the lake.
She gathered the box and took it inside of her small cabin. She quickly went to work opening the windows to air out her home then proceeded to uncover and dust the furniture. It was all one open room with the exception of the bathroom, so it didn’t take long for her to make it livable for the next three days.
A knock sounded at the door followed quickly by it opening. “Astrid?”
“Flynn?” She recognized the voice right away. It was Mel’s older brother. He, like her, hadn’t found his mate yet. She eyed him curiously as he slowly entered the cabin, closing the door softly behind him.
“Is that anyway to greet your brother?” He chuckled and opened his arms.
“Best friend’s big brother you mean.” She shook her head and walked to him allowing herself to be embraced in his arms.
“You were always like my little sister too. The two of you were inseparable.” He dropped his arms and held her at arms’ length. “You look the same.”
“I miss her too.” She rolled her eyes. “And so do you.”
“Who needs the fountain of youth when you can be cursed and never find your soulmate.” He looked away. “Ten years is too long. Mel would want you to try more. Tourists are here all the time. Don’t let so much time pass; you never know what you could be missing.”
Astrid knew he meant well. She just didn’t think her heart could handle it. Every month she watched as her people left the lake, and most of them if not all of them would return. It was heartbreaking. It’s why she preferred to skip seeing their reaction for months and years at a time by going in for the deep sleep.
“Too bad we weren’t made for each other. That would solve our problems anyways.” He looked away and then coughed.
“Eww.” She loved him, but not like that. “You’re like my brother. That’s gross.”
“Yeah.” He made a face. “I gagged when I thought about it.” Flynn ran his hand through his hair. “What’s on the agenda this visit?”
“Visit new places in town and be open to the possibility of meeting the unexpected of course.” Her stomach growled. “Food first, though.”
“Great. I know all the places.” He eyed the box on the table. “It’s nice that they still do that for you.”
“You could always go and introduce yourself. They’re your family.”
“I know. I’d just rather keep my distance.”
Astrid nodded. She knew better than to argue with him about it. She’d never met any of them either. In all honesty, she was surprised they felt the need to carry on Mel’s tradition of the box. She was thankful, though. It was like part of her was still around.
Flynn promised to take her for food and the grocery store after a visit to the gym. He said it was a busier time of day because people were getting off of work, and they needed to take advantage of that many people around. He was on a mission with her.
Between her closet of dated clothing and the box on the table, she managed to pull together something to wear to the gym. She threw a change of clothes and shower stuff in a bag and was as good as ready. She was as fit as ever so the gym was really just an excuse to meet more people.
The ride was shorter than she’d expected. They pulled up to the warehouse looking building in no time. The iron letters spelled out Operation Fit above the front door. This was new since the last time she had come to the surface. Flynn explained on the way over that it was owned by a man whose father had been cursed. He’d never met him because he apparently preferred to keep to himself. He appreciated the guy, though, because he always welcomed those from the lake to come and workout for free. The owner knew, because of his father, that opportunity for the cursed ones to meet their true love could happen anywhere. A few had found their loves in that very gym since it first opened five years ago.
“Hey, Kate,” Flynn greeted the red-head sitting behind the counter when they first walked in. Her hair was intricately braided before her curls fell wildly down past her shoulders.
“Flynn.” She looked up from the small computer and smiled. “Two for the three-day guest pass?”
“Yes, please. Hopefully soon I’ll become a regular member, but for now I don’t come to town long enough at a time.” Astrid wasn’t sure if he was saying that to her or the girl at the counter.
Kate pushed the clipboard forward. “Sign in on the guest waiver, and you both are good to go.”
They quickly put their names down on the paper and headed towards the open doors. Astrid was surprised at the size of the gym. It was larger on the inside. It seemed even bigger with its tall ceilings and the open doors to the side. The fresh air was nice.
Flynn had been right, there had to have been at the very least a good twenty people around. They took their time walking around the room using different equipment and spotting each other. Nearly two hours had passed before her stomach couldn’t take it any longer.
“I need food, Flynn.” She side-eyed him as she racked the plates.
“Same. Shower and stuff first. I’ll meet you in the lobby out front after.” He grabbed his backpack and headed for the showers.
Astrid took one final look around the gym. It had been nice to work out her muscles, and she would miss this place. Hopefully it’d still be here on her next visit in another ten years. She made her way to one of the shower rooms feeling only slightly defeated. One place down a few more to go. Her mark placement wasn’t the easiest to see unless she wore specific clothing. Being able to workout in just some leggings and a sports bra made most of it visible for the one meant to see it. It just hadn’t happened yet.
Chapter 3
Latham wasn’t in a rush to get the cleaning done since he preferred to do it late in the evening when the place was empty. He took his time by getting started with the showers since there’d been a larger crowd for the after work rush. The sound of water running from the first one made him avoid it, and he made a mental note to come back to that one later. He knocked on the second door and after no answer or noise, he proceeded to open it.
“Someone’s in here.” The feminine voice came too late.
He meant to apologize and quickly step out of the small room. It wasn’t like he knew someone had been in there before he entered. He was in shock because what happened next had him frozen in place. He was witnessing something he’d heard about but never considered the possibility of seeing it with his own eyes. Latham had grown up hearing about it but seeing it was something completely different.
This girl had the mark on her and he saw it. The scales were spread across her back, reaching for her shoulders, and trailing down. It reflected colors of green and pu
rple. The mark was much larger than what he’d heard about and assumed others had. The way it reflected itself on both sides reminded him of wings, and it mesmerized him. He couldn’t turn away.
She turned her head over her shoulder to look at him. The most beautiful blue-green eyes narrowed, shooting daggers straight at him. “Can I help you with something?”
He was drawn into her eyes. They pulled him in as if he were seeing things for the first time in his life. “You’re one of them.” He hadn’t meant to say that outloud. He didn’t recognize her, though. He thought he knew most of them. His eyes trailed back down along her mark before reminding himself she was standing naked with her backside to him. She had curves he wanted to trace with his fingers.
“Excuse me?” She quickly reached next to her for a towel and wrapped it around herself.
He felt like a perv as he watched just a glimpse of side boob before she covered herself in the towel. “Fuck! I’m screwing this up.” Latham shook his head and ran his hand through his dark hair. “I see you. I see your mark.”
She turned to face him. “What mark?” Her face went white.
“The one across your back that shows you were cursed.” He sat the cleaning caddy down on the floor next to him.
“You can’t be serious.” She looked away from him. “This is not how this happens.” It wasn’t how she imagined it. She wasn’t sure what she imagined, but it had to have been more than a stranger walking in on her naked. It wasn’t like her mark was small and in a private area. “This is not how I imagined meeting you.” She avoided his gaze.
“I’m sorry. I’ll wait for you outside.” He was hesitant but exited the room. He felt like an idiot.
Part of him considered hiding in his office. The thought of drowning his emotions was compelling. Part of him believed he’d imagined the whole thing. “What am I doing?” Latham quietly questioned himself before heading towards the lobby and sitting in one of the chairs.
“Everything okay?” Kate asked from behind the counter.
He looked up at her and nodded. “I might step out for a little bit if you’ll lock up. I’ve got my keys on me.”
“Of course.” She smiled then went back to doing her computer work.
He sat in silence for a few minutes replaying what had just happened before watching the girl with the piercing eyes walk through the lobby. Her long blonde hair was still damp from her shower. Her eyes met his questioningly, but she had an arm linked in with another guy.
The guy in question looked at him and nodded as the two of them went out the front door. What was wrong with him? Had he actually imagined it? She clearly had someone so why had he seen the mark and why was it affecting him like this? The thought of her with that guy made him both angry and caused his chest to hurt.
Latham wasn’t new around here. He knew this time of month there were several that came from the lake in search of their true love. His own father had experienced it a little over thirty years ago. He knew it was true. He had swam with them when he was younger. It wasn’t a dream, and that mark meant something huge.
“What am I doing just sitting here?” He started to question himself before darting out the front door. “Wait a second!” He ran and caught up to the girl. “Where are you going?”
“I’m hungry. I’m going to get food.” She eyed him curiously before glancing back at her friend.
“I see you, though. I see a part of you that nobody else can.” He couldn’t stop himself from what happened next. He had heard what would happen if you touched the mark but he had to find out for himself. Latham reached for her at the moment she turned. His fingertips traced part of her mark and then everything went black.
When he was overseas, he’d seen his life flash before his eyes. It was something that came along with being in the military. He’d gotten close a few times and each time it was the same, the fear then the release.
What clouded his mind this time was something completely different. He was transported to another time. He could see as clear as day as he watched a little girl with hair as white as snow grow up to be a fierce warrior. He witnessed her wield a sword and axe, and master them both. She grew up strong, determined, and beautiful. Then came the journey, and she followed a man. She looked at him with puppy dog eyes, and he paid no attention to her.
He saw Tamsin and the curse. He felt the pain of their legs melt together when they were all engulfed in the blue flames. He saw heartbreak as someone she cared about found love elsewhere, and quickly. The worst was at a moment she found hope. Another man had tricked her and convinced her he had seen her mark. However, it had been just to sleep with her. She nearly died because she got to the lake at the last possible second.
The lake became less crowded with each passing year before even her best friend never returned. She heavily guarded her heart and feared for the worse. She was the type of girl who couldn’t trust easily. She chose to sleep more and more of the time away, defeated.
Chapter 4
Astrid kneeled down next to the stranger. She had caught his head from hitting the cement but he still collapsed to the ground hard. This was not what she expected. She thought she’d imagined the whole incident in the changing room after her shower. This confirmed it, though. She’d found him. Her mate.
She wasn’t sure what she’d expected. This had been a long time coming and something she wanted. She thought she wanted it. She had hoped for and longed for it. It had been so long since they were cursed she’d started to believe she wasn’t worthy of finding love. Astrid had given up, which was why she had chosen to only come to the surface every ten years. It was enough to show that she hadn’t given up to the others. Not completely, anyways. Why was she so hesitant to believe it was really happening?
“What do you want to do with him?” Flynn interrupted, but she didn’t bother looking up from where he stood a few feet away.
Her eyes wouldn’t leave the man on the ground. She didn’t even know his name. What she did know was that he had dark hair with a scruffy matching beard, and she wanted to run her fingers through both. His clothes did nothing to hide the muscle beneath them. Strong. “We can’t leave him here.”
“Obviously.” He knelt down next to them. “Let’s take him back to your place. You stay with him while I go get food. Extra food.”
She nodded in agreement without another word spoken. They were careful putting him in the backseat of Flynn’s jeep, and that’s where she chose to remain on the quick trip back to her cabin near the lake, with his head in her lap. The stranger was resting on her bed in no time. Flynn quickly left to get food. Although, Astrid imagined he’d take his time coming back given the situation. That was just how he was.
Astrid walked to the kitchen backwards, afraid to turn away even though her cabin was small. She hastily poured a glass of water then stole a glance back at her bed where the man had yet to wake. She felt like a creep just watching him, but what else was she supposed to do? Her mate was laying on her bed and witnessing the curse for himself.
She knew what it meant the moment his fingertips brushed across her mark. She felt that touch deep in her soul. He had been telling the truth about seeing it, and now he was really seeing her. All of her. The good and the bad. Her accomplishments and failures. From the first time she had perfect aim with a weapon, to the mistakes she made. He saw her biggest mistake of following that man that paid her no attention. She couldn’t even remember his name now. She had been so young and naive then.
Right now, Astrid only had eyes on the man in front of her. She slowly approached him, placed the glass of water on the table, and sat at the foot of the bed. All she could do now was wait. She wasn’t sure how long he would be out. The others told stories of mates being out for less than a minute to all night when witnessing it all. Was it better for it to take longer or be quick? She wasn’t sure how much longer she could take.
“I don’t even know your name.” She shook her head.
That was the unfair pa
rt. Right now he was a witness. He was seeing and learning everything there was to know about her. Would he feel honored to have a warrior for a mate? Would he be upset that she followed a man on that journey for what she thought had been love at the time. Would she be good enough? Would he break her heart too? He was learning it all and yet she didn’t know anything about him.
Knowing he was her true love was both a blessing and a curse. It was more than she felt she deserved. She didn’t even know him and she thought he deserved so much more. What could she even have to offer?
He opened his eyes. “Latham.” He sat up and scooted closer to her and the end of the bed, their legs brushing one another. “And you’re Astrid?”
She nodded but couldn’t think of any words. What could possibly be the right thing to say to him after he saw everything?
“I know this is crazy, and I feel like I should explain something first.”
She bit down on the edge of her bottom lip and waited for him to continue.
His gaze flickered to her lips then back to her eyes. “My father is Fenn Bjornson.” He watched as her eyes grew a bit bigger with curiosity. “Yes, you knew him. My uncle also, Ivar. My father found his mate, my mom, a little over thirty years ago. My uncle, just earlier this year actually. So I already knew a lot about mermaids and the curse. Though, I don’t remember ever seeing you around and seeing now that you chose to sleep a lot, it makes more sense.”
“That explains why you knew what seeing the glamour meant.” She loosely gestured to her mark that covered her back. “You’re the only other person besides me that can see it. Granted, I can only see it in a reflection because it’s on my back. Easy to forget it’s there sometimes.” She hadn’t meant to say that last part. Astrid quickly looked away from him. He had seen everything but what was in her heart, and she had built the walls up around it so long ago. Part of her felt like it was too late, but another part of her was finding it too tempting to just kick a wall over and embrace it.