Triton's Destiny

Part Thirty-One

Tristan sat out on the patio early the next morning, watching fog roll in off the water, thinking about everything he'd been through yesterday. Standing up to the bullies on the boardwalk and finding out about Maki's dwindling triton powers solidified the determination in his heart to do everything in his capability to protect the man he loved. But he was still at a loss as to how to make accommodations for Maki's need to be near the sea and his own need to be with Maki.

Tristan was doing all he could to not let Maki's triton side keep them apart, but there was only so much either of them could do when one of them was a land-dwelling human and the other was a child of the sea. No matter how ambivalent Maki might be about losing his powers, Tristan did not want to take that part of his identity away from him. Maki was a triton. And Tristan loved that part of him as much as every other part. He had to figure out how they could do this.

They'd parted in the dark last night, after several hours of feeding each other chocolate cake, cuddling on the soft rugs of the sitting room, and making love in front of the fireplace. Maki had happily shared more stories from his childhood and Tristan thoroughly enjoyed every one. When it came time for Maki to go home, Tristan offered to walk him back to his cave, but the tide was up by that point and the cave was inaccessible. So Tristan took custody of Maki's things instead and kissed his mate before he dove off the edge of the patio to swim home from there.

Before they said goodnight, though, Maki had asked Tristan for some time. He'd said he needed to figure out what he truly wanted, what he envisioned for his future with Tristan, and how their dreams fit into the realities of their separate worlds. After Tristan had asked for a chance to process Maki's identity when he'd found out he wasn't human, he was happy to give Maki the time he needed to think as well. He missed him, though, even after only seeing him several hours prior. Not knowing when he'd see Maki again weighed heavily on his heart. As he stared out to sea, he sent all his positive thoughts in Maki's direction, supporting him even at a distance. Whatever the triton decided, Tristan knew he'd abide by it. All he wanted was to make his lover happy and whatever Maki needed to be happy was what Tristan would provide.

As the sun rose and began burning off the fog, Tristan rose too with a sigh. He needed to make some decisions of his own but he had no answers at the moment. So, he'd proceed with his daily routine and think things over as he made his deliveries. Maybe, by the time he got back home, he'd have a better idea of what he should do.

Emilie was understandably concerned when he showed up at the bakery, rushing around the counter to grab his hands. "Tristan! Oh my gods! Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Em. I guess it looked worse than it really was. You heard from Owain, didn't you?"

"Yeah," she said with a nod. "He came here after bringing you home, asking if I wouldn't mind sending someone to the market for the groceries you needed. He said you were attacked near his office and the thugs destroyed everything you had with you. I'm so sorry! Did you have enough time to make dinner for Maki?"

"I'm sure I would have, but we decided to just eat the cake instead." He smiled at the memory of feeding decadent bites to his mate straight from the bakery box and licking bits of chocolate off his skin. "I'll make that tart for him soon. Thank you so much for bringing the ingredients to me. I'd like to pay you back."

"No way! I'm not taking your money, Tristan. Just promise you'll make that recipe for your partner and we'll call it even."

"I promise I'll make it."

"Great. Now stop trying to give me money when I'm being generous."

He chuckled softly. "All right."

She leaned in, narrowing her eyes in a calculating look. "Did he like the cake?"