Prey

Chapter Ten: Unfortunate Souls.

Modesa's Battlefield.
September 15th, 2023.
4:57 pm.

     If we were on land, I would be sweating buckets. Kanto has been nonstop with the swordplay and I'm getting tired of it. He's insisted on teaching me more about the sword and how to weld it, and as much as I agreed, I was ready for a break. We had been at it since around midday, and it felt like it had been three hours since.

When Kanto thrusts towards me, I barely manage to dodge the blade. My eyes go wide and I look to Kanto, seeing his proud smile as he draws back. He sheaths his sword, his jewels glittering in the sun as he swims to me.

"You finally have it. I'm proud," he boasts loudly.

His words startle me as his arms embrace my body. The cold jewels made me shiver at their touch and I could hardly wait for more. My thoughts startle me, and I gently pull away from Kanto, trying to calm these feelings. I see Kanto go to speak, but I speak first.

"I have no idea how to control myself when I'm around you," my chest heaves up and down at my confession as he stares into my eyes.

My breath catches in my throat and I feel my anxiety spiraling out of control. I try to continue before he could say anything again, "When I'm with you, my emotions are scattered and I feel like we're going too fast—"

Kanto's rough hands held my upper arms with tenderness as his eyes brighten. When we create eye contact, I languidly shuffle closer, wanting to bask in his warmth.

His heartwarming smile sets me on edge. "I assure you, Pandora, we are venturing through the mating stages since you have begun to accept our attraction. If it seems as if we touch too much, it is only due to the strength of our bond."

My eyes flickered up to his, seeing the sparkle in his own. After staring into the azure hues, I smile knowingly at him. "Is this until I become a mer?" I searched his face for an answer to only come up empty-handed. He hesitates in his answer, but his eyes show honesty.

"There you two are!" Larose's voice calls.

Immediately, I detach myself from Kanto and watch as Larose swims towards the both of us with a smile. She was not wearing anything special but the small pendant that weighed down her neck. The silver catches the sunlight, blinding me momentarily.

"I have scoured the Atlantic to find you, my freshling. Let's catch Kamara before her and Odeum have their heat,"

Her hand immediately grabs mine and pulls me away from Kanto. Before she could speak, Kanto gently grasps my bicep on my other arm, holding me in place.

"Wait," I demand. Kanto's tail slithers towards mine while Larose turns to me with a confused expression masking her dainty face.

A frown becomes her mouth as Larose continues to display her upset disposition. I notice her blue eyes narrow as her grasp on my wrist tightens. "Why 'wait?'"

She turns to Kanto suddenly with a displeased face. A snarl forms on her lips as she begins to bare her needle-point teeth at him. "Kanto, did you do something to her? Why is she acting as such?" Larose demands impatiently, acting like a four-year-old child that didn't receive what they wanted from the candy store.

Automatically, Kanto scowls at her. "I did nothing; I've shown her the way of the sword. We began true combat today, so if I did anything to Pandora, it was physical." I watched as the smirk rose in his eyes, but his mouth stays in a thin line. His half-truthful statement creates laughter within my head as I remember a few nights ago.