Restless Waves

Chapter 13

"What the hell did you do to me?" Rowan asked, sitting up. His hand still lingered by his chest scared that if he let go, the pain would start again.

Kaerius shook his head. "Bond. Not Thalassic Mortal."

Rowan's spine shivered at the sound of his voice. His eyes flicked to the creature's mouth. "I feel weird."

Kaerius lifted his chin from the rock and narrowed his eyes. "Feel bond?"

"I... don't- I don't know what I feel," Rowan said, staring at the creature. For some reason, he started to notice his beautiful qualities. The sea creature's black hair, short on the sides and longer on the top dripped water from his forehead and down his face, dripping off his strong jawline. His pale skin popped the purple in the creature's eyes, making them unique and intriguing.

Does he feel what I feel? Kaerius thought, focusing on the buzz in his chest because the human stared in a way that made Kaerius want to shy away.

Suddenly, Rowan scuttled forwards and flicked the Thalassic Mortal on the temple. The creature flinched away, and the ferocious glare returned to his face.

"Ouch human," Kaerius growled, rubbing his head.

"I just needed to make sure you were real," Rowan breathed. The colour in his cheeks paled. He didn't look very well. Now that he was a little closer, his heart ached for him to reach out and touch the creature again. Something was definitely not right. "The bond," Rowan whispered, wrapping his arms around himself. "I don't want to believe it."

"If no bond, sea mortal gone," Kaerius said. "Sea Mortal die if-if leave human. Bond strong."

"And that's why I can see your kind, and that's why you keep coming back," Rowan said and stared at the horizon. His expression looked like he had discovered how the earth came to be.

Kaerius nodded and curled his lips down, adding more sadness to his expression. He wanted to tell the human how he didn't want the bond either and how it was slowly turning his world upside down. He didn't know enough English words.

"I can't live with this," Rowan whispered. His eyes were glued to where the sea met the sky. "I've fought so hard for a normal life." He chewed the inside of his lip until it started to sting. His eyes dropped to the Thalassic Mortal next to him. He watched Rowan with interest, but when their eyes met, the sea mortal scowled. "I can't be bonded to a... a creature!"

Kaerius floated back and crossed his arms, letting himself sink, so only his mouth upwards was exposed. "You. Stupid land mortal. Kill bond. You help."

"You don't want this as much as I don't want this?" Rowan asked and pinched himself to make sure he wasn't trapped in a nightmare.

"Kill bond," Kaerius said with more anger. He tried to aim that anger at the land mortal, but he scrambled to his feet and rushed back across the rocks. "Human!" Kaerius shouted.

Rowan yelled, "I'll be back. I'm getting something that might help!" Without stopping, he rushed all the way to his house. He slowed as he entered, but he was still moving fast enough to catch his mother's attention.

"Rowan? I thought you were going to get an education," Mandy said the last part mockingly.

"I forgot a book!" Rowan said before entering his bedroom. He paused by his desk and picked up the file that said: 'THALASSIC MORTALS'. Rowan stuffed it into his bag and turned to leave, but he stopped himself. Rowan looked out of the window. There was a sea creature waiting for him in the water, claiming that he and Rowan were bonded by some supernatural force. If Rowan didn't already feel a pull in his chest to be near the ocean, and a craving to see those odd purple eyes, he wouldn't believe a word the creature said.