In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens (most motivational books txt) 📕

took Athlen’s hand in his. He laced their fingers. “But I’d like for you to be… I want you to be…”

“Yes?” Athlen stepped closer. He licked his lips. “You want me to be what?”

“Mine.”

Athlen smiled, eyes crinkled at the corners. The leather of his boots creaked and Athlen’s gaze shot to his feet. His smile slowly faded.

“But I’m not yours,” he said. “I have a debt to pay.”

“Whatever it is, I’ll pay it. Call the sea witch. I’ll give her whatever she wants.”

“No!” Athlen placed his hand over Tal’s mouth. “No. Don’t ever say that. Never say that. Do you understand?”

“I don’t.” Tal’s voice was muffled by Athlen’s palm. He gently pushed Athlen’s arm away. “I don’t. I’ve been trying to understand. I’ve been patient, Athlen. But you are clandestine when it comes to your bargain.”

Athlen sighed. “I want to tell you, Tal, but…” He turned away, shoulders hunched. “It’ll hurt you.”

Throat tight, Tal took Athlen’s hand in his own. “Come on. I have something to show you.”

The castle by the sea was just that—a large stone fortress built on the rocks overlooking the swirling ocean. Tal’s ancestor had leveled the cliffs and built her castle from the stone. And from there, each generation had added.

The west wall was the longest and overlooked a thin stretch of land that disappeared during the high tide. The water was plagued with sharp juts of rock that only small boats could navigate, making it near impossible to mount an assault on that part of the castle. Facing east, the front wall was tall, with turrets and a massive entrance with a steel portcullis, the way that Tal had entered upon his return. The south wall faced the entrance of the Great Bay, while the north butted against a set of hills.

Within the massive structure were built gardens to sustain the residents and the staff, as well as hanging beds of flowers, and spring-fed pools and fountains.

Tal led Athlen to one of the hidden gardens—a small place that wasn’t used much other than when Tal had practiced his magic so long ago—away from prying eyes, and with plenty of water in case of mistakes. Hand in hand, they walked down a set of narrow stone steps and through a wooden door into a bastion of peace and quiet interrupted only by the soothing sound of flowing water.

“This is my favorite place,” Tal said, stopping in front of a basin of clear, cool water. He dipped his fingers in and created ripples across the surface. “It’s a little overgrown. I guess I hadn’t come in a while even before my coming-of-age tour. But I love the quiet.”

Athlen touched a budding flower. “It’s beautiful.”

“It’s yours, if you want it.”

“What?”

“You can use the large pool to swim. This water comes from the sea. And no one will bother you here. It’s quiet. I’ll have the stewards build shelves for your collection of trinkets, if you want, and if you don’t want me here, I won’t bother you either. It can be just for you.”

Athlen sat down on the ledge of the fountain—a fish with an open mouth spouted water in a high arc until it splashed into the wide pool. He trailed his hand over the surface.

“You’d give this to me?” Athlen asked, gesturing to the garden and the shimmering pools. “All of this? To stay?”

“I know we’re young,” he blurted. “I know that we met under stressful circumstances. I know that I’m a prince and you’re a merman. But I also know that I’ve never felt this way about anyone else. I know we’re both the last, and we’ve felt alone. But we could be alone together.”

Athlen looked out over the walled garden—the blooming flowers and the swirling water and the lush green carpet of grass. “Tal,” he said, “I don’t want to be on land without you.”

“Is that a yes?”

Athlen stood. He cupped Tal’s cheeks, his skin cool and smooth on Tal’s skin, and gently drew him close. He rubbed his thumb over Tal’s bottom lip, then closed the distance and kissed him, soft and sweet.

Tal sank into it, but Athlen broke away, mouth red and wet, amber eyes reflecting the morning sun.

Without hesitation, Tal reached into his pocket and took out his signet ring. He looped the chain over Athlen’s head, and the ring dropped to the center of Athlen’s chest.

“This is also for you.”

Athlen cradled it in his palm. He sucked in a breath, staring at the round piece of gold and the dark jewel in the center.

“Your ring. I don’t have anything for you,” he whispered.

“You already gave me a present. Remember?” Tal lifted the tooth from beneath his shirt.

Athlen’s smile trembled, and his eyes filled. “I want to be alone together with you.”

Tal drew Athlen close, and their mouths met again in an inelegant and enthusiastic kiss. Tal’s heart hammered beneath his ribs. His lips tingled where Athlen pressed a little deeper, a little harder. Tilting his head, Tal opened to the soft pressure, wanting everything that Athlen could give him, wanting it so badly his body shook. He clutched Athlen’s thin hips, and Athlen responded, wrapping his arms around Tal’s shoulders and pressing their bodies together until only the layer of their clothes was between them.

“You promised once”—Athlen’s lips grazed Tal’s cheek—“that you’d show me what the bed of a prince was like.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

Athlen smiled, coy yet fond, while he played with strands of Tal’s hair. “I did.”

“Oh.” Tal’s blood thudded hot in his veins.

Athlen kissed him again, backing Tal against a stone pillar and giving no quarter, each pass of his lips heavy with intent. Tal’s passion surged, every inch of skin begging to be touched, every breath a gasp, even the smallest gap between their bodies a canyon.

“Do I need to ask again?” Athlen said, the words a playful murmur on Tal’s lips, the vibrations a sting.

Tal smiled, tucking his red face against Athlen’s neck. “Come on.” He laced their fingers, and loath