The Tide Watches — Episode 9

I gritted my teeth, rushed forward, and threw my arms around his waist. his back went stiff like he wanted to shake me off so i threw all caution aside i turned his face toward me yanked off his glasses and started kissing him wildly he wanted to struggle but he was afraid of hurting me a while passed i opened my eyes and looked at him his eyes were red glassy

with wetness his collar a mess like i'd absolutely ruined him i looked away guilty not enough to speak ilia's glanced at me done kissing me time to go find him now i looked my head around ready to swear to the sky. Of course not!

Falling for Ryan was me being blind, Elias. I swear, from now on, you're the only one I see. Let's make this work. He lifted his eyes to look at me,

then dropped them again and gave a bitter little laugh. You've told that same lie a hundred times. I got desperate, aching to prove myself. This time it's not a lie, Elias.

He just turned the ring on his finger and said, thus clearly unconvinced. Watching his hand, I suddenly remembered. Merfolk had some kind of bond,

a vow that tied two people together for life once it was made. In my last life, I'd made him so angry that he'd tried more than once to bond with me. And every time, I'd refused, threatening to kill myself over it. The thought hit me like a lifeline.

I blurted out, Don't your kind have some kind of bond? Elias kept his head down, still silent. I'm willing to bond with you.

To be tied to you forever. Do you believe? Yes. He looked up in an instant.

The words, believe me, stuck in my throat.