The Mermaid Catches Her Mate

by Jax Cassidy

  “No, I’ll find a way to return you to your natural form.” He said passionately, “However long it takes, I promise I won’t stop trying.”

  She pulled her hand away and stood up. “I’m sorry, Ace.” Her hand balled into a tight fist. “I was wrong. There’s no going back. There never will be.”

  Basil wiped the tears from her eyes. “I can’t believe you’re really leaving.” She sniffed, “Who will I turn to for advice? What am I going to do about all your clients?”

  “Hair Scare has been here way longer than I have. It will be here for many more years to come.” Luna forced a bright grin. “You’ll figure it out, you always do.”

  “I suppose I’ll have to track you down in Mer Haven where your family resort is. I could use a wee bit of vacation,” she said with a cheerful smile. “Can’t blame you for wanting to leave this all behind for the beaches. Trading one tourist spot for another won’t be too much of a change.”

  “No doubt. The place can sometimes be an amusement park in a water world,” Luna snorted. She picked up her special smock and handed it to Basil. “It’s time to pass the torch. You need to step out of your shell and show the town what you’re made of. You’re a great hairstylist. Own it.”

  Her eyes lit up. “You really think so?”

  “This station has your name written all over it.” Luna added, “Won’t this eliminate the rescheduling issues?”

  “Yes, it does.” Basil beamed.

  Luna started collecting items and placed them in a box. “You’ll have to do me a favor and keep an eye on Keke.”

  “You got it.” She pointed to the lobby. “I’m going to wrap up in the front and we can head over to Insomnia for your going away party. VIP, baby!”

  They laughed.

  Basil mentioned, “Amethyst and the others should already be there. I hear they’re going all out.”

  Luna closed the counter drawer and took one good look around. “Okay. Gimme five minutes.”

  The women were a fun bunch to work with and each had their individual personalities, but together they made a great team. Luna left some vital tools behind that she thought Basil could use, but her heart ached as her fingers brushed across the salon chair. This had been her second home and it provided a lifetime of memories. She’d miss everyone, especially her friend Darcy Kumar for always giving her advice, even when she didn’t want it. She supposed it was in a psychic’s nature to protect her friends. Luna smirked. She hadn’t realized how much the shop and its people meant to her until she was already one foot out the door. She let out a weary sigh.

  There was no sense sticking around Nocturne Falls now that her family knew she had lost her immortality. She couldn’t lie to them and she didn’t want Ace to find her. When she’d told her mother, the domineering matriarch insisted that Luna come home. She wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. The Matsya women had a pretty stubborn streak.

  Luna placed her hand on the light switch.

  Click.

  Everything went dark as she walked away.

  “Let me get this straight. Luna’s a mermaid, but now she’s mortal, and you want to create a spell to restore her fin so you can be with her?” Kearney let out a hearty laugh, “We’re draoi, not miracle workers!” He uncrossed his arms and clamped a sturdy hand on Ace’s shoulder. “As much as I have a soft spot for the lass, that’s a tall order, my friend.”

  Ace blew out a frustrated breath, “She became human for me. I won’t walk away from her, even if she’s doing her best to push me away.” He emphasized, “I will not lose her.”

  “Oh, man.” Kearney rubbed his bearded jaw. “You’ve got it bad.”

  Ace poured himself a glass of vintage Macallan at the bar. He downed the scotch quickly and refilled another.

  Kearney swiped the glass from him and drained it. He made a warrior’s face and hissed, “Too much of this stuff will kill ya. Here, top me off again.”

  “So, will you help me?” Ace asked over a pour, then grabbed a fresh glass for himself. “What do you say?”

  The drink hovered over his lips and Kearney lowered it. “The only one who may be powerful enough to make this happen is yer da. I don’t believe he’ll lift a finger unless you tell him what he wants to hear.”

  “Since you brought up the subject…” Ace admitted, “I decided to go home.”

  “WOO! That’s wonderful!” The man continued excitedly, “The best news I’ve heard in centuries!” Fist pumping in the air.

  Ace raised a palm up. “Don’t get all worked up. I’ve changed my mind…Luna needs me.”

  Kearney gave him an incredulously glare. “Are you out of your bloody mind? We need to go home,” He pointed at Ace. “No. I need to go home. You’ve had plenty of time to frolic in the human world, now it’s about our duties and obligations.”

  “I’m sorry. I know you’re more than ready to go back to the life you had, and I will go home.” He paused. “Right now, I could really use your help,” Ace pleaded.

  After a few minutes, his friend grudgingly agreed, “Aye.”

  “I know I promised you an island—”

  “Forget about the nonsense. If you can change your mind, so can I,” Kearney expelled. “Although, there won’t be complaints from me if I get a nice long vacation somewhere tropical.”

  “Deal.” Ace clinked his glass against Kearney’s. “Thank you. I’ll repay the favor one day, my friend.”

  “You bet your sweet arse you will.” The man’s raucous laughter filled the room as they proceeded to polish off the rare bottle of Scotch.

  Luna waved the cab away and stumbled up the steps to the front door. It took a few minutes of fumbling with the house keys before the door was suddenly yanked open. She shrieked, almost landing flat on her face if Ace hadn’t been there to catch her.

  “What are you doing in my house?” she demanded, staring helplessly up at his handsome face from the folds of his arms.

  His smile vanished and he wrinkled his nose. “Did you bathe in cheap champagne?”

  “Let me go!” She tried to wiggle out of his embrace as he helped her up. “I’ll have you know—”

  “Here we go. Famous words every drunk begins with. It should be good, aye?” His rich laugh made her scowl.

  She tapped a finger against his chest and it was rock hard, didn’t seem to make a dent in his flesh. Luna pursed her lips angrily. “Th-th-this is breaking and entering, y’know,” she slurred.

  “It’s only breaking and entering if I’d actually broken in and stolen something. Seeing as the door happened to be open, I’d call that an invitation inside,” he rationalized.

  “Ugh. You. Are. Impossible!” she groaned. Luna zig-zagged to the kitchen to fetch a cold pitcher of water from the refrigerator. She was so thirsty, she’d probably drain an aquarium if given a chance.

  Ace flashed beside her and she shrieked, dropping the pitcher. He made the container levitate and moved it safely to the counter.

  “Stop that!” she yelled. “Just because I know what you are, do you plan on tormenting me? I thought you were leaving town? Why aren’t you leaving town?”

  He leaned back against the island counter and crossed his arms. “I’ve decided to stay a while.”

  “I’ve already told you it’s over.” She pushed some loose strands of hair off her face but they slipped back.

  Ace took a step toward her and gingerly tucked the errant tendrils behind her ear. “How could it be over when we never properly started,” he said softly.

  Even in her buzzed state, she couldn’t resist him. He radiated sexy without trying and when he looked at her with those piercing blue eyes, her legs melted like butter. Her eyes dropped to his lips and she could remember exactly how they felt pressed against hers.

  She swallowed hard and forced herself to lower her gaze. “I told you—” she started to protest, and he leaned in closer, making her lose any thoughts she may have had.

 
“I think it’s time we start,” he suggested before covering her mouth with his.

  The kiss was gentle. Sweet. The kind that meant he was sincere.

  Luna instantly sobered up. She cursed herself as her body reacted to his touch, melding into his warmth without resistance. His tongue slipped between her parted lips and that was all it took for her to unravel. She clutched his shirt collar and pressed closer. Giving into the kiss with a passion that made her body shake with need. It wasn’t simply physical. It was an overwhelming love she’d tried to bury. Although she was no longer a mermaid, she had chosen her mate, and she knew that she would take those emotions with her. Even to the grave.

  Luna clung to Ace and he held her tight, threading his fingers through her hair as he matched her passion with his own. She’d never been consumed in a kiss quite like this. Not with anyone except Ace.

  When they finally separated to catch their breath, he leaned his forehead against hers. He whispered, “I’ve missed you, Luna.”

  “For a magician, you really have a way with words,” she responded. Luna slid her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest.

  He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. “Does this mean we’re an item?”

  She lifted her head to look up at him. “I’ll think about it. Maybe you could persuade me further with some more kisses.”

  Ace caught her off guard by lifting her up and swinging her over his shoulder.

  She shrieked, “Where are you taking me?”

  He carried her off like a sack of rice. “To do some more persuading,” he promised, letting out a wickedly delicious laugh as he made good on his word.

  They walked hand-in-hand into Mummy’s Diner and Luna tried to hide her nervousness. Most of the regulars weren’t there, but several patrons smiled at them as they were led to a booth. Everyone else appeared more interested in the heaping portions on their plates. This was a nice departure from seeing fans rushing over to Ace for autographs or photo ops.

  They ordered two mammoth breakfasts and she couldn’t wait to tear into the stack of blueberry pancakes. This was a bestselling item on the menu and she was already caressing the tasty morsel with her eyes.

  Ace snagged a bite of her pancake, popping it into his mouth. As he chewed, she laughed at his orgasmic expression.

  “I told you ‘the food is to die for’!” she emphasized, pointing over to the diner’s slogan on the wall. This gave them both a chuckle.

  “I can see why there’s no need to leave this town. Nocturne Falls has a special charm.”

  “It’s also a great place to easily blow my paycheck on.” She wiggled her brows. “Let’s just say I didn’t think I had a sweet tooth until I moved here.”

  “I can see that. After all, Halloween is a holiday for indulgences.” Ace gave her a knowing grin. “I admit, there are already some indulgences I’m addicted to.”

  “Ace!” She blushed, changing the topic. “Have you been to Delaney’s Delectables? She makes the tastiest cakes and sweetest morsels. They simply melt in your mouth.” Her mouth watered just thinking about the pastries.

  “I’m getting fat just listening to you,” he patted his stomach.

  Luna scoffed. If anything, she could wash laundry on his perfectly-toned abs.

  She speared a piece of blueberry and dipped it into the whipped cream and popped it into her mouth. She continued mentioning all her favorite places. “Then there’s the I Scream Shop with portions that rival this diner. Not to mention, I should own stock in the Hallowed Bean,” she gushed.

  He listened thoughtfully. She was pleased that their conversations could be about anything, and he’d still give her the same focused attention. Her heart tightened in her chest and she reminded herself not to imagine having a future with him. She had to take what she could without being too greedy.

  Ace picked up the coffee cup. “Luna Matsya, I want to know everything about you.”

  She wagged a fork at him. “You know more than enough about me.”

  “I want to know the real reason you came to this town.”

  Luna put her utensil down. “My family owns a high-end luxury resort called Mer Haven. It’s been around for centuries. You can say it’s a home for my species and allows us to integrate into society.” Her mouth formed a wide grin as she thought of her family and all the mer-people that made up the island. “It’s a truly special place and we’ve got some magic of our own there. Although, not without some hiccups we’ve been trying to solve.”

  “Sounds intriguing.” He took a sip of his hot drink. “But why did you choose to leave?”

  Luna pushed her plate away. “My parents would like to hand over the family business to me. My ancestors owned that island, and now I’m the next in line to help sustain it through the next millennia.”

  “Don’t you have siblings?”

  She shook her head. “I’m the only child. My mother had complications and was never able to produce a male heir.”

  He nodded in understanding. “I’m surprised they let you go.”

  “They didn’t have a choice. Before I agreed to anything, I needed to know about the outside world. I wanted to live without feeling smothered.” She exhaled, “I’ll eventually need to give them an answer.”

  Luna hadn’t wanted to reveal too much. She loved him, was grateful for the chance to patch things up, but she still planned on walking away from Nocturne Falls…and Ace. She didn’t see how things could work out between them. She already found it challenging without the use of her powers. She couldn’t do more than cut hair these days. Luckily, what had saved her was the small supply of hair products left from her last batch of creation. She’d been using them on her clients until she had quit the salon.

  All those things were purely the tip of the iceberg. The real challenge was maintaining a relationship with a supernatural. Eventually she’d grow old, become ill, and die. It wouldn’t be fair for him to be confined to such a burden. That’s why she was willing to give him her full attention now, so they could collect the memories. At least she’d leave knowing what it was like to thoroughly love someone and receive their affections in return. That was a chance her aunt was never given.

  “Maybe we can go to your island someday,” he suggested.

  She picked up her drink and gave him a faint smile.

  Last week she’d listed her home with Pandora, her real estate agent. Already she had some great offers pouring in. She prayed Ace wouldn’t hear about her plans from anyone, especially before her move. For once, Luna chose to leave town for the right reasons. She wanted more than anything to protect him and this was the best way she knew how.

  He asked, “What’s got you all distracted?”

  “You.” Her mouth curled into a seductive smile.

  Ace leaned forward and his eyes sparkled. “If you keep looking at me like that, I may consider taking you home instead of finishing out our date.”

  Saved by the server! The woman cleared dishes and refilled their drinks and Luna appreciated the distraction. She was ready to change the subject or else she’d let him take her home.

  Luna reached for a napkin and he held out a new one for her. That’s when something shiny caught her eye.

  “That’s a beautiful ring.” She was certain it was the same one he’d used to cloak his abilities from humans and supernaturals alike. She’d recalled hearing stories of these types of relics, but Ace was the first person she’d actually met who had existed successfully as a mortal without detection.

  He shifted uncomfortably at her comment. “It’s a gift from my father. A family heirloom, actually.”

  “Is there some significance to it?” she was eager to discover the truth.

  The server interrupted them, “Here’s your check, sir.” She placed the piece of paper on the table and left.

  Ace pulled out some bills before addressing her. “Ready to go, Luna?”

  The rest
of the morning included playing tourist. They headed down the various streets and ate way too many sweets while she pointed out all the major landmarks to him. Everything felt fresh and thrilling for her. She was witnessing the town with new eyes with the man she loved. She’d managed to relax and enjoy the moment, which was more than she’d ever allowed herself.

  They made a quick stop at the I Scream Shop. Luna stood in front waiting for Ace to grab them some ice cream cones. It was getting late and her body was already weary from the productive day. This human shell was a bit of a drag. Suddenly, a chill ran through her. She spun around for a look, but there was no one in sight. When she was mermaid, her senses were always heightened, yet things were different now. She had a lot she needed to learn and she couldn’t rely on her extrasensory skills any more. She thought her imagination was getting the best of her, and reluctantly shrugged off the paranoia.

  Ace emerged with two healthy helpings of ice cream. He held out his free hand for her and she didn’t hesitate accepting it. They shared their desserts, and took their sweet time heading back home.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Luna taped up the last box and carried it over to the neatly formed stacks.

  Keke stood in the middle of the bare room and frowned. “I can’t believe this is it. You’re finally doing it.”

  “I know.” She turned to her friend. “It’s not like you can’t come visit. You’re the technology guru, I’m sure you’ll call, text, or video chat with me!”

  “It won’t be the same,” Keke stated half-heartedly.

  Luna placed her hands on her waist. “Hey now, didn’t you promise you wouldn’t go all mushy on me?”

  She wiped at her eyes. “I’m not. I got something in there.”

  “Uh-huh.” Luna shifted to the other foot as she took a last look around. “It feels exactly as it did when I first got here.”

  Keke crossed her arms and her lips curled downward. “I probably won’t like the new neighbor.”