* * *
When Kai and Serena reach the surface, the sun hasn't gone down and the beach is well lit. She hasn't often scouted during the day, not unless she needed to procure an instrument or material from a wandering Ungainly. Poking her head above the surface far enough out so she won't be spotted, Serena observes the beach. Kai does the same beside her as they wait while one couple finishes their picnic. Serena keeps turning around to check the position of the sun. She can already feel the pull of the moon, anxious for its counterpart to relinquish the sky.
The couple on the beach kiss, and Serena is suddenly aware of how close Kai treads water next to her. She no longer looks behind her at the sun, not wanting to risk locking eyes with Kai. She stares straight ahead at the couple on the beach. The male's hands are curious, snaking up the female’s shirt, and moving down her thighs. She pushes them away, giggling. It reminds Serena of Simone's laughter when she is with Kai. Her fists tighten because one night from now, it might be Kai and Simone on the beach. Except Simone won't be wearing a shirt.
Serena dips below water, cooling off. She doesn't know if she is warm from embarrassment or anger. Maybe both. Her hair glows. She waits until she has her bioluminescence under control, then reemerges. Kai glances at her but doesn't say anything.
The couple is packing up. They leave shortly after, arms wrapped around one another's waist. Even they know this forest is not friendly after dark. Serena puts her hand to her shoulder, turning to Kai. She doesn't speak, but her raised eyebrow says it all—stay. She raises her other eyebrow, so they are both arched as high as they can go. Please?
He nods.
Serena turns to the seagulls above who move in to scour the deserted beach. Serena can finally go forward. She swims under the shadow of the gulls. Their movement is predictable, zigzagging toward shore, closer and closer, ensuring the coast is clear. If there are any Ungainly eyes still watching the seas, they won't be able to discern Serena's darkened form just under the water from the seagull's long shadow.
Serena rides the next wave in, allowing her face and arms to brush the air. Her legs transform, and she brings just enough scales on her body to mimic an Ungainly bikini. It is enough so she looks the part of this world, unless someone gets close enough to see her webbed feet, or the gills at her neck. The heat of the sun disappears from her back.
Time to get to work. She enters the tree line, calling forth scales to cover her body as she does. Her first stop is her tree, where she can collect strands of wolfsbane flowers already strung together.
Once there, Serena pulls a braided rope from the tree, coiling it into tight circles. Before she can place it in her basket, Serena notices a small slip of paper tucked into the bottom weaves of wicker. She drops the wolfsbane and pulls out the note, unfolding it.
The scrawl is messy and tilts heavily to the right.
The beaches are yours.
A small, wolfsbane flower is drawn below. Serena smiles. A peace offering—Liam’s way of letting Serena know it will be safe.
She tucks the note back into the basket and throws the wolfsbane rope over it. The beaches will be clear the night of the full moon. The Undine have a chance, thanks to Liam.
Serena spends the first half of the night preparing Forest Beach for the upcoming event, working to build a barrier between Undine and the rest of The Dry. Serena pauses multiple times to glance at the breakers, wondering if Kai still watches her, or if a group of maidens has come along to steal him away.
Back and forth she trudges, from her tree to the wolfsbane flower patch, and back to the beach. A lacy veil of poison flowers forms, hanging just beyond the tree line, enough that hopefully any Ungainlies on the beach won't notice.
As soon as it is finished, Serena says her goodbyes to the moon and returns to the water where Kai still waits for her. She approaches, exhausted and ready for sleep.
"Are you okay?" asks Kai.
Serena turns to look at the beach. "I'm tired," she admits.
They bob in the water, pushed back and forth by the waves.
"The Undine thank you for your protection," Kai whispers.
He says it so low, Serena scoots in closer, looking at him.
"Thank you," she whispers back.
Kai turns to her. "Do you know how much it kills me to have to stay here while you risk your life in The Dry?"
Is he jealous? "It's just my job," she says, nose scrunched up.
He smiles. "Meanwhile the King's Guard is relegated to waiting in the breakers."
"Kai," Serena lets herself drift even closer to him. A mischievous smile spreads across her face. "You did a really good job of waiting, tonight."
With her attempt at lightening the mood, Serena expects another playful smile from him, but it does not come. Instead, he closes the rest of the distance between them. "Some things are worth waiting for."
Serena bites her lip.
He moves even closer. "You are worth waiting for."
Under the surface, their hands bump together. Intertwining his fingers with hers, he brings their interlocked hands above the water.
Though surprised at the intimate contact, Serena's slender fingers fall into place between each of his, with his palm wrapped protectively around her knuckles.
Serena looks back into his eyes. They are swirls of deep green and pinpoints of gold, fringed with dark lashes. He lowers himself the short distance necessary so they are face to face. He leans in, lips parting.
Serena tenses, finally understanding what is happening.
No, yes, no, yes, no.
"Wait," she says, pulling her hand out of his and placing it on his chest, a buffer between their bodies.
This is happening too fast. He is too old for me.
Serena bites her lip. "I'm sorry." She looks down, preferring the safe, murky depths of the ocean to the wild in his eyes.
Raising his fingertips to just under her chin, Kai tilts her face up so she is forced to look at him. "Don't look down, Serena. It's okay if you are not ready. I will wait for you until my last breath."
Her lips part as he runs the pad of his thumb the length of her cheek.
Serena wants to respond. She feels she must. Just as she opens her mouth, a buzzing from below interrupts. Her lips press tight together as she watches Kai dip one ear in the water to listen. He sighs, then straightens.
"The king's call," he says. "Time for The Selection."