‘We were often called the Tattooed People.Pictswas another word. Though there were many different tribes before we united under one king.’
Rory dropped another crustacean over the side for Acha and asked, overly nonchalantly, ‘Those tattoos of yours a cultural thing, are they?’
Fionn nodded. ‘They record our great deeds.’
‘What do yours say?’
Fionn’s chest swelled. Rory wanted to hear about his great achievements. Rory wasinvitinghim to declare his worthiness. He glanced at Acha and marvelled at the effect she’d had on their conversation.
Not wishing to waste it, Fionn hauled himself onto the boat—Rory jumped back—and flexed his muscles to better show off his tattoos as his skin shimmered from blue to pale pink. Rory’s eyes seemed to momentarily glaze over.
Fionn pointed at his markings one by one. ‘This set record my name and lineage, that I am the eldest prince of King Aonghas, ruler and protector of the Bluefolk of the Minch. Thisstring here record my victories in combat against other skilled Minchmen.’
‘Like in battles?’ Rory craned forward, though it looked like he was trying not to.
‘In tournaments. Tests of skill. This symbol here is for my proficiency with the spear. This group,’ Fionn’s finger trailed along his torso while Rory’s gaze followed magnetically, ‘detail a number of hunts I have completed to fill our food stores. Here is a recent one that I earned for bringing a murderer to justice. And this one is for the pod of orca I have slain. To protect our people,’ Fionn hurriedly added, unsure where the pinch of guilt in his voice had come from. ‘They had been hovering around one of our nurseries for some time. They attacked me first…’
To his surprise, Rory seemed empathetic. ‘Must be a brutal world down there. For all species.’ He sighed, digging his fists into his armpits and effectively closing himself off again.
Acha keened loudly, seeking Fionn’s presence. And probably another spider crab. Fionn called down to her, ‘We shall play later, Acha. Right now I am spending time with my mate.’
Rory’s face contorted. ‘Your what?’
Surely he had not forgotten? Fionn gestured to his chest, where the soul bond’s current washed in and out of him. ‘Our bond. You are my—’
‘Don’t call me your mate.’
Rory’s snappish reaction shook Fionn like a riptide. Hadn’t they just been getting on well together? Why did he have to be as volatile as the tide?
‘You would not be my first choice either, Rory Douglas!’ Fionn replied hotly. Foolishly. He should never have admitted to that.
But, to his constant, ever-changing surprise, it got a snort of laughter out of Rory. ‘You don’t fuckin’ say? Jesus, I don’t get it. Iwouldn’t go for you and you sure as hell wouldn’t go for the likes of me. A prince and a fisherman, right? Why?’
A human and a merman,Fionn’s own thoughts echoed.
‘I agree we are a strange match,’ he said quietly, thinking over words that had come from Neacel. ‘But would you consider that perhaps fate has more in store for you than you know, Rory Douglas? Perhaps you could open your heart to the mere possibility. For now, that is all I ask.’
Was Fionn imagining it, or had Rory’s breathing hitched a little? He certainly seemed unable to meet Fionn’s gaze.
‘R-right.’ Rory coughed, turning away to pick up some rope that Fionn was sure was attached to nothing. ‘I’ve got work to do. Maybe you should spend some time with your seal. She can have another crab if she wants.’
It was practically a warm farewell compared to their previous ones. Fionn discovered a jittery kind of excitement bubbling up in his chest. He was making progress. For all his denouncements, Rory seemed interested in him. Even now, the way his eyes darted back to Fionn’s tattoos…
Caught off-guard, a blush of light blue rippled over Fionn’s skin. Rory’s eyes widened and Fionn hastily made up an excuse. ‘It does that sometimes,’ he garbled. ‘The weather, you know. Humidity. I shall leave you to your work.’
He dived overboard, burning from embarrassment with the feeling of Rory’s stare penetrating the water. Acha raced him into the depths.
What in the deeps was that about? He’d never had such an urge to run away before. As though compelled to hide from the interest in Rory’s gaze.
To shy away, in case Rory realised conclusively that there was nothing about Fionn truly worthy of being interestedin.
Fionn scrunched up the thought and buried it.
Chapter Eleven
Reluctantly, Rory began to get used to Fionn showing up while he was at work.
The merman had an uncanny knack for knowing which line of creels he was heading out to lay or haul in on any given day, and liked to pop out of the water just as Rory was slowing theStarinto position.
