Three pairs of eyes snap to look at Y/N.

Vesryn is leaning against a worn wooden desk, arms crossed tensely. Maxim is by her side, a hand hovering around her waist.

Lysanthir is slumped in a woven armchair, his tail hanging limply on the ground.

Shock ripples across his features as Y/N meets his gaze.

She opens her mouth to speak.

"I—"

In the blink of an eye, Lysanthir throws himself towards her, wrapping her in a tight embrace. His strong arms envelope her, cutting off whatever she was about to say. She melts into him as he affectionately nuzzles her neck.

She can feel the desperation emanating from Lysanthir, the unbelievable relief.

Then he whispers something. It's a murmur so quiet she almost misses it.

"You came back to me."

~~~~~~~

"Thank you," Y/N says, weakly smiling at Maxim as he helps her into a chair.

She grips the armrest, trying to make sense of what she's just been told.

Five weeks. She'd been gone for five weeks. Over a month of wandering in that state of limbo, her spirit detached from her body.

Lysanthir has been a wreck. Sequestered in his quarters, he hasn't let anyone see him except Vesryn and Maxim—and that's only because Vesryn strong-armed her way past the locked door.

The ritual wasn't supposed to go this way. Y/N wasn't supposed to stay in that in-between state. She was simply to pass through it as her body underwent the turning.

But her spirit hadn't been ready to make the choice just yet.

Lysanthir had thought she was lost forever. Gone into the next world. Her body only an empty husk. He thought he'd never be with his mate again.

Y/N glances up at her murdukann.

He reaches over to hold her hand. It's a small gesture that sends warmth flooding through her veins. In return, she gives his hand a gentle squeeze.

Lysanthir clears his throat.

"How do you feel?"

Every word is careful, as if he's worried any wrong movement will send her running back to the limbo state.

"I—I don't know how I feel. It only felt like I'd been gone for a moment," Y/N rambles, her mind all over the place, "I had no idea that it had been so long."

Lysanthir shrugs, "It is in the past. It doesn't matter now."

The slight tremble in his voice betrays his attempt at aloofness.

Y/N can tell how much these weeks have affected him. Her mate seems gaunt, his cheeks more hollowed, skin a pallid grey. The usual glisten to his sleek black hair is gone, replaced with a dull sheen.

"I'm sorry," Y/N admits.

She hates to see him like this. Her Kyren in such pain, so broken. Her heart aches.

She never thought she'd feel this way about Lysanthir. After he tore her from her family, from everything she'd ever known. She tried to escape twice, after all.

Yet she can't help but feel at home in the ocean now. In the beautiful Faian canyons. In the sprawling fortress of Athtar with its painted caverns and wondrous library. In the wide sea beyond. There is so much left to experience and to explore. And her mate will be by her side through it all.

Y/N feels her gills flutter as she swishes her tail. The scales undulate softly, twinkling in the light.

She still isn't used to it. To this new body.

"It's beautiful—I mean you are beautiful," Lysanthir stumbles over his words.

Y/N smiles at the uncoordinated compliment.

Her murdukann smiles back at her, sharp teeth glinting. It's a toothy grin, as inhuman as it's oddly charming.

Lysanthir leans in now, brows knitted together.

"I want to make you happy, Y/N, as happy as I possibly can."

She knows he means it. And now that she is a murdukann, he doesn't need to fear for her safety.

She is more than able to protect herself. The spines along the back of her tail ripple at the thought.

"And I am free to go where I want?"

"You are free to roam as you wish," Lysanthir nods.

"And I don't want any more secrets, don't want you to keep things from me. I want to learn everything about this world, if you want me to be happy in it."

Y/N knows she can make these demands now. Lysanthir won't deny her.

And she's right—her mate acquiesces, albeit she can see the reluctance splayed across his features. He grinds his teeth.

"You should know that you are the only one to dare address me in such a manner," he mutters, pursing his lips.

His exasperation is amusing.

"I'm the mate of the Kyren, am I not?" She asks coyly.

After the ritual, the limbo-state and the turning, Y/N is able play Lysanthir's games all she wants.

Her murdukann cocks a brow.

"Indeed you are."

"Well," Y/N continues, "I believe that grants me certain privileges."

"Perhaps it does."

In one deft movement, he reaches up to grab her chin. His nails dig into her skin, sharp enough to make her wince ever so slightly.

The possessive growl that emanates from his chest makes her heart skip a beat. She shivers at the touch.

"You are mine," he whispers these words, so intimate in their caress, "for now and forevermore."

He presses his lips to hers in a fiery kiss that sets her body alight.

Lysanthir.

Her mate.

Her Kyren.

Hers.

~~~~~~~ The End ~~~~~~~

Aaaanndd that's a wrap on Into the Deep!! I'm glad you've all enjoyed the journey.

But don't worry! This isn't the end of Lysanthir. He may be back in the future :)

Thank you all so much for your support ❤️ I can't tell you how much it means to me.

- darkcrystalss