Silken grains of sand brush up against Y/N's skin. A constellation of finely ground rocks and shells scintillating along the sea floor.

Tall strands of kelp soar far above her, swaying gently. The leaves surround her, tickling her arms, her fins. Partially concealing her from sight.

Crouched down in the sand, Y/N traces small shapes as she waits. A star. A heart. She even begins to draw a rudimentary murdukann before a lilting voice interrupts her.

"I found you, mama!"

Y/N smiles up at her little boy, emerging from her hiding place behind the swath of kelp. She tousles his silken locks.

"I can't believe it! You found me again," she exclaims, feigning surprise.

Y/N beams at Elrien's proud demeanour. His red gills ripple as he pats his hair back into place, black ringlets billowing in the gentle current.

Elrien's attention now goes to the kelp forest beyond, eyes squinting, searching for any sign of movement. Laser-focused on finding his papa.

Y/N can't stop the giggle that escapes her lips. She always hides somewhere Elrien won't have too much trouble finding her. After all, he's barely three years old.

But Lysanthir hasn't yet grasped this concept. He always hides in the most ridiculous, hard-to-find nooks and crannies around Athtar. Y/N can't help but roll her eyes at her murdukann's competitive streak.

Elrien's indigo tail wiggles as he paddles along, peeking through the seaweed.

"Papa?"

His melodic voice reverberates through the sparkling waters. Elrien bobbles slightly before giving a clumsy flip of his fins and heading further into the kelp. His little form fades from sight.

Y/N tilts her head back, enjoying the sunlight trickling down from above. It dances across her skin, setting it aglow.

A school of rainbow fish meander around the seaweed, newborns clinging close to their mothers. Spring-time under the sea brings light and new life. A world awakening from the yawning slumber of winter.

Strong hands wrap around Y/N's waist from behind. Before she can gasp, a deep voice murmurs in her ear.

"Shhh, quiet now."

That familiar velvet tone sends shivers down her spine. Y/N leans back into the embrace, feeling toned, muscular arms hold her close. Lysanthir. She can feel his heart pounding in his chest, matching the pulse of her own. Two hearts beating as one.

She reaches up a hand to trace along his neckline, memorising every dip, every curve. She can never get enough of his touch, his words, his endless love for her and for their son.

"Lysanthir..."

Her voice trails off as her murdukann teasingly nibbles on her earlobe.

"Yes, my darling?"

Y/N knows he's doing this on purpose. Because, of course he is.

"Your son is looking for you."

"I know," Lysanthir purrs, "And I am winning the game, am I not?"

Y/N sighs, mild exasperation playing across her face.

"My love, it isn't about winning, it's about..."

Rustling sounds ahead mean Elrien is on his way back. Lysanthir plants a soft kiss on Y/N's cheek before darting away.

"Lysanthir, get back here!"

She whirls, but her Kyren is nowhere to be found. Shaking her head, Y/N calls out.

"Elrien, papa was just here!"

Elrien barrels towards her at full speed, careening into her arms. Y/N scoops him up. The little murdukann rests his head on her shoulder, panting as he catches breath. She can tell all this excitement has worn him out.

"Let's find papa together," she says, propping him up against her chest.

Elrien nods.

Y/N racks her brain. Lysanthir may have his tricks, but she knows him better than anyone.

With a small smile, she makes her way through the kelp forest, weaving in and out of the long stems. They reach the edge and approach a rocky outcropping.

At the top lies a pavilion. Four stone pillars support a sheet of woven linen. The tented roof provides shade for the armchairs, settees and tea tables scattered within.

Lysanthir had asked for the pavilion to be set up for spring—so Athtar's murdukann can enjoy the warming waters.

And Y/N has a sneaky feeling he has retreated here now.

She peers around a carved pillar. Vesryn is sprawled across one of the sofas, fins rippling absentmindedly as she feeds on a bunch of sea grapes.

Maxim sits perched on a chair a few feet away, staring intently at his canvas. His brushes move expertly, a myriad of colours painting a perfect likeness of his mate. He pays special attention to Vesyrn's round belly, now swollen with child. His paintbrushes cradle her form, capturing this perfect moment of their growing family.

Two other murdukann are curled up in neighbouring armchairs. Y/N recognises them as Tynala and her mate, Sielle. Tynala waves at Y/N, then slyly points to the other side of the pavilion. Sielle giggles, swatting at Tynala's hand.

"Don't give him away," she whispers.

"It's his fault for hiding out here," Tynala responds, "He would have left poor Elrien scouring the kelp for hours."

Y/N's attention moves to an armchair at the far end of the pavilion. A glimmer of silvery skin and ruby gills betrays her murdukann's location.

She motions for Elrien to be quiet as they swim towards Lysanthir's not-so-secret hiding spot.

Elrien squirms out of Y/N's arms and pounces over the top of the armchair. Lysanthir lets out of yelp as his son lands in his lap.

"Elrien, my little Kyren!"

He envelops the boy in a bear hug. Elrien squeals with joy as his father twirls him around, launching him up in the water before catching him again.

Lysanthir turns to Y/N.

"I lost, yes?" He asks, genuine concern gleaming behind his black eyes.

"Yes," she responds, wondering how long it will be before Lysanthir understands the concept of a game.

Lysanthir looks down at Elrien, whose eyelids have now fluttered to a close. Their son's chest rises and falls as he dozes off.

"It does not matter," Lysanthir murmurs, tenderly running a finger along Elrien's cheek, "As long as I have you and our son, I will always have won."

Holding Elrien close, Lysanthir rises from the armchair. He grasps Y/N's chin, tilting her head back as his lips meet hers.

Heat rises in her cheeks as she feels his warmth. Her eyes close, electricity coursing through her veins.

The kiss ends too soon. Lysanthir pulls away, motioning to Sielle. The yellow-tailed murdukann swims over, carefully taking Elrien from his father's arms.

"I'll put him down for his nap," she whispers, rocking softly as she wraps him in a blanket and swims towards Athtar.

Lysanthir's lips now meet Y/N's once more. His hands move to her waist, pulling her flush against him. Desire blossoms within her, a flickering flame growing into a raging fire.

A fire fuelled by an eternal bond, a bond that spans the oceans, that transcends mortality. Fate tied them together from the very start. Y/N knows this is exactly where she was always meant to be. This is where she belongs. Side by side with her Kyren, reigning over Athtar and raising their child to the the next ruler of the seas.