The soft rocking of the yacht as it cut through the gentle waves was the only sound that filled the air. Stella and Simon lay together, their bodies intertwined beneath the cool blanket. The night was calm, the stars casting their light over the vast, endless ocean.
Stella rested her head against Simon's chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. Her breathing slowed, matching the rhythm of the yacht's gentle sway. Simon's arm was wrapped securely around her waist, his fingers tracing small patterns on her skin as if trying to memorize every inch of her.
The peacefulness of the moment was a stark contrast to the chaos and darkness that always seemed to follow Simon. Yet in that moment, wrapped in his arms, Stella felt safe—unquestionably safe. The past days with him had been a whirlwind, pulling her into a world she never fully understood, but as the distance between them and the shore grew, she found a strange peace within it.
Simon, though silent, was alert as always, his thoughts distant, yet focused. His gaze lingered on the stars, though his mind wasn't there. He had found something in Stella—a reason to push through the shadows of his existence. As much as he tried to stay distant, to keep his own darkness contained, she had a way of breaking through it, finding him in places he didn't even realize he was hiding.
His fingers tightened around her, a silent promise that no matter what was coming, he wouldn't let her go. For now, that was enough. No words needed to be spoken between them; the bond they shared was stronger than anything that could be articulated.
The yacht's steady journey toward Alloan continued, the waves caressing its hull, and in the quiet of the night, two souls drifted, connected, in the vastness of the sea. The storm of what was coming ahead was still distant, but for tonight, they had each other. And that was all they needed.
The yacht drifted to a gentle halt as the moon hung low over the horizon, its silver glow rippling across the water. Stella stood on the deck, arms crossed, her brows knitting together as she scanned the endless expanse of ocean.
"There's nothing here," she muttered, turning to Simon, confusion etched across her face.
Simon stepped closer, his presence as steady as the tides. "We're above Alloan," he said, his voice calm and measured. "The entrance is beneath us. To reach it, you'll need to transform."
Stella blinked at him, her chest tightening.
"In two days, the full moon will rise," Simon continued, his tone low and serious. "The waters are at their safest now. After that, it becomes treacherous. Many who've gone to Alloan never returned... including your parents."
Her stomach turned, but before she could respond, Simon disappeared into the cabin. When he returned, he held a delicate yellow thread in his hand.
"Give me your wrist," he said.
Wordlessly, she extended her arm. Simon tied the thread around her wrist with surprising care, then fastened the other end to his own.
"What's this?" Stella asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Simon met her gaze. "If you're in danger, it'll turn red," he explained. "No matter where you are, I'll know."
Her fingers brushed against the thread, her thoughts racing. "How do you even have something like this?" she asked, trying to make sense of it all.
Simon's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "I'm not just a pureblood vampire," he said. "I'm a warlock as well."
Stella stared at him, the weight of his words sinking in. "You keep surprising me," she muttered with a tired shake of her head.
"It's time," Simon said, gesturing toward the water.
Stella swallowed hard and stepped to the edge of the yacht. Taking a deep breath, she dove in, the icy water swallowing her whole. For a moment, she floated just beneath the surface, letting the cold clear her mind. Slowly, she began removing her dress, the fabric flowing away like a shadow in the current.
Moments later, Simon joined her, his movements smooth and deliberate. His gaze, as always, was unwavering.
"Do you have to stare?" Stella asked, glancing at him with a mix of irritation and embarrassment.
His smirk was faint but unmistakable.
With a resigned sigh, Stella let herself sink deeper. As the ocean embraced her fully, her transformation began. Scales shimmered into existence along her legs, each one catching the light with an iridescent glow. Golden edges outlined every scale, adding an otherworldly elegance. Her hair grew brighter, flowing around her like strands of silk. Fins unfurled from her back, delicate yet strong. Her eyes shifted, turning a mesmerizing shade of bluish-green.
Simon remained still, watching her with a look that was equal parts awe and intensity. She was stunning, a creature of myth come to life, and he couldn't help but admire her.She was a vision—a creature of myth and beauty, her form radiating power and grace.
She was no ordinary mermaid. Her essence exuded something ancient and rare, and Simon knew with a certainty that her blood wasn't just life—it was divinity. To drink it would be nothing short of tasting heaven itself.
For a moment, neither spoke, the ocean holding them in its quiet embrace. Stella finally glanced at him, her expression softening.
"Well?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of challenge.
Simon's smirk deepened. "You're breathtaking," he said simply, his voice low and sincere.
"So, are you ready?" Simon's voice echoed through the salty air as he floated effortlessly in the vast ocean, the water shimmering around him.
Stella nodded, her heart racing with excitement and a hint of nervousness. She gazed at the endless expanse of water stretching out before them, the horizon blurring where the sky met the sea.
"You know," Stella began, her voice thoughtful, "this is my first time swimming in a place where there are no boundaries, no walls around me." A small, almost wistful smile played on her lips as she looked out at the open water. For her entire life, swimming had been confined to pools—controlled, safe, and predictable. But the ocean was different. It was wild, untamed, and free.
Simon's expression softened as he watched her. "You're a mermaid, Stella," he said gently, his voice filled with affection. "The ocean, the sea—they're in your blood. This is where you truly belong. It's your home, even if you didn't know it until now."
Stella took a deep, steadying breath, feeling the cool breeze on her skin as the weight of his words sank in. "I'm ready," she said quietly, her voice filled with resolve and awe.
"The Alloan is calling us," Simon murmured, his eyes glinting with excitement as he looked at her. Without another word, they dove beneath the surface together, their bodies cutting through the crystalline water as they plunged deeper, following the pull of the mysterious force.