Sela was waiting back in the plaza. Not waiting, precisely, Mouse edited, a moment later. Eyes trained on the sky, she stumbled around, barely paying enough attention to where she was going to avoid colliding into stationary objects.

“There she is,” Mouse said, gesturing.

Eran looked around him. “Which… which one?”

“That one. The one looking up,” Mouse clarified.

“Ah. Right. Thank you. I’ll go clear this up.” Eran nodded and crossed to Sela.

I’d better go in case this train wreck gets out of hand. Mouse followed after Eran, hands tucked behind him elegantly.

Sela turned and stared, excited. “It’s him!”

“Hello. I believe we’ve met… once?”

“Yes! Please, hear me out. This might sound ridiculous, but I’ve loved you since I first laid eyes on you. I—”

Eran raised a hand. “Avians only take one mate in their lives. I have already taken mine.”

Sela paused. “I…I’m willing to be the second—”

“She perished of blight.”

“Then—” Sela’s eyes lit up.

Mouse frowned at her. Have some respect for the dead.

Eran shook his head. A darkness lurked in his eyes, deep and immeasurable. “She and our lost clutch are the only love I’ll have in this life. Don’t waste your time on a man who cannot love you back.”

Sela pressed a hand to her heart. Her expression crumpled. “I only want to be in love. Is that so wrong?”

“Not at all. But please, find someone who deserves your love, first.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

She stumbled and staggered into Mouse, who caught her. Eran nodded to them, touching a hand to his forelock in a small salute. He spread his wings and took to the air. A great downdraft buffeted Sela and Mouse. Mouse raised a hand to protect Sela instinctively.

Sela sniffed and leaned against him. “Why… why can’t I…”

“I think he had a good point. Find someone else. Start again. There’s more than one fish in the sea,” Mouse said thoughtlessly, then bit his lip. Whoops. Probably shouldn't say that to a mermaid.

Sela looked at him. “Mouse, are you…”

“Not me,” he cut her off.

She waved her hand. “No, I know. You already have a beloved.”

I do? Mouse wondered.

“Do you know anyone? I want to know love. Please.”

Mouse shook his head. “Love isn’t something that can be forced. You have to let it come naturally.”

“I know, but… it’s been forty years already. I became an adult last year, and I still haven’t met anyone.”

“I’m a hundred and ninety, and I haven’t met anyone, either,” Mouse replied.

“Until now,” Sela added.

Mouse pressed his lips together. No, seriously. Who?

Oh well. I don’t want to argue. “Until now,” Mouse conceded. “But that’s just the thing. You’re only forty. You’ve got so much time ahead of you to meet whoever you want to fall in love with. There’s no need for this desperation.”

Sela sighed. “You’re so sweet, Mouse. A girl could fall in love with that.”

“Please don’t.”

“I know, I know. I would never. Don’t worry, Mouse, I’m a fan of love. I won’t get in your way.”

“Um, thanks?” Mouse said.

She ducked her head. Mouse followed her eyes to a trickling stream, passing along the side of the road. “Sela…”

“I won’t! I won’t follow him anymore. I promise.” Sela glanced at the stream again, then walked over and ducked to put her hand in it. She looked up at Mouse. “It’s warm.”

“Mouse! Mouse,” Brittany shouted.

Oh no. Mouse turned. “What?”

“The hot spring’s opened!”

He grinned. At last. I have an excuse to stop helping people, and finally just relax! “Thank goodness.”

Brittany clapped him on the back. “Why don’t you head on over? We’ll be right behind you.”

“You’re not coming?” Mouse asked.

Sela glanced at Brittany, who winked. “Sela’s got to show me where Clarita wandered off to, isn’t that right?”

“Huh?”

Brittany leaned in and whispered something.

“Y…yeah,” Sela said, nodding.

Mouse squinted. “Is… is there something you’re keeping from me?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. We’ll be in right behind you. Bye!” Brittany herded Sela off.

She’s definitely up to something. Mouse shook his head at Brittany and headed off for the hot springs. Brittany, up to something? Must be another day that ends in y. It’s fine, anyways. I need to scope out the hot springs and figure out what Sabelyn and Lilith have in store. Whatever Brittany has planned, it probably won’t be overly harmful, and keeping those two from setting off real danger is much more important.

Stretching, he headed off for the hot springs.