John
Epilogue
Many years later, I still wake up wanting to see my wife first thing in the morning. Kitty Kat and I have been together forever, but something about merman genes and the mate-bond keeps us from aging.
We do age, only much slower. Not that I mind—it only means I get more time to spend with the love of my life.
She makes it a true blessing to wake up every morning.
I peer down at my left palm, smiling at the human who uses one of my fingers as her body pillow. I'm not much larger than I was ten years ago, but since Kat was attacked by a group of dire wolves last year, my resolve to protect her has grown.
Kat is prohibited from sleeping without me, and I want her around me all the time, even if she is a loud snoring lady. I find it amusing when she sounds like an airplane, so I haven't told her about it.
As I hover above her, I stroke a finger down her petite back, biting my lower lip when she smiles in her sleep. My
This is the last chapter, and I hope you have enjoyed reading this story. I might write about one of the kids in the future if I feel like writing about mermen again. Thank you so much for reading this story!
Natasha Most days, I'm trapped inside my head and stuck on remembering the past before the apocalypse happened. I miss my childhood, when people had regular jobs, and when schools mattered. Ten years ago, I had parents, friends, and neighbors. I was a carefree little girl who rarely worried about tomorrow—that changed when monsters rose from the sea and destroyed our cities. Humans are no longer safe. Most people are bound to live in cities heavily guarded by the military, and others, like me, are forced to steal to survive the next day. And my poverty is all because of Scylla, the monstrous mermaid, who destroyed my entire city and ate my parents. She is a beast, and I have sworn to murder her once I have enough money to buy myself a crew ready to tackle anything. I pick up a photograph. "Ugh," there is a picture of an old woman holding a cat, but the frame is made of silver—I throw it into my black XXL garbage bag that I've slung over my bon
NatashaThe sky is dark and starry—perfect for navigation. Tonight, I won't get lost at sea, and Roger won't have a reason to bully me at home.Roger, my adoptive father, likes to point out that I'm not a full-fledged pirate princess yet. According to him, making it home without a map is something every pirate should know."I will be home in no time!" I toss my stolen goods into my motorboat and climb in, ready to hit the ocean. I'm not supposed to be parking here, and I better leave before there is a ticket."Fuck this man!" A man grumbles from the bridge leading to all the parked luxury boats. Yachts are bobbing on the water surface, and it seems the voice is headed there. "We shouldn't have taken him!"My curiosity gets the best of me, and I silently watch the policemen carry Hayden Archer into their police ship equipped with sirens.Most of the world is underwater, and some countries no longer exist, while new islands have popped u
Natasha I'm fading from the lack of oxygen until something strong curls around me, towing me to the surface. The instant I break through the water, I sharply inhale. Cold air enters my lungs as my chest pulls back. I'm not thinking when I grab whatever is holding me—I'm acting on pure instinct. "What the hell?!" A loud, scary voice is yelling at me, and it sounds like thunder and anger. "You can't swim—why the hell didn't you tell you didn't know how to swim?!" I blink salt out of my eyes and stare at a giant wall of flesh before me. An eight-pack of massive, granite abs draped over with beautifully tanned skin is staring me in the face. My cheeks turn molten. Is this person Hayden? I barely have time to ponder before I'm gently moved away from the water by whoever saved me from drowning. Fingers, thicker than tree trunks, pull me closer to the person's carved chest. But the intimacy that generally would make me blush got me fe
NatashaFinding out Hayden is married is a bummer. But what did I seriously expect? That the hot, tall, and insanely broad-shouldered man wasn't already taken?Ugh—don't be foolish, Natasha. Besides, lusting over a merman isn't wise either, considering my deep fear of them. Hayden seems nice now, but that might change.I stand up, brushing my dirty, black hair to one side of my neck. I'm skinny and malnourished from sailing the seas without food for days, but although I might look like a weakling, I'm brimming with confidence.Although, I feel way tinier than usual around Hayden. His fancy suit is eating up my shoulders as I wear it, and his delicious scent is doing weird things to the chemicals inside my brain. My insides are fluttering, and I hand the guy a smile."So, is there a town on this island?"Hayden studies me. "There is... Why?"My fingers rake through my dirty hair. "Well, since you destroyed my beloved ship, I thin
Natasha When I walk outside of the restaurant, I catch Hayden talking with a group of girls. He is speaking animatedly, yet it does nothing to calm down the girls, who appear terrified of him. Their faces are pale, and I notice their legs are shaking. It's with no surprise that I watch the girls disappear into the restaurant, causing Hayden to mutter after them. "Suit yourself..." I step forward, forcing out my voice. "What was that about?" I'm unstable after Hayden threatened to eat everyone inside the restaurant. And Hayden narrows his eyes in delight as if he savors how rattled I must still appear from our earlier argument. I can see his lips curling by the corners, like my state of fright is his source of satisfaction. His expression bothers me because I would like to believe that the smiling guy I got to see a glimpse of on the beach is real. I genuinely hope Hayden doesn't like it when people are afraid of him. But what d
Natasha I'm a virgin. I've never been with a man before, never kissed someone's warm lips, and Hayden is every girl's wet dream—tall, muscular and exquisite, like a piece of art. His long eyelashes and parting lips whispering dirty words into my ears—I'm falling for everything about this man, and I can't do anything to stop it. Regardless of his claim of not being gentle, his eyes speak a different story when he kisses me and shoves his tongue deep inside of my mouth. I'm burning and going down in flames, loving how his enormous hands remove the little cloth covering my breasts. His voice goes low. "You're beautiful." Suddenly I'm naked behind the goddamn restaurant, but I don't care. My heart is beating, wanting and needing this man. Hayden's large, manly hands squeeze my small breasts, and his tongue goes down, warm and wet, against the sensitive little nub. And the man knows what he is doing. For the first time in my life, I lose co
Hayden I'm waiting on the beach. Natasha told me she needed to grab something important from town, and I handed her some gemstones. Electronic money is useless these days, but coins, gold, and jewels work. "Sorry for the delay!" I move to gaze to the pathway leading to the beach, spotting the crazy woman holding three bottles of rum. She is wearing a pirate hat and beaming at me like the freaking sun. Laughter rolls inside my mind; it seems Tide, the merman voice inside my head, has been awakened. I swear to god I'm a psychopath for having a second person inside my head. Vivian read werewolf novels in the past, where the werewolves had their wolf talking to them inside of their head. Well, I have Tide, a merman who looks exactly like me, speaking to me daily. 'Oh, come on!' I can hear the smile in Tide's voice. Usually, he only cares about eating and hunting, but he likes Natasha. 'Admit our mate is amusing!' I eye the black-ha
Natasha My head is spinning, tripping as I squint up at the sun. I have eaten nothing, and I'm paying the price for drinking rum by puking over the side of the boat. Fuck alcohol, and screw God for creating this delicious liquid, toxic in the first place. What is the point if you're going to end up hungover? I only get to dry my mouth on the back of my hand before my knees buckle, and I once again empty my stomach. "Ugh..." There is a bitter taste inside my mouth after I've royally vomited, and I grow dizzy when the entire boat sways from side to side like a fucking carousel. A head emerges from the ocean, and my little ship almost topples over. "Ew!" Hayden exclaims in disgust, and water drips down from his massive torso when he stretches out in the sun like some newly risen water god. "You did not just puke all over my fucking hair!" I lie down on my back and laugh at his expression. The sun is blocked out, and life would be pretty g
John Epilogue Many years later, I still wake up wanting to see my wife first thing in the morning. Kitty Kat and I have been together forever, but something about merman genes and the mate-bond keeps us from aging. We do age, only much slower. Not that I mind—it only means I get more time to spend with the love of my life. She makes it a true blessing to wake up every morning. I peer down at my left palm, smiling at the human who uses one of my fingers as her body pillow. I'm not much larger than I was ten years ago, but since Kat was attacked by a group of dire wolves last year, my resolve to protect her has grown. Kat is prohibited from sleeping without me, and I want her around me all the time, even if she is a loud snoring lady. I find it amusing when she sounds like an airplane, so I haven't told her about it. As I hover above her, I stroke a finger down her petite back, biting my lower lip when she smiles in her sleep. My
Katja I wake to the sound of tropical birds and the blazing sun trying to kill me with its light. I roll over with a groan, only to almost slip down from John's muscular neck. Ah, that's right. I was nuzzling John before we fell asleep, talking about favorite songs and music before dozing off on top of him. His neck, dark hair, and pulse felt warm, and the merman promised he wouldn't move in his sleep, so I stayed. A loud voice yawns. "Morning..." John reaches for me with one hand, and I slide into his palm. His sleepy blue eyes become my beautiful sky, and he breathes a laugh through half-curled lips. "You have bed hair..." John says. His eyes are warm, filled with affection before he kisses me with those lips I can't run away from—not that I want to. A flock of doves swarms my stomach, and I laugh as his soft lips cover my body's upper half. I don't remember ever putting on my clothes after our love-making or when my pants di
Katja My eyes are caught on the moon while my heart is trying to pound through my ribcage. I'm nervous. John is the more experienced one, the older, hot guy who has had his fill of plenty of women. I've seen women throw themselves at his feet, but I can't precisely blame them. John is hotter than hell, and I grow self-conscious of that insight. His large, manly hands are on my thighs, tongue licking me between my legs. I see his dark hair and mountainous shoulders move when I lower my gaze, and my insides throb with need. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I want him. But what if my vagina looks weird or something? A hundred thoughts are racing through my skull. But then an involuntary moan slips out through my parted lips, interrupting me. Oh-my-god, John is the devil—merciless as he sucks my clit! My fingers grab his hair, twisting it, and I can sense John smiling in satisfaction against my skin. "Enjoying ourselves, are we?"
Katja After John has pulled up the shipwreck on the shore, and we have made sure nobody died, I'm left with the giant merman holding me in his massive paws like I'm a delicate treasure. In some ways, I am, at least compared to John. He is absurdly monstrous, but he isn't like Hayden. My sister and her boyfriend are adrenaline junkies, and they are never careful. On the other hand, John is sweet and gentle in a way that makes my insides sizzle like bacon in a frying pan. I lie flat in his palm, turning my head toward his large, brilliant eyes. He is staring at me. I blush, asking softly. "So, are you ever going to change back into a human?" His lips pull into a smile. I try to look away from him―to act like I don't notice the fire in his gaze, but I can't help it. He looks like every fantasy I've ever had come to life, merman perfection with a hint of cockiness to match. His stark blue eyes gleam in the moonlight
Katja A violin, paced and furious, plays a melody of fear through my bones. It's awakening my senses and making me see black. John's lush lips are so close, and there isn't a sign of his kind soul within those dark eyes. Yet I have to reach him. I can't give up. His tongue flicks out, ready to devour me, and I move while held by his tentacle, fighting my better judgment. I know my idea is stupid, yet I do it—I grab hold of his upper lip. He is trying to throw me into his mouth, but I lean in, giving him a peck of a kiss. My eyes close on instinct, and I try to convey everything: love, hope, despair, and the will to be with him through my lips. I know I'm smaller than him and that he probably can't physically feel me, but the emotions within my heart feel so large. I love John, and he needs to know. I think back to the times we bickered in the kitchen and the lustful glances we sent each other. Tears prickle behind my eyelids, a
Katja My eyes are glued to John. His transformation is different this time, probably painful if I'm to judge from his screams. Those tentacles are giant now, and his height is downright terrifying. I don't think I've ever seen a kaiju or a merman so big. John is putting even Hayden to shame. Dark hair hangs over his muscled back, and his tentacles are black with a white underside. He knocks down the tree above me without warning, and I shriek in fright. It falls in the other direction, and I lift my chin. John seems about ready to move, and while I know it's foolish trying to follow a monster rivaling Hayden's size, I can't stay on this island. John's face is darkened, eyes glazed over, and nothing seems to happen inside his thick head. Scarlett has taken control. John is now a threat and danger to everyone on our ship. Since Hayden isn't at home, John will have a simple time battling us. Because let's face it, no one on the ship could
JohnMy chest is warm, and my heart beats an entirely new rhythm. Kat is in my arms, watching me apprehensively. Her lips attempt a smile, but I can smell small traces of fear in the air.I get it—I'm a sea monster, much bigger than Kat and capable of hurting her even by accident. We aren't mates, and there is no reason for her to trust me other than because we used to be close friends in the past.But I wouldn't hurt her, and it hurts acknowledging that idea seems to have rooted itself into Kat's brain.She appears terrified of my every breath, and her face is rapidly turning pale as she absorbs my features.It saddens me. Even with no romantic feelings involved, Kat is my best friend, and I wouldn't hurt her, not willingly. Scarlett wants me to kill her, but I'm fighting the throbbing command within my blood.I focus on the warmth and the butterflies instead. Kat hesitantly lifts her chin to meet my eyes, and I smile."I'm not
Katja"So you don't mind my scars?" John asks while we both stare up at the starry sky. His eyes flicker to mine, and I feel them like a physical weight on my shoulder. "You can be honest with me, Kitty Kat. I won't get offended."What is he talking about?I don't mind his scars at all!I have to tell him, but I'm too shy!A flustered smile spreads over my lips, and I nervously brush my hair behind my ear. I'm experiencing heart palpitations around John. I've never been on a date before, and this must count as one.And knowing this is a date, how am I supposed to stay calm? Being with him is the rush of a lifetime—every time I take him in, I feel my heart skip a beat again. I'm drowning in these warm bubbles of joy.I'm seriously hyperaware of John, and I'm afraid. I don't want to screw things up between us by acting weird, but I'm this smiling, giggling mess around him because nothing can stop the butterflies from swarming my c
JohnI've been with plenty of women in my lifetime. Pretty ones, loud ones, blondes, brunettes, big boobs, small breasts, ladies who won't stop talking, and the kind that makes you laugh. Yes, I was a manwhore in the past, never once settling for one person.I determined love didn't exist; never once did I expect my heart would pound for one person—oh, how stupid I was!A few seconds ago, Kat told me she likes me, and my world did an instant backflip, and now I can't think. I can't breathe. I mean, why? How can a pretty girl like her want to be with a monster like me?I stare at her, take in her features, and wait for the punchline. There must be one! She can't honestly like me—I don't deserve her!And shit, my master, Scarlett, ordered me to kill Kat, and here I am, daydreaming about our future wedding. I can hear wedding bells, and a dumb smile spreads to my lips when I notice Kat is blushing."Aren't you going to say anything?