a wild desert heart

Wearing a thick dark coat, you've noticed the stranger only uses one arm. You’ve pondered if he possibly doesn’t have the other.

Someone calls your name asking for another pint of ale. Returning back to the counter, you’re startled at a sight that almost causes you to drop the empty glass mug

The stranger sits before you now.

His dark eyes capture you instantly.

“Watch yourself there, dewdrop. It’d be rather unfortunate to see a blunder befall you.” He says cautiously.

The accent, a thick alluring twang of someone from the southern regions, draws you in a siren’s song.

It also pierces you with a jarring reminder of how far separated you are from the larger towns. Your sleepy port village is surrounded by the sea on three sides. Yet those tides still manage to bring in handsome men like the one before you.

Commotion in the tavern picks up, but the man stays firmly seated unbothered at the bar.

Back behind the counter, you try keeping yourself occupied. You know you should instead chat up the stranger hoping to earn more of his patronage.

But he feels like a man composed of smoke, as if looking at him too long will make him disappear into the thick tobacco clouds puffed into the tavern.

Finally gathering up courage you glance up -

And the man is gone.

You didn’t even see him leave. A chill runs up your spine.

The next day the storms arrive early.

—

This year’s storm season unleashes its force relentlessly.

The sea has not been kind. The winds howl violently all times of the day. Thunderous waves crash hard against the rocks.

There are rumors that when the tides turn violent like this, it’s the ocean yearning for blood. Specifically a sacrifice to the lord of the sea and the rumored creature lurking under the waves.

Everyone throughout the town and tavern whispers about this legend.

“It’s just old folktales.” Dismissively you scoff after one of the sailors mentions it.

These ghost tales are nothing but stories sailors tell to pass the time and ease their endless days among the eternal waters.

“Folktales are born for a reason sometimes, young one. They're warnings.” A sweet older sailor replies to you aged and knowingly. You don’t pay heed to his words.

Walking back to the bar, there sitting at the same spot is the mysterious man from before.

It’s been days since you’ve seen him. You thought he must have left with one of the ships before the storm hit.

Those dark abyss eyes of his snag your soul again.

“Thought the storms might have scared you off.” You comment first, friendly and offering conversation.

A coyish grin tugs at his lips.

“Not yet. The sea in this state is quite lovely to those of us who can appreciate the ravenous glory.” He says taking a sip of his warmed drink not once removing his gaze from you.

His simmering words squirm under your skin, and you swallow hard.

“So, what brings you into town?” You enter the familiar song and dance as someone who sees and chats with many travelers.

“Prospecting,” he replies smoothly. That’s a new and surprising answer. The mining rush is further out west. It’s almost foolish thinking someone desires to find any rare gemstones out here.

“And I found the most precious treasure.”

He speaks with the edge of a thief, and your instincts say he might be.

You smile politely wishing him all the best on his hunt.

But the minute you turn your back, the mysterious man again slips away in the shadows.

And the storms continue their torment.

A restlessness grows in the town. Heading downstairs to work, you notice it immediately in the quieter atmosphere. Then it seeps into the tavern, costing the air in a thick festering fear.

But spotting the familiar stranger at the bar, melts all the heaviness away.

The tavern’s true owner, James, bright in his old age laughs warmly at whatever the man says.

Patting James fondly on the back, you slip past him to get ready for the evening shift.

“Ah, good to see you’re finally here.” James chuckles.

“Have you met our new traveler Ezra here?”

Ezra.

The name suits him.

Glancing at the traveler, you nod introducing yourself.

“We’ve been faintly acquainted.” Ezra smirks like he locked a secret within his words.

“So, how long have you tended to this establishment?” He now directs his curiosity to you.

“Ever since I came to this town.” You answer truthfully, tying on your apron.

“This one was saved by the sea.” James adds tender voiced, growing more sentimental in his old age.

He and his late wife, Olga, immediately took you in, and you’ve been grateful ever since. James has been like a second grandfather to you, and you tell this to Ezra.

“Him and his wife saved me, not just the sea.” You clarify.

The few memories you have of that fateful day are twisted with heartache. The flames that overtook the ship still flash in your nightmares. The way you cried for help, looked up to the stars and wondered if someone could save you.

But salvation came from below from the waves. You swear something carried you through the wreck even while the ocean barreled relentlessly.

And when the tide pulled you under, you believed a warmth surrounded you keeping you safe before you slipped into the surge.

“That might have been ol’ death trying to get to ya.” James chuckles. “You were lucky.”

“That ain’t luck, that’s the sea dooming you.” The gruff seasoned sailor sitting nearby snaps sharp.

Your stomach drops.

Those whispers, that maybe being saved has cursed you, have swirled for years.

It’s probably another reason why you’re still unwed. No one wanted to marry a doomed soul.

Some in town judge you for being your age and unmarried. A part of you anxiously wondered if being an outsider has driven away suitors. You’ve made a home here as best as you can. Yet, a sense of loneliness creeps in from time to time.

Now when small barbs like this arrive, they remind you that you’re still an outsider.

“A curse to some is a blessing to others.” Suddenly Ezra, smooth in his drawl, speaks up, his eyes shimmering.

“Whoever says that is a goddamn fool.” The sailor growls back.

“Anyone saved by the sea is doomed and brings nothing but darkness to land.”

There are stories of folks who have gone mad out in the waters while waiting for salvation. Some even say the sea continues calling to them after surviving, like a dangerous song begging for the souls to return back to the waves.

Mindlessly cleaning the countertop, you push on ignoring the chatter.

Ezra scoffs an amused laugh that pulls your attention.

“And pray tell, what is this darkness you’re squawking about?” Ezra asks, tickled.

A moment passes.

“The leviathan.”

The word punctures the tavern’s air creating a hole that drags everyone in. It stills the moment in a terrifying manner.

The whispered creature rumored to lurk in the ocean’s depths…

“I heard ‘s called the kraken,” a man with a thicker accent jumps into the discussion.

“Whatever that demon is called,” the original gruff and angry sailor who started this discussion speaks again. “It’s the darkness lurking in the waters...”

Many sailors have told you tales about how they’ve seen it - a terrifying monster so unspeakable in its wrath it could swallow whole ships.

“There’s no such thing, only ghost stories to tell children.” James scoffs familiar words you’ve heard living in his home for so many years.

“And yet you believe in the sea god.” Another patron suddenly interjects.

“Why do you think the sea rages like this?” The first angered sailor speaks up again, adding to the tension.

“The creature and the lord of the sea demand sacrifice, demand what was saved to be returned back-”

The man’s eyes flicker dangerously to you.

Dread trickles in.

“Out,” James snaps violently. “If you dare to say such things then out!”

Your throat tightens knowing all eyes burn into you. So you decide to excuse yourself.

Sliding past the counter top, you can’t help but sneak a glance to Ezra who has gone eerily silent during this exchange.

He peers up to you from behind the rim of his drink, eyes curiously dark the way you’d imagine a wolf hiding among the dark looks before striking.

Back upstairs in your room, you try shaking the messy feelings entangling you. Lightly creaking open the window to let some air in, you listen to the rain.

Thunder booms ominous among the crashing waves.

While reading one of your books by lantern light, you swear in the patter of the storm you hear it…

A beautiful melody, like someone calling out your name.

—

The storms drench the town in a panicked chokehold. No relief has come for days. The sea rages on, and the gloomy weather intensifies every emotional state.

Weariness and heavy anxiety brew thick, becoming one with the rain.

One morning along the building’s shadow, you discover Ezra waiting, a rather surprising sight.

Rain pours, yet he stands the picture of ease. The weather flattens his hair and creates a glossy look over his handsome features.

“You’re getting soaked.” You tell him heading downstairs from your home above the tavern.

Ezra only grins wider.

“Nothin’ wrong with a lil’ shower.” He teases.

“This isn’t little.” A hollow laugh escapes you.

He accompanies you into town for your morning stroll. During this time you grab any new produce or supplies out in the market for the day. Before she passed, you and Olga took walks here together.

Now having a man as mysteriously dazzling like Ezra walking besides makes your heart thump a bit faster.

He accompanies you every morning after that, even in the rain. The company is pleasant, and the conversation never dulls.

There’s a strange familiarity that lingers in the air, like you’re simply conversing again with someone you’ve known before.

Did you know this man from your life before the shipwreck and just can’t recall him?

“I know this might sound silly…but have we met before?” You even tell him about this sensation.

Ezra doesn’t answer only grins, toothy and devilish.

Although he is remarkably keen, holding quiet insightful awareness, yet in cases like this Ezra instead reminds you of a scoundrel. Secretive and dangerous.

He often dodges questions or replies in hazy answers that only lead you into a more confusing maze, as if he’s trying to throw you off his trail.

You don’t bring up the topic again.

Today the rain has thankfully slowed to a gentle patter.

One of the shopkeepers, your favorite elder artisan, has recently begun crafting amulets and medallions engraved with a familiar signet.

The sign of the sea god.

“We’ve forgotten our ways. We must be humble ourselves and remember the sea was here before us and will be here after us.” She mutters shaken but faithful.

Ezra’s fingers gently graze against one of the medallions, a beautiful but simple jeweled pendant.

“Got any musings on the sea god, dewdrop?” He questions you suddenly.

There are many tales and myths of the deity.

The lord of the ocean is said to be a trickster, just as fickle as the waves he ruled. Sailors, and even merchants, swore they sold their souls to him. Others said the god is actually a monster, vengeful of humans traveling his seas.

While someone like James swore the god of the tides saved you.

“I don’t know,” you truthfully tell Ezra.

“Suppose that’s maybe what the ocean god desires most, for no one to know. Just like the sea’s depths.”

His poetic and astute response again surprises you.

Ezra pays for the pendant, and the artisan thanks him graciously.

“Didn’t know you were superstitious.” You gently tease.

Instead of placing the medallion on himself, Ezra drapes it over you.

It’s a touching gift releasing a shocked but fond warmth to bloom through you.

“A safeguard for you against the unknown ocean god.” Ezra says absolute, but you notice a strange knowing twinkle again shining in his eyes.

You try not to linger on it.

—

The strange melody that’s been continuously drifting into your room has been stuck in your head.

You don’t realize you’ve started even humming the tune.

“Stop!” Until a man in the tavern screams wrecked in terror.

The commotion stills. Everyone rapidly turns to the frightened man. He points at you with wide fearful eyes.

“That tune…the sea calls to you. I beg you… please stop. Do not summon the ocean’s wrath.” His voice trembles in pure fright while his hands shake.

You want to apologize, maybe even plead that you mean no harm, yet you’re rendered speechless.

The interaction unleashes a dangerous edge, and hard suspicious glares become piercing daggers.

Thankfully James settles the old man down with kind soft words, but gently urges you to rest upstairs for the night. Back in your room and teary eyed, you stubbornly slam your window shut.

After that, the pressure only brews more and more, a boiling pot starting to spill over.

“We must appease the sea god.” Someone in the tavern urges.

“Not this nonsense again.” Another scoffs.

“The sea demands blood!” A voice hisses.

Panic and commotion threaten to consume the place, a type of fire that would be difficult to extinguish. James again manages to settle everyone as much as he can. You stay quietly out of the way.

Ezra has not been around for the past few days. When you found his usual waiting spot vacant one morning, you wondered if he finally left with the wind.

You try not to think about that mysterious man.

Because of the storms, the tavern has been busier. It leaves you and James cleaning later in the night than what you’re normally accustomed to.

You’re wearily tired but thankful for the silence.

Until a hard knock bangs at the door.

James opens it. The rude gruff sailor you instantly recognize barges in. But he’s not alone.

All the others accompanying him keep their menacing eyes on you.

“Something the matter, gentlemen?” James asks.

Everything happens in a terrifying rush.

The stronger and larger men immediately knock James out, and terror barrels into you.

You can’t even scream before the men drag you out of the warm tavern and into the rain. A hand flies up to slap over your mouth, and you’re whisked away.

Thrashing and fighting can only do so much when four stronger bodies struggle against you. A rope hastily wrapped around you feels like an eternal damning chain.

Even among the storm and darkness of night, you spot a ship’s silhouette thrashing in the waves.

Fighting hard against your restraints, fate unfortunately still drags you onto the boat.

The lights of the town drift away.

Fear swallows you whole watching the waves rising high among the darkness. You’re soaked to the bone, barely understand what’s going on. Tears spill over.

Eventually you’re shoved against the wooden railing.

A hand reaches for your pendant and yanks hard, breaking it off you. Heated anger now rises, and you almost ache to bite this man venomously.

“This might fetch some nice coin.” The sailor snickers, and you pray lightning will strike him and the others.

The mainland fades further away, and even then you doubt you could swim back in these monstrous waves.

Suddenly multiple hands grab you.

“A sacrifice to the sea for what it longs for! Take this wretched soul back!” Someone yells fervently, horrifying.

The moment a wave rocks the ship, you’re tossed overboard. Your screams mix into the howling wind, and then the icy water hits you.

James said you were saved by the sea now it might be what ends you.

Turbulent waves with the force of an angry god thrash you around. You fear the ocean will be your grave.

Out of the waves, strange tendrils, strong and thick, suddenly wrap around your body. It could be the rope, or possibly seaweed, getting tangled around you more.

Until the rope is yanked away from your body, allowing your arms to move freely. Yet those tendrils don’t dissipate or constrict you.

Instead they draw you up to the surface. The first inhale of air stings. Regaining your breath, the waves and rain pelt your face while you cough.

Something continues guiding you through the water, keeping you afloat. Those tendrils slide around your arms and torso. Thick exhaustion fogs your vision, and it fades in and out.

Out of the storm, a terrifying roar rips through the air.

Even through the wind and the rain, the sound is unnatural and isn’t human.

A thunderous crunch of wood follows. The breaking of the ship sounds like bones cracking under the wrath of the sea…

Then a strike of lightning flashes illuminating the sky.

And you witness it clear as day.

A creature unlike you’ve ever seen before.

Towering out of the water, a monster with rows of deadly sharp teeth screeches violently through the storm. Multiple tentacle-like appendages unleash wrath upon the ship.

Another scream escapes you as lightning continues illuminating the hell among the water.

Towering waves crash over you, and the cold sea draws you back under again.

You fear the sea truly has taken you back becoming your end.

—

Water droplets dripping onto your face startle you awake.

You discovered you’re resting against a solid and large rock. Soft moss acts as a blanket cushioning beneath you, and large caverns stretch all around. Beautiful algae illuminate the space otherworldly.

Had you been pulled into an undersea cave?

Or is this maybe all a dream?

A sudden cough fit has your body pitching forward as your lungs fight through the lingering water.

Someone says your name, and it echoes bouncing off the caverns. The familiar twang hangs in the air.

Ezra.

“You need to recuperate.” His distant faint voice speaks again.

“Where are you?” So many emotions rush to the surface.

“Present, here with you,” his fond whisper blends in the stillness.

“But why can’t I see you? I’m worried you're injured.” Your focus searches the caves hoping to find even a glimpse of him.

“No harm has befallen me, sweet one.” His voice, dipping in a soothing manner, sounds closer even in the echoes.

“But m’fraid you can’t look upon me just yet.” He adds.

Confusion spikes, and you question why.

A moment passes where only the sound of the water dripping dances in the cave.

“Worried I might frighten you.” Ezra’s voice emerging closer startles you again. You now notice there’s a strange distortion to his tone.

The underlying warning in his words should alarm you even more.

But they don’t.

“I’ve seen the sea’s wrath twice and survived. You could never frighten me.” You reply firm.

His deep chuckle lightens the caverns.

“My valiant little sea star,” he coos proud.

“You’ve witnessed the ocean’s blessing… my blessing.” Ezra then answers.

Before you can ask him to elaborate, two brilliant eyes, shimmering luminous like new risen moons, suddenly stare out from the darkness.

That has to be Ezra. Yet those eyes, animalistically reflecting the light, don’t appear to be human.

You’re proven right when a creature slowly slithers out from the shadows.

The leviathan…

Or the kraken, or whatever name this creature is called…

The sea monster born from legends is now summoned before you, real flesh and bone.

You swallow back a fright as the beast creeps along the sea cavern wall across from you.

While your heart races seeing this menacing being, strangely enough the creature crouches low as if trying to make itself small… out of fear.

This monster - you’ve witnessed its might and power. The terrifying presence and size has ripped apart a ship, demolished an entire crew. Yet it now lies shy and meek, reminding you of a scared stray hiding in an alley.

You allow yourself to fully take in the glory of this beast.

Covered in stormy oceanic shaded scales, the creature appears more sea serpent-like, reminiscent of a dragon you’ve seen in fables. Although strange tendrils, tentacles almost, swish out from the sides of the monster’s body like ocean waves.

“Ezra,” you exhale, wondering if this is real.

The monster’s serpentine eyes, pitch black, hold a sliver of a white pupil slit. They flicker to you responding to the name.

It’s him.

He’s the sea monster.

You comprehend the vision before you, but your mind urges to solidify this truth and feel this myth transmute into truth under your hands.

Gingerly you slide towards the edge of the rock. But a sharp wave of exhaustion makes your entire body ache and head sting. You flinch hard.

“Remain stationary, your body needs rest,” Ezra’s voice in that faintly distorted tone floats out.

His monstrous form slides closer.

Keeping your eyes on him, you lie back down against the moss covered rock. Ezra’s piercing gaze also remains on you.

“So you’re the sea monster or… whatever it is they call you.”

“So the legends foretell.” He speaks conjured out of thin air, mystical and unreal. It reminds you of a sea conch, how pressing your ear into it brings about the sound of crashing waves distant and mysterious.

“Did the sea god send you?” You press wanting to understand why you’re here.

“The sea god is before you, dewdrop.”

The connection arrives immediately.

Ezra is the sea god, and the sea god also happens to be the terrifying leviathan.

“Wait… you saved me.” You whisper thinking even those words can’t be real.

He inches closer, a truly cautious creature.

“I searched my seas for you, feared I lost you again.” His voice flutters out like the softest sea breeze.

“Lost me again?” Curiosity fills you.

Thick silence arrives, and the draconian eyes of the sea creature stare into your very soul.

Realization settles in a most profound simple acceptance.

You gently touch the forehead of the beast. At first touch his gem scales are cool, but a steady humming warmth soon comes underneath.

Slowly, cautious, you run your hand across his scales. Instantly Ezra’s eyes close.

He’s the reason why you survived the shipwreck.

“You saved me before.” You whisper in awe as the sea god’s monstrous snout shifts to nuzzle into your palm.

“Indeed I did.” He mutters dreamy, his eyes still peacefully closed.

“I had you in my grasp, but in my rancor against the crew who caused the wreck… I lost you among my seas.” His voice becomes weighed with bitterness.

“But why… why did you save me back then?” Your voice croaks.

Before he can answer you, a sudden icy chill causes you to shiver, and a light cough comes. Everything feels colder now.

“You need warmth.” Ezra announces somberly.

“I’m alright.” You reassure.

Not satisfied with your answer, Ezra acts immediately. His towering form rises from his crouched position. You watch the slide crawl up the rock, then curl himself around you.

Yesterday, this sight would have rattled you in terror. But now you lean against him.

From their initial cooling touch, immediately a soothing warmth spreads. The monster’s steady breath strangely settles you. Listening closely with your ear against his scales, you hear the drumming sound of his heartbeat, a thumping powerfully song.

Your hand mindlessly strokes against his scales again.

A deep purr like sound bubbles up.

“You can purr,” you note amused.

An annoyed huff answers you, making you grin wide.

The weight of today, the weight of everything, now has settled into heavy exhaustion. Your eyes fight against sleep.

“You inquired… why I saved you.” Ezra’s sudden drawl reawakens jolting you awake.

“Because you were created for me, just like I was formed for you.” His answer steals your breath.

“My soul has been intertwined with yours for a long time.” His voice is steady, an unwavering tide.

“From the waves, I witnessed you that day on the ship before the chaos.” Ezra continues.

“You laughed at somethin’… looked as bright and amused as a coy eel.” He chuckles.

“And I knew, same way the tides know the moon. My other half had returned.”

Thick clouds of emotions storm in your chest.

Questioning rationale rages war against a dreamy acceptance. How could it be that you’re the sea god’s beloved?

“You inquired if we knew each other once before,” Ezra says, noticing your hesitation.

“Does this not supply your answer?” He mutters.

His words hook into you releasing something that whispers - how could you doubt this?

The sea has saved you twice just as you said.

Again sensing your uncertainty, gentle purrs return to soothe you.

Looking down to Ezra’s wonderful muzzle, his eyes are closed in bliss. Even wrapped within this terrifying beast, no terror reaches you.

So you lay down to rest against his face. A pleased beastly hum vibrates through your body straight to your soul.

The thump of his heart sounds like coming home, melting into sync with yours

Sleep greets you peacefully.

Instead of waking up among the warmth of the leviathan, you’re fully pressed against a very human body.

His skin smells faintly of sea salt and like the shoreline in the morning.

Ezra might be the sea god, but right now slumbering peacefully he looks like a handsome god of dreams instead. His body remains curled around you, and you think he might have pulled you further into his embrace during your sleep.

That unique blonde tuft of hair you lightly run your fingers through, it really is him.

Drinking in the sight of him, bare chest and sturdy, you finally see one arm is indeed missing just as you suspected.

The scar around his limb has healed but whispers of something painful. You wish you could softly kiss his shoulder.

“Do not fret, dewdrop.” Ezra’s husky drawl awakens. His smokey eyes capture you instantly.

“It happened many moons ago, a reminder we gods aren’t sacredly immune to everything.” His ancient voice speaks of a genesis you ache to know more about.

Allowing yourself to indulge, you lean forward and place a soft kiss against his shoulder.

You still need to truly thank him for saving you not once, but twice now.

The god of the sea whispers your name. He shifts gently to now lean above you with your back pressed against the moss covered rock.

The ocean is whispered to be greedy, taking all that it wants and carving a space out for itself. You taste the surge of this in Ezra’s kiss.

He dives in kissing you fiercely. Once you clutch at his face, his mouth opens yours easily, as if he can’t taste you fast enough. It’s like being swept into a whirlpool you don’t want to leave.

Your hands cling to him feeling possessed with a newborn desire to merge yourself into him.

Once the kiss turns molten and thick, his teeth start nipping at your lips

Drunk on this sensation, drunk on him, you sit up to lean above him again letting Ezra rest back on the mossy rock.

Kissing down his exposed throat, the deep hum he gives spurs you on.

“What are you schemin’, my little scavenger?” His tone is murky, beautifully thick, and his eyes swirl chasmic as the sea.

“I haven’t thanked you yet,” you explain softly, kissing down towards his chest.

His hand runs up your spine, delicate but alluring.

“No need for thanks,” Ezra says simply. “Had to take back what’s mine, that’s all.”

The possessive undercurrent rising in his voice makes your mouth water, and you return to kissing his chest.

“If you are the sea god… then let me venerate you, my sacred guardian,” you whisper holy into his skin.

Ezra groans out your name, sounding gloriously human.

You ache to taste him, to burn him into your very soul.

Peppering kissing across every inch of him, you lower yourself drifting further down his body.

Before you reach your destination, a sudden slick like sensation slithers up your arm.

The familiar tentacle-like tendrils you saw on Ezra’s monstrous form now gingerly run across your skin.

Following the sight of them - you discover a small pack of those tendrils have blended out from Ezra’s missing limb all acting as his arm.

They flutter effortlessly and angelic.

Stunned not from fear but in awe you survey him. Focused on this sight, you don’t notice when more tentacles suddenly slide under your blouse to touch your skin.

A small whimper escapes you. The sensation of their warm slick sliding against your body is divine, unbelievably so.

“My precious pearl,” Ezra slurs, awed.

Suddenly he rises up, yanking you flush against his chest then kisses you fiercely again.

You and him plunge into an indescribable pleasure.

It’s a mirrored passion, one aching to consume the other. Then when all Ezra’s tendrils are unleashed and roam your body, greedily touching all they can, your mind melts away. You simply give into this utterly divine rapture.

In this haze bliss, you wonder if this is truly real or not.

At one point, one of the tentacles drags itself across your mouth, running across your lips. Your tongue curiously and passion ached reaches out to lick.

The taste of saltwater and something deliciously musky makes you and Ezra moan shamelessly loud.

You can’t even feel embarrassed at how wantonly you beg for more of him, for all of him.

All that matters is Ezra, your focus fully anchors to his.

You questioned if you had ever met this man before. Now the way your soul and body sings with his feels like this is a reunion ancient as the tides.

And you let it sweep you into its depths.

—

As much as you want to remain here with your sea god, you can’t stay in this cave for much longer. You long for a true bed, a warm meal, and you ache to see if James is alright.

“I can create a home for you here,” Ezra offers, as his tempting lips mark another path across your neck.

“We can have a home above,” you argue back gently.

“Don’t the sea and the land deserve to rest peacefully together?” You innocently suggest.

He sighs, defeated. You grin smug realizing you can persuade a god.

Now as the grand leviathan Ezra is curled around you, resting his head on your lap. His tendrils wander and slowly trace across your skin like he can’t keep his hands off of you in any form.

Leaning down to press a kiss against him, growling purrs erupt. The sound reminds you of the same growls Ezra, as a human, gave when his skin slicked and heated moved into yours.

A dangerous thought wiggles forward and ignites a sharp desire. You wonder how passion would work with him in this form…

His growl darkens stronger. Playfully and gently he nibbles at your hip.

“Careful, dewdrop. Starting to smell like danger,” Ezra mutters.

“Might have to keep you stolen away here,” Ezra adds, allowing his tentacles to tighten and draw you closer into him.

You shush him comfortingly and amused.

“We’ll have all the time together now.” The words you speak even surprise yourself.

It’s effortless, startlingly natural, allowing yourself to be tied to this being already.

An easy realization unfolds itself.

If Ezra is the sea, then you might just be the land, both you and him calling to each other in an everlasting bond.

When you return to the surface, a gorgeous soft sleepy sky greets you.

Sand and pebbles arrive under your feet, comforting friends welcoming you home.

Making your way from the shoreline towards town, Ezra, now in his human form, stays stitched to your side.

“I noticed those beasts took your necklace. I’ll have to acquire another.” He mutters letting his hand fondly stroking the base of your throat.

You had forgotten about the pendant, but you softly kiss him, understanding his hurt.

“It’s fine, I have the real thing keeping me safe now.” You grin against his lips, and Ezra hums agreeing.

With the eternal sea beside you, you step forward steady and unwavering.

Once you hit the wooden dock of the port, a frightened gasp comes. Someone spotted you returning from the water once again.

You wonder what the town will whisper about you now. You find you don’t care.

One merchant stares at you like a petrified caught fish. But thankfully, he tells you James is being cared for by the town’s apothecary. She too even appears if seeing a ghost when you arrive at her door.

When James awakens, he blinks at you confused.

But when you squeeze his hand, reassuring him that it is you, you and him both break into relieved tears.

“The sea saved you again.” He sobs hugging you tight.

If he only knew the truth.

Your sea god allows you the space to sit with your caretaker while he rests. You spend the day by James’s bedside.

“They said the storms stopped this morning then you emerged from the mist like a phantom.” He whispers.

You simply squeeze his hand and go to grab him more water to drink.

Thankfully James returns to sleep within moments.

Quietly, you open the window. The peaceful crashing of the waves fills the room.

The sea is old, tempestuous and fickle, yet you’ve held it in your hands. And it carried you lovingly through the storms bringing you home in so many ways.