That morning, Fauna rolled over in the bed and groggily opened her eyes only to notice an empty spot beside her. Sleep cleared from her eyes and
she immediately sat up and looked around, but Lyle was nowhere to be found.

With a disappointed sigh, she yawned and got off the bed, accepting the fact that Lyle left. She tried to convince herself that he was busy and that
was probably why he left, but it didn’t make her feel any better. She wanted to wake up in his arms.

‘Too late for that now,’ she thought to herself as she made her way to her bath cave. She had a lot of training to do that day and the thought of a hot
bath was enough to bring a smile to her face.

Fauna jumped and yelped when she walked into the cave and found that her bath was occupied. The young merman smiled and waved at her and she let out a breath of relief as she shook her head.

“I thought you left,” she confessed as she walked closer to the huge hole in the ground that was holding bubbling and foaming water which she heard
changed temperature to soothe whomever was inside.

Upon getting closer to her mate, she noticed two things that made her concerned. The first was the condition of his skin. He didn’t look too good.

Fauna dropped beside the bath and reached out to him. He swam closer to her, a kind smile on his face and she ran her fingers through his rough
and cracking dry skin. He was in a bad state and she couldn’t understand why.

The next thing she noticed was he was in human form. She had never seen Lyle as a human in the water. Something was clearly wrong with her mate.

“I couldn’t leave you,” he admitted. “However, I had to be in water.”

That was it. She recalled him telling her he couldn’t stay on land for too long. Was he in that state because of her?

“Oh no!” Her voice held sadness, regret and concern. “Why aren’t you healing. You’re in water, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, but I need to be in water that’s connected to the magic of the sea. This is helping a little, but not enough.” His voice was strained, but he was still smiling as though it was nothing.

It was beginning to irk Fauna. Did he think he had to feign being fine around her? Didn’t he trust her?

“Come out then! Let’s move.”

She started to stand, but he held her hand, keeping her in place.

“The moment you leave this cave, Doka will whisk you away for yet another practice and I won’t be able to hang out with you for a while. Come take a bath with me.”

“Are you out of your mind?” He had to be. Fauna was convinced that was the only explanation because there was no way he could be sane and
choose a few moments together over his own health.

“I think so.” He nodded playfully and she rolled her eyes at him, but he refused to budge. “I do want to stay with you a little longer.” He placed a
palm over hers and she stared at him, hurt in her eyes. As she placed her other palm over his, all she wanted was a way to make him feel better.

The dragons and mother nature seemed to hear her thoughts because the moment her palm touched his, she felt a spark that made her jerk her
hand away in surprise. With furrowed brows, Fauna watched as Lyle’s skin slowly begun to heal. He hummed as he withdrew his hand to inspect himself.

He wasn’t completely better, but he looked like he wasn’t in pain anymore. He grinned and it reached his eyes. “Will you look at that, dear one? You seem to have healed me.”

“No. That’s – I mean, I just… But, it’s not –” Fauna shook her head to clear her thoughts, but it didn’t work. She couldn’t wrap her head over what
just happened.

She just healed Lyle without the aid of herbs and elixirs? How was that even possible?

“Come in,” he invited her once more and he took in a deep breath before nodding. She had a lot of questions to ask, but something told her he wasn’t going to respond until she got into the bath with him.

She stepped into the soothing warm water and the moment she was inside, her clothing disappeared, leaving her naked before her mate.

The water was up to her shoulders and she felt so relaxed being in it.

Lyle grinned even wider as he splashed water around like a little cub. It had to be him. He had to be the reason she found water soothing. It made sense. Perhaps the part of her that was always longing for him found a little comfort whenever she was in his territory?

“Did you sleep well?” Lyle decided to make small talk.

Fauna hummed as she cupped her palms and collected lather which she deposited atop her head. She repeated the motion before she started to run
her fingers through the long white hair.

“I did. How about you?”

“I didn’t,” he answered honestly. “I didn’t sleep, but I enjoyed holding you in my arms.”

Not expecting that, Fauna gulped and her heartbeat picked up pace as she became flustered. He didn’t sleep and he was in pain because of her, yet
he was being kind? She felt he should have been angry with her, not pleased.

“Why do you always do that?” She queried and he raised a brow in questioning before he disappeared under the foamy and bubbly water. Fauna looked around for a moment wondering where he was when he suddenly popped up right before her.

He was so close to her; she could feel his body temperature. Even in the warm water, he still managed to feel cool.

“Always do what?”

“Go out of your way to be sentimental. You’re always calling me endearing names or dishing out compliments.” She toyed with her hair as she stared at him.

“I simply say what I feel.” Lyle shrugged as though it was nothing. “You should try it some time.” He swam around her and she tensed when she felt him behind her.

She was about to ask what he was up to when she felt his fingers in her hair as he helped her wash it. His touch was gentle as though he thought she
was delicate, but Fauna was completely stiff. She wasn’t used to anyone helping her bathe.

“Relax, you’re okay.” He leaned closer so he could whisper right in her ear. She felt his breath against her skin and a pleasurable shiver ran down her spine as she wondered how someone could be so innocent, yet so seductive.

“Does it bother you though?”

“Huh?” Was the only sound Fauna was capable of making as Lyle’s soft fingers massaged her scalp.

“Does it bother you that I’m always sentimental?”

“It doesn’t.” She forced herself to speak. “It just – you know, it makes me feel like I don’t deserve your love. It’s like you only feel this way because you don’t have a choice.”

“And what makes you think I don’t have a choice?” Lyle’s hands left her hair and wrapped around her waist beneath the water as he leaned his chin on her shoulder.

Fauna’s breathing became uneven and she was sure Lyle could hear it, but he said nothing about it. For that, she was grateful. She feared her heart would forget how to function if Lyle kept holding her the way he was.

She could feel him pressed against her back. His arms around her waist were loose, yet secure and he leaned his head slightly against her neck. It was causing a stampede in her stomach.

“Do you? I mean, we’re mates. Where’s the choice?” Her voice was breathy and Lyle let out a brief chuckle.

“You’re battling with your feelings right now. If we didn’t have a choice, you’d pick me over Saber in a heartbeat.” He sighed deeply. “The dragons pair people they believe are most compatible, but if you feel they made a mistake, you can easily walk away.”

“You say we have a bond. Wouldn’t that stop me from fully loving someone else?” Fauna rested her hands on Lyle’s.

“Dear Fauna,” Lyle breathed out. He swirled her around so she was now facing him. “You can severe the bond if you wish. All you need do is say the words. Say you don’t love me and you don’t want to be with me. Our bond will dissolve to naught and you can go be with whomever.”

Fauna’s heart was pounding in her chest. He had a choice after all. He wasn’t with her because he had to, he was with her because he wanted to.

“If I did that, how would you feel?” She asked and he shrugged as he smiled, though it wasn’t his happy smile.

“Heartbroken,” came his honest reply. “Worse than I’ve ever felt. I hear it feels like a thousand daggers going through one’s heart.”

Fauna frowned at his words. She didn’t want him to feel that way. He was the sweetest person ever and didn’t deserve it. “So, why are you telling me how to break you? Aren’t you scared that I could hurt you?”

“Scared? No. More like terrified. However, I don’t want you to feel like you have to be with me out of compulsion or vice versa. I’m with you because I choose to and I very much think you deserve it. Whether you do same is your choice.”

Fauna smiled at him. With everything happening around her, she was glad she could count on his complete honesty. She stared at her mate who just smiled at her as though he didn’t just give her the knowledge that could completely break him.

She could severe the bond if she wanted to. Did she want to though? Did she want to live without his warm and gentle touch? Saber was a brother to her. She loved him dearly and didn’t want to hurt him, but the decision had pretty much been made. She couldn’t see herself being romantic with Saber.

The very thought made her want to hurl. It was as absurd as being with Zara or Alegra or Hailey. They were her family. They were her whole world, but Lyle? It appeared he owned her heart.

Uncertainly, Fauna raised a palm and pressed it against his chest so she could feel his steady heartbeat. His heart rate picked up for a moment when she made contact with his skin, and it made her smile to know that she wasn’t the only one affected by physical contact.

His features seemed to contrast hers perfectly; her dark and lively skin against his pale, fair skin, her warm temperature against his cool one, her silver hair against his golden hair… It was like art. A perfect contrast.

“I like it when you hold me,” she finally spoke, breaking the silence and raising her eyes from his chest to his kind golden eyes which seemed to smile at her.

“Perfect, because I love holding you,” he answered before he closed the space between them and pressed his lips against hers in a soft, rhythmic
kiss.

Fauna smiled against his lips as her lids fluttered close and her hands found their way around his neck, deepening the kiss. Everything about him was like home. His scent, the feel of his skin, his tender caresses. She wanted to hold on to him. She wanted to hold on and never let go.

Their kiss came to a slow stop that caused Fauna to whine softly in objection. Lyle breathed out a chuckle as he leaned his forehead against hers. His eyes gently opened and Fauna noticed they looked darker and more intense, brimming with emotions that blanketed her with comfort.

“And I also love kissing you,” he told her and she giggled shyly.
She wanted to spend the remainder of the day there with him. She really did, but he needed to heal himself properly and she knew she had to train.

Her family were counting on her. She couldn’t let desire derail her from her quest.

Her lips parted and she was about to tell him they needed to go when she heard someone clear their throat. She jumped, startled by the sound, but
Lyle wasn’t fazed. He probably heard the person coming in. He turned them around so they were both facing the entrance where Saber stood, a
crease on his forehead.

Fauna wanted to pull away from Lyle, but he wasn’t letting go. He smiled at Saber while Fauna was drowning in embarrassment.

“Doka is expecting you at the clearing, Lyle. Fauna, I’m training you this morning before breakfast.”

~~~

Team Lyle or Team Saber? I wanna hear your thoughts.

Luv you furballs ❤