I woke up to sun streaming through the windows and the sound of seagulls. I shifted slightly then smiled as I felt Caspian cuddled up to my back. His warmth lulling me back to sleep, however being the first time we have woken up together I wanted to stay awake and savour this moment. I turned slowly in his arms trying not to move too much in case I woke him up. I loosely draped my arm over his muscular waist and looked up to a sleeping Caspian. His black hair was messed up and his chest rose and fell peacefully with his pale pink lips parted slightly. I couldn't resist pecking him softly wanting to see his incredible eyes. After nothing changed and I didn't have the heart to wake him up, I turned in his arms then went to get up to make breakfast. Before my feet touched the floor I was yanked back down onto Caspian's chest my face inches from his smirking one. 

"Caspian!" I giggled, "I thought you were asleep!"

"No mate, I am awake." He whispered as he connected our lips.

Caspian flipped us over and I opened my legs for him to fit comfortably between. I moaned into the kiss and he ran his hands up and down my sides sometimes letting them stray lower and squeezing my ass. This kiss stayed slow and sensual never straying to something else. He parted our lips slightly then leaned back and smiled.

"Hungry." 

"What for?" I teased raising a brow. I don't think Caspian quite understood the joke in what I had just said as he frowned and tilted his head to the side.

"Fish?"

"Come on then, I'll make us something to eat." I smiled as I pulled him up.

We walked into the kitchen and there sat Bennett at the table head in hands. I looked towards Caspian who went to take a step forward to Bennett, however I stopped him and whispered for him to go and see Leomaris.

"Hey Bennett, you okay?" I asked as I pulled out the chair next to him and rubbed my hand along his back. His shoulders shook slightly as he tried to hold back his crying. 

"Is it Leo?" I asked hesitantly. He didn't reply only shock his head.

"What's wrong hun?" 

Bennett raised his head and swept away his tears with his fingertips. He looked like he had been up half the night, dark circles under his red rimed green eyes and his dark brown wavy hair looked as if he had been running his hands through it constantly. 

"It's Eric," he whispered, "I just fee like I'm being so disloyal." 

That confession really made my heart sink. Bennett deserved to be happy and Eric would want that too. I knew there would be some difficulties with him and Leo; however I hoped Leomaris could help him through it as well. He deserved to put the heartbreak and depression behind him now; a fresh start with a new person, or merman. Yes Leomaris was a bit stubborn, over protective and possessive but he was also loving and caring from what I've seen. Bennett needs someone who will keep his focus on them and not the bad things going on and I think Leo will do that job just fine.

"Bennett, look at me and listen." I said pulling his hands away from his face and turning him so we're facing each other. 

"Eric wouldn't want you upset over him and wasting a perfect opportunity. We both know that you will always love him and that's okay because you can love someone else too. Your mate, like you're supposed too. When you touch don't you feel the tingles? I know you're attracted to him so don't say you're not; Leomaris can help you get past all that and move on with all the good things you two will experience together. Go and tell him what you're feeling and everything that has happened in the past. He deserves to know about his mate's past and mindset. He's not going to judge you Bennett, and if he does I'll kick him out for the warriors to find or whatever they said." I looked into his watery eyes that looked sad and empty.

"I'll tell him when I'm ready." He whispered. Great, that means not too soon with Bennett. 

"Okay, well I'm going to make some breakfast would you like some?" 

"Nah, I'm alright I'm going to sleep." Bennett said wearily as he stretched and walked off towards his room.

I started preparing breakfast as Caspian strolled in completely naked, his blue and gold eyes fixed on mine as he stalked towards me. I blushed and turned back to cooking bacon for myself and fish for the boys. 

"Mhmm mate," he hummed against my neck, "you are much beautiful." 

I blushed and smiled however I didn't correct him on how he had phrased his sentence I thought it added to the cuteness of him. 

"Aww thank you Caspian, you're beautiful too." I replied whilst resting my head on his shoulder behind. He tightened his grip around my waist and crossed his arms over my stomach pulling me back even further into him.

"Caspian," Leomaris' deep voice laced with sleep sounded from the kitchen doorway. 

"Why won't my mate let me comfort him, he wont let me touch him." He scowled. 

Well I might as well tell Leo if Bennett won't. He might be annoyed when he finds out but he'll get over it, plus Leo will be able to comfort him then. 

"Leo, there's something you should probably know."

——

"I'm sure it will be okay Caspian. You need the ocean and the bath isn't going to do much there's no room to swim in there." 

"I can't risk you." 

I rolled my eyes and huffed. "Caspian if they haven't traced either of your scents for a few days then I doubt they'll be expecting us all. Leomaris needs to get out too, he's so grumpy. We don't have to stay for long, I just want to swim with you again." I said whilst looking up at him through my lashes. 

I could tell Caspian really needed to swim and be back where he belonged most of all. I can understand his concern for us to get caught at any point but hopefully that won't happen.

"Fine, but I want you next to me when we get anywhere near the water." 

I squealed and launched myself into his arms as he fell backwards onto the bed. 

"Of course of course of course!" I said quickly, showering his neck with kisses.

Caspian pulled me back slightly and kissed me then rested his forehead on mine. 

"The Zambezis aren't getting my mate." He stated before rolling us over so I was on top of him.

"Good because I don't like the sound of having to defend myself against a new species."

"I will always find you Jojo." He said whilst running his hand up and down my back.

"I'm sure you will, come on, lets get Bennett and Leomaris and go!" 

——

"Umm guys, are you sure this will be okay?" Bennett asked watching the waves roll over his feet.

"No" both Caspian and Leomaris said in union.

"Oh come on guys it will be fine, I know you two want to swim too." I started walking further into the waves however Caspian grabbed me around the waist stopping me.

"No Jonah. You wait next to Bennett and Leo and I will look round the area first. Then, if it's safe we will come back for you two." He explained whilst leading me back to the warm sand.

"Fine, be careful you two." I looked up into Caspian's bright sky blue eyes, the gold even more pronounced for some reason. The sun illuminated his skin creating shadows in all the right places making his muscles looked even more defined.

"I can't wait to swim with you again my love." He said then softly kissed my cheek, leaned back and smiled.

"Don't take too long." I told him shyly, suddenly feeling like this was one of the first times we had met. 

"Brother, come on we don't want our scent to travel too far out and that will happen if you two just stand there all day." Leomaris called impatiently from Bennett's side.

Caspian ignored him and cuddled me into his chest.

"We will just trail the area and will be back. Promise me you won't get in the sea?" 

"Promise! Now go." I laughed at his protectiveness. I probably could defend myself on land but I doubt I would stand a chance in the water. Caspian let me go and walked into the water with Leo. As soon as they were deep enough they both ducked under and filliped their tails out of the waves, like a whale. Bennett and I both gazed at them smiling. 

"Shall we sit up on the rock? They told us not to go in the water." I said to Bennett. We led down on our fronts looking out to the waves at the end of the rock.

"Um, Leo told me you told him about Eric. Thanks for that I don't think I could." Bennett sighed.

"Sorry for not asking you first, I know how hard it must be for you but I really think Leomaris can help you to move on." I explained.

"And I honestly am starting to believe that. I just don't want things to move too fast. I didn't want any of it at first, I always thought I would hold on to Eric and didn't let myself think into the future and if I would be with anyone else. I only wanted him." Bennett said whilst tracing patterns on the rock.

"I understand but everyone moves on from things in the end. They don't forget but realise to carry on and I think it's time for that." I told him honestly.

"Me too," He breathed out like it was a weight off his chest "I think Leo is the one I want to help me let go." He nodded looking at me. A sense of happiness and relief washed across Bennett's face as he relaxed in the warmth of the sun. I'm so proud of how far he had come and I think Leomaris can win Bennett over. Who couldn't resist that stubborn, short tempered, moody merman? Me. But I'm sure Bennett can't.

We sunbathed on top of the rock for a while until the boys came back and shouted for us to swim over. Bennett and I both exchanged excited looks are we waded out into the cold water. 

"Everything okay?" I asked Caspian as we approached the brothers.

"Yes mate." Caspian practically purred as he pulled me on top of him and floated on his back in the water. I let the warmth radiating off his body warm my slightly numb one. I turned my head to see how Bennett was getting on and saw Leomaris licking at Bennett who held an amused but slightly turned on face. I tried to stop myself but I giggled earning the attention of everyone. Oops. 

"So..uhh shall we go somewhere?" I asked rather awkwardly.

"Anywhere you like Jojo." Caspian whispered and licked my neck making me blush. I heard Leo chuckle to the side of us and Bennett quieted him.

"Well you guys live in the sea, what do you do for fun?" I asked.

"When we were looking around this area we spotted a basking shark, we could go and see if it's still there?" Leomaris offered.

"YES!" I shouted enthusiastically. What? I love sharks!

"I could think of better things." Caspian mumbled. Probably seeing a shark in their world was like a cat in ours. Well he would just have to deal with it and maybe we'll get a cat for the house. Maybe, I doubt Leo would take to the idea.

We swam a little ways out Caspian's arm securely round my waist pulling me through the water. I loved this, it felt like you were flying we went so fast! 

Soon a huge silhouette of a shark came into view. Excitement and anticipation filled me waiting to see this graceful creature. Caspian took me to the surface again to breath before sinking back down and swimming towards where we saw the silhouette of the shark. Leomaris was holding Bennett at the surface and he was more nervous about the shark so hung back a little. 

After a minute of waiting the huge shark passed in front of us. I watched as its gills moved in the waves and the sun shone from above creating lines of light in the water. I clung to Caspian who was keeping us afloat whilst I started in amazement as the creature dipped below into the darkness.

"That was amazing! I've never seen one so close" I gushed as soon as we surfaced. 

"Bennett did you see it?" I asked excitedly.

"Yeah it was really big but I'm freezing now so can we go back to shore?" 

"Of course mate, you should have said sooner." Leo told Bennett whilst nuzzling his neck.

With my arms around Caspian's neck and my legs wrapped around his waist just above his tail, we swam back towards shore. The cold water rushed past us until Caspian stopped dead still. We surfaced and Caspian frantically looked around grabbing my waist and clutching me against his chest.

"Caspian what's wrong?" I asked worriedly. I brought my palm up to his cheek and turned his head to face me. 

"They're here Jonah."

"Brother! What shall we do?" Leomaris shouted as he swam fast towards us. I caught eyes with Bennett who held the same expression as me. I wanted to get away if they posed a threat to us; however I just wanted to see what they looked like. 

"Get as close to the shore as we can." Caspian shouted over the churning of water as the waves picked up. My heart beat increased and I scanned the water behind us looking out for them. Please let us make it back to the beach. 

Deep rumbles and screeches sounded from below and bubbles rose upwards. 

The brothers surfaced holding Bennett and me protectively against them. 

"We won't make it." I whispered as a circle of bubbles formed around us. The waves smashed against us as we bobbed on the surface. I looked up at Caspian expecting he would know what to do however his eyes had changed to a metallic silver colour and Leomaris' had done the same. Both their eyes were fixed on a certain point in the water up ahead. I looked towards the spot waiting for something to happen. More bubbles fizzed on the waves but this time four faces rose from beneath. My breathing hitched as I started at them. They had completely black emotionless shark eyes, gills on the side of their necks and rows of sharp teeth gleamed as they stared right back. They all had dark tanned skin and silver hair that was scrapped back. They all wore black metal chest plates with a weird symbol engraved on it. Their hissing snapped me back to reality as one tilted his head side ways and grinned at me showing his horrible teeth. 

"Princes," one chuckled darkly "you have delicious looking mates, how I can't wait to sink me teeth into them."

"You will do no such thing; you even try anything like that I will destroy your whole pod and rip apart your mate as you watch." Caspian retorted is voice taken a deeper tone. The one who had just spoken didn't even flinch at the threat only smirked.

"You know what we want. Is the crystal more important than your mate's lives?" Another one said. 

"If you think your pods stand a chance against our kingdom you are wrong. Leave Zambezis, you are outsiders for a reason and do not have the strength to fight us." Leomaris said calmly his eyes shinning silver. 

"No prince we want the crystal but your mates will do for the moment." One hissed and they all starting coming closer slowly. 

"Run home don't look back Jojo." Caspian whispered.

"W-what?" I asked as my voice cracked. 

He kissed me quickly before letting me go and pushing is arms out in front of him. The wind pushed my hair back and made my eyes water as a huge wave caught me and pushed me fast back towards the shore.

"Caspian!" I shouted as my eyes filled with tears and rolled down my cheeks.

"No no no this can't be happening." I mumbled to myself. I couldn't see any of them anymore and I hated not knowing what was happening, knowing I couldn't do anything to help.

"Jonah!!" Bennett's panicked voice rang through my ears. I turned my head to the side to see Bennett being pushed along by the same wave the brothers must be creating for us. 

I didn't reply only let the tears fall as Bennett reached out for me. 

"It's okay they'll be okay I know it." Bennett sniffed. 

My feet scrapped the small stones and sand indicating we had made it to the shore. I rubbed my eyes trying to clear the tears that blurred my vision. I ran up the rock ignoring when I fell and cut my leg and Bennett calling my name. 

"I can't see them!" I cried.

"Shh Jonah, they will be underwater not above it."  

I turned away from the rough ocean and cried into Bennett's neck for Caspian.

"Did the princes really think they could save you?" 

I gasped and we span around to face the voice. There at the beginning of the rock were two of the warriors. They weren't in the group who surrounded us but I knew they were in relation to them. They had the same tan skin and silver hair however these two had dark green tribal markings running up their bodies. They must have seen us way before we saw them and made a plan knowing the brothers would send us back here.

"We're not going with you." Bennett's voice rang through the wind.

"Yes you are." One of them hissed. 

"Now be good boys and don't put up a fight, it will only make things worse." The other growled.

Adrenaline flowed through my veins making me shake in anticipation to run. They approached us slowly slightly hunched over that scared me to no end. Bennett's hand shifted down my arm and grabbed my own holding on tightly. Suddenly both warriors made a sudden move fast towards us. That sparked Bennett into action as he yanked me over the edge of the rock and I fell onto the wet sand. I tried to push myself up but a heavy weight landed on top of me and its claws scratched my arms as it tried to grab me. I flipped over onto my back to see one of them right in my face teeth bared and all. I screamed and used all of the power in my legs to push it off. It didn't move far only to come back down and go to pull me up. I thought they had us until a loud thud sounded and the warrior dropped to the ground unconscious. Behind stood Bennett with a piece of drift wood in his hands breathing heavily.

With a deep sigh of relief I jumped into Bennett's arms and thanked him over and over again. 

"It's okay Jonah stay calm, we need to get back to the house there might be more of them on the way or they might wake up." He said nodding to the unconscious warriors.

"What about Caspian and Leo?" I said worriedly feeling my eyes fill with tears. 

"They'll be okay I hope. Lets wait at the house come on." He said pulling me over the wet sand. I stole one last glance out to sea and prayed for them to make it back safely before we left the beach and ran home.

———

Another chapter up!

As always thanks for all the reads, votes and comments. (I love reading them:))

-Alice