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He spread his hands. “I have no preference. What would you like to do?”

“Well, actually there is something.” Neridia splashed out of the sea, the waves chasing her up the beach as though entreating her to stay. “I didn’t tell you this before, but my mom came from around here. She used to live in Brighton before she met my dad.”

He lifted his eyebrows, another minor mystery becoming clear. “That would explain why this was the last place the Emperor was seen before he went missing.”

“Yes, they only moved to Scotland after they married. My mom always said that she’d had enough of the ocean, but now I think they must have been trying to get as far away as possible in case anyone came searching for my dad.” Neridia let out an amused huff of breath. “And Loch Ness is the last place anyone would genuinely expect to find a real sea dragon. Anyway, if you don’t have other plans, I’d really like to go see where my mom used to work.”

“Of course, if you wish.” Personally, John would much rather have stayed by the ocean, but if traipsing round some human building would make his mate happy…

Neridia looked rather slyly at him, as though she’d sensed his lack of enthusiasm. “Oh, I think you’ll find it interesting too.”

Chapter 19

Neridia had a moment of doubt as they approached the aquarium, worrying that perhaps John might not approve of keeping fish in captivity. But her fears turned out to be groundless. John’s stern face broke into a rare, breathtaking grin the instant he saw the sign over the entrance to the Sea Life Centre.

“Your mother worked here?” he said, laughter rolling under his words. “She was a scholar of the sea?”

“A marine biologist, yes,” she said, relieved by his reaction. “She spent most of her career working on research ships.” She paused as something occurred to her for the first time. “You know, my dad always said that they first met at sea. I always thought he just meant that he’d been crew on one of the research vessels, but now I wonder…”

John’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “I suspect she found herself studying more than she had expected. I would very much like to know how their first meeting went.”

Neridia shook her head wryly. “I bet she didn’t run screaming from her mate in terror. Anyway, in between research tours she worked here as a marine conservationist. After she and my dad moved to Scotland, she changed focus to studying freshwater species.”

John looked sidelong at her as they lined up for tickets, his expression turning thoughtful. “Was that why you too became a defender of the wild?”

Neridia rather liked his term for her job. “Yes. Even when I was tiny, she used to take me out on hikes around Loch Ness, teaching me the names of all the species. She was so proud when I went into the same line of work. Right up until she died, we worked together in local Highland conservation initiatives.”

John abruptly looked grim. “Forgive me for dredging up old pains, but my duty means I must ask…was her passing suspicious in any way?”

“No, it wasn’t like my dad. She passed away a few months before he did. She had a congenital heart condition. There was always the possibility that it could fail her, and, well, eventually it did.” Neridia was silent for a moment, her throat tightening. “She always said that she had to make sure she packed in as much as possible into every day, because she never knew if it might be her last.”

“A noble philosophy,” John rumbled. “It sounds like your mother was a woman of great honor.”

“Well, she would have to be, right?” Neridia forced a lighter tone. “I mean, she was the Emperor’s mate.”

He inclined his head, smiling a little. “There is that. I am pleased that they were well-matched indeed. And that they were able to find happiness together.”

“Oh, you never saw two people so in love.” Neridia sighed wistfully. “I wanted to be just like her, in every way. I even wanted to be a marine biologist too, originally.”

“I imagine that the Emperor was somewhat alarmed when you first proposed that. I take it he managed to dissuade you?”

“Yes, my parents talked me out of it. Now, of course, I know why. But even though I ended up studying Highland ecology, I still love sea creatures.”

“I am very glad to hear it,” John said with utter solemnity.

She was starting to recognize the sly, subtle sense of humor hidden deep under his stern armor. The unexpected flash of it now lifted her spirits for real. She wished he would relax enough to joke more often.

Brighton Sea Life Centre was built underground, hidden beneath the streets and buildings. As they stepped inside, Neridia’s initial impression was that it looked more like a cathedral than an aquarium. Subdued, shifting green and blue lights cast an eerie glow over the vaulted ceiling. Tanks and displays were tucked into dim alcoves like shrines. Wide-eyed kids drifted around, staring in hushed amazement at the jewel-like alien worlds revealed behind the glass portals.

“Oh, wow,” she breathed, delighted by the unexpectedness of the architecture. “I had no idea it would be like this. No wonder my mom loved working here.”

With the artfully designed exhibits occupying people’s attention, for once neither she nor John were attracting too many stares. She glanced at him, and noticed that he was scanning the room, alert as ever for any threat to her safety. After a second, his shoulders relaxed.

“Come,” he said, touching her elbow. “Let me show you my favorite display here.”

“You’ve been here before, then?” she asked as they started across the hall.

“Several times, with Griff and his son Danny. It delights me to be able to share something of my home with them, even if it can only be a poor imitation of the sea’s true wonders.”


Tags: Zoe Chant Fire & Rescue Shifters Fantasy