“Victoria brought her to me first. It was a clear sign of approval,” Michael bit out.
Joshua shook his head in denial. “From what Anthony told me, Victoria had an appointment with you already, and she made sure to go and visit all the rest of the family immediately afterward. That’s beside the point. It’s not Victoria’s decision. The Keeper chooses, and since Victoria passed on the medallion, Alexia is the new matriarch.”
Joshua softened his voice as he tried to let go of the anger and frustration that had haunted him for so long. Tried to let the sincerity of his desires come through in his message. “In some ways you seem the most logical choice to partner with Alexia right now. You’re very successful in your human business, and you’re one of the strongest merfolk in our pod. You would be able to help her make the first transformation better than any one of us.
“But she’s the leader. She needs to be supported. And I’m a far better candidate for that than you are. I have no fancy career to be hurt by the time it’ll take me to help her in her duties. I have no long list of outside contacts who will wonder where I’ve gone if I disappear for extended periods of time. I’ve been alone for so long—set apart from the rest of the family—but it’s prepared me to put my own desires aside and simply be there for her. ” He urged Michael to understand, to feel the need that had driven him to wait all these years.
Michael stared at him unblinking for the longest time before nodding, briefly. “You’re right. It’s her choice in the end and I will honor that decision. But I remind you of the same thing. If she turns you down then I expect you to leave. There are others who could support her as well as you.”
Joshua motioned toward the beach and they resumed their walk. The warmth of the night air surrounded them, stars sparkling overhead. The few lights of the business area faded behind them as they approached the two already on the beach. Joshua tried not to think about all the things still needing to be dealt with. He ached for Alexia, but even the tension and ritual of this part of the joining met a need deep within him. She would be the one to let him truly be himself. Let his desire to serve her and care for her finally be met.
The men slowed their pace as Anthony looked up, cautioning them by his expression.
“Alexia?” Joshua asked quietly. “Are you okay?”
She lifted her chin and took a deep breath before answering. “I don’t believe I did that.” She shook her head and shrugged in confusion. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what you think of me right now.”
Uncharacteristically, Michael chuckled, and it was enough to make Alexia lift her head to flick her gaze between the two of them. “I’m thinking you are about the hottest thing I’ve ever held in my arms, and I’m trying to decide what I need to say to convince you to go back where you were.”
Crimson spread over her face, visible in the moonlight. “You’re not disgusted with me?” She cursed softly. “I’m disgusted with me.”
Michael joined Anthony to sit on the sand facing out to sea. They watched the waves rise and fall gently, so different from the storm that had whipped out of nowhere the previous night. Anthony spoke for them all. “None of us are disgusted with you. There’s more to the story than you know and once we explain a bit, I don’t think you’ll feel so embarrassed. We need to tell you about Jaffrey’s Cove. About your grandmother.”
Joshua took a seat at the foot of the recliner where he could easily see the three of them. He was within arm’s reach of Alexia, and he wanted to touch and reassure her she’d done nothing wrong. She stared at Anthony and seemed to have calmed, the tension in her body easing.
She sucked in a quick breath. Joshua followed her line of vision and spotted them. The rest of the single men of the pod had left the dance floor, shifted and were playing in the waves not far offshore.
“The dolphins. There are so many of them tonight.” Alexia spoke in a whisper, the sound of a zephyr across the water. “They’re beautiful.”
Joshua smiled. “They are.”
He raised his gaze to hers and she shook her head in confusion. “Why do I feel like I know you so well? I haven’t seen you in years.”
He hesitated.
Anthony broke in. “Alexia, we need to tell you something pretty unbelievable. Have you noticed anything different about your grandmother over the years?”
Alexia wiped at her eyes then gave a wry smile. “You mean other than she’s a conniving old lady? She has the whole town eating out of her hand. I knew she was bossy but never noticed before today just how much. Plus she’s talking about giving up her home, and I don’t see why she needs to do that since she’s still mobile and strong. A little forgetful at times, but definitely lucid enough to be alone.”
Anthony nodded slowly. “Victoria is well respected and loved by all the town folk, but not because she’s a nice old lady. Victoria has been our leader for many, many years and—”
“Your leader? What kind of leader? She’s not into politics or anything I know about.”
Anthony took a big breath. “Oh boy. This is tougher than I thought it would be.” He rubbed his chin for moment before he caught sight of the dolphins at play.
“A demonstration?” Joshua suggested. It would be the easiest way to explain.
Anthony nodded and the three men exchanged glances.
“Umm, guys? What does this have to do with how I behaved tonight?” Alexia rose to her feet. “I think I’ll just go home—”
“Wait. There’s something you need to see.” Anthony took her by the elbow and led her to the shoreline. He gave a long piercing whistle, and Alexia visibly shivered. Joshua stepped behind her, slipped his arm around her waist soothingly, calming her when she tensed.
“It’s okay, Alexia. Do you see the dolphins? In the surf?” he asked.
She nodded. Joshua lowered his chin to her shoulder, breathing in her sweet scent as her breath quickened. The dolphins approached, leaping over the waves until they were in chest-deep water. A couple of them chattered at the gathering on the shore, their placid smiles showing as they turned their heads to the side to watch with bright eyes.
“Raise your arms in the air, Alexia. Tell them you want to see them.”
She turned her head to the side and her lips brushed his cheek before she pulled back slightly. “Tell them what?”
Joshua lifted his hand to caress her neck, delighted as she relaxed back into him so naturally. She might be mentally overwhelmed by her behavior, but her body knew him. Knew what she needed.
“Tell them to change.”
She snorted softly. “Maybe I’m not the one who’s acting crazy.”
“Trust me.”
Alexia elevated her arms into the air and the dolphins stilled, rising and falling in the swells of the water. “Okay, dolphins, change!” she shouted. She giggled for a second then the sound froze on her lips. Joshua tightened his hold on her as the increase of tension spread throughout her. She sucked in air, her pulse racing wildly.
“It’s impossible.” She whipped around to stare at Michael and Anthony who shrugged and gestured back at the ocean.
“If it was impossible you wouldn’t have seen it,” Anthony pointed out. “Improbable is a better word.”
“Thank you, Mr. English teacher,” Michael groaned. “You want to tell the rest of the story now?”
“Wait,” Alexia cried, her finger pointing to the sea where a dozen hard male bodies all stood in the chest-deep water. “How did they get there?” She leaned forward slightly and squinted. “Holy cow, is that Braden? And Jake?”
“And the rest of the guys from the dance floor. Yes, it’s them, and you saw how they got there,” Anthony said. “You saw them change from their dolphin forms.”