A Bone in His Teeth

by Kellen Graves

The pale siren spent more time hunched on the balls of his feet mumbling and scouring the mud with his claws than he did upright. Intent on proving a point, on proving himself a fine mate that could provide treasures to his chosen person. Alba had never heard the man repeat his name so many times in only a few hours, endlessly seeking his attention with every additional discovery. Alba. Alba, here. Alba, look. Alba. Alba. What do you think? Always followed by an extended hand dribbling a few pearls, pretty shells, even sometimes what looked like lost merrow jewelry.

Eridanys watched the crab scuttle back and forth, clacking its claws together at both of them in threat. “Alright,” he muttered. “I’ll ask you for things more often as well. Even though there’s nothing I think you could do for me that I couldn’t do for myself.” “God. Close enough, I guess,” Alba said, but laughed as he did. “How about you do somethin’ about that crab for me? I don’t like his attitude—OH!” He practically screamed as Eridanys swiped the creature into his mouth in an instant, crunching down on it like a piece of rock candy. Alba grabbed his face in shock, before buckling over with laughter and having to hold on to Eridanys’ shoulder for support. Eridanys surprised him by chuckling, too—then laughing with him, a bright, musical, wholesome sound far more beautiful than any song Alba had ever heard.