Instead of trying to explain, I run as fast as I can away from her. I jump into the ocean, trying to wash away the stain that spreads across my soul.

I tried to tell Zhuliya—I’m nothing but a heartless, mindless monster, made worse by the blinding need to protect her.

Just last night, I was contemplating murdering one of my gods. Now, I downed an animal out of fear for my mate.

Of course, this is the Ithaquan way, but Zhuliya isn’t an Ithaqua. She’s a human, and by those standards, I’m nothing but a monster.

It doesn’t matter if I want this bond like I need air to breathe, keeping Zhuliya tethered to me is wrong.

She deserves a normal human man who isn’t twice her size and a fucking obsessive brute, but just the thought of another male touching her enrages me.

Even with my imprint removed, I fear the piece of my soul latched inside of Zhuliya will never come back to me.

I was hers before I even inked her back, and nothing will ever change that.

Growling, I capture some fish for breakfast and swim around the island, wondering how to approach my mate.

A streak of light blue with orange splotches catches my eye, and I realize Dairfyn is waving to me from a beach on the opposite side of where Zhuliya and I slept.

Sluicing through the water, I stomp back into shore and shake the other monster’s hand, glad that I’m no longer covered in blood.

“Things not going well?”

“They could be better. Did you find Zhuliya’s roommate?”

Dairfyn gives me a toothy grin. “Indeed. A lovely creature, your mate’s friend. A bit too serious, but nothing I can’t fix.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m not certain your parents will approve of you mating with a human.”

They shrug. “If I bring good relations to the Dagons, I’m not sure they will care. Prestige and honor are more important to us than a person’s blood.”

My stomach rolls at the use of the word, and all I can see is Zhuliya’s terrified face. “And what if this female just thinks you’re a monster?”

The Dagon gives me a strange look. “I’m not sure how to answer that, my friend. If someone—anyone—judges me solely for the fact that I’m a monster, that’s on them. I’m not going to go out of my way to change their perceived connotation of the word.”

“Not even for your mate?”

“Listen, I admit humans can be skittish, but they don’t all just label us as heinous creatures. They understand that, like them, some of us are good and some of us are bad.

You’re always going to find someone, no matter their species, who has a problem with you for one reason or another.

To that, I say ‘who cares’. The people who really care for you will see beyond your monstrous appearance to the heart of gold that you hide inside. I know Zhuliya does.”

“How do you know this?”

“Because she looks at you like you’ve hung the moon and stars…you know, the way you stare at her?”

“Yeah, but I told you, this whole this was an accident—”

“Bullshit. You’ve spent too much time in the human world. You know better than to question fate.

That’s how you get cursed by the gods. Quite frankly, I’m impressed you even have the balls to approach your goddess with your request.”

“We met her—Aisyth—she’s going to grant Zhuliya’s wish as long as we can procure a couple things.”

“Is it really Zhuliya’s wish?”

I scoff. “Of course it is! She doesn’t want to be mated to a stranger that imprinted on her!”

“Because she said those words exactly?”

“No, but it’s pretty obvious!”

“Ilian, nothing’s ever obvious, even when someone says something. People are complex creatures who think things will work out if they don’t communicate properly—despite evidence showing the contrary every time.

If you want real answers, then you need to ask her the real questions that count. I get that you’re scared, but girls like Zhuliya are once in a lifetime.

And you, my friend, are her once-in-a-lifetime monster. No one else can make her smile like you do, I guarantee it.”

“So you think I should go to her and lay my heart out while pouring everything I feel into the open?”

“It can’t hurt.” They raise a hand before I can argue. “I get that you’re scared of her rejection, but at least if you’re honest and talk openly, then you’ll have an answer.

If you don’t ask, you’ll spend the rest of your lonely, miserable years wondering how Zhuliya really felt.”

“You’re right—”

“I know.”

“—I need to speak plainly. Thank you, Dairfyn.”

They bow. “At your service. Is there anything else I can help with? I’m giving Sakura—Zhuliya’s friend—a bit of space until I decide to badger her again.”

“Yes, that sounds like a delightful courting tactic. Why did I even ask you for your advice?”

Dairfyn waves a hand. “Because sometimes you need an outside view to see what’s right before your nose. Also, I wanted to tell you some potentially good news.

The Japanese Prime Minister alerted the Russian President about the Kueeng’s interest in creating a trading treaty.

But because of Russia’s rather hostile take on monsters, the Kueeng has decreed they won’t work alongside the President until there’s civil equality for all.”

I frown. The current political system in my country isn’t really geared toward the fairness of others, even including humans who are of different ethnicities.

But I can dare to hope—not for myself, but for the other monsters and humans who find love together.

“Thank you for telling me. I’m curious to see if this sways the President or not. Either way, it sounds like Japan is willing to be a partner.”

“Indeed. Now, go find your mate and talk to her. I mean it, Ilian, you’re going to regret letting her slip through your fingers.”