Tidal Whispers by Jocelyn Adams, Kelly Said, Claire Gillian, Julie Reece Page A

body react so strongly to her at first sight? A human! Harmon considered the legend of the pearl. Could it be? Could it be possible? My match in this life is not even a Mer. How would it work? It doesn’t matter, a little part of him whispered. Your belief in love will make it happen.
    A familiar shadow on the seafloor jolted Harmon out of his reverie, a flame of anger igniting in his gut. Harmon released one ping and outlined his brother, Creeb.
    Creeb glanced up from his half-eaten lobster, a quick smile of recognition twisted to alarm. Harmon’s lip curled at the way his brother’s body braced for impact.
    He’s taken mother’s family heirloom, and now he’s taken Miki’s meal? Harmon thought.
    Outraged, he swam full force and tackled his brother. He drove Creeb into the soft silt and pinned him down. Hands around his throat, he coaxed the last chewed bit of lobster meat from Creeb’s mouth.
    Creeb choked, spat, and raised the ruined half of crustacean. He smiled when Harmon’s grip eased a bit.
    “You only had to ask if you wanted some,” he said.
    Harmon recognized his brother’s carefree attempt to quiet the turbulent waters. He released Creeb, smirking as his gills riffled, shooting sand puffs out of either side of his throat.
    “What are you doing here?” Harmon kept Creeb within snatching distance.
    “After you took the answer you needed from me, you fled so fast you didn’t give me a chance to continue. That’s you, the soldier. Quick to attack, judge and defend. Slow to accept explanations or love.” Creeb massaged his throat. He pointed to the fading sting marks on Harmon’s arm. “You’ve scuffled with someone.”
    Harmon flexed and winced slightly at the pain. “Prosb’o is going to need two new guards.” He grinned at the astonishment in his younger brother’s face. “After you gave me his name, I wasn’t in the mood to listen to your excuses or stories of potential gambling glory.” Harmon’s voice quieted. “How could you, brother? How could you treat what’s been ours for generations so carelessly?”
    “It’s a gem, Harmon. You were away at war. We were low on funds. Mother put too much weight in the legends of our grandparents and theirs before them.” Creeb sighed and shrugged. “It’s a valuable gem that I knew would bring me great luck, and having it as my collateral ensured my success. I was returning with my winnings to buy it back,” Creeb said. “I was trying to take care of our family while you were away. Things were tough in your absence. I was doing what I knew best. You’ve never had any faith in me, brother.”
    “You’ve never given me reason to,” Harmon murmured.
    Creeb wrapped his hand around Harmon’s forearm and waited. When Harmon’s webbed fingers clasped Creeb’s, he said, “You never gave me the chance to express my gratitude, that you made it home safe, brother. And I’m sorry I offered your medal as partial collateral.” Creeb grinned sheepishly, releasing his brother and pulling Harmon’s Honor and Bravery decoration from his winning’s pouch.
    “You returned to Prosb’o’s?” Harmon checked the front and back of his award before handing it back to Creeb.
    “I did. I went to the trench, but his Mers said you charged in, caused a scene and fled. Now Prosb’o himself is hunting for you. He has a special favoring for pearls. One might say they are his weakness, if a Mer such as Prosb’o suffers from vulnerability. So, brother. Where is it? Where is the Pearl of Pau’maa?”
    Harmon paused, thinking of Miki. “What did you mean? When you said I was slow to love?”
    Creeb’s head tilted with curiosity.
    “Harmon,” he started, “yours is a mind of strategy, and you cannot accept any female who does not hold the same high values as a soldier. The honor and integrity you embody, the need to always do right no matter the cost. Love is that, but it is also about being impulsive. When have you ever pursued anything without having