Blue Tang watched their interactions and was happy that he had such a loving mate. She loved her male cub just as much as most loved their females. He wished his mother cared half as much as Amber does for her cub.
He was hopeful that Amber would love their child just as much. Even though the mate mark on her ankle proved that she did not care for him as much as her other mates, at least it was not on her foot.
Feelings could grow over time. He would continue to treat her well and give her things to help her love for him grow. The most important thing to him was the survival of his Mermen tribe.
He hoped the previous leader would come back with their former mermaid and he could leave with Amber and her mates. For now, he had to keep her here even if it was against her will.
He had to make sure she was safe. Her mates and beast guardians had already proven they were not reliable which was why he was able to take her from them.
Amber was unaware of Blue Tang's thoughts and just enjoyed being with her cub, mates, and guardians. They had become her family in this world. She would enjoy all the time she could with them.
She knew she would go back to the underwater cave at night. She wanted to soak in the sun and breathe in the fresh air as much as she could. Nick had prepared some roasted birds for her to enjoy.
It was the best way to vent his frustration at the two bird beast men. He glared at them the entire time he was killing and preparing the birds as if saying this should be you.
They both gulped and understood the silent threat in Nick's eyes. Amber was blissfully unaware and just enjoyed the roasted bird. She couldn't eat a whole bird, let alone two. She shared the rest with them.
Nick wanted her to keep the rest for later. She reluctantly agreed to keep some and turn it into soup for later. She didn't know how she would cook in the underwater cave. It didn't have any ventilation and she didn't want to use up the oxygen on a fire.
She wasn't aware that Blue Tang and the other mermen could just change out the oxygen when needed. They would not let her suffocate or drown underwater. She was the hope for their future survival.
She was now the Mermaid Queen and would be cherished. Once she gave birth to a female for the mermaid tribe, she could leave if she wanted to, but they would still prefer her to stay.
Blue Tang saw how much Amber loved her cub and was sure she would not just abandon her daughter. She would want to stay with her. He was happy with this thought.
They played on the beach all day. Amber taught them how to make sand castles and buried Fred in the sand. Barry wanted to be buried as well. She tried, but he was too big. She turned him into a sandman instead.
Blue Tang just stood by the edge of the water and watched in silence like a bodyguard. He was just keeping an eye on the flying beast men to make sure they would not try to steal Amber away.
It would be hard to catch them, but now that he was bonded with Amber he could track her throughout the beast world. He would not stop until he found her.
At nightfall, Blue Tang blew another bubble to take Amber back to the underwater cave. She hugged each of her mates and waved at the guardians. Eli didn't want to let go, but Oliver held him back.
He whispered, "Beast men don't cry for their mothers unless she dies. She is still alive and will be back soon. Don't be sad." Even though he said this to Eli, it was really to comfort himself more.
Nick heard it and toughened his heart. He could not make a fool of himself in front of this new beast king. He had to show he was strong as well. They were both her mates, but Nick was her most beloved mate.
He was still the head husband of the family. He might be at a disadvantage now, but once they went back to the Castle he would be the one back in charge, after Amber of course.
Blue Tang nodded at them and pushed Amber and the bubble back to the underwater cave. She could see the glowing coral shining by the entrance of the cave.
It was deep underwater and the deeper they went the colder it was. Amber didn't notice it last night because she was busy with other things. Tonight she shivered and hugged her shoulders to warm up.
Blue Tang noticed this. Once they got back into the cave he transformed into his 2-legged form. He told his next in line three-striped Mermen to stand guard outside of the cave.
He went up to Amber and wrapped his arms around her to help warm her up. Amber stiffened and thought Blue Tang was making a move on her again. Two nights in a row was too much for her to handle.
She was still a little sore down there from last night. Blue Tang noticed her tense up and guessed what she was thinking. "Relax, I am only trying to warm you up. We can't keep a fire burning all night, so I will hug you to sleep."
Amber nodded and relaxed. She leaned into Blue Tang. He was not as warm as the other beast men, but in his 2-legged form, he was still warm. He ordered the other mermen to bring in more cloth and furs. They also brought a salve made from seaweed to help with her soreness.
Amber was shy when Blue Tang tried to apply it for her. She asked, "Can you turn around and I will apply it myself?" Blue Tang was a little disappointed, but he nodded and turned around.
He wanted to take care of his mate the way he saw her mates take care of her today. He could wait until she warmed up to him. For now, she treated him distantly, but he hoped it would change in the future.
They fell asleep with the soft glow of the coral. She warmed up with the extra fur and cloth. Blue Tang still held her to sleep. She faced away from him and he hugged her from behind.
Earlier when he saw her bring back the seashell he had given her a strand of his long blue hair and used it to make a necklace with the seashell. He liked the look of his hair on her body. She was beautiful.
He vowed in his heart to give her all the beautiful treasures of the sea. He would gift her a pearl necklace, bracelet, anklet, and anything else she wanted.
They fell asleep quickly and Amber had a dream she was back on her water bed with her sister. She felt the familiar shifting of the bed underneath her and for a moment she forgot where she was.
The next morning Amber woke up in her warm waterbed when her sister got out of bed to turn off the CD alarm clock. She felt the water shift and she rolled on top of the bed to the side.
She thought, what a weird dream. She didn't think any of it was real since she was back home. She looked at Jasmine and told her, "I had the craziest dream last night." Jasmine asked, "What was it about?" Amber replied, "I was in an underwater cave with a merman."
Jasmine just laughed but she noticed that Amber was wearing a silk sarong and had animal tattoos on her chest and shoulder. She also had a seashell necklace. Amber noticed Jasmine's confused expression and looked down.
She realized how she was dressed and realized it was not all a dream. She was shocked for a moment and remembered the last time she disappeared from the beast world. Nick was distraught and said she was gone for an entire year.
She thought about Nick and tried to call him to her. She could not feel the bond connection with him. Maybe it didn't travel across the worlds. She could only wait for tonight to see them again.
Jasmine gasped in surprise when they both realized it wasn't just a dream. "What are we going to do?" They both exclaimed at the same time. Amber looked at her sister and asked, "Can you help me keep this a secret?"
Jasmine thought about it and nodded. She had some money from her new investments so she would help her sister however she could. "Whatever you need just ask. My money is your money as well. If you need me to tell Mom that you want to go to a private boarding school, I will pay for it."