Away in a Tentacle Lair

20. Kai

Chapter twenty

Kai

T oday has been great. Dinner went well, and Leo conversed with everyone. It all felt very natural and almost surreal. He was truly welcomed as part of the family.

Now we are sitting in the living room, drinking hot chocolate and chattering as the sun begins to set.

I'm getting nervous. Either we'll tell Leo the truth, or we'll have to ask him to leave.

“Leo, it's been a blast having you here with us,” Nicholas singles Leo out, and I hardly dare to breathe. “Joining the family isn't something we take lightly. It is as serious as a wedding proposal. I know it is early days for the pair of you, but we are hopeful you will become a regular face around here.”

It's a no.

It's only a no for today, but Nicholas isn't ready to tell him.

I do understand. I've only known this man for a few days. I'm just worried that he'll hear the outcome of his job application and be out of reach, either disappearing back where he came from or working for the enemy.

However, as far as today goes, Leo's time here is over.

“Kai, before I go.” Leo slips off the sofa onto one knee. “I don't expect you to accept me now; I know how soon this is. But I want you to know that I'm committed. I'll withdraw my application at the marine centre as soon as they open after the holiday. I know that is important to you.”

I don't need to hear the rest. I throw myself forward into his arms; tears start flowing as panic sets in. This is not a situation I want to run away from, but I'm running out of time.

“Please, Leo, I want to do this now, but I can't. Please understand there isn’t time.”

“Kai.” Nicholas touches my shoulder, but I can only cling to Leo. I'm not ready to get married, and I know Leo isn't either, but the gesture is monumental. “If this man is committed to you enough to withdraw his application, then I think we can tell him.”

With that, I become even more of a blubbering wreck.

“Leo. Kai, and all of us born into this family have a time limit on our lives. He will have to leave you at sunset and head to his room. I know he doesn't want to leave, but he must.”

Leo turns, sitting on the floor with me in his lap, listening to my uncle reveal the most crucial piece of information about my life.

“Several generations ago, this family was cursed to live our nights in a different form. We will become octopuses in about half an hour and spend the night in our sleep tanks.”

We all look at Leo expectantly, awaiting his reaction.

“How?” he asks weakly. I'm not surprised; it's a common question, but it's one of the hardest to answer, as none of us were there. We only know what Granddad was told by his elders.

“Many moons ago, our ancestors roamed the seas, not as traders or fishermen, but as pirates," Nicholas says, the history rolling off his tongue like waves upon the shore. "Their greed and ruthlessness angered the sea, leading to a curse that binds us to this day. At sunset, we transform into octopuses, creatures of the deep, until the rise of the morning sun."

"Breaking this curse," my father concludes, "is a journey we must all undertake together."

“So you scrub the bay and fight the legal battles. Keep the land wild.” Leo nods.

“You can stay here tonight. Kai's bed will be available to you, and those of us who have married into the family will be here to keep you company and answer your questions,” Dad offers.

"Kai, I want to be there," Leo insists, his blue eyes blazing with passion. I want to see you, all of you. I want to understand."

"Leo, it's not a pretty sunset cruise," I say, trying to infuse humour into the gravity of the situation.

“But you promised to show me what you can do without your hands,” Leo whispers against my ear.

I grin and take his hand, pulling him to his feet. Making our goodbyes, I show Leo to my room for what could be the best night of my life.