Rikki sat on the cool sand, her fingers absently tracing patterns along the beach. The wind tugged at her hair, and the soft sounds of the waves seemed to mock her growing unease. She hadn't been this nervous in a long time. She had been avoiding this moment for months, but she knew she could no longer keep the truth from Zane.
The guilt had been gnawing at her for a while now. She had started dating him to keep him away from mermaids, but she really liked him, and she felt the heaviness of all those secrets.

Especially after all the mess with Miriam and Julia's locket earlier that day. Zane had been trying so hard to make things right, to show her that he was a different person, and yet she had kept this massive part of herself from him.
Her fingers brushed the pendant around her neck, the ruby gleaming softly in the dimming light. It felt heavier around her neck, but it was so right. Rikki took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She couldn't keep pretending anymore. He deserved the truth, and no matter how terrifying it was, it was time.

She typed the message: Meet me at the beach in an hour?

It wasn't like her to be this anxious, but this was different. This wasn't something she could easily run from. She knew she had made a promise to Emma and Cleo not to tell anyone, even Ms Chatham had warned her to keep the secret, but Zane had proven to be trustworthy.
She set her phone down, gazing out over the water.
I trust him.

An hour later, Rikki stood at the edge of the water, watching the waves crash against the shore. The sun was sinking lower in the sky, and everything around her felt so peaceful, so perfect—except for the storm of emotions brewing inside her.
Footsteps behind her caught her attention, and without turning, she knew it was Zane. Her heart began to race even faster, and she felt a strange mix of fear and relief. He was here.
She turned slowly, locking eyes with him. Zane's expression was unreadable, though there was concern in his gaze. His jaw was tight, but there was softness behind his eyes that made her stomach flutter.

"Rikki?" he asked, his voice hesitant as he took a step closer. "What's going on? You seemed… distant earlier. And now you're acting like this… like something's weighing on you."
Rikki swallowed hard. She wanted to tell him everything, right here and right now, but the words felt like they were lodged in her throat. So instead of answering, she found herself stepping forward, practically running into his arms.

Before Zane could react, she kissed him. She kissed him with all the urgency that had been building inside her for months. There was a rawness to it, a desperate need to feel close, to feel real. It was a kiss full of emotion, and she felt her heart beat faster as he kissed her back.
When she pulled away, breathless, her heart was pounding so hard she could barely hear anything else. "Sorry," she whispered, her face flushed. "I didn't kiss you earlier, when you rescued the locket. I wanted to, but you were all wet, and..."
Zane blinked in surprise, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "So, what, you're telling me that was your way of making up for it?" He chuckled, the tension between them briefly easing.

Rikki laughed nervously, running a hand through her hair. "I guess so," she said softly, her smile fading a little. "But there's something more. Something I need to tell you, Zane."
Zane's smile faded too, his expression growing serious. "What is it, Rikki? You can tell me anything."
Rikki's stomach tightened. This was it—the moment she had been avoiding. She wanted to trust him, but a voice in her head, Emma's voice, screamed that she shouldn't.
"Rikki?" Zane's voice cut through her thoughts, concern lacing it. "What's going on?"

She snapped out of her thoughts, meeting his gaze. Her eyes softened, and she knew. She had to tell him.
"I've been lying to you, Zane," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "There's something I've been hiding from you, and I can't do it anymore."
Zane raised an eyebrow, confusion flashing across his face. "What are you talking about?"
Her hands shook slightly as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She had never felt so exposed. "I'm a mermaid." Her voice so low he could barely hear her.
For a long, stunned moment, Zane just stared at her. He blinked, as though the words didn't fully register. "A… what?"
Rikki felt her heart race in her chest, the pressure of his disbelief hitting her like a tidal wave. She had known this reaction was coming, but it didn't make it any easier. "I know it sounds crazy," she continued, voice trembling slightly. "But it's true. I've been a mermaid for months now. And I've kept it from you because… I didn't know if I could trust you. You were obsessed with mermaids, Zane. I couldn't risk telling you."

Zane's eyes darkened, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He stepped back, his face hardening with anger. "A mermaid? Seriously?" His voice was sharp, the disbelief cutting through him. "And you didn't think to tell me this? After all the mess? After everything I've been through, and you're just telling me now?"
Rikki flinched at the harshness in his voice. "I didn't know how to tell you. I didn't know if you'd believe me. If you'd think I was lying or if you'd tell people." Her voice cracked. "You were that self-proclaimed mermaid's hunter, Zane. How was I supposed to know you wouldn't use me?"
Zane took a sharp breath, his eyes burning with frustration, but it wasn't just anger anymore. There was something else there, something like confusion and hurt. He opened his mouth to speak, but Rikki cut him off before he could say anything more.
"I didn't want to keep this from you, but I had to protect myself, Zane. I promised I wouldn't tell anyone."
For a long moment, Zane just stared at her, his chest rising and falling with every breath. "So, you've been lying to me because you thought I'd hurt you?" he said quietly, his anger finally dissipating. There was no accusation in his voice now—only sadness and regret. "I guess that's my fault, isn't it? I made you feel like you couldn't trust me."
Rikki didn't know what to say. She didn't know how to explain everything that had led her to this point. She just stood there, her heart pounding in her chest.
But then Zane stepped forward, his eyes softening. "Rikki," he said gently, "I made mistakes, but I'm never going to do anything to hurt you, you know that right? I'm not the person you have to hide from."

She looked up at him, her chest aching. "But what about everything you've said before? You know, with people thinking you were crazy because of all the mermaid's talking"
Zane swallowed, his throat tight. "I was confused. I was angry. But I don't care about it"
Rikki hesitated, then, with a breath, asked, "So… can you forgive me for hiding this from you?"
Zane reached out, gently taking her hands in his. His voice was soft now, and full of sincerity. "I'm not angry anymore, Rikki. I don't blame you for keeping this from me. I just… I don't know what to think about all this. But I trust you. I love you."
Rikki felt her chest tighten, but this time it wasn't with fear. "Do you really mean that?" she asked quietly.
Zane nodded. "I do."

They stayed there silently for a while.

"So, were you the one who saved me?"
Rikki laughed softly "When?"
"When I was drowning" said Zane as if it was obvious
"Oh no, it wasn't me that time" Rikki tried to sound casual. "But I saved you from sharks."
"From sharks?" Zane looked confused. "Which sharks?"
"You remember that time when you were filming with Lewis? When you were windsurfing?"
Zane was so confused. Everybody had laughed at him that day, thinking he was just acting for that stupid movie competition. Everybody except Rikki. "That's why you came to me that night? You knew that I wasn't lying"
Rikki hid a smile.
"So must be others…you know, other mermaids. One saved me during the shipwreck"
"Yes," Rikki confirmed "But it's not on me telling you who they are, it's not my secret"

Zane looked at her, a sparkle in his eyes. "Can you show me?"
Rikki's heart stuttered in her chest. She hadn't expected him to ask, but part of her had always known that if she was ever going to share this part of her life with anyone, it had to be him.

She glanced down at the water. "Are you sure?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Zane nodded. "I need to see it, Rikki. Just..."

Rikki took a deep breath, and for the first time, she felt like maybe she could trust him completely. Without another word, she stepped into the water. The transformation was automatic, her legs shimmering and changing into her tail, the familiar rush of magic filling her.
Zane watched her with wide eyes, his mouth slightly open. He took a step forward, his voice awestruck. "It's… beautiful. You are beautiful."
Rikki smiled, her heart fluttering. "It's who I am," she said, her voice gentle. "But I'm still me, Zane. Just with a tail."
Zane nodded, his gaze never leaving her. "I can see that now," he said softly. "And this doesn't change my feelings, Rikki. I like you for who you are."
He leaned in, his hands cupping her face, his lips touching hers softly.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Rikki felt free. The weight of her secret was gone, and with it, all her fears.