Aura-lee squeaked as she was scooped up, clutching Morgan tighter reflexively. She automatically relaxed into his arms though, almost involuntarily, so used to that reaction when he held her close.
"Thank you," she whispered as he carried them to the water's edge. Her cheeks colored when he called her beautiful and she kissed him back softly as her legs began to shimmer, then fused together into her tail, glimmering gently in the moonlight.
"I love you so much, Hydra," she murmured, pressing her forehead to his. "Please don't say sorry, please. This- it's all my fault. Please don't be sorry..."
Tears began to trickle down her face, but she turned her head to let her hair fall forward in an effort to hide it as she carefully lowered Morgan into the calm surf. One hand supported his head as she tucked him into the curve of her tail.
A normal child probably would have protested the shock of the cold water, but Morgan just blinked down at it with wide eyes. Slowly, very slowly, she saw his chubby little legs seem to lock at the knees. A glimmer of amethyst touched his green skin, the hint of scales, toes lengthening and growing webbed.