A mossy green dragon ran through the sand with something in his mouth to the couple holding hands as they walked on the beach

Aura and Dragas smiled as Puff approached.

“What have you, Puff?” Dragas asked.

Puff dropped the squirming thing and wagged his tail.

“It’s a starfish.” Aura said.

“I wonder what it’s doing this far west.” Dragas said.

“It was the storms last week. The tides were higher than normal. Mermaid beach always seems to get the brunt of it.”

Dragas looked out over the water. “Things are changing. Soon we will not be safe here anymore.”