A torrent of emotions crashing through her, Essa halted at the cabin door, half-hoping he wouldn’t be home.
Half-hoping he would.
She surveyed the rooftop. No hawk here. As she pried open the door, she uttered a prayer of thanks that it didn’t creak. Squinting into the main room, she jolted at Nazrin’s form. Bathing. In a tub in the center of the room.
Oh, gods. Hadn’t she asked him whether he bathed? Apparently, he’d chosen to answer her.
His enormous frame hunched in the too-small tub, wingless. Acres of nude, muscled flesh displayed for her admiration to feast upon. Essa padded past him into the bedroom. She withdrew the items she required for the morrow from the wardrobe and shoved them into her bag. Then she threw a cape over her chiton and tied her hair, knotting it in the middle with a ribbon and letting it flow down her back.
Now, she was ready to confront him.
As she stepped inside the main room, Nazrin’s decadent baritone rumbled, “Come here, Sirena.”
Essa froze. Her mind urged her not to obey—her feet didn’t agree. Heart pounding, she sauntered toward the tub. Nazrin flexed his feet, which draped over the lip of the tub. His arms wrapped around the ledges on either side and he twisted his neck to glance at her, one brow raised. “Care to join me?”
She snorted at his absurd arrogance and crossed her arms. “Why? So you can lock me up? Or perhaps, you’d prefer to barrel into my mind again?”
“I wouldn’t have entered your mind had you not hidden such deception from me.”
“How dare you assume I wouldn’t have ambitions of my own?”
“Ambitions? You would call consorting with the fiendish sun god ambitious?” Lightning fast, he hopped out of the tub and wrapped a towel around his hips before she had the chance to ogle what he covered.
She kept her eyes on his face, anyway. Presumptuous male. “You proclaim Hades to be better than Apollo? A god who hides in the bowels of the earth, tormenting the dead, more worthy than one who devotes his energy to healing? Apollo restores souls. Hades tortures them.”
“Is that what Apollo told you?” He folded his massive arms over his chest, exhibiting those decadent muscles, and—curse him—her gaze riveted on the droplets glistening down his flesh. Sliding with leisure along each ripple and hard edge. Her tongue flicked out along her bottom lip. Without her permission, her feet glided closer. Her nostrils flared. Ocean.
Argh, damn you, Nazrin. He’d bathed in salt water. Not fresh water. Her throat instantly parched and her sex grew wet. Achy. Needy.
Copper flashed in his stare, which pierced through her, flaying her to her soul. Bared, she stood before him, though he wore the loosely wrapped towel.
Her perusal dipped to the cloth, which absorbed every drop of water cascading down his body. Fortunate towel.
“Is that what Apollo told you, Sirena?” he murmured, repeating his question.
She shook herself. “No. Yes. Why? What does it matter?” She curled her nails into her palms and forced her mind to clear itself of the vision of Nazrin bathing.
Using the cloth as cover, he tugged on a pair of breeches. “Apollo would thwart Hades and Persephone’s plans. He’s amassing an army against them. The War is coming.”
“Ugh, I don’t care about your War.” She tossed up her hands. “I only seek to help people.”
His keen scrutiny passed over her. “I believe you. But it doesn’t change that we’re standing on opposing sides.” He snared her hand. “I can’t bear to be your enemy, Sirena.”
She peered down at their hands. “I don’t want to be yours, either.”
Growling low, he backed her to the wall, his brawny form caging her in. He parted her thighs with one of his, the hard length of him snug against her. The glorious heat of his body entranced her and she moaned.
He stroked her cheek. His finger traced her bottom lip and his eyes darkened with hunger. “I meant what I claimed before. Everything has been for you.” He pressed his lips to hers, demanding they part. She surrendered to the gentle probing of his tongue, unable to resist how badly she craved him. A quick flick of his wrists and her cape dropped to the floor.
Slipping her chiton from her shoulders, his broad grasp explored the fullness of her breasts. His lips soon followed. Essa slammed her head against the wall as he seized one peak into his hot mouth and suckled her. Before she’d met him, she hadn’t dreamed pleasure such as this existed. His lips and tongue were so clever.
“Nazrin,” she breathed. If she didn’t stop him, she’d lose her head in a few moments. He didn’t respond by halting, so she shoved at his chest with her hands. “Stop.”
He raised his head and shifted off her, stalking to the chair and plopping onto it.
A smile curved her lips as she admired his thickness tenting his breeches. She wasn’t alone in being overwhelmed by lust. They were equals, and she was just as capable of tormenting him with their frenzied passion.
She’d compel him to lose control once more. To divulge each of his plans for her.
No more secrets between them.
Oh, yes, she’d make him beg.
***
Bloody hell, wench. Nazrin scowled at the wall, his chest heaving, raptor squawking, I’ve trained her. I’ve seduced her. Still, she isn’t mine.
He groaned while his arousal continued to throb. He’d been moments away from claiming her and proving his devotion.
She didn’t want him. It had to be the myrman. He inhaled through his nose, blew out through his mouth, then slumped his head into his hands.
Instead of retreating, Essa’s padding footsteps halted in front of him.
He lifted his head. His pulse sped and his raptor screeched, demanding to know her intentions.
Leaning toward him, her hands framed his face. Intense malachite depths penetrated him, through the armor of his secrets, to his very core.
Aye. His raptor flapped its wings. She sees me.
Her tongue flicked across her lips and she swayed forward to kiss him. His muscles froze while her soft mouth pressed against his. He was used to control, but with Essa, she battled him for every inch of domination. Even when her body yielded, her mind refused.
She was strong, and he bloody well admired her for it.
Her tongue slipped into his mouth and greeted his. He slammed his talons into his palms at his sides and fought the urge to toss her onto her stomach.
If he stopped her, he’d never discover her destination. What did his Sirena plan for him?
Her hands glided from his face to rest on his thighs. His cock jerked in response. Deepening her kiss, her tongue implored him for submission. Suddenly, she broke their kiss and his body protested.
Until she rose and straddled him.
Nazrin growled with blazing, fervent possession. The heat of her core enveloped his length, so close yet so far away. That damned fabric.
She mewled into his shoulder and rocked against him, augmenting his agony. Did she suspect the beast she toyed with, the raptor within whose reins he barely had control of?
“Sirena,” he grunted. “What would you ask of me?”
“Why would Apollo care?”
“About what?”
She smirked at him. “The War.”
Words. She wanted bloody words. He sighed and resigned himself to giving them to her. “ ’Tis a rematch of Troy. Zeus will side with Hades.” He lowered his voice. “Apollo would make an attempt to dethrone Zeus, provided the chance. He’s long awaited the opportunity to overthrow his father, just as Zeus deposed Cronus.”
A shiver rippled beneath her skin. He had to make her see—Apollo played foe to both of them.
“I’m sworn to Apollo, Nazrin.” Her brows creased together. She pulled back, her heart beats rapid in his ears despite the cool composure on her face.
He brushed his fingertips down her cheek. “Why? What has the sun god done to claim your allegiance?” How can I do the same?
“He’s done nothing. I follow him because I have faith.” Her scrutiny locked onto a droplet of water coursing down the side of his face. She shifted forward and licked it clean, her quivering moan echoing in his ear.
He hissed at the throbbing in his shaft. “Misplaced faith.”
“Why should I place my faith anywhere else?” Another drop pooled on his forehead. Her gaze tracked the droplets of water as he did his prey. Except, in her case, it was the water luring her. Her pants grew shallow while the bead streamed down his nose and landed on his lips. Praise the gods he’d rinsed his hair.
“Because Hades asks you. Because I ask you.”
She smoothed the tip of her finger across his bottom lip. “Hmm. Why do you ask me?”
His heart thundered against his chest. He wanted desperately to utter those words, to tell her she was his mate.
What if she rejected him?
“Their cause is great,” he mumbled the words, sounding feeble to his own ears.
Instead of anger darkening her features, she pressed further, her fingers tracing slow circles through the moisture dripping onto his face. “What cause?”
“A great one.”
“Mmm… Great, like this?” Her stare dropped to the strain of his breeches. He didn’t miss the spike of arousal in her scent, the dilating of her pupils and the hitching of her breath. She bit down on her lip and trailed her fingers over his chest, along the ridges of his abdomen, and lower still. Her hands quivered as they descended.
Admittedly, he enjoyed her efforts exceedingly.
“Aye, ’twould greatly loosen my tongue if you would but rest your hand an inch lower.” He groaned as she complied, pressing her palm to the thick ridge of his erection.
She wet her lips and murmured, “Yes, I can see that.”
Coy minx.
She bent forward and kissed the corner of his mouth. He shot his hand out and, grabbing the back of her head, he laced his fingers through her tresses, slanting her mouth to his. Deepening their kiss. Proving to her she couldn’t deny the connection between them.
He growled low while she whimpered against his lips and surrendered her weight. She needn’t engage in this game of seduction for him to divulge his secrets. He would tell her anything. Anything she wished to hear. Apollo could ask for his own damn answers himself.
Suddenly, she inhaled sharply. “Seek me out when you’re ready for a true discussion, Nazrin.” She shifted off his lap and marched to the door.
Nay. His raptor shrieked. Don’t let her walk away.
Nazrin shot to his feet. “Wait.”
She glanced at him over her shoulder.
His insides churned in desperation. This wouldn’t end well. “I’ll tell you why.” He edged behind her, placed his hands on her hips, and pressed his face against her hair. One sweet inhale. She’d not stay for another.
He exhaled on a resigned sigh. “You’re my mate.”
“You jest.” She stiffened in his arms.
He winced at the hopeful note to her tone. “Nay.”
“Surely, you jest.” She spun around. “I can’t be anyone’s mate.”
Nazrin closed his eyes against her second bolt of denial. It struck him, nevertheless, piercing straight into his heart. Unable to offer her the answer she desired, he hung his head and strode past her into the bedroom.
The door to his cabin slammed shut a moment later.
By morning, his raptor screeched, she’ll be gone.
***
Essa grumbled as warm light beamed across half of her face. Why did the weather have to flaunt her melancholy? She made an irritated noise deep in her throat and buried her face in her pillow. The sunshine expanded, filling the infirmary and beckoning to her. No, she fought. I won’t face him. Even as the temptation crossed her mind, she determined she would. His mate. It couldn’t be true. Regardless, she couldn’t avoid Nazrin forever.
Searching for her clothes, she rolled over. Her heart skipped a beat. Beside her folded clothes were her sandals. Who had found them and deposited them here? She wouldn’t allow herself to hope it had been Nazrin.
At any rate, no guards had carried her off in the middle of the night.
She dressed and forced herself out the door, toward the training arena, before she lost her nerve.
Gaven and Nazrin sparred. A blur of feathers here, an arm or leg there. She watched them with her lips parted in awe. The two of them wore knee-length red tunics, belted at the waist. Perspiration gleamed off their brawny, bronzed figures. They were both such perfect specimens of masculinity, and she wasn’t the only female unable to peel away her stare. They’d attracted a large crowd. Men and women alike stopped to gawk at the pair of powerful, virile brothers. Few matched Nazrin in strength, speed, or agility—and Gaven was one of them.
As if prone to the same magnetic attraction as she, Nazrin paused for half a second to cock his head in her direction. It was enough. Gaven punched him in the jaw with such force it sent him flying backward. He landed with a skid, rolling to a crouch, and rubbed his jaw.
Essa curved her lips, but as his scrutiny fell on her, she froze. His face was a perfect mask, his expression as dismissive as if she were a stranger.
Yet, his cool behavior emboldened her. She could face an impassive Nazrin. It was far better than a raging or lustful one.
Gaven sprinted toward Essa, offering her a brilliant smile. “Told you I’d best him for you.”
Her heart slammed against her ribcage. What had Nazrin told Gaven? She scanned to her left and to her right. Where were the guards?
Nazrin might be unsure of what to do with her. Or, he’d expected her to leave. His mate. Humph. He should have informed her the moment they’d met. But then, she never would have ventured with him to Halcyon…
Even now, she struggled with how to accept the revelation. Did he expect her to renounce everything, for him? To swoon at his feet in gratitude of being his mate?
Argh. Her eyes narrowed and her temper flared. The yearning to lash out rose within her. Nazrin, being the primary cause of her distress, would suit her fury just fine.
Across the arena, he waved for her to join him.
She stiffened, but recalled his position here, as leader. Essa followed him to a bench. Why did he pretend as though nothing was amiss? She opened her mouth to inquire, but the dozens of other recruits and residents surrounding them gave her pause.
A brilliant bouquet of flowers reclined against the bench. Why had he picked her flowers? Was this his manner of asking forgiveness? His behavior certainly didn’t seem apologetic, or even friendly.
“Sit,” he barked.
She ignored his sharp tone and sank onto the bench, grimacing at the flowers. With him beside her, his decadent male scent, stronger after his exertion, assaulted her senses. She tilted her face away to avoid breathing him in.
He waved a pink blossom before her. She glanced at the flower, then at him, frowning.
“Remove its water.” At his stern tone, she understood. This was merely an exercise.
Now, he made her blood flush through her veins. He didn’t have to use flowers, or pluck such lovely, delicate ones. Essa flashed her hand over the blossom. Her blue flame sparked and dissolved in an instant. A splash of water hit the ground, and the flower crumpled in his palm. She huffed into the distance, bored by the experiment.
“Now, restore its moisture.”
She started. “What?”
“Put the water back,” he grated.
“I can’t.” Such a thing was unheard of.
“Try.” Nazrin placed the shriveled flower in her hand and proceeded to attend his other recruits.
Essa dropped the flower in defiance. Crossing her arms, she refused to attempt the impossible task. She studied the horizon, unwilling to observe the crushed petals at her feet. Not once did Nazrin glance in her direction. In fact, she sensed he purposefully avoided gazing at her. Shifting on the hard wooden bench, she plucked one petal and examined it. Might as well attempt it. She’d never tried to rehydrate anything.
The image of the petal clear in her mind, she closed her eyes and sought the source of her power. Then she peered into the structure of the petal, scanning further and further, breaking the petal into its most minute parts. One by one, she found them—the places she’d extracted the water from.
Her other hand hovered above the wet earth at her feet, lifting the watery particles. Hands like a skilled surgeon, she painstakingly reinserted them. The process lasted upward of an hour. Finally, the petal absorbed the liquid like a sponge and rested anew on her palm.
Her eyes flicked open and accomplishment curved her lips. She wiped the perspiration from her brow. Today was even hotter than that day in the field.
Essa scowled at the flower’s remains and then at Nazrin. Yes, she’d love to witness the humble apology on his face when she flaunted the flower before him. He doesn’t believe I can do it. I’ll prove him wrong. She fanned her pride and set to work.
An hour of intense concentration later and she’d restored the flower, albeit in pieces. Essa frowned. She didn’t perceive any way to remedy that. She rose and marched to Nazrin. Seated, his back was turned to her as he sharpened a blade. She tapped him on the shoulder, careful not to brush those exquisite wings. Still, he refused to regard her. Clinching the petals in her fist, her temper burned hot, and she flung them at the back of his head. “I’m finished.”
One of the petals glided over his shoulder and his hand snatched to grab it. He opened his palm and eyed the petal for a moment. If he was impressed or surprised, his stoic expression didn’t reveal either emotion. He let the petal fall to the ground and spoke in a flat, even tone. “Nay, you’re not. Transform the bouquet and you may leave.”
Glaring at his back, she stamped her foot, hands clenched at her sides. Damn him. She’d be stuck here the entire day, yet she refused to let him perceive her irritation. “As you command,” she chirped and stomped to her bench.
Essa spent the next several hours immersed in transforming the flowers. One by one, she dehydrated them and restored them to their original state. She set the altered flowers to one side. The pile in front of her diminished while the one beside her grew.
The sun beat down with relentless heat. Her human skin was more vulnerable, so the strength of the sun’s rays flushed her cheeks and the tip of her nose.
Suddenly, a wave of nausea rolled through her and a pounding drummed in her temples. The air around her grew thick and fuzzy. She set aside another finished flower. Only two more.
She rose to shake off the rising light-headedness, but her feet failed to attain solid ground. The sky and the ground blended into one as the training field spun around her.
***
Nazrin flew to Essa’s side, just in time to cushion her head. Damn, she hadn’t even braced for the fall. He scooped her in his arms, checked her pulse, and blew out a deep breath as it came steady.
Bloody hell, why had he pushed her so hard? He propelled his legs and flapped his wings to sprint to the infirmary. Flinging open the door, he cradled her against his chest and then deposited her on one of the cots.
Aedre rushed to his side. “What happened?”
“Training.” He scowled at himself while Aedre pressed her hands to Essa’s face and neck.
She tsked, grabbing several jars from her shelves and mixing a scoop of each powder together with a mortar and pestle.
Nazrin smoothed the hair from Essa’s forehead. She moaned and leaned into him. His shoulders collapsed in relief. Aedre would make her well. He hadn’t lost her.
His raptor squawked within his chest, beating his wings with furious vigor.
“By the gods, what were you thinking, Nazrin?” Aedre clucked her tongue at him, like a mother admonishing her child. “It’s far too hot today for any of us. Water Borne don’t do well in direct sun. We need water. You know as much.”
He kept silent. The retort on the tip of his tongue was unjustified. Aedre was correct. If only she’d stop prattling.
She didn’t.
“Oh, and I said to give her flowers, not to make an examination out of them.”
He grunted and cast her a pointed stare. Gaven had already admonished him this morn. His invasion of Essa’s mind had been wrong, and his brother had defended her honor. Aedre had been quick to chirp in with her sharp opinion, as well.
Nazrin sighed. They’d discuss the matter. Later. After his bruised pride healed. His raptor possessed no such hesitation, offering an incessant screeching of, Essa is mine. Had she chosen to escape Halcyon, his dark half would have pursued her to the ends of the world.
Stone scraped against stone as Aedre mixed the paste in her mortar with more vigor than necessary. “She requires plenty of water and rest. When she awakens, the morphos will alleviate most of her discomfort.” Then she shooed him aside and smoothed the bluish grey paste onto the sunburns on Essa’s cheek and nose.
***
“Uhh.” Essa fluttered her eyelids.
“How are you?” Aedre’s voice was soft and nurturing in her ear.
She tried to swallow, yet her throat was parched. “Water,” she croaked.
“Of course.” Aedre held a cup to her lips and Essa swallowed the cool, salty liquid with greedy gulps. She reclined, resting her head on the pillow, and caught sight of Nazrin across the room, pacing.
“Never mind you him,” Aedre scoffed. “He can be impossibly stubborn when he gets in a mood.”
“Are you saying he can actually be pleasant on occasion?” She snorted. “Perhaps if I live long enough, I shall be able to witness such a miracle.”
Aedre’s laughter rang through the room.
“Enough,” he growled at them, then he faced Aedre. “I’ll take her now.”
“Take me where?” She frowned at Aedre. Would he lock her away?
“Oh no, I’m not getting in the middle of this.” She rose and stormed to the back room of the infirmary.
Essa held up her arms, wrists pressed together. “Have you come to shackle me? Lock me away? Or do you wish to interrogate me again?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw, the only sign of a reaction from him.
“No? Then why let me stay, Nazrin?”
“You’re free to go.” The tension in his features betrayed his words.
He wishes me to stay. She beat back the jolt of elation pulsing through her. Sweet gods, he truly did believe her to be his mate.
He strode to her bedside and scooped her into his arms, carting her from the infirmary. On instinct, she wrapped her arms around his neck. That was a mistake. Her nose pressed against his collarbone and she inhaled his tantalizing male scent.
His footsteps fell heavy on the ground as he stomped to his destination. The heat of him soaked into her skin, but a moment later, he plunged her into the icy waters of the lake.
“Argh,” she shouted, spurting out water. “What in Hades are you doing?” She shivered in the waist-deep freezing water, her wet clothes clinging to her body.
Nazrin appeared warm and dry, perched on a rock beside her. “Morphos and you won’t be so cold.”
“Damn you to the depths, Nazrin.” The steel of her cursing was lost amongst her chattering teeth. “Why did you do that?” Lusting after him or not, he was irritating her to no end.
A casual shrug. “Aedre said you needed water.”
“You might have been more pleasant.” She rubbed her arms and her teeth clacked together.
“Morphos and you won’t be so cold.”
“No.” She’d show him what stubborn was. They glared at each other, the air between them thick.
“Shall I hold you under the water then?” A heated challenge flashed in his darkened depths and he planted his feet in the water.
Clenching her teeth, she refused to let him win this argument. She would’ve gone willingly, if he’d asked. Now, he threatened to drown her if she didn’t obey him. Unacceptable. Water was her element. If he wanted a fight, she’d give him one, and she’d have the upper hand.
Succinctly, she formed the word, “No,” blue flames lapping up her arms.
The instant the note passed her lips, he leapt into mid-air, swiping for her waist.
Anticipating him, she formed a barrier of water so solid he slammed into it and was flung backward. He struck the water hard and submerged from view.
A fierceness she’d never experienced radiated through her. She’d bested him—the great warrior Nazrin. A man twice her size and made of pure steel.
And, he loathed getting wet. Smirking, she braced for him to surface. She waited, and still he didn’t. Worry set in, knocking against her chest. Had something gone wrong? She didn’t discern all the facets of her powers yet.
“Nazrin, Nazrin?” she called, and then more forcefully, “Naz—”
From beneath her, iron branches snared her legs and towed her under. Her lungs burned and she fought the urge to take a breath. She struggled against whatever held onto her and hauled her downward. Arms. They’re arms. Essa kicked and lashed out at the creature behind her.
Morphos, Nazrin’s voice commanded in her mind. Would he drown her? She willed to fight him, but he was stronger and she grew too weak. Her mind failed to conjure a way to loosen his grasp. He wouldn’t let her drown, yet her survival instincts kicked in as her mind lost the battle.
Essa stopped fighting him, her body going limp. He clutched her in his arms while she performed the transformation. Afterward, he released her and swam to the surface. How did he hold his breath for so long? She folded her arms over her stomach. He was capable of many things for which her mind found no explanation.
Still, she’d bested him, hadn’t she? A cause for victory boasts, surely. She floated to the surface, calm and collected.
On the shore, Nazrin grimaced and flapped his drenched wings, droplets of water spraying everywhere. Even a scowl didn’t mar his handsome features. Did he purposefully move with such grace or was he always this naturally majestic? She licked her lips, unable to control the desire rising in her. He must be doing this on purpose. Water always seemed to help blend him into her world.
He glanced at her sideways. Thick lashes framed his eyes and his hair was slicked back. Water dripped from his head, down the length of his body. His sodden red tunic clung to every dip and hard edge of muscle. She was soaked, too. Her dress was heavy, the fabric molded to her skin.
Unable to look away, she was transfixed on the magnificent male in front her.
It was too late anyway. In two steps, he faced her, chest-deep in water. His mouth fell hot on hers, his arms wrapped tight around her body, lifting her off the lake floor. She met his kiss with a hunger she’d denied too long. Her fingers traced the muscled ridges of his chest. He retaliated with force, his tongue demanding her submission to his will. She did, melting into his embrace, offering him everything.
With a low growl, he ran a finger along her collarbone and to her breast, his thumb circling the hardened peak. She moaned at his warmth seeping through her dress. He slid his hand further down, to her waist, and slipped beneath the wet cloth. His fingertips grazed her tail and her scales shivered beneath his examination.
His hands trembled and he continued to stroke her tail. Gods, she wished she could hear his thoughts. He trailed his fingers up and down and she willed him to want her, all of her.
His face beside hers, he murmured, “I thought so.” His lips brushed her cheek and he released his iron grip with a deep sigh. She stared at him, blinking as though waking from a dream while he shifted away from her. The fuzz clouding her mind dissipated, the distance between them increasing.
His voice rumbled, thick and husky, as he wended toward the shore, “I believe you’re supposed to be at the bakery, Sirena.”