Tendrils of heat flickered across Essa’s cheeks. She blinked at Nazrin in indecision. What did this Wind Borne know of her race that she didn’t?
Morphos? Truly? He’d spoken the word so casually. To morphos into human form was forbidden, wasn’t it? She sank her teeth into her lower lip. Her aunt had never permitted her to become human.
“Many of your kind choose to walk amongst the humans. You wouldn’t be the first.” He assessed her and she shrank from the heat in those dark depths.
Wait. Had he invaded her mind? Again?
Right. Enemy.
She locked her mind and mirrored his stare. A predator like him would prey upon weakness. She imitated his relaxed manner to conceal her uncertainty. “I don’t possess any human clothing.” His piercing assessment swept her chest and the thin woven garment she wore. Frowning, she hugged her arms across her breasts to force his scrutiny upward.
“Go to the cave. Morphos. I’ll arrange for your clothing.”
“Thank you.” She dove under the water. The cave was a short swim away, not nearly long enough for her to regain her composure. Once inside, she surfaced and hauled herself onto a stone ledge. As her fin dangled in the cool liquid, she noted the details of the cave. Locate the exits, her aunt’s instructions echoed. Never be unprepared.
Cassandra was her human mother’s sister, who’d taken over the role of Pythia after her mother’s death. The Pythia was the head Oracle of the sun god Apollo. Blessed by the god, she possessed great powers of foresight and healing. Cassandra had hidden Essa and saved her from a life beneath the sea god Nereus’s harsh hand. She grimaced. My father.
Though Cassandra had raised her, Essa spent most of her days in the undersea portion of her aunt’s manor. Decades ago, the priestesses had relocated Apollo’s temple at Delphi to a mountain riddled with underwater tunnels and subterranean pools. The manor connected to the temple, allowing Essa to venture between the two, and she’d never had any reason to set foot on land.
Right. Exits. Seven feet of packed dirt separated her from the walls of the cave. A few rays of sunlight filtered through on her right. Must be a passageway to the outside.
Water and land. Two exits.
The lesson had certainly been ingrained.
To morphos is forbidden. She angled her face toward the numerous stalactites sparkling across the ceiling and pondered this puzzle. Prohibited for her race, or for her? She wasn’t certain. Her aunt had always been strict about the use of her powers.
Huffing, she splashed her fin in the water. If she dared to trust the winged male, then her aunt had lied to her. About how many things? Only one way to find out.
Forbidden meant everyone possessed the ability. No point in outlawing something no one could do. All Essa had to do was discern the process of the morphos.
She closed her eyes, slowed her breathing, and sought the place deep in her mind where the blue flames burned. As the heat of her powers washed over her, she concentrated first on the tip of her tail, and then toward her waist.
Forgive me, Aunt Cassandra.
Toes, feet, legs. She cried out at the tearing burn splitting her tail down the middle, into two halves. The pain eased and she clenched her jaw as her bones transformed, slipping into new joints and muscles stretching to fit over them.
After several minutes, the searing flares retreated.
She lifted one eyelid and peeked from beneath her lashes.
Legs. Real, human legs.
Her eyes flew open and she ran the tips of her fingers down the length of one leg, up the other. Incredible. She bit her cheek as she stumbled across the cleft between her thighs. Her human sex was far different from her mermayde one. Fascinating.
So many times she’d dreamed of this, yet she’d suppressed the desire. No longer. Her connection to the one parent who might have cherished her rested in the hands of that vile, bearded creature Nazrin had labeled a cyclops.
A shiver trickled across her body and her teeth clacked together. Her fingernails turned blue and miniscule bumps puckered on her arms. In human form, the once-moderate waters of the ocean were frightfully icy.
Clothing, she required clothing. Where was the Wind Borne?
Essa peered over her shoulder toward a pile of clothes on her right. Garments. From Nazrin. A flush of heat rose in her cheeks. When had he come? Where was he now? She blinked into the dim light of the cavern. How did humans function with such diminished eyesight? She strained to locate the entrance, but at least her scan revealed she was alone.
She held up the clothes and examined them. They were nothing like the shell-studded band she wore across her chest. She tapped together the two elongated items her aunt called slippers, then sorted through a few pieces of ivory cloth and one heavy fabric of the garment females wore. A dress. Setting aside the shoes and dress, which she’d observed went on last, she attempted to match the shapes of the clothes to her body.
Everything fit her well, except the shoes were too large.
Human children crawled before they walked, but she didn’t have that luxury. She’d have to learn in minutes what they took years to master. Essa frowned at her legs as they flopped around on the dirt floor with little grace. How was she ever going to stand on two feet?
Not by sitting here.
She gritted her teeth and braced one hand on the cave wall. With legs as wobbly as seaweed, she staggered upright. Her head spun at the change in height and she flung herself against the side, clinging to the ragged stone with both hands to hold her weight. How did humans do this? Her arms were clutched in an embrace against the wall, her breaths coming in deep gasps. She steadied her resolve, her muscles quivering from the effort of staying vertical.
I must walk. Now, before Nazrin returned and she looked a fool. She planted one foot on the ground, twisted her body, and pried her left hand off the security of the stone.
I didn’t fall. A puff of relief escaped her lips. Bolder, Essa released her grip on the stone and straightened her spine. She was walking. Her laughter echoed off the stone chamber.
“Come.”
Nazrin. Her gaze shot to the cave’s entrance.
Arms outward from her sides, back hunched for balance, Essa slid one foot in front of the other. And once again. Careful not to release her hold and reveal her pathetic attempt at shuffling, she trudged forward, concentrating on the ground, each step deliberate. Heel, toe, heel, toe. The soft leather soles of her slippers scuffled across the rough stone of the cave.
As she neared Nazrin, Essa lifted her lashes. Lost in those dark depths, she forgot to keep her feet apart. The edge of her slipper tangled in the heavy fabric of her skirts and she tumbled forward.
Swift as a flash of lightning, he caught her, those large arms wrapping around her. Sensual heat rolled off his massive body and shot through hers. The scent of sun-kissed masculine skin contrasted with something darker, more decadent, and laid siege to her nose.
She’d never been so intimately close to a male. The rush of passion low in her belly was one she’d never experienced. How odd that this Wind Borne would be the first male to tempt her.
He’s your enemy. She bolted out of his grasp, falling backward over herself.
With impossibly quick reflexes, Nazrin grabbed her by the waist and steadied her.
She regained her balance, far too aware of those broad hands enveloping her, resting a little too low on her hips. Torturously close to the flaring heat between her thighs. Hard muscle flexed beneath her palms where they pressed against his chest.
“Thank you.” She cleared her throat. “I’m afraid these slippers are too large.”
The corner of his mouth twitched as though he didn’t accept her flimsy excuse. “My apologies. I shall remedy that as soon as possible.” His words rumbled beneath her fingertips. Nazrin released her and Essa blinked several times before she was able to focus.
The contact gone, her sanity reclaimed.
Without a word, he snared her hand and placed it on his arm.
Essa straightened her spine and swallowed hard as Nazrin towered above her by at least a foot. The top of her head didn’t even brush his chin.
They emerged from the cave and bright sunlight stung her eyes. She shielded them with her free hand and stole a glimpse of Nazrin. His wings were gone. How? Never mind. He wouldn’t tell her, she was sure. He’d changed his clothing also. Now, he wore closefitting breeches of dusky blue, a matching knee-length coat, and an ivory shirt. Tall, black leather boots replaced his sandals.
In his other hand, Nazrin carried a charcoal cape, which he offered to her, but she shook her head. “You’re human now. You might find more than your tail has been transformed.”
She pursed her lips. “Perhaps later.” This male liked control far too much. It wouldn’t do to appear helpless in front of him.
He shrugged and tilted his head across the dirt path where a gigantic black stallion awaited them beneath an oak tree.
“A horse?” She frowned at him.
“Aye, Xanthos. My sources tell me the male with the amulet headed south. However, I suggest we procure reinforcements first.”
Without giving her a chance to argue, Nazrin led her to his horse. Essa stumbled along beside him, unsure of her footing and refusing to rely too much on her companion. Don’t show weakness. She set her jaw and vowed to practice until she was as swift on land as in the water.
He mounted the steed and extended his arm for her to join him.
However, she’d never seen one of these beasts up close and she wished to examine him first. Balancing her hands along the horse’s flanks, she wended around to his head, offered her hand to the horse’s muzzle, and gazed into his eyes. The stallion nuzzled her hand and nickered. Laughter escaped her while his velvet lips tickled her palm. She let her hand graze along his side and finally reached for Nazrin’s hand.
His fingers closed around hers, sparking tiny flares of incandescent heat that coursed through her veins. After plucking her from the ground, he swung her in front of him as though she weighed no more than one of his feathers.
Her head spun from the dizzying height, so she closed her eyes. His words reverberated in her mind. “What do you mean by reinforcements?”
“There is a place called Halcyon, two days’ journey from here, where I train my men. I think you’ll like it.”
Wait. Two days? Cassandra would have a fit. She stiffened. Something was amiss. Why would he delay retrieving the amulet? Why did he seem more eager about his reinforcements than his prize?
She scowled, but this taste of freedom wouldn’t be denied. Her aunt had kept secrets from her, and this male knew those truths. How could she retreat to the ocean when her mind had been awakened? She was in fin-deep and there was no going back.
Pressing his mouth next to her ear, he murmured, “We can fly, if you wish. It would be much faster.”
She fought back a shiver. “No, thank you. Riding is fine.” Even if it meant a faster procurement of her amulet, she didn’t wish to fly again, ever.
They traveled south along a crude dirt road. Essa’s muscles grew tense and stiff as she absorbed the vibrations of the horse’s trot. She endeavored not to lean against Nazrin. He, however, didn’t seem to have any compunction about their closeness. Wrapping his arms around her on either side, he controlled the reins and ensured she didn’t fall. With him enveloping her like this, she’d have no need of that cape.
The road veered west away from the ocean, the dirt path narrowed, and the forest became denser. Tall pines, cypresses, oaks, and poplars surrounded them. Glancing at the sea, her heart clenched and she bade farewell to her home.
***
Already the sun descended in the sky, lending a reddish hue to the trees and hillsides. Few people were around, though Nazrin caught the faint laughter of children and the clanging of metal, signaling the preparation of the evening meal. The peaceful swaying of Xanthos’s trot had lulled Essa to sleep an hour ago. Her body had gone limp and she’d collapsed against him.
He’d never known such contentment, perched on his horse, his arms wrapped protectively around this delicate female while she slept. Delicate she was, her supple body molded to his in all the right places. In her sleep, at least. If only he might coax her conscious mind to the same trust. He’d been more than a little surprised she’d never utilized the morphos before. Then again, the Old Man of the Sea hadn’t proven his inclination for knowledgeable subjects.
Bloody Fifty-Year Truce.
Xanthos lurched forward to nip at a tree branch, pressing Nazrin’s already tormented arousal tight against Essa’s softness. His raptor thundered in his ears to claim her. Damn his animal half. Becoming Essa’s bonded male wasn’t as simple as his darker side deemed it was.
He smiled at her contented sigh. Though retrieving the amulet was merely a ruse, he’d recover it for her—because she desired it. And Essa, well, she was a gift so precious it would tear apart his soul to lose her.
Once he escorted her to Halcyon, she’d understand. She had to. Still, anxiety ate away at his gut, a perpetual erosion. Halcyon would signify either the beginning of their bond, or the end.
Because he was also there.
Nazrin whipped the image from his head. The violent motion caused Essa to stir, blinking into consciousness. He cleared his throat and pretended he meant to wake her. “We have arrived.” True, the inn lay ahead.
“Oh, forgive me.”
He scowled as she shifted forward, her body tense once more. Outside the inn, he swung from Xanthos and led the horse to a tying post inside the stable. After checking for water and hay, he helped Essa down. “We’ll stop for the night and continue on in the morning.”
This time, she didn’t waver before accepting his arm and permitting him to steady her. That one small victory was enough to sate the beast. For the moment.
The inn was a simple structure built of flat stones stacked on top of one another. Wooden chairs and tables studded the candlelit room. In one corner, a young man sang while his older companion accompanied him on a lyre.
“Welcome, welcome,” the grey-haired innkeeper chattered in one of the human languages and directed them to a table by the hearth.
Nazrin helped Essa to her chair and seated himself across from her. “Ale for me, water for my companion, and we’ll have whatever’s fresh from your kitchen.”
“Aye, milord.” She dipped her head and a few minutes later returned to deposit a tray laden with their meal on their table. “How goes yer evening, milady?” Facing Essa, she offered a kind smile.
“Fine…thank…you,” Essa replied haltingly, as if the words were foreign on her lips. Though she must know many languages, how often did she speak any of them? He knew few things about her, and everything about his mate intrigued him.
“Many thanks, milady.” He inclined his head toward the innkeeper. “A room for the night as well, if you please.”
“Aye, milord. I’ll be back with your key,” the woman spouted and then sauntered toward the kitchen.
Essa stared at the steaming bowl in front of her. From beneath her lashes, she fixed her deep green gaze on him.
He winked at her, dipped his spoon into the broth, and nodded for her to do the same.
She took a bite and swallowed. Shock and pain flashed across her features. Bloody hell, she must not have realized it was hot.
Whimpering, she fanned her mouth with her hand.
He handed her the cup of water. “Here, drink this.”
She gulped it down, and choked. “What is this?” she sputtered.
“Water.” He frowned for a moment, then slapped his forehead for letting such a simple thing slip his mind. Damn, he’d requested water. Not salt water.
Her lips twisted down in a grimace. “It’s awful. How can they drink this?”
“Wait here.” He rushed from the inn, taking flight and zooming toward the ocean. After scooping a cupful of seawater, he flew back and placed the murky water in front of her.
She sipped from the cup. Her sensuous lips curved in pleasure this time. “Thank you.” Her smile faded as she toyed with her spoon. Setting the spoon on the table, she narrowed her eyes. “Have you stayed at this inn before?”
He reclined and took a swig of his ale. Though he’d love nothing more than to disclose everything, such a deluge might overwhelm her.
“Well, have you?” Her brows drew together.
He decided to play this game with her, interpreting her question as, “How much time do you spend in the human world?”
“Aye, many times,” he replied. Which of course translated as, “Not telling.”
She scanned the room. “This inn must have been built a long time ago.”
Or, “How old are you, truly?”
He grinned at her. “Indeed, it was built over a century ago. There’s a plaque above the entrance.” Nice try.
“You should eat. It’s getting late.” Nazrin ended Essa’s interrogation by snatching her spoon, scooping the broth and blowing. As his breath flowed out in icy wisps, cooling the contents of her spoon, he reveled in the way her pupils dilated and her lips parted.
In the way he unraveled her tightly woven composure.
“Here, it should be cooler.” He ought to have considered how her kind rarely ate warm food.
She accepted the spoon, careful not to let her fingers brush against his. “Thank you.”
He swigged from the mug in front of him to hide his frown. “Have you never sampled human food?”
Her reply was a coy curving of her lips. Apparently, she planned on refusing to answer as many questions as he did.
After their meal, Nazrin led Essa up a steep staircase by the entry. He withdrew the key the innkeeper had handed him and unlocked the second door. Then he strode inside the room to the table beside the modest bed and lit the candle. Essa stepped into the room and huddled against the opposite wall.
“Meet me downstairs in the morning. Sleep well, Sirena.” His talons pressed into his palms as he forced himself to quit the chamber and leave her.