Don’t…stop. Essa was on the verge of releasing those words when Nazrin hesitated. She’d been sure he’d been about to kiss her, but as they rode on in silence, her certainty slipped. She must have mistaken his intentions. Just because every inch of her skin sprang to life at his touch didn’t mean he felt the same. He might already have a mate. That would explain why he hadn’t tried to stay with her at the inn.
His lack of a bonding mark on his upper left bicep didn’t mean he was unattached.
What did she know of the male species, anyway? Except, of course, what happened to her mother. Enough. She scowled at her wanton behavior. What was it about Nazrin that made her forget everything she’d vowed not to become?
The Pythia must relinquish all earthly ties. She would do well to follow her aunt’s example.
The sun’s rays burst through the dense forest, vanquishing the last traces of morning fog. Essa’s ears filled with the melodies of wildlife. She resided in the ocean, but the mysteries of land captivated her. This might be her last chance to explore the human world, since the Pythia led a sequestered existence inside Apollo’s temple. Greedily, she absorbed each of the sights and sounds around her. Squirrels that scurried back and forth. Birds trilling their cheerful tunes. Even the shadow of a deer and the cracking of twigs.
The path grew rockier as they climbed uphill. Xanthos shuffled his hooves. Did Nazrin’s horse know the way?
At the fork in the path, they dismounted and passed left through a narrow cleft between two mountain peaks. Nazrin ambled ahead, guiding the horse, and she followed. He stopped where the path vanished and spoke a few words. Her ears strained to catch them, but failed. The ground beneath her feet trembled as the mountains split apart.
She trailed him through the concealed rock corridor and along a short stretch of dirt road. The gradual descent led into a valley.
Only it wasn’t merely a valley.
Essa gasped at the view before her and frowned at Nazrin.
“Welcome to Halcyon. Would you like to see more?” He offered her his arm.
She nodded, too much in awe to speak, and placed her hand on his arm. As they approached the base of the mountain, the path widened once more, large fields sprawling on either side. The fields were in full harvest. Grape vines, olive trees, and dozens of other crops were heavy-laden with produce. Herds of sheep and goats grazed in one field.
She angled her face upward, for the calm reassurance of Apollo’s rays. Sunlight warmed her flesh, but these rays weren’t the same as his. Odd. She shielded her eyes with one hand and squinted toward the sun. The bright, hazy celestial being appeared the same, yet somehow also devoid of its divine governance. Apollo can’t see inside Halcyon. Why not?
Nazrin cleared his throat. “Shall we?”
Together, they strode forward.
To her left, the southern field sloped toward a mile-long lake. Large boulders and driftwood lined its rocky shore. A tributary fed the lake on its southernmost side and several vessels bobbed on the surface. The briny scents of salt water and sea life filled her nostrils. The ocean?
On her right, stone cottages nestled between giant oaks, white poplars, and pines. A sizeable field stretched beyond them, with archery targets on display. Straight ahead, dozens of tables filled an outdoor dining hall. A fenced arena lay between that and the archery field. Stables sprawled next to the fields on the right. The road widened into a square and dissolved. The square was bordered on one side by the dining hall and training arena, on another by the lake, and on the last by a few wooden structures. Beyond the training arena were more cottages. Log cabins dominated the far western end, backing into a mountain range.
This place Nazrin called Halcyon was breathtaking in the morning light. A self-sustaining village secreted away in a hidden valley.
Even more, the people working in the fields, sunbathing on the lake’s rocks, and fighting in hand-to-hand combat fascinated her. Some possessed dark hair and creamy skin like hers. Water Borne. Others had giant ivory wings like Nazrin. Wind Borne. Her people and his, living and working together in this place.
Laborers in the fields stopped to gawk at them. A few smiled or waved. Others gaped…at her, or Nazrin?
Strong, resplendent Nazrin would draw anyone’s attention.
They passed the training arena, where a group of winged men wrestled. The males moved so fast she couldn’t count them. A few of them paused to grin at her, before they resumed fighting. She glanced up in time to catch a flicker of Nazrin’s vanishing scowl.
A plump woman with mousy brown hair and even plumper white wings greeted them at the first of the wooden structures. She smoothed her dress, puffing, out of breath, as though she’d raced here after spotting them.
“Welcome back, milord.” She curtsied to Nazrin. “Will you be staying many nights?”
“A few days at the very least.”
“I’ll have your cabin tidied immediately.” She licked her lips and fluffed her hair. Was everyone enamored by him?
Nazrin swept a hand at Essa. “Haizea, this is Lady Essa. She’s under my protection and will be staying with me. Please send someone to measure her for clothing.”
Lady Essa? She tensed. No one referred to her as such. How did he learn her parentage?
The woman veered her assessment to Essa, giving a curt nod, her mouth curled downward.
Before Essa had the chance to stiffen in defense, Nazrin whisked her away, handing the reins of his horse to the woman. “Oh, and see that Xanthos is well-cared for.” He flashed Haizea a brilliant smile, which seemed to placate her.
They passed by a modest brick structure and a sweet aroma filled her nostrils, making her mouth water. An assortment of breads, rolls, pastries, and pies cooled on the window ledge. As Nazrin snatched two of the warm rolls, a silver-haired human woman by the window swatted the back of his hand. He cast an impish smirk in her direction. “Thank you, kitchen-wench.”
The woman tsked and replied in one of the human languages Essa didn’t speak.
Nazrin laughed and handed Essa a roll. He led her to the westernmost edge of the village. Fewer, more secluded homes scattered between the trees. He directed them to the left and pointed to a cabin a hundred feet from the shoreline. Dense forest surrounded it on three sides and a stone path trailed to its front door.
He opened the door and ushered her inside. A large fireplace occupied the right-hand wall and a cozy armchair nestled next to it. In the back of the room, a table with two chairs filled the space. Bookshelves stacked across the far side and the half wall to the left. Thin and thick, leather-bound manuscripts, papyrus scrolls—he possessed every kind of book.
The door on her left revealed a bedchamber dominated by an enormous bed. A wardrobe lined the far wall. On the other, a washbasin. A window above the head of the bed revealed a lush view of the forest.
One bedchamber? Perhaps he shared this cabin with his wife. He must mean for her to sleep somewhere else. Questions about this place spun in her mind. “How many people live in Halcyon?”
“It varies. We can accommodate a few hundred. Some choose to stay for a night or two; others have made this place their permanent home.” Nazrin sank onto the armchair.
“Is this yours?”
“Yes and no. I have a few other homes as well.” He took a bite of the roll. “Now, Sirena, everyone who stays here is expected to follow the rules and to complete their daily assigned duties.”
Interesting. “What do you do?”
“I train the new recruits.” He grinned.
“Are you planning to train me?” Was that his intention in bringing her to this place?
“Most definitely.” His gaze darkened as it drifted across her and rested on her lips. “I won’t risk retrieving the amulet until you’re ready.”
She averted her face, perplexed by the heat in his perusal. Drawing in a calming breath, she focused instead on his words. “How can you be certain the cyclops will still have my amulet by the time you decide I’m ready?”
“I have eyes on the cyclops,” he hedged. Hmm.
“If I refuse?”
He gave a casual shrug. “You’re free to attempt retrieving it on your own.”
She sighed. That wasn’t an option. Besides, her curiosity had been sparked and wouldn’t be denied this opportunity to explore the world on land. “What will my assigned duty be?”
“Ah, that I don’t know. Haizea handles assignments. She’s the Wind Borne female we met on the way in.”
A light tap rapped on the door. Nazrin answered it, and two women stepped inside. The older of the two carried a basket containing various fruits, breads, and cheeses. In her other hand, she held a vase of flowers, which she set on the table. The younger bore a sewing basket. Was that a squirrel perched on her shoulder?
Excitement pulsed through Essa. Their coloring revealed them to be of her kind. Months had passed since she’d met another Water Borne who wasn’t a servant or a priestess, and years since she’d chatted with anyone her age. Her aunt didn’t approve of social gatherings. Blasted renouncement of earthly ties.
The older mermayde set about tidying the cabin, dusting off the many books and rearranging the sparse furnishings.
“If you don’t mind, milady, I’ll take your measurements.” The younger maiden advanced toward Essa.
Nazrin coughed into his fist and instructed, “Cassiopeia, please direct her,” he inclined his head toward Essa, “to the dining hall when you’re finished.”
“Of course, milord.” She curtsied and he departed with the elder mermayde.
“It’s an honor to meet you, milady.”
An honor? How peculiar. She cleared her throat. “Essa, please.”
The sea maiden’s brows drew together over her doe brown eyes. “You’re Lady Essa, daughter of Lord Nereus, are you not?”
“Yes, but please, call me Essa.” Did these people believe she still lived with her father? If they did, perhaps she’d best play along until she learned why.
“If you like, Essa.” She beamed with more confidence. “I’m Cassie.” The squirrel perched on her shoulder while she squinted in concentration and measured Essa.
“Finished. Your clothes will be ready by this evening. I’ll hang them inside.” She pointed to the wardrobe in the bedchamber.
“I’m not staying here.” She stiffened. “There’s only one bedchamber and I’m sure Nazrin’s wife wouldn’t appreciate the intrusion.”
“Oh, Essa,” Cassie’s lips curved in mischief, “he’s not married.”
***
Nazrin forced his muscles to calm so he’d appear as innocuous as possible when Essa arrived. Still, his foot twitched, and he clenched his fists to stop his fingers from drumming on the wooden table.
The sun claimed its highest peak in the sky by the time she ambled toward him. He rose and helped her to her seat, opening his palm toward the food he’d arranged for her.
Folding her hands in her lap, she smiled toward the lake. Her pale skin was dry and her dark hair lacked luster. As a Water Borne, she required the ocean’s energy to sustain her. Being in human form drained her, yet she might not know this, since she’d never transformed before.
“After our meal, it would be best if you swim,” he informed her. “You’ll find the morphos will alleviate…” Essa wasn’t looking at him. Instead, she stared longingly at the water. He followed her scrutiny to where a figure surfaced.
A head full of short black curls preceded a tall, athletic body.
Damn. Not yet. Not yet. A low growl escaped Nazrin’s throat.
Kai enacted the morphos on one of the rocks and waded toward the shore. Completely nude. Nazrin shot his gaze to Essa, whose cheeks flamed bright red. She averted her eyes, but not bloody quick enough.
He leapt beside the dark-haired male, snatched his stray garments, and shoved them at him. “Clothe yourself, myrman, or I’ll have you punished for breaking the code,” he snarled, his wings darkening.
Frowning at him, Kai shrugged on his breeches. “I didn’t consider the tide when I deposited my clothes here.” A note of hostility grated beneath his carefree tone. “I wasn’t planning on returning this soon, but I heard—never mind.” He raked a hand through his damp hair. “Anyway, I suffer no shame about my body. After all, it isn’t even my true form.”
Nazrin jerked his chin toward Essa.
“Oh.” Kai’s features rounded, then relaxed into a broad grin, the pulsing of his heart racing. At last. Essa. My betrothed. “Well, no harm, right.”
His predator half rose to the defiance in the younger man’s voice, his shadowed wings unfurling as he straightened to his full height, towering above Kai.
“Nazrin, it’s fine.” Essa wedged between them.
He struggled to prevent his talons from emerging, but she placed a hand on his forearm and his gut seized. Had he done the right thing by not telling her?
The myrman pressed forward. “Ah, you’re the reason I came back early. Everyone is talking about you.” His voice deepened. “A pleasure to meet you, Lady Essa. I’m Lord Kai.”
She twisted toward him. “Likewise.”
The mate-thief grinned at her. Nazrin’s talons punctured his palms while he clamped his jaw in an effort to keep his raptor in check. Mine, the thunderous claim roared in his ears.
Kai snared her hand and gallantly kissed it. Lowering his head, he slanted his glare to Nazrin. The myrman’s declaration rang loud and clear. Talons off. She’s mine.
Essa’s soft laugh sent his heart plummeting into his gut. He’d dreaded this moment for two decades. Now, it was here, and he was powerless to do anything but watch.
Watch while this male stole his mate.
Watch while there wasn’t a damn thing Nazrin could do to stop him.
“I’ve been awaiting this day for a long time. Where have you been hiding?” Kai glanced suspiciously at Nazrin before regarding her. “You’re even more radiant than the tales I’ve heard.”
Essa’s pale skin blushed a bright rose.
Charming bastard.
“Come, Lady Essa, it’s time for your training.”
“Ah.” A mischievous tone in Kai’s voice declared he didn’t intend to let her go. “I hoped to escort her to the underwater village. Although you do look ravishing,” he studied her, “permit me to say that it appears you haven’t undergone the morphos for some time and a swim would do you wonders. Of course, your warden,” he nodded to Nazrin, “may accompany us if you wish. However, I do believe his kind isn’t fond of getting wet.”
Longing filled Essa’s eyes. Helpless to deny her, he conceded. “Very well. Lady Essa, I shall expect you at our cabin before the evening meal.”
A challenge flashed in Kai’s smirk at his remark.
Damn.