Nazrin let the door to the infirmary slam behind him. His brother’s wife, Aedre, stood at the counter where half a dozen jars lay scattered, their contents dumped into a shell bowl. Turquoise eyes narrowed on him and he would have squirmed beneath her strict scrutiny, if not for the dusting of green powder on her nose.
He folded his arms, glared at her, then uncrossed his arms and paced the room.
Aedre cleared her throat. “She’s here.” A statement, not a question. Both Aedre and his brother Gaven knew about Essa. “Hmm. I’m guessing by your surly expression that she’s met him.”
He flashed a scowl at her.
“You know this grieves me deeply.” She glided to him and placed a hand on his arm. “It truly does, Nazrin. I regret many of the things I’ve done, but I’ve wronged you more than anyone.” As her voice broke, he forgot his anger. After all, she’d cast the enchantment of the blood betrothal between Essa and Kai before she’d met Gaven.
“It doesn’t…” She cleared her throat. “It doesn’t mean hope is lost.” She shrugged one shoulder and quirked her lip. “Someone is bound to defeat one of my spells. Why not you?” Her voice lowered. “If I still had my powers—”
“Nay, Aedre.” He planted his hands on her shoulders. Only Nazrin knew the price Aedre paid to become Gaven’s mate. She was once the most powerful sea enchantress in all the oceans, but she’d relinquished her position to bond with his brother.
He tilted her chin. “You are Gaven’s heart and soul. Don’t ever think,” he glanced to the side, blew out his breath, and met her gaze again, “don’t ever think I blame you.”
She beamed that brilliant smile of hers, the one which had charmed Gaven, and he couldn’t help but grin back at her. “Kyme and Arsenius,” she gave an undignified sniffle, “are touring a new Amazon encampment. Thereus and the centaurs have gathered at Great Meteoron for a week-long festivity. And Gaven, well, I sent him off on a fool’s errand.” A twinkle sparkled in her eyes. “You’re welcome.”
Nazrin tossed his head and chuckled. “Aye, and I thank you.” The last thing he needed was that rowdy grouping of his friends assaulting Essa from every angle. They would mean well, but… He rolled his shoulders and flapped his wings, relief easing from them.
“Promise me,” Aedre whispered. “Remember what we discussed. You must give her time to choose with her own heart.”
He dipped his head, clenching and unclenching his fists at his sides. The raptor hated waiting, but Aedre was right. Damn. The only way to save his mate—and himself—would be to determine how to procure her fealty. He’d do best to take this time and learn about her.
And still, his raptor incessantly squawked the only truth which mattered to him.
Essa is mine.
***
Essa strolled to the hut Kai told her about, noting its proximity to Nazrin’s cabin. Shelves lined one wall, odds and ends of garments poking out from inside them.
Nazrin assured her their races weren’t at war, but he certainly hadn’t treated Kai like an ally. She frowned. His behavior had been possessive, but he hadn’t made any gesture of courtship toward her.
Not that she would accept, anyway. Still… A tiny thrill curled her toes at the notion that he might…that she might.
He couldn’t have been concerned that Kai would pursue her, could he?
Nonsense. Kai had seemed gallant and sincere, but nothing sparked between them. Not like when Nazrin touched her. Flames engulfed her then.
They were both striking males. Kai emitted an aristocratic presence, with his youthful, sharply-honed features, dazzling blue eyes, and his polished grin. No one would be able to accuse Nazrin of the same—he dripped rugged, almost beastly, masculinity. At six and a half feet tall, Nazrin had a few inches on Kai. Combined with his massively brawny form, he was definitely larger, even if one didn’t count his enormous wings. Yet Kai had an effortless charm about him that she looked forward to enjoying.
If she ever managed to morphos, that was.
She undressed and grimaced at her quivering hands. The incident at the river made her apprehensive about water. Absurd. She snorted. Still, her hands trembled. What if I can’t morphos? She shook her head. After she placed her belongings on a shelf, she searched until she found one of the coverings made in the fashion of her people. Kai claimed it was a borrowing system. She tied the strings of the diamond-shaped mesh interwoven with silver threads and dark green sea plants at her neck and back.
Essa let her hair loose and combed through the locks with her fingers. Satisfied, she shifted her focus to the morphos. She treaded to the other side, where a ledge dropped off into deep water, and eased down, facing the hut’s wall while her feet and calves soaked in the water.
Closing her eyes, she forced her muscles to relax, and let the cool liquid wash over her. She concentrated on the water, losing herself in it. That place of icy-blue heat in her mind fanned. She opened her eyes as a glow emanated from her legs. This time, she experienced little pain, more of a slight discomfort. Her legs shimmered, joined, and she became a sea maiden once again.
The water radiated through her, refreshing her body and mind, washing away the stress and anxiety of the past few days. For the first time since the river, no trace of cold lingered in her bones. Exhilarated, she slipped into the lake.
Immersed in the salt water, her hair grew silkier and her skin glistened once more. Her senses were restored to their heightened states. The world brightened as the ocean’s briny scent flooded her nose. Home. I’m home at last.
She swam out farther, flipping and twisting in the water, reacquainting herself with her abilities.
Wearing a woven vest, Kai approached her in his sea form and nodded in approval, his voice floating to her. “You look stunning. How do you feel?”
Under the water, it wasn’t possible for them to communicate with spoken words. The sounds would be distorted in the bubbles of air released with them. Instead, her people spoke through song, much in the same manner as the great whales. Their language consisted of hundreds of sounds, the notes blending to form syllables and words, similar to human languages. Theirs elicited the same haunting sensation as whales, but with the added ability to bend water molecules, so their songs played to the audience they wished.
“Amazing.” Essa laughed. She was immersed in the ocean. Home. “Where are we going?”
“Did you like the village above?”
“It’s remarkable.”
“Well, it’s nothing compared to the underwater Halcyon. Wait until you see it.” He arched a brow in leisurely appreciation. “Are you certain you can keep up?”
“Are you?” she called over her shoulder, already diving deep. Kai didn’t catch her, so she teased, “You can do better. When I beat you, I want to know you didn’t hold anything back.”
His shoulder brushed past hers and he winked. “With you, Essa, I hold nothing back.” Splashing his cerulean tail, Kai seized the lead. Essa sped to pursue him.
They twisted and spun, flipped and dove, all the while their musical laughter resonating off the lake floor.
At the far side of the lake, Kai panted, “I surrender. Can we agree to a truce?”
She smirked as he feigned exhaustion, wiping non-existent sweat from his brow.
“Come, Essa. Let me show you the best part of Halcyon.” She accepted his outstretched hand and let him lead her into the depths of the lake.
From the topside, she’d never guessed it to be so deep. Absolute darkness surrounded them. Approaching the bottom, she detected a faint glow. The radiance brightened as they neared.
She’d heard people talk about Lord Nereus’s Court, and she imagined this must be a miniature version. The Sea King’s Royal City was supposedly enormous and majestic, nothing like the dreary manor where she’d been raised or the somber temple of Apollo.
They approached the gates together. Opulent, carved marble columns rose out of the floor to adorn either side. Low walls encompassed the area, the stone laced with swirling runes of gold. A palace dominated the inside of the enclosure, surrounded by dozens of minor structures. The buildings were constructed of the same etched rock, so the village cast its own illumination.
A guard at his post acknowledged Kai and permitted them entry through the gate. They swam past the minor buildings, straight to the palace.
Golden arched doors opened into a lavishly decorated great hall. Cushions woven from sea plants were arranged into seating areas along either side of a main aisle. The room was richly draped in dark purples and blues, silver and gold. Stone walls, laced with the same swirling golden runes, surrounded them. Down the aisle stood a large throne, inlaid with thousands of sparkling jewels, framed by two similar seats on either side.
Essa frowned at the thrones. At the moment, they were empty. Whom did they belong to?
The water vibrated with the soft musical humming of dozens of conversations from the myrmen and mermaydes scattered about the chamber.
Kai reposed on a plum-colored cushioned sofa. He stretched, his muscles flexing enticingly, and draped his arms along the back of the sofa.
Essa chose a seat across from him, examining the room—and the exits. Several. Good.
“Well?” He swept a hand across the hall. “The above-water dwellers boast of Halcyon, but we live in luxury down here.”
“It’s…” Pausing, she glanced around once more. The palace was luxurious, grand, and yet somehow, cold. “It’s lovely.” She offered him a smile. “How did Halcyon come to be?”
He shrugged. “That’s a long story, but in essence, those born of the water required a place in the human world to learn to fight. Some whispered of an evil rising. On land, in this form, we can’t fight. We couldn’t risk being vulnerable.”
“Learn to fight? Against whom?” Nazrin had professed they weren’t at war.
“You haven’t heard of the War?” He cocked one brow.
“Should I have?”
“Aye,” he dipped his head, “ ’tis no secret Hades and Persephone are fighting for their love. War is brewing on Olympus and lines are being drawn. The Amazons and Centaurs have already joined with us.”
She blinked. This was the first she’d heard of such things. “Against…?”
“The sun god, of course. Apollo has been amassing his own army. The Lapiths, the satyrs, and who knows who else?”
A weight sank into her gut. If anyone in Halcyon learned that she’d sworn herself to Apollo, what would they do with her? Even more, why had no one told her about this War? How had she found herself thrust into the middle of it? Her best course would be to keep her allegiance secret. Soon, she’d recover the amulet, and then retreat from this place. She mulled over his words, but started as he studied her. Intently. Too intently. She cleared her throat. This revelation changed everything. “How did the Wind Borne become involved?”
The corners of his mouth quirked. “Ah, you didn’t imagine they’d allow us to form an army without their supervision, did you?”
That did make sense. “What about you, Kai? What is your purpose here?”
“I’m Lord Nereus’s ambassador.”
She tensed, her stomach clenching at the mention of her father.
“I represent Lord Nereus in Halcyon and report to him,” he continued. “I also acquire new recruits to be trained, and I oversee them. Your father entrusts me with many important responsibilities.”
Cold terror crept along her spine and her gut twisted tighter. The urge to flee seized her muscles, but before she did, Kai swam to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
She froze at the contact.
“Easy, Essa. What is it?” She permitted him to lead her to the sofa and repose, but her gaze darted around the room, and she waited for the doors to slam shut, locking her in.
“Look at me.” He cradled her face in both his hands, forcing her focus on him. “What’s wrong?” His voice deepened, genuine concern flashing in his eyes.
Her hands flew to her throat. No, no amulet. Or noose. Her throat was bare, yet her breath squeezed out of her. She fisted her hands behind her to hide the tremors of her anxiety.
“Why am I here, Kai? Did my father send you to retrieve me?” Suddenly, she regretted ever leaving her aunt’s manor.
“No.” His dark brows creased together. “Why would your father… Oh.” He cast her an easy grin. “You didn’t, by any chance, run away, did you?” He stroked her palm while their clasped hands rested on his knee. Goodness. She jerked her hand away, but he just tilted his head at her. “I’d always wondered where you were, but no matter how many times I asked the Old Man, he wouldn’t tell me.” His tone lowered. “Regardless, you’re here now.”
She ignored whatever emotion darkened his features. Though Kai worked for her father, she might still secure her freedom. “You report to Lord Nereus? Perhaps, you might omit any news of my presence?” She offered him her most entreating smile.
Kai reached for her hand again, but she buried her fingers deep in her hair. His overt physical attentions left her unsettled. She liked him, yet his touch wasn’t right.
He reclined and observed her instead. “Oh, Essa. I would do anything for you, truly I would, but Lord Nereus knows where you are.”
Her pulse raced and she slanted her scrutiny to the exit, but she swallowed the lump in her throat. “What do you mean?”
“Your father is a powerful god. He’s ancient. While he may not acknowledge it, rest assured the old sea king is aware of what happens in every inch of his oceans and beyond. The only person you were hiding from was yourself.”
Her father knew that she lived with her aunt? Her heart pounded in her ears. Another falsehood Cassandra had fed her?
“Let’s speak of something else. Tell me about—”
“No, it’s fine. I shouldn’t have been so naïve.” She ducked away from the arm he attempted to wrap around her.
He glanced aside, but she glimpsed the flicker of hurt in his eyes and regretted her refusal of his embrace. He was merely trying to comfort her.
Essa placed her hand on his shoulder and frowned at the rough patch of flesh beneath her fingertips. She slid her fingers beneath his woven vest and down his back, over dozens of scars.
He lurched away from her at the same time as her hand flew to her mouth. “Kai?”
“ ’Tis naught but an accident of the pull of tide. I was caught beneath the current and scored my back against the seabed.” He waved it off, but his shoulders tensed. Having resided in Apollo’s temple of healing for most of her life, she knew of wounds. Those scars hadn’t been acquired at the same time. Had someone done this to him? Why? She opened her mouth to ask, but from his rigid stance, he didn’t wish to discuss his scars.
“Well, the important thing is, you don’t ever have to leave Halcyon.”
Never leave? After she recovered the amulet, she’d head home and claim her destiny. She shrugged, searching for a way to explain this to Kai. “I’m not sure what Nazrin has planned.”
“Nazrin?” A possessive note rumbled in his tone. “Is he courting you?”
She stiffened. “No, he’s helping me find something.”
“Promise me you won’t trust him, Essa.” He tossed his head. “Not for a minute. Truce or no Truce, they’re not like us. Lord Nazrin and his followers can go—”
“Lord Nazrin?”
He scoffed. “Yes, he didn’t mention his lineage? As I warned, you can’t trust them. Don’t believe a word they tell you.”
“What do you mean? Who is he?”
“He’s the son of the god Zephyrus and the goddess Kloris. A true blood. Would have been a god himself, if the gods had the powers they used to possess.”
A god? Well, nearly.
“Wind Borne are untrustworthy. Dangerous,” he drawled. “Stay with me, under the water. You belong with your own kind.” He leaned closer, his sapphire eyes alight.
“That’s very kind of you, and I do appreciate the offer. I promise to consider it.” She squeezed his hands once. “I must return.”
“Of course, milady.” His words were formal, but his tone sparkled with mischief. “May I call upon you tomorrow?”
“I would love that.”
“Until then.” He snared her hand and pressed his lips to her skin.
Despite her misgivings, she smiled at the gesture. Kai certainly was a charmer.