I CAN’T LET MY FATHER destroy the island and kill Duncan’s subjects in the process. Why is he doing this, and how did he find out?

Running, I descend the slopes and almost fall. The wind is fustigating my flesh, and the storm has unleashed the first heavy drops of water from the skies. The fabric clings to my form, and I pray that my legs don’t turn into a fishtail before I reach the surf. It’s a challenge to run. The liberty of movement inside the water is something that I’ll miss. That is if Dad doesn’t kill Duncan before I can explain what’s going on.

“Mirella, you are going to kill yourself.” Duncan’s arms surround my waist, and he pulls me against his chest.

I grab his hands and steady my body. “I need to get to the sea.”

“I understand that. But you’ll fall if I don’t help you.” He breathes deep and talks sweetly against my ear. “Turn around and hold on to my neck. Let me carry you.”

Breathing his scent, I nod and curl against his embrace. “I’m sorry. This is all my fault. I should have talked to him before coming here.”

Duncan’s heartbeat is steady, and he descends the slope with me in his arms as if I’m weightless. “Are you going to leave me to save my kingdom?”

“I’m going to stop the storm and reason with Dad.”

“And if he takes you away and you can’t come back?”

He stops near the revolving waves hitting the sand.

I raise my head and search his eyes. “He can’t keep me away from you. You are my mate. We belong together. I’ll unleash hell if he tries.”

My mate smiles. “I’ll search the seven seas for you if I must. Tell your father that I want to talk to him and make it clear that my intentions toward you are honorable. I want to marry you, my love.”

Beaming, I kiss him.

“Mirella!”

The kiss is briefer than I want it to be. Still, my sister’s calling makes me leave Duncan’s arms and search for her in the sea. “Dana. Where are you?”

The waves slow down, and the raindrops freeze in mid-air. Duncan and I look around, surprised by the display of magic.

Dana walks to us as if she’s floating and the water is evaporating from her form. Her long, blonde hair falls down her body like a dress and the almost translucent fabric covering her figure is the only thing that conceals her feminine parts.

I put my hands on my hips. “Were you the one who told Dad where I was?”

“I was worried about you. I didn’t know if you were a prisoner on this island. Plus, Dad forced me to tell him where you could be found.”

“Stop with the water tricks. We need to talk to him and stop this madness.” I walk to my sister and grab her by the arm. “Stop ogling at Duncan. He’s mine.”

Dana giggles as she follows me into the water. “He’s tall and handsome. It would be a shame if Dad killed him.”

We enter the water and our tails propel us forward into the big waves. “That’s why you’ll help me reason with him and stop the storm.”

***

THERE’S NOTHING I CAN do but stay back and watch. Mirella’s head disappears, and I step away from the huge waves unfolding against the sand. The rain intensifies and lightning strikes as it snakes from the sky to the sea. Though I’m worried about my kingdom, my heart hurts with the idea of never seeing my mermaid again. My world will end if that happens.

“Duncan! What are you doing here? You need to come inside the castle. A huge storm is coming.”

My beta’s voice reaches my ears, and I see him, fighting against the wind as he tries to reach the beach. I stride to him, grab his arm, and push him to the safety of the trees.

“Lightning can strike here. We need to leave,” Leonard protests.

“Not without knowing what will happen to Mirella. She went to talk to her dad.”

“Is the Sea King doing this? We are going to die.”

“Calm yourself. I’ll talk to him and ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage.”

My best friend stops gesturing like a mad person and gazes at me wide-eyed. “Are you serious?”

“What else do you want me to do? Mirella is mine. I can’t live without her.”

“Are you going to his underwater palace to talk to him? Do you really believe that you’ll survive? Or will he come here after destroying half of your kingdom and your ships?”

My fingers run through my tangled hair. “I really didn’t think a lot about this. I trust that Mirella knows what she’s doing.”

The wind seems to slow down, and I turn to the sea and look at the eye of the storm. “It’s calming down.” I step back with wide eyes as a huge wave forms far away and travels in the direction of the beach. “We should run, now.”

Leonard doesn’t move and grips my arm. “I don’t think we can run far enough without being swallowed by it.”

I brace myself for the impact. When all seems lost, the wave flattens and the sea parts. The rain stops, steam rises from the path created by the split sea, and a group of men in gold uniforms led by a tall man with a trident in his hand march to the beach.

My feet walk on their own accord and my eyes search for Mirella. That must be her father. He looks too young to have a daughter of her age. Still, his expression is severe, and his men look ready for war.

In a tight formation, the army of mermen form a line far from the surf.

“Which one of you is asking for my daughter’s hand?” The king’s voice is stern.

I’m used to dealing with difficult men in powerful positions. My father was one of them. I step forward with a respectable bow. “I am, Your Majesty.”

He looks at me from head to toe. “Is this your kingdom?”

I endure his gaze. “Yes.”

“Do you love Mirella?”

“I love her with all my heart.”

He steps forward. “Would you die for her?”

“Yes. Where is she? Why did she...”

“Silence!”

I glare at him. “You are in my kingdom, don’t tell me to shut up. You were threatening my people just a while back without any provocation.”

“You were holding my daughter hostage.”

“She came here on her own. We belong together, and I’ll do anything to have her back. We are bonded, and that bond should be respected. I’m not a fearful boy. Respect me and I’ll respect you.”

“I’ve come here to negotiate.”

I frown. “Negotiate what?”

“Your terms to marry my daughter.”

I purse my lips unsure about what negotiations he intends to wager.

He taps his trident against the sand and a lightning resonates far away. “She says she’s in love with you. Are you going to make her your wife or not?”

“All I want is for Mirella to be my queen.”

The Sea King scrubs his black beard and growls before adding, “She’s a mermaid. My youngest daughter. I need to know that you’ll protect and cherish her with all your heart. I won’t go against the Fates, but I don’t want her to have her heart broken.”

“So, you aren’t against our marriage?”

“I’m more concerned about how you plan to take care of her since she’s clearly not human.”

“I’m not a human either. I’m a Lycan.”

The king places a hand on my shoulders. “Let’s discuss the terms of this wedding. My army will remain here. Meanwhile, show me your castle.”

My body slowly relaxes, and my heartbeat calms down with the notion that he isn’t here to kill me or take Mirella away from me. If he wants me to prove to him that I’m worthy of his daughter’s hand, then I’ll comply.