He was leaving? Because he couldn’t have her? Elyssa’s mouth fell open in shock.

“Let’s not be too hasty.” Chastity Angel was cool and unruffled as Kadir began to storm out the doors. “You need a bride to populate your city. We’ve brought together the most accomplished, talented, and beautiful contestants for your selection.”

Accomplished. Talented. Beautiful.

Each word slammed into Elyssa. Shame made a squishy lump out of her spine.

Chastity Angel’s first words returned to scold her a second time. Did you come to this pageant, after I restricted you, for the sole purpose of ruining Aya’s chances?

No, that was the one thing Elyssa had not come to do. And yet, she had ruined Aya’s chances. Messed them up to the point that if Kadir didn’t get Elyssa he was choosing no one.

Now she could feel the heat of Aya’s determined gaze. She must want to shake Elyssa for turning Kadir down. But didn’t Elyssa have to? He was only “claiming” her because she’d broken the taboo and fallen on him backstage. Aya was supposed to be his bride. Elyssa should never have gotten this far.

How could she look Aya in the eye? She couldn’t.

The beefy one named Soren caught Kadir at the door and spoke near Kadir’s ear. “She is not the brightest bride. Others are brighter.”

See? Elyssa hugged herself tighter. A stranger could tell just by looking at her that she’d make a dumb ruler. Why couldn’t he?

Kadir’s eyes narrowed on her. “That is not what I see.”

“It is obvious to anyone with eyes.”

“Then since you see what is obvious, you claim the first bride.”

Soren’s mouth dropped. He blinked. An instant later, he snarled. “You are king.”

“The old ways are dead in Atlantis, Soren. Claim your bride and we will leave.”

“Never!”

“Or any of you.” Kadir challenged his other warriors. “Choose now and determine our destiny.”

They shuffled back, uncomfortable with his challenge.

“Please, noble warriors.” Chastity Angel’s smile curved. “There are plenty of women. Let’s discuss this calmly.”

But Kadir wasn’t the kind of person to be talked into something. When Soren also lowered his head and growled his refusal, Kadir assumed control once more. “We leave now.”

His gaze stabbed Elyssa. Molten hot. She couldn’t catch her breath. Choose. She couldn’t speak.

With a snarl, he turned and shoved the auditorium doors wide. His warriors exited behind him to the lobby.

Chastity Angel’s eyes narrowed.

They were leaving. They were really leaving.

Elyssa’s heart beat faster and faster. She clenched her hands to her chest. This was for the best. She could never be a queen. She could barely keep up with her filing. It was all for the best.

Aya made a panicked noise, grabbed Elyssa’s wrist, and dragged her forward. “What are you doing? You have to say yes. Hurry.”

Elyssa stumbled on her single sandal. “But—”

“Mermen are your obsession! Now’s your chance.”

“Don’t bother.” Chastity Angel’s lips flattened. “He’ll be back.”

“Or he’ll disappear to the bottom of the sea and another company will scoop up those Sea Opals.”

“Dispassionate negotiation wins. Watch and learn.” Chastity Angel scoffed at them. Her sharp stems clicked on the tile as she followed the mermen into the lobby.

“You watch us succeed,” Aya muttered, near-silent under her breath. “Come on, Elyssa.”

“It’s fine!” Elyssa dragged her heels. “You catch him. He’ll stop for you.”

Aya frowned, brought up short by Elyssa’s answer, and refocused on her. “I’m sorry this is so sudden. It isn’t what I planned, and I was going to talk to you about — well, never mind that. You’re not holding back because of me, are you? Are you really not interested in King Kadir?”

“I’m not a contestant.”

“Forget about the pageant. Look me in the eye.”

She could not look her cousin in the eye. “I told him to choose you.”

“Don’t think about me. Don’t think about anyone. Take a deep breath. Think about you.” Aya’s hard, icy demeanor softened. Only in front of Elyssa did she ever crack her tough shell and show her true self. “Please.”

Elyssa took a deep breath and held it.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here earlier,” Aya said softly, still gripping Elyssa’s wrist. Gentle, anxious, serious. “I’m sorry my mom got you all alone.”

Elyssa exploded. “No, I’m the sorry one! You were on stage and I—”

“No, no. Focus. I’m sorry I didn’t explain why I needed you to come today. Please tell me you’re not turning this down because of me.”

Well, that was one of the reasons. Not the only reason, of course.

Aya pushed on, accepting Elyssa’s silence as tacit agreement and fighting it. “Forget me. You’re the only one who can do this. He chose you.”

“I can’t boss anybody.”

“King Kadir thinks you’re fully capable of becoming his queen. I do also. He’ll take you with him if you agree.”

But Elyssa didn’t agree. She remained silent.

Aya frowned hard. “Do you honestly not want to become a mermaid queen?”

Honestly?

“Oh, no. I’d love to. It’s just that I…”

I don’t need it. You want to. You’re going to do great things. I’ll never do anything important. The words died on her lips.

She didn’t need to join Kadir as his mermaid queen? She didn’t need it?

No. Elyssa did need it. She needed it so badly her chest ached. Her whole body did. She’d wanted to be a mermaid since she’d moved to Florida in sixth grade and her new step-cousin Aya invited her to join the Unicorn Mermaid Girls Club. Her desire had only intensified after discovering mer people existed and she could actually become one. Denying she wanted to join the undersea kingdom would be like denying she needed oxygen.

But no way could she rule over anyone. She couldn’t even match her socks.

Face reality. Accept your limitations.

Like Chastity Angel once said, Elyssa would not be doing important things anytime soon.

“I want it,” she said firmly. “But I think—”

“You’ll do great. Come on!” Aya dragged her into the lobby. “King Kadir, please wait. I have a proposal.”

He ignored her.

Event staff, visitors, and cameras crowded around their rock star cool forms. Visible through the glass facade, black SUVs pulled up to the curb. Kadir pushed open the doors to the outside. Moist Florida heat barreled into the lobby.

“Excuse me!” Aya raised her voice. “King Kadir? If you could give us a moment of your time.”

He didn’t respond.

But that wasn’t fair. Aya was trying so hard! How could he ignore her so coldly?

“Hey!” Elyssa called out. “Kadir, wait!”

He stopped and turned. The warriors moved aside, creating a protective aisle for Kadir to face them.

The intensity of his gaze once more stole her breath. In the full light of day, he was all hard muscle and broad height, dangerous power and inflexible steel.

Elyssa’s legs went rubbery.

Why did he want her? Aya was better by every possible measure. Her icy blonde hair was slicked back in a wet, but perfect, bun. Her lips were still coated with a perfect layer of waterproof Van Cartier hot red Checkmate. She was dripping everywhere but she had a great body to show off in the bikini, and she’d taken the time to fix her matching heels. She was organized, put together, and imperious, and the fact Kadir didn’t notice was baffling and unfair.

But Kadir’s dark eyes fixed on Elyssa like an arrow pinning her to a target.

“Yes?” he said, putting more into a single syllable than she could put into a hundred sentences.

Behind them, Chastity Angel’s disapproval crackled like a storm cloud gathering wrath.

The reality TV crew recorded every word.

Seriously. What was she thinking?

Aya pushed Elyssa forward, brave for the both of them. “Elyssa will sign the paperwork. Then, she’ll become a contestant, and you can choose her.”

“I do not care about your paperwork.”

“You care about your honor. We’re not abandoning her to you. The contract places her under our protection, too.”

Kadir’s eyes narrowed. He turned to Elyssa and set his feet. “Come, Elyssa.”

Excitement pulsed through her. Longing entwined with fiery wishes.

This determined the next hours - no, days, no, years - of her life. Did she want it? Did she need it?

Elyssa walked forward.

Kadir’s nostrils flared. He captured her hands in his. “Rule Atlantis as my queen.”

Her doubts swirled. I don’t know how. I haven’t had Lucy’s mermaid bride training. Then, there was his answer. We will learn together.

Elyssa squeezed his hands. “I’ll try.”

“You are mine.” He tugged her into his arms and sealed her lips with his.

A thousand pounds of masculine strength embraced her, rock hard and implacable. His firm lips commanded her to lose herself in his embrace.

She gripped his bulging biceps. Her thighs pressed against his rock-hard jeans. Pulsing need pounded into her feminine center.

There was his scent again. Movie star delicious. Hickory and vanilla? His smoky flavor made her crave a deeper taste.

His wide hands cupped her cheeks. His teeth nibbled at her lips. Rivulets of need tingled to her hot center. She opened her lips. He dove into her mouth and branded her with his tongue.

Her body heated.

This was possession. All-consuming possession.

She wanted to climb onto Kadir. Wrap her legs around his taut waist. Lose herself as he plunged into her and rocked her to sweet release.

Their kiss changed everything. Her world shattered. All that was left was Kadir.

He freed her lips, kept his eyes closed, and sucked in a long breath.

She stroked the fierce planes of his rugged, silver-tattooed face. He swayed slightly and gripped onto her as though he were unsteady. As though their kiss had knocked him sideways just as hard as it had knocked her.

But he recovered quickly. His eyes opened. He glared at her with magnificent challenge. “My bride.”