Arkady chugged northeast along New Zealand’s coastline. Daide stood at the railing watching seabirds dive for fish. The proximity of land offered better hunting opportunities for blue-eyed shags, the only type of cormorant found in Antarctic regions. The fast-disappearing coastline also yielded some level of protection from storms, but for the moment the sea was cooperating. As much as it ever did at these latitudes. The roaring forties and fifties were notorious for sinking ships. He recalled maps with Xs marking wrecks throughout the Southern Ocean. Even though those losses had occurred over a hundred-year timeframe, the statistics were still sobering. While he’d enjoyed kayaking and kicking around Ushuaia’s harbor, he’d never entertained a hidden desire to run away to sea.

They were passing Bay of Islands, which meant nothing but open ocean lay ahead. At least everyone had been of one mind about not stopping at any of New Zealand’s other cities, like Christchurch, for example. They didn’t need supplies after Invercargill. Additional crew would be welcome, but it wasn’t as if they could steam into port and hang out a sign.

God only knew what would materialize. His brief brush with the Witches still chilled him. He’d always envisioned them like Samantha on old episodes of Bewitched. The reality was far darker and deeply disturbing. He didn’t have to try too hard to recreate the Witch’s shrieks after they’d left her swathed in spells in her lair, surrounded by her dead kinswomen. He’d talked with Karin about Witches in the days since then, and a hundred other topics too.

The thought of her made him smile, and a warm spot bloomed in his chest. She really was trying. At times, he sensed her struggle with their growing intimacy. He backed off then, offering her space to move toward him at her leisure. In many ways, it reminded him of working with animals whose distrust of humans ran deep. They did better when you provided opportunities for them to approach you. Sometimes it wasn’t possible. If they were too badly hurt, the only option was a tranquilizer to knock them out while you did your damnedest to save their lives.

In the handful of days since their conversation in the lab, he and Karin had shared every meal together. He’d accompanied her into Invercargill, and they’d tracked down the seeds she wanted. Working with Recco, they’d also assessed blood samples from all the sea Shifters. One whale required more medication, but everyone was doing far better than Daide had expected they would.

It made his heart glad. Now that he wasn’t eaten up with jealousy, he’d discovered he liked and respected Leif, the sea Shifters’ alpha. It was a relief to move beyond the small, petty part of himself that had cropped up out of nowhere. He’d never been one to be jealous, but then he’d never been interested enough in a woman to give a good goddamn if some other man wanted her too.

One of the birds dove in a graceful arc and emerged with a decent-sized fish clamped in its sharp beak. Wings pumping, it headed toward one of many islands dotting the channel. Shags nested year-round, so the bird was probably gathering food for nestlings. Daide silently wished it well. Parts of the world were recovering from the Cataclysm’s ravages, and it gave him hope they wouldn’t arrive on Wrangel Island too late to do some good.

He’d truly enjoyed the interval between the Witches’ cave and now. For the first time since they left Ushuaia, he didn’t feel stretched thin, balanced between a precarious present and an uncertain future. The uncertain future hadn’t gone away. It still extended before him, but at least he didn’t have the eerie sensation death was waiting in the wings for an opportunity to strike.

Recco emerged from a side door and strode to his side. “Watching the cormorants, eh?”

“And the sea.” He turned to face his friend. “Rumors abound, amigo.”

Recco furled his dark brows. “About?”

“Karin tells me plans are afoot for a double wedding.”

Recco’s coppery skin developed a warm hue. “I knew the women were cooking up something. Wonder when they were going to get around to telling me and Juan?”

“From what I understand, Shifter matings are planned and driven by the women. All we have to do is show up and say yes a few times.”

Recco laughed. “Does your use of we imply a triple wedding?”

“Oh hell no. It’s far too soon.” Daide walked himself back from the longing that beat a path through him. If he had his way, Karin would be his wife, but they needed more time under their belts. More cozy meals and warm embraces. They had yet to move beyond heated kisses, but they would—and sooner rather than later.

“How are things going between you and Karin?” Recco’s words broke into Daide’s mental meanderings. “You’re looking pretty happy together, but I haven’t wanted to pry.”

“So, how come you’re prying now?” Daide smothered a snort. He knew damn good and well why, but Recco needed to come clean.

Recco slapped him on the back. “Zoe put me up to asking. Apparently, Karin is very closemouthed, and the women haven’t had any success dredging information out of her.” He narrowed his eyes. “You knew what I was going to say, didn’t you?”

“Yup. Karin and I are getting to know one another. I’m enjoying the hell out of how we are together. And she hasn’t slammed the door in my face—not yet, anyway.”

“Has your bond animal weighed in?”

Daide nodded. “It wants me to be happy, but Karin’s wolf scares it to death.”

“How do you know?” Recco followed the question by pointing at whales and dolphins swimming alongside Arkady. The sea Shifters romped and hooted and bleated, clearly delighted to be strong and healthy again.

“I don’t. Not for sure,” Daide replied. “It’s only a guess on my part. Karin’s bondmate is ancient. Mine is young. It’s kind of like Padawan and a Jedi master.”

“You always loved Star Wars.”

“I did.” Daide blew out a breath. “I dreamed of travel to other galaxies.”

“Well, see? You got the travel part right.”

Daide slugged him in the arm. “You’re funny.”

“Yeah, the original comedian. When’s the event? You never did say.”

“What event?”

“The double wedding. Be a real shame if I missed it.”

The snorts he’d ridden herd on emerged in a burst of laughter. Daide spread his arms wide. “Where are you planning to go?”

“You never know. I could launch a Zodiac at any moment, but I wouldn’t do that. I love Zoe, and I’ll be proud to be her mate.”

“The gals are casting tarot spreads. It’s why they vanished after breakfast. Once they come up with an auspicious day-time combo, I’m sure you’ll be one of the first to know. You and Juan, that is.”

“Sure you don’t want to make it a threesome?” Recco angled a pointed glance his way.

“Why does that sound smutty when you say it?”

“Maybe because I’m a smutty kind of guy. You didn’t answer me, though.”

Daide dropped the banter that had always been a staple between him and Recco. “I would love to marry Karin, but it’s not going to happen in the next couple of days.”

“Women like a man with a take-charge attitude.” Recco’s words were deadpan, but he couldn’t pull it off and started to laugh.

Daide joined him. When he caught his breath, he muttered, “Take charge could get my balls handed to me on a platter.”

Recco was still chortling. “No kidding, amigo. Mine too. Never did see the appeal in that type of approach myself. If a woman needed that kind of heavy-handed direction, I didn’t need her. Way too high maintenance for my taste.”

“You stole my thoughts.”

“What are friends for?”

Footsteps clattering down metal risers drew Daide’s attention to the stairs winding down from bridge level. Juan joined them, grinning from ear to ear. “Aura just stopped by the bridge. We’re getting married at seven tonight.”

“Grand news.” Recco held up a palm and high-fived Juan. “Same time for Zoe and me, right?”

“Same time. Vik will do the honors. I’m not sure who’s more excited, him or me.”

Zoe hurried through a side door and glanced around the group. “You told him.” She aimed her words at Juan.

“I did. No one said not to.”

Zoe’s expression softened, and her brown eyes brimmed with tenderness as she regarded Recco. “It’s fine. I wanted to be the news bearer, but it doesn’t matter.” Tendrils of her curly red hair blew across her face, and she brushed them aside as she bent over the railing.

Two dolphins slapped their tails in greeting.

“Plan to be inside around six,” she told the dolphins. “Recco and I are getting married.”

“Aura and me as well,” Juan called out.

The air grew heavy with Shifter magic, and the salt tang of the sea increased, tickling Daide’s nostrils. One by one, a bevy of naked sea Shifters popped out of the shimmery, salty air shouting congratulations. Dripping wet, they threw their arms around Recco and Juan and Zoe, leaving puddles on the deck.

Leif took a step away from where he’d been hugging Recco. “I’m not sure if they’re anywhere close, but of course you’ll want to invite Poseidon and Amphitrite.”

Something about his tone—formal and strained—probably meant he hadn’t let go of his bitterness toward the king and queen of the sea. Yet he understood the wisdom of including them. Many nautical miles lay between New Zealand and eastern Siberia, miles during which they’d no doubt run into bad weather and magical beings out for blood. Poseidon and Amphitrite were both ancient and powerful. Having them as allies was far better than inadvertently alienating them.

“Certainly,” Zoe agreed. “What’s the best way to contact them?”

“What you did last time worked,” Leif said.

Zoe nodded. “Lower level of the ship and going through our bond animals?”

“Yes. I’d offer to help, but I’ve had no communication with them since they chided me—again—for our ill-conceived bargain with the Witches.”

Daide kept his mouth shut. Chided was a mild term for what had happened, and his respect for Leif expanded another few notches.

“I’m headed back upstairs,” Juan said.

“I’ll gather the women and see what we can do about the sea gods.” Zoe gave Recco a quick kiss before trotting across the deck.

Daide draped an arm around Recco’s shoulders. “Andale, amigo.”

“Why? Where are we going?”

“To make you presentable for your wedding.”

Recco made a face. “That’s for women.”

“Not in the tribe I came from. There, the men painted themselves and spent days preparing for their nuptials. We only have a handful of hours, but we’ll do the best we can.”

“You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“You bet I am. Now let’s get moving.”

****

GETTING RECCO DRESSED had been an uphill battle, but he’d finally cooperated. As Daide had suspected, Zoe was nowhere to be seen. Nor would she appear until the ceremony. Some customs crossed cultures and species, and the one where bride and groom remained separate was damn near universal. Although he’d had little time to spare, Daide had jumped in the shower and changed clothes. Peering at himself in his cabin’s small mirror, he slicked his hair back, not bothering to gather it into a single rubber band or braid it. Satisfied he was dressed adequately for the occasion, he turned to leave.

A knock on the door was followed by Karin poking her head inside. “Oh good. You’re decent. Ready to go?”

“What if I were indecent?”

“We might miss the ceremony. Not a good idea.” She sucked in a breath. “The sea gods are here. I swear, Poseidon and Viktor almost got into a knock-down, drag-out fight.”

“Let me guess. The sea god wants to do the honors.”

Karin nodded. “Exactly. Viktor drew a line. Said it was his ship, and if anyone was going to do the marrying for his oldest friend, it would be him.”

Daide leaned forward. “Did Poseidon back down?”

“They compromised. Viktor will marry Aura and Juan. Poseidon will marry Zoe and Recco.”

“Good thing we had two couples, huh?” Daide’s gaze swept over Karin. Dressed in her black robe with runic markings on it, she’d left her hair unbound. Swinging in curls, it hung past her waist.

“Do I pass muster?” Her mouth twitched into a smile, and her scent rose, enveloping him in forests and greenery and something unique to her.

“More than pass muster. You’re gorgeous.”

He closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her. When she turned her mouth upward, he kissed her. She threaded her arms beneath his and spread her hands across his back as she returned his kiss. Her nipples hardened against his chest, and desire surged. Familiar heat filled his nether regions, and his cock thickened. Never one to indulge in masturbation—not since he’d passed twenty or so—he’d brought himself off more in the past couple of days than he had in the last fifteen years.

She butted her hips against his and broke their kiss. “Soon, but not right now. We need to get moving. There’s work to be done before the ceremony, and precious little time.”

He held her close for one more long, delicious moment before letting go. “No matter how much time we spend together, I never get enough of you.”

She laughed and tugged the cabin door open. “The litmus test will be if you’re still saying that a few months from now.”

“Sounds like you think we might have a future.” He kept his tone light, but her answer meant everything to him.

She raised a white brow. “Oh. Did I say that?”

“Not in so many words, but yes.”

“Well then, it must be true. Or maybe I’m being swept away by all the wedding energy.”

“Enough to want to join them?” Daide couldn’t believe he’d said that, but he couldn’t take the words back.

Karin stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned to face him. Laying a hand on his shoulder, she focused her shrewd copper gaze on him. “I appreciate you being willing to throw caution to the winds and take a chance on me, but this isn’t our time. I’d know if it were.”

She moved her hand from his shoulder to thread her fingers with his. Daide squeezed her hand. Elation ran through him like high-voltage electricity. She hadn’t told him he was a fool. Hadn’t laughed. Hadn’t run the other way. “Not their time” didn’t mean no.

“You’re all right with that? I didn’t hurt your feelings?” She spoke low, the words aimed only for him.

“More than all right. I’d wait for you forever, but I have a feeling I won’t have to.”

“No. You won’t.”

“There you are!” Ketha emerged from the larger dining room.

“Sorry, sorry. Point me where you need me.” Karin smiled. Color bloomed on her cheeks, lending her an almost girlish appearance mingling with her timeless allure.

“I’m an extra set of hands too,” Daide said.

Ketha made shooing motions, and then followed them into the dining room.

Daide glanced around, amazed at its transformation into a festive bower. Tiny shimmery lights, no doubt powered by magic, surrounded every table in a bevy of colors. Tablecloths and silverware had been laid out, and wonderful smells wafted from the galley.

“Guess we got those extra supplies from Invercargill just in time,” he joked.

“Tinned butter we didn’t have to ration made a cake possible,” Ketha said. “And it will be lovely to have something beyond our limited menu.”

“Speaking of cake, I promised to help decorate it. See you soon.” Karin strode toward the galley and shouldered through the door.

People drifted into the dining room in small groups and settled at the tables. Daide picked his way across the room. Viktor was resplendent in a white uniform trimmed in gold braid. Juan wore something similar, but with a red sash tied around his waist. Recco sported the dark suit and art deco tie they’d borrowed from Juan. He nodded Daide’s way.

“I hear we’re expecting royalty,” Daide said.

Viktor made a sour face. “If they don’t show up, it’s fine by me.”

“Hush.” Juan sliced a hand downward. “Just because we can’t see them doesn’t mean they can’t hear us.”

“Right you are,” Viktor agreed. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate the help they’ve given us, but—”

“We came up with a workable agreement,” Juan inserted smoothly. “It’s all that matters.”

“We’re here,” rang from the doorway, and the sea Shifters filed in, dressed in a variety of clothing they’d filched from the ship’s stores. Tiny pearls had been woven into their hair, and a few had sea horses draped around their shoulders. Daide wondered how they were managing to breathe, but they looked very much alive.

Viktor beamed at them. “Grab seats wherever you’d like.”

Leif crossed the expanse of the room and looked from Juan to Recco. “Need a best man?” Reaching into a pocket, he extracted two tastefully carved gold rings. One was set with a large fire opal, the other with a clear, deep-blue stone that might have been a sapphire.

“Those are beautiful,” Juan said.

“Wherever did you come by them?” Viktor asked.

A small smile played about Leif’s mouth, and he shrugged. “A wreck here. A wreck there. You’d be surprised how littered the seabed is, and the dead have no use for baubles they’ve left behind.”

“Thank you,” Recco said. “We’d love to have you be our best man and ring-bearer combined.”

“Ringbearers are generally children, aren’t they?” Leif asked.

“Only in really large weddings,” Daide replied.

Music blared from the ship’s PA system. Tinny and scratchy, it took a moment before Daide recognized Wagner’s Wedding March. Recco and Juan straightened, staring at the door.

“Are you men ready?” Viktor asked. “Not getting last minute cold feet or anything?”

“Never been readier for anything in my life,” Juan replied.

“Me, either.” A catch in Recco’s voice betrayed his emotion.

Magic swirled behind them, heady and redolent with smells of the sea. Daide didn’t have to turn around to know Poseidon and Amphitrite would soon be among them.

Karin walked through the kitchen door bearing a lavishly decorated cake. She placed it on a side table and made her way to where Daide stood. The other Shifter women emerged from the kitchen and formed an aisle from the dining room door to the front of the room.

“We are here. You may begin,” Poseidon’s deep voice boomed.

Daide twisted to look at the king of the sea and Amphitrite his consort. Poseidon wore a robe made of glistening silver fish scales and belted in gemstones woven with hammered silver. Blue-gray hair fell to his feet, and his eyes reflected the sea, shifting from gray to blue to silver as he regarded them. Amphitrite’s gown sparkled in mother-of-pearl shades. Pearls draped around her neck and dripped from her ears. Snow-white hair was braided with glittering multihued gems and lay close to her head.

“Such a joyous occasion. We appreciate being included.” She regarded them through silver eyes.

“I hope you’ll stay and eat with us afterward,” Viktor said.

“Thank you, Shifter. We may do that.”

The music, which had quieted, started again. Aura and Zoe walked through the dining room door hand in hand and moved to the front of the room. Aura’s blonde hair drifted around her in a cloud. Zoe’s red locks had been braided in an intricate pattern. Both women wore their dark robes, garments woven with magic they’d brought from Wyoming. Aura’s was sashed in red, Zoe’s in blue.

Karin inserted a hand under Daide’s arm. They moved aside as Zoe and Recco stood before Poseidon, while Aura and Juan positioned themselves in front of Viktor.

“You first.” Viktor smiled encouragingly at Poseidon.

“Thank you, raven Shifter.” The king of the sea draped strands of glistening blue-white magic around Recco and Zoe, chanting all the while in Gaelic. He touched their foreheads, leaving marks that looked like runes, but that faded almost instantly. Leif handed Recco the ring with the opal, and Poseidon waited while he slid it onto Zoe’s finger.

Poseidon switched to English. “You two are bound through this life and all others to come for I have marked you as partners, and such can never be sundered by man or mage or demon.”

The glittery light surrounding Recco and Zoe faded, and she turned her face up for a kiss. Happiness streamed from them, and Daide was deeply glad for his closest friend and doubly grateful their decade as Vampires hadn’t destroyed their capacity to love.

“Married by a god. Imagine that.” Karin’s voice whispered across his mind. She tightened her hand around his arm.

Viktor waited until Poseidon took a step back, signaling his part was done. Drawing a small book from his pocket, he opened it and began to read. This wedding ceremony was far more familiar. Daide felt his chest tighten as the familiar words about richer, poorer, in sickness and in health, and until death do us part rolled from first Vik and then Juan and Aura. Leif produced the sapphire ring, and Juan placed it on Aura’s finger.

All too soon, Viktor was saying, “You may kiss the bride.”

The room erupted in cheers and wishes for a long and healthy life together. Daide steered Karin to a nearby table and pulled out a chair for her to sit. “I can’t. Not yet,” she said. “I have to ferry food from the galley.”

“I’ll help you.” He followed her across the room. They’d just reached the galley door when the ship lurched hard to port.

“What the hell? The one time I trust the autopilot, and it’s not good enough,” Viktor bellowed and took off at a dead run out of the dining room with Juan on his heels.

Aura stared after them, looking stunned, but her expression changed rapidly. “I married a seagoing man,” she announced to the crowd. “Please. Stay and eat. I’m sure this is nothing, but if it’s all the same to you, I’ll join my brand-new husband on the bridge.”

Karin hustled into the galley, the vertical line between her brows growing deeper by the minute.

“Do you know what’s out there?” Daide asked.

“Not exactly, but magic is behind it. I’d bet my last spell on that.”

“Shouldn’t we do something? Beyond serving dinner and pretending everything is normal?”

Karin squared her shoulders. “Yeah. We should. Convenient we have Poseidon here. I hope to hell he’ll help.”

“No time like the present to find out.” Daide reversed course. Fighting the ship’s motion, he lurched across the dining room to where they’d left Poseidon and Amphitrite. Their pleasant expressions had fled, and Poseidon set his mouth in a harsh line as he gestured at them to hurry.