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.
Chapter 11—The Gathering
I SIT ON MY THRONE and listen to my advisers enumerating the reasons why I shouldn't marry the mermaid princess.
My elbow rests on the left side of the throne and my palm supports my jaw.
Sir Fulgor is presenting his case as many before him. “She's a mermaid. A deceiving and cunning creature. They are known for seducing and killing sailors and fishermen. Who can say if the merfolk aren't trying to trick us and betray us to the vampires?”
My beta, Leonard, intervenes, “The Vampire King has been pillaging and destroying our merchant ships for a few months now. We need King Tritan's protection if we want to have a shot at continuing trading our goods with the mainland.”
Sir Fulgor turns to him. “Exactly. He's been attacking us. Why are the merfolk so interested in us all of a sudden?”
Sir Julian walks forward. “Sir Fulgor is right. Mermaids are cunning sorceresses. We shouldn't trust the merfolk.”
“The princess saved King Duncan. If they wanted our ruin, she would have let him drown when our ships were attacked two weeks ago,” Leonard points out.
Sir Julian folds his arms. “I know, Commander Leonard. I was there and almost died because I wasn't as lucky.”
Leonard clenches his jaw. “We sent ships to save you and the remaining survivors.”
“Would you rather that I died than be saved?” I address Sir Julian.
“Of course not.” Sir Julian bows in respect. “Your Majesty’s salvation was a blessing.”
Sir Fulgor clears his throat and turns to look at me. “The point here is that we were never sure about their true existence. They were myths. Why show themselves to us now? A marriage between Your Majesty and one of the sea princesses would be advantageous. I won't deny this. Yet, have you thought about the implications that it brings to your rulership?”
“I'm not following your reasoning, Sir Fulgor,” I admit as I lay back in my seat and spread my legs. Running my fingers through my hair, I add, “Our reputation is at stake if we aren't able to provide the transport of goods and labor hands between the mainland’s richest fortresses and trading cities. The Sea King promised us mermen to fight against the vampires. None of the other marriage proposals were as advantageous as this one.”