"Nice to see you, too,” Shedd said. “We missed you."
What a moron.
Shedd, please, don't antagonize him. He's just looking for an excuse to hurt you, or me. Besides, maybe he could help us.
Yeah, help push us out of this bubble.
That would work. We'd sprout tails and take off.
Shedd stopped short and looked at her. “Wh..
In case you missed it, I don't know anything about having a tail.
I'll teach you. She leaned over and kissed Shedd on the cheek.
Gyles came up next to them. This time, the frown on his face wasn't rude, or angry. It was contemplative, as if he were trying to figure something out in his mind.
"Don't lag behind,” he said softly. His tone of voice was the nicest it had been all day.
They started moving again, then Shedd stopped again, rooted to the spot, his mouth hanging open.
"Wow."
Iaha laughed and put her hands to her mouth. She'd been so busy worrying about Shedd earlier that she'd failed to notice her surroundings.
Yumani was beautiful. The bubble enclosed a word full of light and colors. Bright flowers dotted the land, and green grass grew between each building. The buildings themselves were all made of stone, large and supported by columns as the Greek buildings of the past had been.
"Unbelievable. How did this happen?"
"Poseidon,” Anstice said. “His magic can create anything."
The women were all dressed in colorful robes, some of them short, some long. The men wore kilts and were bare-chested. There was not a weapon in sight, compared to the number of spears they'd seen upon their arrival.
I guess they don't think we're going to hurt them.
Guess not. Shedd walked to the edge of the cobblestone path and stared at the huge aquarium that took up space. It was enormous. He stepped back.
"It goes for miles."
"Yes,” Anstice replied. “We love to swim. And staying in Yumani keeps us away from the dangers of the sea."
Shedd laughed as he watched mermaids and mermen of all ages swim around in the brilliant blue water. They were joined by seahorses, octopus and brightly colored fish of all nature.
"It's so beautiful,” Iaha said. She came up and touched Shedd's arm. “Would you like to take a swim? Try out your tail?"
He shook his head, a confused look on his face. Several seconds later, the confusion turned to wonder and he nodded.
"Yes. Yes, I would."
Adelphia stepped in front of them. “Come this way."
She moved around the far end of the pool, taking off her robe and leaving it lying over a railing as she began to climb the stairs.
Iaha frowned. They're not shy, that's for sure.
Why should they be? She's beautiful.
Iaha backhanded Shedd's stomach
He jumped and let out an umph.
Sorry.
You have no idea how sorry you'll be if you continue to stare at her.
I can look at her. But I'll look at you, and love you, not her.
He laughed and shrugged out of his own robe, leaving it over the railing and jumping the stairs two at a time.
Iaha did the same and took off after him. When she reached the top, she found him standing at the edge, staring at the merpeople who had come up to stare right back at him.
"Go on, go on,” Anstice's voice was full of merriment. “You're new, so they're curious."
Adelphia dove into the pool, her legs turning into a sparkly silver tail the minute her hands hit the water. Iaha kissed Shedd's cheek and followed right after her, her shiny red tail fluttering behind her as she dove under the water, loving the feel of the warm waves against her.
She lifted her head out and looked at Shedd, who stood at the edge, his cock semi-hard as he watched her swim.
Come, my love. Let me teach you how to be what you truly are.
Shedd stared at Iaha. When she'd hit the water he'd been flabbergasted. Suddenly, she was the woman from his dreams, a mermaid with long flowing black hair resting over her bare breasts, and a stunning red tail.
She beckoned to him with her hands and with her mind.
He took several deep breaths. What would happen when he hit the water? According to Poseidon, the curse that Zeus had put on him would end the minute he'd made love with his soul mate. And he knew that was Iaha.
So, technically, my feet should turn into a fin the minute they're wet.
Iaha's laughter rang in his mind.
My love, you'll know what to do. Trust me.
He sat down on the stone side of the pool, dipping his toes inside experimentally.
The minute the water touched him, he felt warmth spread through his legs. They tingled as if they were on fire, then they melded together, forming one glossy purple tail. He flicked the fin, then felt himself move as the slippery scales slide off the stone surface he was sitting on.
He hit the water, going under and flapping his arms until he felt Iaha grab him around the waist. She wrapped her tail around his and brought her mouth down on his own, kissing him with an intensity that took his breath away.
My breath. My breath. I'm breathing under water.
She giggled as her tongue snaked inside his mouth. She flapped her tail up and tickled his back. He hissed, then returned the kiss, his mind reeling over the fact that he'd just opened his mouth underwater, and he wasn't coughing or panicking.
She shimmied against him and he sighed.
I think I've got a hard-on.
I know you do, my love.
Can we make love this way?
Of course. It's much different, more a melding of bodies. It's very intense. Tonight, after everyone's gone to bed, I'll show you.
I want to do it now.
In front of everyone? If we break the surface like this, Anstice will scream at us again. You can wait.
Iaha pulled back from him just as Adelphia swam up. She looked shyly at both of them, and then swam away.
They broke the surface together, Shedd laughing as he moved his long tail from side to side, splashing it against the water.
"Stop that,” Iaha said, laughter in her voice.
"Never!’ He thwacked it against her backside and she yelped in mock distress.
Anstice cleared his throat, bringing both of them back to the place they were, in a public pool, with an audience.
"It is time for food, and for sleep. The ceremony is early in the morning."
Shedd swam back to the side, lifting himself up on his arms and sitting on the edge. His tail disappeared, replaced by his own legs.
"Wow. That's cool."
He watched Iaha do the same, shaking her head and smiling at him. He wanted to love her again, right now. But tonight, in the pool, would be sensational. He could wait.
"So, it gets dark here,” he said, turning to Anstice. “How is that possible?"
"Everything is courtesy of Poseidon. We have day and night, air and water, food and relaxation."
"What kind of food?"
"Lobster, mostly."
"You eat fish?” Shedd shook his head, surprised to find that although he hadn't used a towel, he was already dry.
"Yes, some. Lobsters are bred for that purpose, as are crab. They have no souls, so it's not like we're eating ourselves, if that's what you fear. There are fruit trees, and vegetable gardens, too."
Anstice leaned toward him. “Don't you eat fish?” There was wonderment, and confusion, in his voice.
"Of course. Show me the way, good man."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Ten
Shedd crept toward the pool stairs, wondering how Iaha would get away from her own minder. For him, it had been easy. He'd opened the door to his room to find Feodore sitting in a chair, his head dropping around his shoulders.
"Thanks, Big P."
No problem, my daughter's one and only. Shedd had jumped, then laughed as he'd hurried down the corridor.
N
ow, he paused on the stairs and listened. The faint sound of water moving around a swimmer reached his ears and he smiled. He moved to the top and stopped, a wide smile appearing on his face.
Iaha floated on her back, her beautiful breasts firm and pointed upwards, her red tail swishing back and forth. His cock hardened at the sight of her and he was tempted to tell her to come outside, so they could make love like humans.
But the idea of making love to her in his new form won out. He wanted to know what it was like to be with her as a merman. He shrugged out of his robe and padded toward the pool.
"Took you long enough.” Her voice was like honey. She glanced at him and murmured her approval. “Is that for me?"
"Only for you."
"Then come in, and let me love you."
He dove in this time, marveling at the fact that he felt his legs turn into his tail when his fingers hit the water. He twisted and turned, reveling in his new toy, excited in the fact that, since he loved the water so much, he could now breathe underwater without the need for equipment.
And that wasn't the only thing that he loved.
Iaha.
Yes? Her tone was playful.
Come here.
Come and get me. She took off toward the other end of the large pool, winding through long stalks of green vegetation and around colorful pieces of coral, beautiful clown fish and giant sea cucumbers. There were also a few large turtles that swam past and gave him no notice.
How far does this thing go?
For miles. And if you want me, you'll have to find me.
She swam back to him, zipped around him and took off at lightening speed.
Hey, I'm not that fast.
He took off after her and found that, much to his delight, he was that fast. He'd caught her in seconds, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her back into his chest.
You better not have slowed down to make it easy on me.
She giggled in response and slipped out of his arms, taking off for the vegetation that dotted the far side of the pool.
He caught her just before she darted inside some particularly tall stalks of seaweed. This time, he made sure his grip was tight enough so that she couldn't wiggle away from him.
You're mine.
Promise?
He kissed her deeply, wishing for legs that he could wrap around her to ensure she would stay put. Instead, their tails entwined, sending glorious tendrils of pleasure throughout his body.
Oh, Iaha. That feels so good. Oh, baby.
Yes, it does. I love you.
And I love you.
The pleasure intensified. Shedd felt as if his cock were buried deep inside her, pulsing with energy and desire. When she threw back her head and moaned, he devoured her neck, nipping and licking at her until her moans turned into cries for more.
He angled his head to her breast, taking the nipple deep inside his mouth as his other hand toyed with her hard nub. They thrust against each other in unison until he thought he would burst. Not wanting it to end, he slowed the movement of his hips.
This is incredible.
She lifted his face back to hers, kissing him deeply before turning in his arms. She thrust back against him and he felt himself enter her from behind. They swam together, their tails entwined as they rocked against each other.
I want to find your clit. I want you to come.
No need, my love. Having you inside me this way will make me come. Just being with you will make me come.
She turned her head toward him and kissed him again as they neared an outcropping of rocks that surrounded a sandy shelf of beach. In the shallow water just outside the beach, they settled into the sand, their lower bodies still entwined.
He ground into her, pushing her down into the soft grain as she giggled and wiggled under him. Then, suddenly, she gasped. Her orgasm ripped through her body, and Shedd felt her tightening around his cock.
Shedd, oh my darling, so good. So very good, oh, oh.
She exploded again and Shedd could take no more of the fantastic feeling of her body clenching around his.
He blasted off with her, the pleasure flowing through is body like nothing he'd ever felt before.
Iaha. Every time I love you it gets better and better.
I suppose we'd better buy a defibrillator, then. Before long, your heart will stop from the pleasure.
He kissed her gently, then moved beside her, propping himself up on one elbow as he caressed her bare stomach.
That brings up an interesting question, my love.
What's that?
You're immortal. I'm not. The people here die, just like humans.
Yes, but I think they live longer.
Does it change the way you feel about me?
Not in the slightest; I love you too much for that. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
He kissed her again, his thumb gently caressing her cheek as their tongues flicked against each other.
We'd better get back. She wiggled away from him and slid into the water. He slid behind her, catching up quickly so that they were side by side.
Which reminds me. How did you get past Adelphia?
It was simple. I told her that I wanted to take a swim. She offered to go with me, but I refused. She seemed to know that I was meeting you, and she didn't care.
That's interesting.
They reached the side of the pool, Shedd lifting himself out and offering his hand to Iaha after his legs had appeared.
He wrapped her in her robe, then turned for his own.
From the top of the stairs, Gyles's head appeared.
"Do you never sleep?” Shedd said, his voice full of anger as he pulled on his clothing.
"I could ask the same of you,” Gyles said.
"Here to arrest us?"
Gyles stepped closer to them, then swiveled toward the stairs as Adelphia bounded up. She threw herself into his arms and their lips locked.
"Well,” Shedd said. “That explains a lot."
Their kiss broke and Gyles kissed the tip of Adelphia's nose, then pulled her into his chest.
"We've hidden our love from everyone,” Gyles said. “We were prepared to run away together, to live on the surface as mortals. Then you came along."
Gyles drew himself up to his full height and for the first time, Shedd noticed he had a spear in his hands.
"She will not mate with you tomorrow."
"Listen, haven't I been saying that the whole time? I don't want to mate with her. No offense, Adelphia. You're a beautiful woman, but I'm in love with Iaha."
"I understand,” she replied. “But Anstice will have it no other way, and he is our leader. We must leave, tonight."
"Or we can kill you,” Gyles said.
"Now wait a minute,” Iaha said, stepping in front of Shedd. She hadn't figured this moment would come so soon.
But Shedd gently pushed her aside.
"There's no reason for violence. Gyles, I want you to show me the statue of Poseidon. And then, I want you to show me a copy of the written prophecy. I want to read it, every last word of it."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Eleven
Iaha stretched in her bed, feeling relaxed and loved. When she closed her eyes again, she remembered the feel Shedd's body next to hers, his hard chest against her soft breasts. His gentle hands as they caressed her.
Last night Shedd had been perfect, in every way. He'd come up with a fantastic plan for the mating ceremony that was scheduled to take place in just a few hours. She was sure it would be perfect, and that Gyles and Adelphia would live happily ever after, as would she and Shedd.
She sat up, a huge smile lighting her face.
Father?
She got no answer, which puzzled her somewhat. She expected that he knew exactly what their plan was, and would tell them whether or not it would work.
Father? Are you here?
Again, Poseidon didn't answer her. Iaha sighed, then leaned her head back o
n the pillow.
Aella? Adara? Can you hear me? I've found the man of my dreams. And together, we found Yumani. Can you believe it? It actually exists!
She waited a few minutes, then frowned.
Hello? Is anyone there?
Uneasiness crept into her stomach. She hadn't been able to reach her sisters for weeks. And, although she'd talked to her father just yesterday, she expected him to come today, to watch the ritual replacement of the stone and see the mating ceremony that everyone had talked about so much.
Shedd?
Yes, my love?
I can't reach my father. Or my sisters. Something is wrong. Very, very wrong.
Don't worry. It's probably because we're under the ocean.
She laughed, and then shook her head.
Doubt it. Do you forget that we're mermaids? The water enhances our abilities, it doesn't hinder them.
Which brings up a question. If some of the people here in Yumani are related to you, how come you can't communicate with them?
My sisters and I are very close. We were raised near each other, and spent lots of time together. I told you, the link is strongest with those I have a strong bond with.
Sorry. Forgot about that.
Say, sailor. Wanna meet me in my quarters after the ceremony?
Love to. But you have to be on top this time.
With pleasure.
The door opened and Desma walked in. Her robe was a shimmery blue, and she handed a bright red one to Iaha.
"Have you spoken with your father?” Her voice sounded worried.
"No."
"I hope he comes for the ceremony. It will be wonderful to know that he supports us again. We've worried for quite some time that he'd abandoned us."
"I'm sure he'll be here.” Iaha bit her lip as she spat out the lie. She knew no such thing. Her father might show up, but she was deeply concerned that she had not been able to reach him since yesterday.
Desma nodded, then placed the robe on the bed and left.
Iaha stood and ran to the shower, bathing quickly and coming back out. Despite her misgivings, she felt great joy about today's events. Shedd had assured her that things would turn out just fine, and she had to agree with him. By the end of the day they would be together. They could have their own private mating ceremony and then plan a wedding, with her father officiating. Then, later, they could marry in the legal human way.
Siren's Song [A Siren Sisters Anthology] Page 5
