Kissed by the Wave: A Forbidden Realm Novel

by Serena Gilley

  That made her nervous. All afternoon she’d been on her guard. She’d had the unmistakable feeling they weren’t alone; someone was nearby, just out of sight.

  But how could that be? They’d left the open waters behind. There were no mermaids here in this crowded marina. She kept looking over her shoulder and scanning the skies, but there was no sign of Raea. So how could she explain this persistent presence surrounding them? What was it? Something to fear?

  Am I safe?

  She felt the voice transmitting again. It was the same quiet voice she’d detected earlier. Hardly even there, but undeniable all the same. And so very, very close.

  “You’re safe,” she answered back. Whatever—or whoever—this was, something compelled her to reassure. She’d heard the fear in the tiny voice and it ripped at her soul. “I promise, you’re safe.”

  I believe you.

  The relief and the trust were evident. The tiny voice was at peace. Aliya herself was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. It wasn’t any emotion she could name, but more like a wash of many emotions all swamping her together: joy, anticipation, concern, fulfillment, fear, and a hundred other things she couldn’t pick out of the mix.

  One thing she did know, however. She knew where this mysterious and miraculous voice was coming from.

  “What is it? You look a little worried,” Devin said, rolling onto his side to watch her.

  She snuggled against him, glad for the closeness and even more glad that this allowed her not to meet his eyes. Not just yet. She couldn’t face him yet.

  “We should be getting dressed again,” she said.

  “I like it better being undressed.”

  She had to agree. His body was so warm, so strong, so comfortable against hers. The light hairs on his skin prickled and tingled where she brushed against him. No, she just could not let this end.

  “Make love to me again, Devin,” she said, reaching to touch his hardened shaft.

  But he took her hand in his and raised it to his lips. “No,” he said softly. “First, tell me what’s wrong. I know something’s bothering you. I can feel it.”

  She couldn’t answer. Of course he was right; he could feel her turmoil. But what could she say? She couldn’t tell him. What would he think of her if she explained that all along she’d been lying to him? That at any moment Raea could show up and tear them apart forever?

  That now there was more involved in this than just the two of them and their unexplainable passion. No, she couldn’t tell him.

  “Aliya, please. Whatever it is, we can make it right. Together.”

  She made herself meet his eyes. There was so much love there! He did love her. She could see it, feel it in the air around them. And she owed him the truth. If it changed how he felt about her, then so be it. She would let Raea find her and go back to the water.

  “I have lied to you, Devin,” she said finally.

  He still held her hand. His body was still warm against hers. But she felt the cold well up in his heart. Already her words hurt him.

  He waited for her to continue, but she couldn’t. At last he said, “You’re going to leave me, aren’t you?”

  She felt those tears again. Such an odd sensation. “I don’t want to,” she began. “But if she finds me, I’ll have to.”

  “Who? If who finds you?”

  “Her name is Raea. She’s my friend.”

  “If she’s your friend, why would she make you leave?”

  “Because she has to. It’s a part of the wish, you see.”

  Now she felt his confusion. How was she going to make him understand? Could he ever understand?

  “I’ve been getting a lot of new information the last two days,” he said with a smile. “I think you’d better start from the beginning and fill me in slowly.”

  She sighed. At least he was willing to listen. “Raea is a fairy.”

  She launched into an explanation about fairies and their duties regarding humans. His eyes grew wider, but he didn’t argue or stop her in total disbelief. It was almost as if he were glad to finally understand how a mermaid could suddenly show up on his boat with human legs.

  He nodded as she reminded him of their first encounter that night in the water. She told him how Raea had heard his many wishes the following day, how it was obvious he had come under the spell of the Old Revenge. He wasn’t quite as receptive to that point as she would have hoped, but she understood he wanted to believe there was more to their mutual love than simple obsession.

  When she told him of the bargain she’d struck with Raea, he became angry. She’d expected that. Maybe it was for the best. Perhaps it would be easier for him to let her go if he was angry.

  “So this Raea knew how I felt about you, knew you cared about me, and still all she gave us was twenty-four hours? That doesn’t sound like much of a friend, Aliya.”

  “But she didn’t know, Devin,” she defended. “I didn’t know. We’d never been told that this sort of attraction could be anything more than just a temporary and unnatural temptation. She thought it would help you to get over me.”

  “Well, it hasn’t.”

  “I know that now.”

  He paused. “And what about you?”

  “About me?”

  “There’s something else you’re not telling me.”

  “No. I told you everything about the wish.”

  “Did you?”

  “Of course, Devin.” She tried, but she just couldn’t make herself look at him.

  “No, I know you better than that, Aliya. There’s more.”

  “But Devin, I just can’t…”

  He flopped onto his back and rubbed his eyes. No doubt he was exhausted from their lack of sleep. This must all be very hard on him. Maybe it would be better if she just let Raea find her and send her on home. As it was, she could only ever be a burden to Devin, especially now that…No, she’d better not even think about that or Devin might feel her emotions and know.

  “What is it?” he asked, turning back to her.

  She just shook her head. She couldn’t even trust her own voice right now.

  “Aliya,” he prodded, “just tell me. Whatever it is, I’ll understand. If you want to go back, that’s okay.”

  Go back? Is that what he thought she wanted? Maybe he wasn’t as aware of her thoughts as she assumed he was if he could believe she actually wanted to leave him. It would be the best thing for him, but it was far from what she wanted.

  “I want your happiness above all, Devin,” she said. That much was true.

  “Then you’ll stay with me,” he said and reached to pull her close again.

  “Yes.”

  Yes, she would stay. She’d find a way to avoid Raea. She’d stay human and be with Devin, and somehow she’d find a way to tell him the rest of it. He loved her, so he’d understand.

  She melted into him, pushing all worries and fear from her mind. Raea wouldn’t know to look for them here. For a while, at least, she’d still be out on the lake, searching there. By the time she realized they’d headed for shore, they could be well hidden among the humans. After all, fairies weren’t telepathic or all-seeing. So long as neither of them started making any wishes, Raea would never be alerted to their location.

  It seemed a good plan. And Aliya would make Devin so very happy he would never have to wish for anything again. She only hoped she could live up to such a promise.

  Well, she knew how to start. Her body was already tingling with anticipation of just how happy she could make him.

  * * *

  Devin groaned under the onslaught of Aliya’s attention. She’d certainly gained some confidence over the last twenty-four hours! The things that girl was doing to him—amazing. He’d given up trying to take over when she practically pinned him to the bed and parked her beautiful derriere right on his chest as she bent to run kisses all up and down his throbbing cock. Yep, he was perfectly content to lie there.

  He’d thought he’d known everything there was to
know about making love to her, but he’d been wrong. This was a whole new side of Aliya, and he was liking it. She was eating him up with a vengeance.

  She’d started by kissing him on the lips. He had found such passion and connection in it that it surprised him when she’d moved on down to other body parts: his neck, his nipples, his navel, and now this. She knew what he liked.

  And now she brought her mouth down to cover him. She took him all in, her teeth slightly grazing his sensitive skin. He sucked in a grinding breath, forcing himself to be calm and let the pleasure continue. And it did continue.

  With her lips firmly around his rock-solid cock, her tongue flicked over the tip. It created a gentle suction and she made a contented little moan, tasting him fully. He struggled not to succumb to her motions. It was damn hard to resist what his body wanted so badly.

  Her naked heat was pressed against him. He could feel her wetness against his skin. He wanted to touch her there, but he kept his fists firmly clenched in the bedding beside him. This was Aliya’s ride. She’d let him know when she was done tormenting him and ready to take some pleasure for herself. He knew exactly how much she was enjoying this newfound power of hers and wasn’t about to stop her. Yet. He knew what Aliya was doing was well beyond his ability to hold out for long.

  “You taste good, Devin,” she said, stopping for a breath. “What they say the sea is like. But sweet.”

  He couldn’t quite think of words to express exactly how she made him feel. There was nothing to come close. Instead he just groaned softly and tried not to come in her face.

  She must have been aware of his great effort. With a light laugh, she turned gracefully to face him. Her eyes were bright and her lips were swollen and red. That nearly white hair of hers trailed down over her shoulders and brushed across his face.

  “I want you, too,” she said, echoing his inward longing.

  Without pause, she slid back just enough to bring herself down on him. His cock slid easily into her. God, she was so wet and still so tight. He held back the urge to thrust up into her, bringing them both to climax before they’d even begun.

  But she anticipated him and rose up onto her knees. Just the very tip of him was still inside her, teased by her burning heat. She smiled at him sweetly.

  Ever so slowly she lowered back down again, letting him fill her. He watched her face glow with enjoyment. Just watching her and knowing how she loved him was almost as good as actually doing it with her.

  She teased him for a while, slowly riding up and down his throbbing shaft. She knew him well, it appeared. Every time he was nearly about to explode under her, she shifted her rhythm just enough to bring him back into control again. It went on and on for ages. Thank heaven.

  Finally he was aware of a slight change in her. The steady motion of her rocking hips was getting to her. He watched her eyes drift shut and knew she was becoming lost in their pleasure. He rubbed her hips in gentle circles, urging her to give in to herself and let the climax take her.

  She responded to his touch more than he could have imagined. Her nails dug into his shoulders as she worked her body against his. Again and again she backed off, only to bring herself crashing down onto him. He was deep, deep inside her and the sensation was rapidly overtaking him. He didn’t fight it a bit.

  His hands were still massaging her hips. She was so firm and womanly rounded there. Her skin was soft and velvety. His fingertips tingled where they contacted her. Her movements were fluid and demanding. He gave her everything he could.

  With an animal growl he came. Spasms of pleasure shook him and he emptied into her with throbbing urgency. She was right there with him, crying out his name and wrapping her body around him. It was impossible this time could be more intense than all the others, but he was willing to swear that was true.

  Aliya seemed more affected, as well. She was gasping for breath long after the wave of sensation had subsided. He stroked her back to calm her. His cock was still inside her, so he knew her own body was still reacting heavily to him. Her taut muscles contracted and held him tight.

  “By the Creator, Devin,” she rasped. “I feel it happening!”

  He smiled. “It’s not unusual. Some women are able to experience multiple…”

  But he stopped as she jerked her body off him and rolled awkwardly away, grabbing for the bedsheet.

  “Don’t look at me!” she cried.

  His mind was still numb from the sex. What was she going on about? He reached for her, trying to turn her back to face him. She only struggled harder with the bedding, burying her face in a pillow.

  “What is it? Aliya, what’s the matter?”

  “No! No, no, no! By the Sweet Waters, please no!”

  She was sobbing now, writhing in the twisted bedding. He was more than a little confused, but the pain in her voice was obvious. He grabbed her, pulling her close to him and pushing the pillow away. Her hair was tangled over her face and she thrashed back away from him.

  “Aliya, talk to me!” he ordered.

  He was feeling something like panic now as he looked into those glaring crystal blue eyes of hers. She looked wild and miserable.

  “My God, Aliya, what’s wrong?”

  But she didn’t answer. She just stared up at him and slowly her terror faded. Her body went limp. At last she blinked at him and tears welled up against her eyelashes.

  “I’m so sorry, Devin,” she murmured.

  “What is it? What in God’s name is…”

  Then he stopped. He knew. He felt it.

  In his efforts to hold her, he’d managed to slide one hand inside the sheets she’d quickly rolled herself in. Now he felt her, touched the skin at her thigh. It was satiny smooth and cool to the touch. The skin of a sea creature, not a woman.

  Oh God. He knew why Aliya cried.

  “I couldn’t stop it!” she said. “I tried, but…”

  “It’s okay,” he assured her, brushing her hair back and meeting her gaze.

  “I thought if we came here, where Raea couldn’t find us…”

  “It’s okay,” he repeated.

  Somehow he believed himself. For all the strangeness of their situation, he still held Aliya in his arms and he still loved her. Whatever she was, she was his. They’d find a way to make this okay.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said.

  “Don’t be. It’s not your fault.”

  “I should never have let any of this happen.”

  “What? No, Aliya. These past twenty-four hours have been the most amazing time of my life. You reached inside and found a part of me no one ever touched before. I’ve felt things deeper than I could have imagined. No, I wouldn’t wish our time away for anything.”

  “But it’s gone! It’s over now!”

  “Not by a long shot. What we’ve meant to each other—what you still mean to me—will never be gone. Things are a little different than I expected, but you’re still here, aren’t you?”

  She smiled a weak smile and touched his face. “I can’t very much go anywhere like this. You’ll have to carry me to the water.”

  “What? Throw you back? Not on your life!”

  He’d meant that as a joke, but she didn’t get it. Her eyes clouded over and a tear slipped down her cheek.

  “But you’ll have to, Devin.”

  “Have to? You mean, you can’t live out of the water?”

  “Not for long. It’s so dry up here. There’s so much air. And I feel heavy…it’s hard to breathe.”

  “Oh, damn it, Aliya. I can’t lose you now!”

  “You have to, Devin. I can’t stay with you. I need to be back in the lake. It’s been so long already, and now there’s…”

  He frowned. She’d started to say something, then caught herself quickly and shut up. More secrets? What on earth could the girl possibly have to hide from him now?

  “Now there’s what?” he prodded.

  She looked away from him. Her tail twitched nervously under the covers.


  “Nothing.”

  Well, he didn’t believe that for a minute.

  “Come on, tell me. After all we’ve been through already, I’m pretty sure you can trust me not to freak out, whatever it is.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Come on. What’s the big problem now, aside from the obvious?”

  She gave him another thin smile. “This might be big enough to make you—what did you say?—freak out.”

  “Try me.”

  She took a deep breath and made a slight wheezing sound. It was too dry for her here, he could tell. Damn it.

  “It’s something I never expected. I promise, Devin, I never even dreamed it was possible!”

  “Go on.”

  “It usually doesn’t work this way, so perhaps now that I’ve changed back…perhaps it cannot even proceed.”

  Her eyes darkened again, but the tears were drying up. He knew she’d be shedding them if she could, though. Whatever this big dilemma was really had her torn up.

  “I’ll do whatever I can to help,” he said, taking her hand to his lips. Her skin was cool and dry.

  “I know you will, but for this there is nothing you can do.”

  “Then I’ll just keep on loving you, no matter what.”

  She smiled and there was a little of her usual calmness and trust in it.

  “You are a good man, Devin,” she said. “Better than most humans. I am very proud to be carrying your child, even if only for a brief while.”

  “Well, I…wait, what?”

  “I’m sorry, but I cannot know if I will be able to produce a child in this form. It’s never done this way in our people, so I never even imagined it could happen.”

  He was in shock. Was she serious? Had he heard correctly? Aliya was pregnant? It couldn’t be. Even if it could, she wouldn’t know about it already. They’d been together exactly one day! She had to be just speaking hypothetically, right?

  “I don’t understand.” He managed to gulp.

  “I’m sorry. I’ve shocked you. I shouldn’t have said anything about it.”

  “No…no, you should. Definitely you should! But I just don’t see how…I mean, I know how that could happen and all, but I just don’t…it’s just that…” He made himself take a deep breath and gather a coherent thought. “You’re saying you’re pregnant?”