by Anna Santos
“Were you expecting someone else?”
“No. It’s just... you look so young and...”
“Harmless?” Her lips stretch into a smile. She steps forward. “I’m not harmless, but I don’t eat little mermaids either. What can I do for you?” Waving her hand, she summons two chairs and sits in one of them. Then she motions with her hand for me to sit down.
Shivering, I sit with the bag of jewels on my lap as I focus on what brings me here. “I come here because I need a favor from you, and I’m willing to pay.”
Her expression is placid. “Does your father know you are here?”
“No. He would never allow me.”
She folds her hands and leans forward. “What do you want? A potion to make someone fall for you? A glimpse into your future? To find out more about your mother, maybe...”
I frown. “No. I just want to be able to talk the human tongue.”
Her brows knit together, and she tilts her head to the left. “Any human tongue?”
“Is there a difference?”
“Yes.”
“I just want to be able to talk to my mate. If I tell you where he lives, do you know what language he speaks?” Then, it hit me. “You look human. How can you understand me?”
“I’m a siren. I speak all the languages in the world.”
Sirens are related to mermaids, but they don’t have a fishtail and can’t live forever in the sea like mermaids do. They aren’t human, either, which explains why she lives on an island.
“Do you know anything about my mother?”
The Sea Witch gets up and strides to the fire. Grabbing a stick, she stirs the flames. “What did your father tell you about her?”
“That she died when I was a baby, and she couldn’t live with us in the sea because she was human.”
“Did he tell you how much he loved her?”
“Yes.”
The Sea Witch turns around to face me. “Your mate, is it worth any sacrifice to be with him?”
I endure her burning gaze and take a moment to reply. “Yes. We are in love, but we can’t talk to each other. I can’t tell him who I am, and I have no idea who he is.”
“You seem to know how to use your legs. Have you used them on dry land to be with him?”
I nod. “I didn’t know I had them until I had to save him and bring him to the shore.”
The witch walks to her bed, grabs a blanket, and heads towards me. “Here, you look cold.” She places the blanket around my shoulders.
“Thank you.”
Sitting back in her chair, she pierces me with her eyes. “Your father won’t be pleased if I help you.”
I bit my lip. “You’ll be only helping your prophecy coming true. You told Father that my sisters and I will find our mates soon. I’ve found mine, but I need to speak his language to tell him who I am and how I feel.”
She smirks. “Are you willing to pay the price I’ll ask you?”
“Yes. Of course.” I showed her the bag.
“I don’t want jewels.”
I hugged the bag tighter. “What else can I give you?”
“Something you won’t need if you declare your love to your human lover and stay living with him on dry land.”
“What is that?”
“Your fishtail.”
I gulped.
“But you need to know that if he rejects and doesn’t love you as much as you love him, you’ll eventually die of a broken heart. Your kind only loves once and it’s forever. Do you still want to do this?” the witch questions.
Chapter 8—First Conversation
MY DECISION WASN’T hard to make. I have no idea why she wants my tail, but I’m willing to trade it for my happiness. A mermaid with a broken heart eventually turns into seafoam and ceases to exist. If I can’t live with my mate, I’ll die. I know I will. My tail belongs to the witch if my mate accepts me. Still, I can go back to the sea and give up on my voice if my mate doesn’t feel the same way. The price to pay is high. Am I naïve to believe in love?
Once the deal is done, I dive in the water and swim as fast as I can to reach my lover's island. The potion is safely stored inside a small vial hanging from my neck, and I'm not going to wait any longer to talk to my lover.
The sun peeks from behind the green hills covered with vines when I rise to the surface and arrive at the beach. It's too early, so I lie on a sandbank in the calm sea, watching the last stars fading away and thinking about how I was going to get the last ingredient for the spell to work. I must have fallen asleep because when I wake up, the bells are ringing from the other side of the island where there's a church with towers and spires.
Stretching my arms, I stare at the castle on the cliff and wonder who lives there. What treasures hide behind those walls? It looks gloomy and scary, the opposite from my coral palace deep in the sea. If I go forward with my plan, I can never return to my world.
I unwrap the dress that I brought with me and slip it down my arms. I need to look like a human if I plan to walk among them. There's no better way to do this than swim to shore and wait for him on the sand. From afar, I see the first small boats leaving the port and men shouting as some row and others throw their nets to fish.
Arriving at the surf, I struggle to reach dry land and my tail twitches and flops in agitation. The dress makes it harder to move as I dig my fingers into the sand and push. Finally, I emerge from the surf and roll on my back. My eyes look at the clear blue sky as the familiar tingling and warmth rush up my tail. When the tingling climaxes, my legs appear. I sit up and look at the rocky path that leads to the castle. Despite the sun, I shiver with cold. Maybe he can't come today.
When I was ready to give up, I see his tall figure appear. His hair falls over his dark eyes, his black overcoat hugs his imponent figure, and the front of his shirt, unlaced, exposes the thick, curly hair on his muscular chest. He looks wild and untamed like the rolling waves in a stormy night.
I attempt to get up, so I can go to him. Using my limbs presents a challenge, and I rake my fingers through my messy hair as I breathe to calm my nerves. He speaks, and I long to understand him. My hands fall over his chest when he crouches and assists me into a standing position. His mouth is moving, there's sound coming out, and I focus on his lips. Before I can show him my small vial, he hugs me against the warmth of his body, and I clutch my hands to his shirt. Wet clothes are uncomfortable. His hands rub my back and shoulders, but my teeth keep chattering. Stepping back, he shrugs his coat off and places it over my shoulders. The warmth makes me feel better when he guides me to the vegetation, and we sit under a tall tree with long leaves. He touches my hand and points to the castle.
Does he want to take me there?
Patting my cheek, he moves closer, and my eyes flutter in surrender. The multitude of smells always makes me dizzy. Yet his scent is unmistakable even with the pungent smell of decaying seaweed that ends up on the shore. I long to taste the sweetness of his mouth, feel the softness of his tongue rubbing against mine, and his hands roaming my body. Our entangled bodies rolling on the sand as we kiss will need to wait.
I put my hand on his chest and push him back, so I can have his full attention. My hand closes around the vial, and I show it to him and point at his hand. His eyebrows arch, and he reaches for the vial. I shake my head and conceal it against my chest. There's a loud humming in my head. I caress his hand and bring it to my lips. My eyes close and I trail kisses along his fingers. I turn his palm and carve my canines in his flesh, hoping to draw blood.
He yanks his hand away, and I focus my vision on his confused expression. He's speaking louder as he holds his hands against his chest. My nostrils flare, so I can breathe deeply. I show him the vial and point at his hand. Reluctantly, he shows me his hand, and I see a single drop of blood forming in the place I've sunk my teeth. Opening the vial, I use the small cork to collect the final ingredient. Covering the vial, I shake it and mix the content. Without hesitation, I drink half and offer him the
rest. The potion rolls down my throat, leaving a bitter taste behind. I blink a few times, waiting for him to complete the ritual. Even if he hesitates, he eventually swallows, and his face shows that he doesn't like how it tastes, either.
“This tastes like rotten fish.” My heart pounds fast as I hear him speak and understand his words. “Why did we have to drink this? Is this some kind of potion? I wish you could understand me. There's so much I want to tell you.” His hand touches my cheek, and he leans down and kisses my lips. His breath caresses my skin as he speaks. “Are you still cold? There's a fireplace in my castle. I can take you there, and you can stay with me...forever. You don't need to leave.”
I tilt my head back, trying to make sure that I'm not imagining what's happening.
He frowns. “What's wrong, darling? You look so serious. You are normally smiling when I say these things to you.”
I smile.
“Yes, just like that. You make me feel happy when you look at me like this. As if we belong together...”
My throat feels dry, but I try to use my voice. “Together...”
He pursed his lips and his brows knit together. “Did you just speak?”
“Language of men. That...was... The vial had a potion.”
“So, can you understand me now?”
“Yes!”
“Finally!” His lips glue against mine. He pulls me into his arms and continues to kiss me until I melt and surrender to his mouth. “What's your name?”
I sigh. “Mirella.”
He smiles. “I'm Duncan.” His hands smooth down my curves. “Mirella, don't be scared, but I want to take you upstairs to the castle.”
Fear clutches at my heart. “Won't the king of these lands get upset?”
“Don't you know, sweetheart?”
“Know what?”
“Why did you save me, Mirella?”
I blink and place my hand on his cheek. “I heard the music of your soul call to me. You are mine.”
His eyes glitter as if something else is looking at me. “Are you mine?”
“For eternity, if you’ll have me,” I whisper as I try to figure out why his eyes seem to have changed color.
He runs his fingers through my hair with a pleased expression. “The path to the castle is rocky, and I don't want you to hurt your delicate feet. I'll take you in my arms, and we'll talk by the fire. I want to know everything about you—where you come from, where you live, how many of you are there?”
I place a finger over his lips. “Duncan, do you wish me harm?”
“Of course not.”
“Merfolk don't trust humans. We are afraid of them. There's a lot of things I can't tell you about us. Your king might want to harm us if he discovers our existence. Did you tell anyone about me?”
Duncan smirks. Taking me in his arms, he gets up and walks the path to the castle. “My beautiful mermaid, you don't need to worry. I'm the king of these lands, and I'm anything but human.”
My eyes widen in disbelief. “You...live in the castle?”
“I'm the King of the Lycans. Do you know what a Lycan is?”
“No.”
“I guess we have a lot to learn about each other, darling.”
I'M STILL BAFFLED BY the turn of the events. My mermaid is with me, speaking my language and looking like any other woman. Well, not any woman. She's beautiful, sweet, and her voice feels like a balm caressing my aching soul.
As I enter the castle carrying the woman in my arms, the servants freeze with their mouths agape. They know better than to challenge me.
Mirella looks around, her silver eyes wide open and attentive as she takes in the decor. I climb the stairs that lead to my private chambers. My boots resonate on the long corridor. In a corner, I spot Leonard flirting with one of the maidens of my sister's entourage. Allison will have his balls on a platter if she finds out.
My beta's eyes widen, and he focuses his attention on me and my companion. Neglecting the maiden, he walks to me. “Have you gone insane? Now you kidnap young women dressed in weird outfits?”
His hand in front of me prevents me from reaching my bedchambers.
Arching an eyebrow, I clear my throat. “I'm glad I've found you here. This is Mirella, my future queen. I need you to go to the village and bring back the priest.”
“What?”
“The priest, so I can get married.”
Leonard blinks several times, rubs his jaw, and shouts, “Have you lost your mind?”
I ignore his question and look at Mirella who twirls her hair. “This is Leonard. He's a friend and the commander of my troops.”
Mirella smiles at him. “Nice to meet you. I'm Mirella.”
I watch Leonard gulp as his lips curl into a smile. Slightly bowing, he presents his empty hand to her. “You are lovely, milady, but the king has more pressing matters than playing with you. If you would be so kind as to come with me. I'll bring you back to your family.”
I grab Mirella's hand before she can touch his. My beast growls inside my mind, possessive, as I glare at my beta.
“My father doesn't know I'm here,” Mirella whispers and nibbles on her soft and tempting lower lip.
“Did the king...”
“Enough!” I shout, preventing any sillier questions from Leonard. “This is Mirella, the mermaid who saved me. She'll be my wife, and I need you to get the priest to make that happen.”
“Duncan, we can't marry without my dad's permission,” Mirella says as her hand clutches my shirt. Her voice is soft, but I detect a hint of fear in it. “He would be highly upset, and we don't want that.”
My eyes linger on hers as my heart flutters. “I can't live another day without you, my love. Can you send word to your father about our engagement?”
Mirella averts her gaze and scratches her nail against my shirt. “He won't be pleased. It's forbidden to show ourselves to humans.”
My heart sinks. “Does that mean you can't stay?”
She nibbles on her lip, but this time the hotness of her gesture doesn't ignite my lust. She's nervous. All I know is that I don't want to lose her.
Placing her feet on the floor, I turn her to me and cup her face between my hands. “If you want to stay with me... I won't let him take you away. We can get married, and you won't be near the water.”
Leonard sighs, scratching the back of his head. “Great! Now he wants to get married without the elders' approval and without the girl's father's consent.”
“Marrying without Father's consent wouldn't be wise,” Mirella says. “He would cover your land in water and destroy everything with huge waves.”
Leonard snorts. “Is he a god?”
Mirella turns to face him. “He's a demi-god. We are descendants of Neptune. My father is the King of the Sea.”
I tense and watch as Leonard’s eyes widen in concern as he looks at me. “You sure know how to pick them, Duncan. Don't ya?”
Chapter 9—The Lycans’ Island
IT DOESN'T MATTER IF Mirella is the daughter of a powerful demi-god who rules the underwater world or not. She'll be my wife.
I enter my enormous bedroom with vaulted ceilings and a king-size, canopied bed. Red and white armchairs stand in various locations throughout the room, a huge wardrobe is near the entrance to the bathroom, while a marble fireplace with ornate vine-patterned ironwork faces the bed. I only use it to sleep and get dressed. I take care of all my business in the study not too far from the library but far away from the throne room.
After placing Mirella on my bed, I close the balcony doors and pull the curtains shut.
I grab the fur blanket at her feet and cover her legs to keep her warm.
She's moving her head as she's examining the room. “Is this where you sleep?”
“Yes.” I sit beside her. “Are you still cold?”
“No. I'm okay. Thank you.” She untangles her messy hair. “We don't need clothes underwater.” Her head lowers, and she brings her hands up to touch her arms. “My skin is diff
erent. It feels restrictive not being able to float.”
“You'll get used to it,” I mumble as I take in all of her beauty. “Do you mind waiting for me here? I'll order my housekeeper to bring one of my sister's dresses. You need to wear more appropriate clothes.”
“What's wrong with the ones I have?”
“They are too revealing... They aren't warm enough, either,” I add. The last thing I want is for her to be in my bed wearing clothes. Yet, I have to be patient and give her time to adjust.
Mirella stretches her legs and giggles. “I can move the small fingers on my feet.”
“They are called toes,” I clarify with a grin. “I'll need to find you some shoes. I don't want you getting hurt.”
“We have time for all of those things,” she whispers as she grabs my arm and stops me from leaving. “I came here to talk to you and know more about your life. The Sea Witch...”
I lean forward and stroke the hair away from her face. “The one who gave you the potion?”
“Yes. I struck a deal with her. But I don't have a lot of time. Soon enough, Dad will know that I'm gone, and he'll be looking for me. I need to make sure that I'm not making a mistake.”
“What mistake, my love?”
Mirella kneels in front of me. Her hand cups my face and she gazes into my eyes. “What's a Lycan?”
“Lycans are shape-shifters that can transform into big wolves, bigger than the normal wolves that exist in the wild.”
Mirella blinks several times. “What's a wolf?”
“Have you ever seen a dog?”
“Like Cerberus?”
“Yes, but with only one head.” Mirella grins, and my heart stops inside my chest. “Lycans can be violent. We only transform when we are feeling threatened. Some of us, like myself, can train on a daily basis to do it when we wish to. There are others who can't control the shifting on nights with a full moon, so they need to be shackled. Our wild side can be scary, that's why my clan lives on this island, far away from the humans.”
