She skimmed the surroundings for help, fearful to call out and attract the wrong attention. The eerie quiet made her scales shiver.
Fin?
With quick breaths across her gills, she entered the tunnel anyway, accosted by Chauncey’s boggy scent. Then she heard him. Shrill laughter. With a hard pump of her tail, she swam further inside, prepared for the horrible stinging poison that could pierce her skin at any moment. Then the scent veered off to the right toward a hidden cave.
She surfaced, unprepared for what she was about to see.
: : :
Staring down the scythe pointed at his heart, Jacob knew without a miracle he was done for.
“What the—?” Chauncey started, turning to the pool.
Jacob blinked, unbelieving of his eyes. Now he had to be dreaming.
“You!” Tatiana bellowed. With a side-swipe of her trident, she smacked Chauncey’s left side. Losing balance, he toppled onto the rocks and smashed his head.
“You’ll pay for that, Princess,” he bellowed, reaching for his brow. Blood trickled down over his fingers.
“I’m your queen, you son of a bitch, and I won’t allow you to treat my bodyguard like this!” She pointed the trident directly at his gonads. “Give me the key, or you’ll lose your precious claspers.”
Chauncey’s eyes widened. He palmed the inside of his waist pouch and chucked the key to the other side of the cave.
When Tatiana’s eyes followed the arch of the throw, Chauncey’s tail reared up and stung her. She yelped slightly, but snapped her head to him.
Oblivious, Chauncey laughed, attempting to sit up.
With a twist of her wrist, Tatiana pierced his skirt, nicking his manhood with the trident.
“What the—” Chauncey wailed, grabbing himself. “Why’d you do that?”
“Honestly? After everything?” she sneered through her teeth. “I think you’d be smarter than that. Actually, I should give you one slash for every sick comment and every grope you’ve done. Or maybe I should cut it off right now and save the world of your seed.”
“No, nooo,” he begged, crying. “I promise. I won’t—”
At the blood seeping from between his fingers, a sick satisfied smile played on Jacob’s lips.
“It’s too late for promises.” With a quick slash of the trident, Tatiana side-swiped the blunt end into Chauncey’s skull. A dull hollow thunk landed him on his back; his eyes rolled back into his head as he passed out, unconscious.
“Tatiana,” Jacob gasped. “What are you doing?”
“Saving you.” She moved, as if to phase, but lurched forward on her hands, slithering over to locate the key.
He blinked at her, amazed. Jack had said she was bold and courageous, but this? He couldn’t contain how turned on he was.
With the key in her hands, she moved to him, balancing precariously on the uneven ground, reaching high to unlock the cuffs. With his head tipped back, he inhaled her skin—sweet like fruit. He couldn’t stop the fantasies of what he’d do to her if he wasn’t chained. Instead, he leaned forward, allowing his lips to brush her stomach.
“Hey.” She giggled, wiggling away.
Once his other hand was free, he groaned. But her energy gave him a second wind he hadn’t predicted. With a crack of his back, he stretched out his arms toward her. “That feels so much better.”
She met his rough cheeks with her soft warm hands, sending a tingle over his skin. “You’re alive.”
“Barely,” he said hoarsely, smiling back at her, working to contain the indescribable joy rocking his nervous system. “I’m going to miss my own private Bone Island.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner.” She bit her lip and allowed her eyes to rake over him, sad. Her fingers trailed slowly over his bandage and down his chest, to the healing gash on his stomach. “Did he do this to you?”
“Yeah, well—”
Tatiana’s shriek interrupted him. She knocked away Chauncey’s pet parasite. “Disgusting. What was that—? Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. Come on. We need to get you out of here.”
She tugged on his hand, but he didn’t move. He only grasped her fingers tighter, bringing them to his lips. Indescribable awe filled him. Who was this girl in front of him? Taking charge? Rescuing him? Fighting with weapons and attempting to cut off enemy claspers?
“Are you even listening to me?” she asked, studying him.
Desire singed through his body, hot and demanding. He wanted to kiss her. Now.
A curious smile tipped on her lips. “Why are you looking at me like that… and… doing that?”
“What?” he said, kissing each finger again.
She pinched her lips together in a cute puckering sort of way, clearly flustered.
“It’s like you’ve never seen a girl kick ass before.”
“I haven’t.” His lips continued to turn up at the corners.
“Well, it needed to happen, so…” She shook her head. “We should really go.”
“Go?” He massaged her hand, unable to put into words how much he wanted her, to wrap his arms around her, touch her, crash his lips to hers. Her newfound confidence was making his head crazy and his heart pound.
When he didn’t move, she rolled her eyes and chuckled. “You know, the girl can be the hero sometimes.”
“I know but… wow.”
She blushed, but still prodded him to leave. “You can thank me later. We should go.”
“Wait.” He grabbed her hips and slid her onto his lap. “I have to tell you something.” He waited a beat, struggling to choose the right words. “I’m sorry about what I said before—about being your replacement. That was insensitive—”
“No.” She stopped him, placing her fingertip on his lips. “Jacob, I understand,” she paused, her beautiful blue eyes sweeping over his rugged face. “I know who I want.”
At her confession, he took her face between his hands and held her there. “Then promise yourself to me,” Jacob whispered. “And never leave my side again.”
“Yes,” she whispered, breathless. “I promise.”
Without waiting, he covered her mouth with his and his soul exploded into light, feeling her, breathing her. Her mouth, so soft and warm, sweet and tangy, trembling and deepening. He was hers and she was his. They were one soul. Alive.
45
: : :
Choices
This time, when the sweet pull came for Tatiana’s soul, she allowed herself to be free and afterward, the connection was so much deeper than anything she could have imagined. Her soul exploded into a song filled with all the goodness that was him. And everything about him felt right. To hold him close, to be with him, to treasure him for all eternity, she could think of nothing else, completely engulfed in his love.
He buried his nose in her damp hair and inhaled as if he couldn’t get enough. She mentally pinched herself. Could this really be happening? Or had they died and gone to heaven?
She giggled, her face still trapped between his hands. “Why didn’t we do that sooner?”
Jacob laughed. “I don’t know.” His unending grin stretched his face with indescribable joy.
He playfully pulled her closer, smothering her lips with his once again, his hands moving down her torso, tugging at her skirt. Her eyes rolled back in her head as his lips made their way down her neck, tasting and moaning, breathless and whole. Filled with longing, she wanted nothing more than to be devoured by him, but at Chauncey’s moan, Tatiana startled.
She stayed his hands. “We need to get you out of here.”
Jacob’s shoulders slunk.
“I know, but we have to,” she said as his hands freed themselves and grabbed her again, pulling her to him, leaning his lips out to hers. She indulged one more kiss before forcing him in the pool,
He fell underwater, reemerging with slicked back hair. Tatiana gnawed at her lower lip, moved at how quickly his skin was reviving, and how incredibly sexy he looked. The faint reminder she n
eeded to restrain Chauncey tickled the back of her brain. With a quick pivot on the ledge, she leaned back, grabbing the chains.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
She winked, putting the cuffed end around Chauncey’s wrist. With a smirk, she tossed the key over Jacob’s head. The splash echoed in the cavern.
“Chauncey needs to dry out a little.”
He chuckled and as soon as she met him in the pool, they both slipped under the water, unable to keep their hands off each other once again. Tatiana felt Jacob’s scales soften with each breath of briny water over his gills. Then he pulled her in tight, sending a rush through her heart once again. Yes, she’d kissed Azor and allowed the promise to trick her into having feelings of attraction for him, but this… this was a whole new dimension. She molded her tail around his, pressing her heat into him, feeling her pheromones ignite. The urge to escape out to the Pacific verses returning to Natatoria, sped through her. If only she didn’t wear the blasted bracelet…
“Here?” He tilted her chin, a coy smile on his lips.
Wanting nothing more than to indulge their greatest fantasies, the reminder they were still in the shark’s domain hit her gut. “Not yet… not here.”
“Where are we anyway?” he asked, looking around.
“Inside the Pacific Gate.”
“We are? What about the sharks?”
“I have no idea where they are,” she said nervously, panning the wider part of the tunnel.
He pulled her close again and nibbled at her earlobe. “Then let’s go somewhere else…”
“You don’t have to ask me twice.” Tatiana laughed nervously; still vividly aware they couldn’t get distracted. “If only I didn’t have this bracelet on.”
He brushed his hand down over her backside and squeezed. “If only… ”
She moaned to tease him, melting momentarily under his hot touch, wanting more, so much more.
Once they cleared the cave and entered the dreaded shark enclosure, a screech sent her scales on end. They turned to see Jacob’s brother being pulled through the current by some blond merman, grabbing tightly ahold of his fin.
“Ferd,” he yelled. “Let-t-t me-e-e go-o-o!”
Galadriel swam after them. “Let Jax go, you big lug!”
Tatiana and Jacob let go of each other momentarily and held their ears on his approach, expecting him to drag Jax past them through the Pacific Gate. Ferdinand only stopped abruptly, letting Jacob’s brother go free.
“Whoa,” Jax righted himself and did a double take. Tatiana’s stomach flipped, hit with awkwardness, and she released her tail from Jacob’s.
“I—uh—you’re okay, huh?” Jax eyed them up and down.
Jacob took Tatiana’s hand, zinging an electric current up her arm. “Yeah, all because of my girl.”
Tatiana’s heart burst in joy at the endearing title. Everything was falling into place, finally.
Tatiana! She heard Fin say in her mind.
Over here! She called back.
Ash and Fin swam up, gills flapping extra hard. After quick introductions, a brisk conversation erupted catching everyone up on what had happened. Tatiana remained quiet, secretly marveling at the circle of siblings brought together by love: Jax and Jacob, Ash and Galadriel, her and Fin. All promised. All family.
“Aye,” Badger called from the ravine. His hands were filled with weapons. “Are ya all daft? Whatcha be doin’ in the shark tank? Yer all as useless as a lighthouse on a bog. We need to be gettin’ back to the skirmish!”
Tatiana’s spine stiffened. Reveling in her real promise, she’d forgotten her responsibilities, the merling, everything.
They swam to meet up with him and Sandy hovering in the current. Badger bowed at their approach. “My Queen, what would you have us do?”
“Oh, well I thought we’d—”
Badger gave Galadriel a hard look. “With all due respect, I don’t be meanin’ you, Princess. But our queen, here.” He motioned to Tatiana
The blood in Tatiana’s veins froze, as all eyes trained on her.
“She can’t be queen,” Galadriel interrupted. “Azor’s not of royal blood and I can prove it.”
“Aye.” Badger’s bushy eyebrows pressed together. “That don’t matter, now, doll. You’ve been right gone this entire time and Queen Tatiana be acceptin’ da crown in front of God and everyone and as far as da mer know, she is their queen.”
“No!” Galadriel barked.
“Baby,” Jax started, reaching for her hand.
“Don’t baby me!” She pushed Jax away. “This is my heritage. My birthright! My responsibility! I came back to fix this!”
Tatiana’s heart pounded. She’d love nothing more than to give the headache over to Galadriel, but she couldn’t—not yet. Galadriel had no idea what had transpired since her absence and Desiree had empowered her with the brand and the crown. Too many things needed to be changed, starting with laws regarding the promise, then with the servants’ rights, and especially with the class warfare. Too much responsibility to entrust to someone else.
“Badger’s right. I am queen,” Tatiana said confidently, feeling Jacob’s hand reassuringly squeeze hers. “I need to return order. Azor and the Dradux need to be punished for their crimes. And the rebels pardoned. I need to set everything straight.”
“How, when you don’t have the mark?” Galadriel asked through her teeth.
Tatiana lifted her chin and kept her cool. Knowing lives were on the line, she merely turned and showed her hip.
Galadriel gasped. “I don’t understand. How—?”
“She’s also birthed Azor an heir, which trumps ya,” Badger said plainly. “So we must get goin’. There isn’t much time.”
At the mention of the merling, Jacob dropped her hand.
“It’s true?” he asked simply, disbelief on his face. “How?”
“I…” Her eyes flickered to him for a moment. His devastation crushed her. How did he know about the merling? She closed her eyes a beat, hiding her frustration. In any other circumstances, she’d explain, but with Galadriel there, peace in the colony needed to be restored first.
She merely turned and said, “Sandy, can you reopen the essence pool, then find the wounded and treat them? Jax, Fin, Badger and Jacob: I need you to lock up the Dradux guards in the pillories, including Azor. Ash, stay with me. We’ll see to it everyone is okay. Once I get control of things, I’ll speak to the people and makes things right again.”
“Got it,” Badger said with a bow. When no one else moved or said anything, Badger’s face turned into an ugly scowl. “Where’s your loyalty? This be yer queen! She earned this from her blood, sweat and tears! You will honor her! Bow!”
The group startled and everyone but Galadriel bowed. Instead, she glared with her arms crossed over her chest. “I will not serve an imposter.”
“So be it,” Badger said while handing out the weapons.
In a huff, Galadriel spun on her tail and swam off with Jax following behind her.
: : :
It’s okay, sis, Fin encouraged telepathically. She’ll simmer down. You’re doing the right thing.
Though Fin’s words helped, Tatiana wanted Jacob’s reassuring hand in hers more. She looked for him, hoping he’d swim by her side. But he chose to swim on the outskirts of the group instead. Wishing she could mind talk with Jacob like she could her twin brother and explain everything, she kept looking toward Jacob’s permanent scowl, hoping to catch his eye. Then her heart punched against her ribs in anticipation of what they’d find.
The skirmish at the square took her by surprise. Sirens and wails punctuated the crowd as mermen fought, dark green hoods against black. Among the crowd, bodies floated unconscious. In horror, she watched Dradux guards kiss unpromised mermaids, then witnessed the maids changing sides and taking up swords against their friends.
“Oh my starfish,” Tatiana mumbled, seeing the carnage and blood.
Without a thought, she charged, sirenin
g, and held out her trident to the nearest maid. “By order of the Queen, I command you to stop!”
The woman swiveled around and pointed her spear at Tatiana. “Imposter,” she squealed and rushed her.
Jacob appeared from nowhere and parried the woman’s blow. “What are you doing?” he yelled at Tatiana. “Get inside the palace at once!”
“No! My place is here!”
Someone pulled her hair, spinning her around in the current. Tatiana shrieked, staring in the face of a Dradux. “Lookie who I caught.”
His tail whipped around and stung her in the side. She winced, but felt nothing more than a pinch. With her talons, she ripped into his startled expression, shredding his skin to ribbons. “Unhand me!”
Then Jacob was there, piercing the Dradux in the heart with the trident that had been in her hands.
“Come on.” He grabbed Tatiana’s arm and swam her from the square.
“No! I want to fight.”
He put his face inches from hers. “You’re the queen. You don’t get to fight. Now get inside.”
He shoved her up through the porthole and swam off. But instead of air, she surfaced into water. Water everywhere.
“No!” She clutched her neckline, spinning around. The palace was flooded.
46
: : :
Lost Ones
“Enough!” a male’s voice—rich baritone—boomed from outside. Immediately, the noise of the fighting diminished.
Tatiana returned to the square, awed at the response. Some of the mers bowed, while others remained speechless and gawking. Murmurs of a name tumbled through the crowd. Merric. It’s King Merric.
“What is this? Explain yourselves!” the man yelled, his white hair floating around his head in the current like lightening. Though weathered in his appearance, he lifted his trident with ease and waved it over the crowd, pointing to people at random. No one dared speak, petrified in his presence. “Where’s Phaleon, my son?”
Everlost (Mer Tales, Book 3) Page 28
