Enslaved by the Sea Lord (Lords of Atlantis Book 3)

by Starla Night

  “You already used it to free yourself from the submersible.”

  “But I don’t know how. I also don’t know what animals are dangerous.”

  “Keep your eyes open. I will tell you.”

  She stared into the endless depths, cataloging a vast musical tapestry of singing marine life. Massive tunas and tiny lanternfish, familiar swordfish and mysterious eel-shaped fish. When Soren held her like this, she felt safe.

  Her mind drifted.

  She shouldn’t get too comfortable with Soren because she still had responsibilities elsewhere.

  After they rescued the Life Tree and saved Atlantis for Elyssa, Aya had to return to the surface. Fast. Or else Van Cartier Cosmetics would be no more.

  Discovering her mother had sprung their ex-employee Blake from prison had caused Aya to snap.

  Blake had single-handedly destroyed mer-human relations in the Gulf of Mexico. He was in prison for trying to murder his ex-wife Lucy and the mermen Lucy had befriended. The Gulf of Mexico merman city, Sireno, had Sea Opals the size of boulders! But now, they were forever beyond Van Cartier Cosmetics’ reach. Aya still couldn’t get anyone to answer her underwater broadcasts in that ocean. Blake had destroyed their goodwill.

  She’d lucked into a second chance with the Atlantis mermen. With Elyssa as her ambassador, she would have secured an exclusive supply chain of Atlantis Sea Opals and made Van Cartier Cosmetics a household name. So what if the city was too young and it would take a few years for the Life Tree to mature? The contract would have been hers.

  To find out her mother had set Blake loose, given him all of Aya’s resources, and instructed him to destroy relations again infuriated her beyond reason.

  Aya never acted on her emotions. She was always cool, calm, and composed.

  Until then.

  This nice family company, started by Aya’s great grandmother, had rot in its heart. Aya had poured her life into making it a success. But that was clearly a mistake. With a few targeted emails and actions, she pressed a self-destruct button. If investors weren’t calling for its dismantlement, the federal government would step in.

  Not right away. The emails and actions were on timers. Even acting on rage and adrenaline, Aya wasn’t indecisive. She knew she was making a rare emotional decision. Emotional decisions led to regret. They made people stupid and weak. They landed her in a metal claw, the life pinched out of her, while her enemy laughed inside a submersible.

  But she couldn’t let her mother and Blake cause—

  Soren spoke. “Why did you?”

  She jerked to the present. “Huh? Why did I what?”

  “Kiss me.”

  Oh god. Aya froze.

  He grunted. “Do not slow us. Relax.”

  She tried to force herself, but the harder she tried, the stiffer she felt.

  There was no good answer to his question that didn’t involve her obsessive, passionate, helpless fascination with him.

  He kicked steadily, but it was clear he was waiting.

  “Um.” She shifted her gaze to his pectorals, trying out answers to see which one he would let her get away with. “I just wanted to.”

  “Why?”

  Oh. Kay.

  Obsessive fascination. Aching hunger for his furious strength. Desire to hold him close and stroke his frown-wrinkled forehead and beg him to love her as fiercely as he loved his city. A wish to hold the fire in his gaze no matter how it burned.

  “Urges. Desire.”

  He lowered his head and focused that fire on her.

  She wanted to hide. “It didn’t mean what you think it meant.”

  “What do I think it meant?”

  Why was he asking questions with no safe answer? She scrubbed her face. “I don’t know. I just transformed into a mythical creature and was pressed naked against a man. It’s been a really long time for me. I went with the flow. You understand.”

  “I do not understand.”

  Did she have to spell it out? “Sex. It’s been a long time since I’ve had sex. It has nothing to do with you. I’d react to any good-looking guy who held me.”

  “React means kiss me.” He frowned. “You think I look good?”

  Oh god. “You know what? Forget it.”

  He growled to argue.

  “I have an important question.” She tapped her hand on his chest to get his attention. “I know from Elyssa’s and Lucy’s reports that time passes differently under the water. A week on the surface will pass in an hour under the sea. How long have we been here?”

  His dark gaze told her the argument was not over, but he allowed her to divert the conversation. “We drifted only a few miles on the Est-Atalica current. We could return to Atlantis in a few hours. Half a day, over-land.”

  Right. Because drifting on the gentle gusts was much different from swimming head-down into a blasting current.

  Half a day plus… “How long does it take to reach the surface?”

  He eyed her warily. “Not long.”

  “One hour? Ten?”

  “You are a mer now. Consider your loyalties.”

  “If I return to the surface, I’m far better positioned to gather additional brides for your mermen,” she pointed out practically. “So answer the question. Please.”

  “To reach your surface platform from Atlantis, it takes over a day. Usually two.”

  “So long? Do you swim the whole time?”

  “We avoid dangerous regions. Safety in the open ocean, even with a full flight of five warriors, is no simple matter. Throwing ourselves into a predator’s hunting ground is the same as suiciding on an enemy’s trident. Both are without honor.”

  Three days.

  She’d left on a Sunday, flying to the oceanographic institute’s surface rig to answer the emergency. The descent to the undersea platform finished in less than an hour. Then, suiting up. The reiteration of all the experienced oceanographers that she was pushing human limits. That it was dangerous and she might die.

  She should wait for a military technical diver. She should have waited for a pressurized exosuit. She should’ve waited for a hero.

  But there was only Aya.

  And she had died. But with Soren’s magic and the Life Tree, she had been reborn. And the Aya who was reborn still had things to do with her great grandmother’s company.

  Soren said she was powerful.

  Could she really be powerful?

  No. Right? Because of her soul light. He was getting tricked. She’d had this mysterious “soul light,” which mermen could see but humans could not, evaluated by a highly reputable source. Her soul light was bright but cold.

  “It is unattractive,” her source had said regretfully.

  She twitched.

  “Relax,” Soren growled and crushed her near.

  She forced herself to relax. “How long does it take to go back to the undersea platform where I staged this dive?”

  “Where is that location?”

  “I thought you knew everything nearby.”

  “Perhaps Lotar knows. Or another patrol. How long has your undersea platform been stationed in its current location?”

  “It moves around.”

  “That is why I do not know. Did you not count your strokes, currents, and fish migrations?”

  Strangely enough, she had not. The ocean had been pitch black and her huge flashlight had barely penetrated it. The dive to the city was dark, lonely, and terrifying.

  “I had it programmed into my dive computer.” Her wrist, like the rest of her, was bare. The dive computer had been torn off with her tanks and dry suit.

  And now her bare body nestled intimately against Soren. A powerful, tattooed, deliciously ripped warrior.

  She twitched again as if she could jolt herself into thinking something less dangerous.

  He growled. “Do not tense.”

  “I’m just thinking about our strategy,” she lied. “The open ocean is dangerous. What happens if we have to go home?.”

 
“That is a waste.” He pumped steadily. “Think about your power.”

  “I am thinking.”

  “Think harder.”

  “Has it occurred to you I might not have any powers?” she snapped, shifting and jolting the both of them. “That the submersible opened because of your strength, and I might be a dud?”

  “Yes,” he said.

  Wait. He had?

  Ugh. “Then why are we still here?”

  “Because you are not a dud,” he said simply. “Believe. It is the only way we will survive.”

  Chapter Five

  “Believe?” Aya made a flubbing noise with her lips. “Belief is for people who don’t plan.”

  Soren kicked steadily with all his might. Each powerful stroke propelled them through the dangerous swift-water of the Est-Atalica current. “So, plan.”

  “It would be easier if I knew what I was up against.” She picked at a hard ridge of scar tissue on his chest. “Planning used to be so easy.”

  He liked hearing her voice. The soft vibration of her breasts pressing against his chest filled him with warmth and purpose. He could cross the whole open ocean and return with this sound.

  He wanted more of it. “Then what happened?”

  “Mythical creatures became real.” She pulled out an embedded chip of metal. A bit of Elan’s trident? She let go and smoothed the skin.

  He grunted. “Mermen interfered with your thinking.”

  “In a way.” She stroked his skin. “My great grandmother’s dream was to make a skincare company of natural beauty products. My mother gave up everything to pursue the same dream. But it means giving up unnecessary things like relationships. Maybe the cost is in our souls.”

  Her light dimmed.

  No. His Aya could never dim. Dimming her soul with doubts was dangerous. “Your soul is pure.”

  “And cold.”

  “Refreshing.”

  She dropped silent for a few minutes. Then, she finally relaxed. “You are one heck of a liar.”

  “I do not lie.”

  She didn’t reply.

  Her soft hip pressed against his hard waist like it belonged. Her thighs rubbed against his. She was the definition of femininity and the urge to claim her pounded once more through his blood.

  Why did she accuse him of lying? Strange. He would never understand females.

  And he did not understand what she meant by “it had been a long time” since she had been held. Did that mean once a person was held, then they had a weakness to being held again?

  Soren had never been held by a woman. His own mother had left after the birth, as per the covenant. According to his father, his birth had been difficult and she had been grateful to leave her overly large young fry behind.

  Seeing Queen Elyssa with Kadir and knowing what happiness they brought to each other made Soren hunger for something he had never experienced. Queen Elyssa stated from the beginning she wanted to always stay with Kadir. And she had fulfilled that vow through sickness and health.

  But Aya did not wish this with Soren. She’d already asked to go to the surface. A worthier male might have tempted her to remain. But Soren was not a worthy enough male.

  Even though she said he looked good. Which also made no sense. His body was hulking and scarred. He frightened kings and generals. Even now he was slashed with injuries from the battle for Atlantis. Good was not how he looked.

  “Teach me about being underwater.” Aya flexed her ankles, testing but unable to make her fins yet. “What’s dangerous? What are you looking out for? How do you know the way back to Atlantis?”

  Protective urges overwhelmed him. “Do not split from me.”

  “I’m not,” she protested, and her soul light remained steady, a promise of truth. “I’m trying to learn my surroundings so I can better adapt and be more useful.”

  “You would be most useful if you could use your power to protect us.”

  “I would love to use my power,” she said patiently, glowing ever brighter but still refusing to channel it. “The instant I have figured out the magic words to unleash a godlike underwater sonic boom, then abracadabra, you’ll be the first to know.”

  “It is not words. Queen Elyssa said it was a feeling.”

  “Right.” Aya bit her lip, and her soul light dipped again. “I’m working on it.”

  “Now you are less bright again.”

  “Hmm.” Pointing it out had the opposite effect of what he desired. She grew darker yet, as though bothered to know she was darkening.

  It was infuriating.

  But he would not cripple her. He began with the knowledge a father would pass on to his young fry. Mermen always had sons, never daughters, and they passed on the knowledge of the sea from one generation to the next. And their babies could always make their fins right away. They had to be taught how to walk.

  Once he had thought he would have a young fry. But then came his dishonor.

  Aya denied him. He would never claim another bride.

  “The currents have a flavor. The Est-Atalica is chalkier than the surrounding water. This current, an off-shoot, has a hint of chalk and more tangy salt.”

  She opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue.

  It was adorable. “Do you taste it?”

  She vibrated her answer in her chest, with her tongue still stuck out. “Perhaps.”

  “We judge distance by cave guardian songs. You call them giant octopuses. They spread evenly throughout the ocean. Once you have heard a cave guardian, you will not forget it. The unique sounds are memorable.”

  “I believe Elyssa described the noise of Octopus Kong as ‘a garbage truck backing over an accordion.’”

  He grunted. He was unfamiliar with those surface objects.

  “But which fish are dangerous?” she pressed. “How do I know if I’m about to get eaten?”

  “Size.”

  “Whales are huge and they don’t eat people.”

  “Most fish have teeth. If they are fighting or mating, even a small fish can slice off a finger.”

  She dug hers into his shoulder. “I like my fingers.”

  “That is why it is better to have a dagger, a trident, and a team of five warriors. That is the minimum for safely crossing the open ocean.”

  “How many for a trench?”

  He flexed for his trident. His arms hugged her against him more tightly. “There is no safe number.”

  “Ah.”

  He looked up from his dark musings. “What?”

  “That silver thing.” She pointed. “I think that’s my dive computer.”

  Soren took in their location with surprise. They were much closer to the end of their journey than he’d realized. The crack of a trench split the ocean floor like a black scar. No glow of the Life Tree was visible.

  Curse it. They had not been fast enough. The Life Tree must have gone over the side. In the trench, there was no hope.

  He tightened his grip on her.

  “Is that it?”

  Oh, her question. He dove for the metal box.

  “That’s definitely it.” She reached for it. “Get closer.”

  He veered away. “We must turn back.”

  “The Life Tree is probably only a little farther ahead. I’m sure it fell into the current a few minutes before my dive computer did.”

  “It cannot have survived the crushing currents of the trench.”

  She absorbed that information with cold sadness. He had already accepted the Life Tree’s death in the submersible’s claw. Aya’s steadfast refusal to abandon it warmed his heart. She had a warrior’s dedication to protect the city. But even she must face the end of all hope.

  “Fine. Let me grab the dive computer. I’ll use the coordinates in it to return to the undersea platform.”

  His belly turned cold. “We must return to Atlantis.”

  “You’ll go faster without me. And the undersea platform is closer than Atlantis. I won’t be in danger like going to the surface.”


  “Splitting up is too dangerous.”

  “It’s the most efficient use of our limited resources.” She stretched. “A little closer...”

  The currents near a trench were unpredictable. The trench itself breathed, and the intermix could dash them against the bottom or shoot them into the jaws of a lurking predator.

  “You are a mer now.” He put more distance between them and the computer. They remained in the safe current and the computer bounced in the rough, unpredictable riptide. “We need your power. Atlantis needs your power.”

  “I don’t have any power.”

  “You—”

  “Splitting up makes the most sense, Soren. Be reasonable.”

  She begged him to let her go. She did not wish to be his queen and she begged him for the quickest way to leave him.

  He studied the currents.

  Up ahead, froth revealed a deadly whirlpool over the trench. One branch sucked unwary travelers into the trench itself. Another branch pushed travelers into a gentle current far above the trench.

  She kicked toward the trench-bound current.

  Predators inched along the rim already — trench fish and crustacean scavengers — and they would be attracted to the unusual treat of two mer.

  “Hurry.” She pushed against him. “I can get it.”

  “No.” He crushed her to his chest. “It is too dangerous.”

  The dive computer flashed like a jewel.

  His rage snapped. “Stop this mad quest! Your duty is to the mer. Do not pursue a surface life. Do you understand?”

  “No.”

  “Do not argue with me!”

  “Okay, then I won’t.” She slipped away as if she were covered in oil and flew to the deadly riptide.

  Chapter Six

  Aya’s dive computer was right there. Just a few more strokes.

  “Aya!” Soren shouted.

  He was furious. But he’d be grateful once she had it. He didn’t want to be with her. Not really. She’d go to the surface and take care of the company. He’d take care of Atlantis. No more distractions or temptations.

  Relationships never lasted. If she hadn’t gotten injured to the point of death, then Soren would have ensured theirs never started.