Page 40 of Cursed By a Siren's Kiss

I’d never met Dionysus. I’d never met any of my godly relatives, having always resided in the depths of the ocean. They rarely left Olympus let alone visited Atlantis deep beneath the seas.

Dionysus stood a hair above the average height of a man. His dark curly hair fell in loose ringlets around his face, giving him a carefree and youthful appearance. He had a pillowed middle suggesting he had a love for good food and relaxation rather than strenuous exercise. Yet, the easygoing nature of his body didn’t detract from the appeal of his broad shoulders and sure stance. When he smiled, warmth radiated from his dimpled cheeks, revealing a mischievous streak that I couldn’t help but find endearing. I liked him instantly, which was rare of me.

I tilted my chin down and to the side, a sign of respect as I said, “Dionysus.”

The rest of the crew stood at my back, and shock rippled through each of them as they heard me identify the god before us. Every one of them, aside from Kipp, lowered themselves to their knees as they realized they stood in the presence of a god. Kipp, either stupid or brave or possibly both, simply glared at the gods, unmoved by their celestial ties. He came to a stop next to me, our arms brushing softly as Proteus and Dionysus regarded us both with amusement.

“Please,” Dionysus said, waving his hands toward the bowed crew. “None of that. Stand. Would anyone care for some wine? I do so hate drinking alone.” He turned, his steps carrying him lazily along the path as he made his way through the forest.

Kipp’s crew followed Dionysus, but Kipp remained at my side as Proteus stepped closer to me, ignoring Kipp completely. He took up my hands within his own, kissing the smooth skin as he smiled at me.

“I thought you’d come sooner, little minnow,” Proteus said affectionately. His blue gaze glittered with mischief, and I rolledmy eyes. I could feel the darkness growing within Kipp, and Proteus was playing with fire.

“I was…” I trailed off. Proteus knew why I had been delayed; he’d seen it all in the mind link. “I got held up helping them.”

Proteus just smirked. “And you’ve always been so helpful to mortals.” He let my hands fall from his grasp as he turned his attention toward Kipp. “Calm down, little Thanatos. We’re just friends.”

Kipp didn’t speak, his body just trembled with barely constrained rage as he breathed. I placed a hand on his arm, and his body relaxed. I turned toward Proteus, sending a message along the mind link. I’ve been stowed away on this ship for weeks, Proteus. I need someone to sink my teeth into if you know what I mean.

Proteus eyed us both. Why have you waited weeks to sate those needs? Seems to me you have a perfectly capable specimen at your side.

I gave a perceptible shake of my head. He’s not an option.

Proteus just smiled, waving us forward. “Come,” he said, turning his back to us both. “We should follow them or there won’t be any wine left.”

Chapter 25

The Lustful Nature

The Siren

When we left the forest path, a large, white stone palace sat ahead that seemed to dominate the massive clearing at the same time as it blended into the landscape around it. It stood elegantly, reaching toward the sky in pristinely white stone but seemed as if it belonged completely within the wilderness that we’d just traveled through to reach Proteus’ home. Two exquisite waterfalls cascaded down either side of the structure into a frothing river that wrapped around the front of the building. The path we’d used to arrive in this clearing led to a wide wooden bridge that crossed the river, leading to a stone path that meandered around beautiful gardens and outdoor seating areas. A rich and lavish atmosphere welcomed us as we crossed the bridge.

The water of the island held the same salty brine as the sea, as if Proteus had routed the ocean to move over his land and into the rushing river surrounding his property. As I peered down into the river we crossed, I realized its waters sunk deeper than I’d expected. Several heads floated above the surface, manyof which I recognized as my fellow sirens. A few others had multiple fins, more fish like and less extravagant than the sirens, looking more like my half-brother, Triton. They appeared more humanistic, aside from the gills cutting through their ribs.

I ignored the curious faces that watched us pass, some of them dipping their chins with respect for me as Kipp and I followed closely behind Proteus, who led us to his private gardens. A large wooden awning provided shade from the late afternoon sun, vines of white flowers wrapping around the wood leaving a pleasant floral scent hanging in the air. Another smaller pond sat not far from the benches beneath the awning, and again, I caught the scent of seawater from its depths.

“The ocean runs beneath the island,” Proteus said, having noticed my curiosity toward the water of his island. “It’s how I can feel so comfortable living here. It’s like being in the sea even when I’m not physically within its waters.”

Inhaling deeply, I smiled. “It feels like home.”

Longing mixed with the heightened lust still building within my center as I took a purposeful step away from Kipp and the heat of his darkness. I ran my fingers through my hair as I took in the garden around us, eyeing the array of colors growing in well maintained patches everywhere I looked.

As I stared at the beauty surrounding me, Proteus’ eyes darkened as he gave Kipp a thorough look over. The polite host had vanished, replaced by the warrior he’d been long ago. His sights narrowed. “Tell me why you are here, little Thanatos, and why you have forced Lia to come along for the ride,” he demanded. He knew everything I knew—the mind link had told him all of it—but by putting Kipp on the spot like this, it gave them both a chance to be open with one another.

“I don’t owe you any explanations. God or no god. Lia is helping me. She is under my protection, and I will do whatever it takes to see my task through.” Kipp’s voice was firm, a tinge ofdefiance in his tone and the set of his jaw as he spoke. “And you can call me Captain Kipp.”

“You have a death glare behind those dark eyes of yours. You’re on my island. I’ll call you whatever I deem appropriate.” He let that sink in before he spoke again. “And then what happens to her?”

“Then I let her go. She will have my protection until then.”

Proteus chuckled, a knowing glint in his eyes. “Protection? Is that all? Or is there something more?”

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Kipp replied, letting his gaze slacken as we sat on one of the stone benches ringing the pond.

Before Proteus joined us on the benches, he asked Kipp, “So, you didn’t bind her to you then?”

“I—”

---