Page 42 of Cursed By a Siren's Kiss

“It doesn’t matter what I am, or who I am. Daughter, relative. It doesn’t matter. This bond doesn’t even matter right now. What does matter is this quest we are on to break this curse. We need to get this over with,” I said, shoving the pesky emotions from my godly heritage down as best as I could. I needed to remain as cold and detached that was common to my people.

Kipp asked Proteus, “Will you help us or not?”

With eyes that glimmered mischievously, Proteus flicked a glance over his shoulder as he gestured behind him. “I have already sent out my dearest friend, Raidne, to inquire.”

A tanned skin man, completely nude, strode toward us, uncaring that he, and all his masculine glory, was on full display. I heard Kipp’s growl but ignored it as I raked my gaze along this male’s body, from his feet to the impressive, yet placid, memberbetween his legs to the ethereal handsomeness of his face, which held a knowing smirk as our eyes met.

“Raidne, meet my friend, Talia, your future queen,” Proteus introduced us. There was no need for the secrecy now that Kipp shared his knowledge with us. How he knew so much about my people, I couldn’t know, and right now, I didn’t care.

The man smiled warmly before he knelt before me, his head bowed but his gaze still on mine. “My princess, it is a pleasure to meet you. How may I be of service to you?”

I took in his warm brown skin that contrasted with his pale blue eyes, the broadness of his shoulders, and the long, thick strands of his curly hair. He wasn’t from Atlantis, most likely from a clan from the faraway oceans. The accent he spoke with and the coloring of his skin held similarities to their numbers.

“I can think of at least one way,” Dionysus quipped with a smirk and a lifted brow.

Raidne beamed up at me, still knelt before me, as he said, “If you should need me for that task, my future queen, it would be my honor.”

The lustful nature of a siren became painful and harder to control as they came into their power. It had been something that had been frustrating for me since I’d been captured by Kipp. I’d planned on sating these desires after claiming my power, but that obviously hadn’t quite worked as planned.

“I appreciate the offer?—”

Kipp moved then, standing in front of me and getting in the way of Raidne. A growl emanated from deep in his chest. “The only person,” he said between his tightened jaw, “who will be performing tasks for her is me.” His body loomed over Raidne, his muscles rigid and tense as he glared down at the naked male knelt before me.

Dionysus clapped his hands and tapped his feet. “Oh! This is so much fun!” he exclaimed. “I’m so glad that I came to visit you today, Proteus.”

“I’m not sure you understand what that means,” Proteus said calmly to Kipp as I covered my eyes with my hands. They all seemed to enjoy my suffering.

“We don’t have time for this,” I demanded, wanting more than anything for them to get off this topic.

“And why not?” Proteus asked, his gaze on Kipp as if he were assessing who would win in a fight as both men glared daggers at one another in a silent challenge.

“Because Kipp’s darkness is deepening. We are running out of time. Do we really want to find out what kind of weapon he will turn into for her if we wait too long? If we don’t stop Circe soon, it could be disastrous for all involved.”

They all ignored me.

Proteus stepped forward, placing a hand on Kipp’s shoulder in a gesture of camaraderie that seemed to catch Kipp off guard. “Talia will choose her, uh… what was it that you called it? Task? Yes. She will choose her task… completer.”

He barely managed to get the words out before he and Dionysus fell into laughter that made me want to sink into the pond’s depths not far from the benches we occupied. This was… embarrassing. A feeling I had never felt before heated my cheeks. This mortal form was messing with my mind.

Kipp’s dark eyes darted between us, uncertainty clouding his features as he struggled with what was going on until his gaze landed on me and understanding dawned. The bastard then had the audacity to smirk before asking, “In that case… who does she choose?”

That damn dimple winked at me as I ground my teeth together. “No one, you fool.”

“Minnow,” Proteus warned.

“I know.” I gave him a warning look. “I’ll be fine.”

With a shake of his head, Proteus said, “Stay the night at least. In the morning, I will tell you where Circe is.”

“Agreed,” I answered, moving around Kipp to the male still kneeling. I offered my hand to him, helping him to his feet. “I am honored for your willingness to support me in any of my needs, Raidne, but I must pass.” I wrapped my hands around his cold ones and dipped my head in a sign of respect. Our minds linked, and I asked, How is the sea kingdom?

He shook his head. Poseidon is giving the throne to a new creature. His son. The sirens are fighting the change of power. Many wonder where you are in all of this.

I nodded, knowing that would be the case but hoping Poseidon would have at least waited for my return. Suddenly, my hands were ripped from Raidne’s as Kipp barreled forward and snatched my arm back. He glared at the siren male, his tone deep with an edge of steel as he practically snarled, “Touch her again, and I will chop that pretty tail of yours off and cook it for my crew.”

Raidne hissed. “She is not yours to protect, pirate.”

“She is mine until I decide otherwise, and until then, you will not touch what is mine.” Kipp growled, the darkness breaking free as his muscles tensed, his breath heaving from his lungs.

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