Page 24 of Marked By the Sea

And now I was getting sidetracked. There were more things I could do than think about Hexon’s thick cock. Like… Did they have universities under the sea? Laughing out loud, I imagined Riftan with a backward cap, his horns protruding through the holes it would have because, obviously, mermen had horns. If I thought about it, like really thought about it, Riftan was more of a knitted sweater, muscular nerd with perfect hair and black-rimmed glasses. All the girls wanted him to tutor them, but only the really pretty ones were confident enough to ask. Hexon was the one who was more of a jock. With long silver hair, I bet all the women liked him.

Are there female krakens?

Or do they mate outside of their species?

Do they have sports beneath the waves?

It was better to think about these random hypothetical things like universities, sports, and underwater shops. The alternative wasn’t too bright. But when I wasn’t wondering about the world beneath the waves, I spiraled. The nerves were already setting in, and the darkness reminded me I was still technically a prisoner on a rock in the middle of the ocean.

Kill joy.

Sitting up, I jumped to my feet. Walking out as far as I dared, I stopped before I reached the edge. I couldn’t help but search the horizon—yep, still no land in sight. And so what if there were? There was no way I’d swim out there. The taste of bitterness was on my tongue. Not because I couldn’t save myself, but because I wouldn’t even if I could.

My parents’ smiling faces came to mind. At least I wouldn’t ever have to worry about my parents forcing me into the water or dragging me on another vacation with them. Unbidden, tears sprang to my eyes. They weren’t the best parents when it came to my phobia, but I missed them.

What was going to happen to me?

Rowan’s words came back to me. I wanted to trust him. As impossible as it seemed, I wanted to believe him. He’d said my days weren’t numbered, and I prayed to whatever gods would hear me. I wanted to be different—set aside from the others that had come before me. I wished so badly for them to want to keep me. But I didn’t want to stay trapped forever. I might go crazy if I hadn’t already. As much as I missed my parents, the truth was clear.

I don’t want to go back.

A smile spread across my face. It was crazy, but it was true. Rowan had quickly become a friend… and a lover. Hexon, too. The tentacles were hard not to love. He had so many of them, and how many men could multitask? My cheeks heated, and I rolled my eyes. Rowan promised to come back tomorrow. I knew not to expect it, but I wanted them to come. God knew when I would see Riftan again. I was hoping he would come tomorrow, too. We hadn’t had a lot of time to talk, and I wanted to.

A splash had my spine straightening, but I didn’t want to appear too excited. My toes curled, and I bit down on my bottom lip as I acted like I didn’t hear anything. For emphasis, I ran my fingers through my hair. The comb from Rowan was meant for men and broke easily.

“I’m disappointed. My nephew risks the possibility of war for you?” I startled at the voice filled with hate. I didn’t know who this was. A merman. The first thing I noticed was his lack of horns. I’d assumed all merfolk had horns. A crown sat on his head, and he had a beard. He held a trident in his hand and had a deep green tail. Unlike the kind and caring merman in the fairy tales, or the one I’d grown fond of, this one looked mean. Like Riftan, his tail held him up as he eased toward me. This must be the king. He shoved his trident into the ground, and it remained standing as he moved away from it.

“Who are you? And what are you doing here?” Something didn’t feel right. My fight or flight instincts begged me to run, but my brain screamed there was nowhere to run.

“You’re not the brightest, are you?” His majesty scoffed.

And he’s condescending.

Great.

He’s closer now. If I reached out, I could touch him.

Fight or flight.

Fight or flight.

I held my ground, and he tutted like I was a child. I didn’t know this man, but I hated him. His eyes roamed down my half-naked body, and I felt sick. When his cold green eyes locked with my disgusted one, his lip curled.

“What is it about you that holds his attention? You’re a temptress set on our kind’s destruction,” he spat.

“You shouldn’t be here,” I said with false bravado. The merman without horns laughed. It wasn’t like Riftan’s; it lacked warmth.

“This is my sea. I can go wherever the fuck I damn well please,” he hissed. It almost seemed like… he was throwing a fit, as if he needed to remind me of his position.

“I’m not in the sea. I’m on it. And I’m not one of yours.” Taunting the merman king probably wasn’t the best idea, but it was too late. The words were out, and I was fucked.

“Everything is mine. Everything of Riftan’s is mine. And I think it’s about time I figured out what it was about you that ensnared my nephew.” He reached out with his filthy hand, and I scrambled for something—anything—that would make him reconsider.

“Riftan will kill you,” I replied weakly. My breathing picked up. The guys weren’t coming back today. By the time they found me, it would be too late.

“You think yourself irreplaceable?” The king’s words were a mixture of amusement and taunting. He was closer now; a cold draft came off him.

“I’m special.” Even as the words came out, I doubted them. All I had was Rowan’s word and this hope that burned inside me.

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