Page 30 of Marked By the Sea

To my right, a beautiful fluke gave way to obsidian scales as my eyes climbed higher, only pausing on his cock pocket for a moment before trailing up the ridges of his taut abdomen, noting where the jagged scar ended on his waist before continuing up his chest. The side of his torso pressed to my cheek as he put his weight onto his left hand just behind me. It was a feat ignoring the piercing within reach of my tongue as I lifted my gaze to his towering form, where I found dark pools matching his fin, observing me intently.

“I’m dead, aren’t I?” I rasped. A resounding slap, followed by a growl from Hexon, pulled my attention to the other two.

“If you don’t like it, then move! She can’t breathe!” Rowan exclaimed. He shoved Hexon, only making him laugh.

“No, Mora. You’re not dead,” Hexon assured me. I ignored the glint in his eyes as Rowan climbed over him. Folding my legs, I gave him room to settle down in front of me. We were two naked peas in a pod, and I wanted to laugh because, once again, my nakedness didn’t bother me. I could feel Riftan’s eyes on the side of my face, and I could feel the heat working its way up my neck. Rowan grabbed my hand and leaned forward. His kiss was feather-soft, and my lashes fluttered shut as I sighed. When I looked at him again, he was looking at me with a goofy grin. A tentacle lay across his lap and looped around to wrap around his waist. Hexon’s love language was definitely physical touch.

“You scared us back there when you passed out—”

“We thought you were dead,” Hexon interrupted. Rowan nodded solemnly as his eyes lowered.

“Oh, ye of little faith,” Riftan mused to my side.

“I could have drowned.” I hit him with my free hand. It almost felt like a chance at a new life.

“But you didn’t,” he replied smugly.

“You’re impossible, you know that? I never thought I’d say this, but yeah, I prefer this,” I gestured to the room, “to the cave.” Riftan went quiet as Rowan’s legs bounced.

“It was risky, but I knew it would work. I’m glad it did. How does it feel to be under?” I could feel Rowan’s excitement.

“It’s nerve-wracking. I have a fear of deep water. I should be freaking out, but I’m not. So it feels like I’m dreaming,” I laughed nervously. Rowan squeezed my hand.

“You’re not dreaming. You’re safe, and this is real,” he said encouragingly. I didn’t know what to say, so I nodded. I had gone from waiting for them, to almost getting assaulted, to being dragged beneath the waves.

“Did you ever see yourself down here?” One of Hexon’s tentacles pulled my cheek so that I faced him. His hooded gaze missed nothing. The other two were staring intently, and I knew I had to answer. I nibbled on the corner of my bottom lip, and the tentacle jerked against my skin.

How did he always look turned on?

“Yes. I wouldn’t say I thought of being under the sea, but I had thought of being with you all in your home. It’s embarrassing to admit, but I made myself jealous by imagining…” I took a shaky breath. “By imagining you with other women.”

I held his gaze as I avoided Riftan’s. He was the only one here with a woman. And now that I had reminded myself of that, I couldn’t help but wonder where she was at.

“She’s gone.” Riftan’s words sent a jolt through me. It was as if he could read my mind. Looking at him, my heart lifted as a glowing shark swam in through the window.

Good feeling gone.

Yanking my face out of Hexon’s grip, I did a double take. Upon confirming that there was indeed a shark swimming toward us, I screamed. There was no way I was seeing this right, but as it effortlessly glided through the water, adrenaline coursed through me. My eyes almost popped out of my head as I climbed over tentacles, chiseled chests, and muscles to avoid being shark food. Looking over my shoulder, I found her swimming in my direction, and I flailed my arms to swim like I should be able to, but didn’t even move an inch. I screamed as hopelessness washed over me. There was no escaping. Bracing myself, I waited for the inevitable.

I was going to die.

When laughter erupted, my eyes flew open. Flipping back around, I found Hexon’s head thrown back, a tentacle pressed to his forehead as his shoulders shook. Rowan’s blue eyes were nowhere to be seen as he held his waist. He swiped a tear and waved his hand in front of him.

“I’m sorry,” he wheezed.

When I turned to Riftan, I forgot how to breathe. Bright blue peeked out of crescent moons. Both corners of his mouth were pulled back, flashing me with his pearly whites. I had never seen him smile so wide—so real. He shook his head like I was a foolish child, but I couldn’t find it in me to be anything but one thing: enamored.

“I’ve never seen anyone swim—or whatever the hell that was—away from Misery as fast as you just did. What did you think she was going to do? Eat you? Unless you’re a shrimp or a small fish, you’re safe.” Riftan chuckled. Misery, the shark, rubbed up against my arm, and I swear she gave me an amused smirkbefore she swam up to the merman. I watched as he ran his claws down her length.

Yeah, because that’s normal.

“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s not every day a shark swims through my window,” I huffed. His mood was infectious, but I crossed my arms and attempted a glare to pretend I was upset.

“Oh, that was precious! Sorry, I couldn’t help but laugh. I’ve never seen something so funny! Misery, the cat shark, is Riftan’s pet,” Rowan cackled.

“Her name’s cute, but you are crazy for sleeping with a shark. It’s actually insane.” I eyeballed her as she disappeared into the reef. I was now on the edge of the bed, closest to the archway. Peeking over my shoulder, I took in all three of my guys. Rowan sat between a cluster of Hexon’s tentacles, and Riftan leaned back on his hands. I couldn’t believe this bed was big enough for all of them. Something shiny next to the coral caught my eye—the trident. Everything went silent as I stood to my feet. Tentacles slid down my body as I turned from the three-pronged spear that had held me down. Walking to the window, my gaze trailed over the reef before I looked outside.

Nothing I imagined could have prepared me for what I saw. An underwater city lay below me and stretched out as far as the eye could see. Tilting my head back, I watched as schools of fish swam above the city in the “sky.” Whales and sharks hovered outside what looked like a protective layer. My gaze dropped as I watched Riftan’s people move about their day.

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