Page 59 of Battle Fluke

Kyree opened her mouth and snapped it shut a mere moment later. Hudson’s chuckle came from behind her moments before another brush of fingers stroked up her back.

“Will you come back with me? Will you talk to Honour?” Kyree changed the subject, now understanding how brutal it felt to be called out like that.

“No.” Hudson stopped in front of Kyree, her hand cupping Kyree’s cheek. “She’s right to want to go and get Soulara. It’s what I would do. And it sounds like the only reason you aren’t is because the King has given his orders.”

“That’s how it works. That’s why leadership exists.”

“That’s not leadership, my sweet. That’s blatant authority. But is that why you came up from the depths in the first place?”

“Please come back with me, Hudson.” The lump in Kyree’s throat caught the words and rasped them out.

“I have my own things to deal with.”

“She was right about you.” Kyree fired back, ignoring the burning in her eyes as she fought back tears.

“Most likely.” But Hudson’s words weren’t those of the cocky rebel Kyree had met in the beginning, when her hands were tied and her freedom taken.

Guilt burned like bile in her stomach. From her words, from her accusations. But her pride couldn’t take any more rejection as she swallowed back the apology she would have given willingly. Before Hudson had left Kyree and Honour to travelon to the city without her. Before those moments of being with them meant more than the battles they all fought individually, and the war they all had to fight.

“Be safe, Hudson.” Their eyes met and for a moment Kyree saw her Hudson shining back at her.

“You too, Kyree. Don’t tell her she was right.” With a wink, Kyree’s Hudson disappeared once more.

But now she knew Hudson was there, behind the duty and need to finish her fight. Kyree nodded, not caring that her hair tickled her face before she turned and swam away. Hudson didn’t need her and didn’t want her there.

At least at the palace, someone wanted her help to fight these humans.

She couldn’t hold back the hope that Honour still wanted her as well. And maybe she was right, maybe they both were.

But who would Kyree be if she let go of what she’d always seen as the core of herself for…for what? How had Honour described it? A few orgasms.

She didn’t bother brushing the warm water that spilled from her eyes and brushed her cheeks as she swam. It didn’t matter that she cried. It didn’t matter if anyone saw. They didn’t see what mattered most. The war she fought within herself.

Ripples of water brushed the end of her tail, and for a moment, Kyree’s heart stuttered. Had Hudson changed her mind and come to find her? Did she want to apologize? Would she come back to the palace and talk to Honour?

But reality wouldn’t let her indulge in such fantasies for long as her mind asked another question.

Would she find her to simply get another one of those orgasms, for some kind of last taste before she stupidly got herself killed by rushing into some fight without proper preparation?

The idea, the thought, reignited Kyree’s fury.

They didn’t care enough about her to be safe. They didn’t want her enough to stop and listen to her, truly listen to what she said. Too busy proving themselves tougher than any mer, man, or maid.

Channeling her fury to her fluke, Kyree pushed harder toward Reine. If Hudson came looking she wouldn’t find Kyree, not until Kyree was ensconced once more in Reine, ready to do what was necessary to win this war.

Another ripple of water touched Kyree’s fluke, dancing up to her waist. It sent shivers over her body as though she were back in the depths of the soundings.

Pushing harder still she forced her body to its upper limits.

Even as a shadow covered her and her heart beat frantic unrhythmic pleas against her ribs.

21

“Hudson?” His voice intruded on her thoughts as they remained on Kyree and Honour. She’d returned to her men and the laughter. She’d even gone so far as to joke about the mers’ need for another seaweed tumble with a real woman.

They had laughed, and she had excused herself to her solitude, under the pretense of battle planning. So far, nothing new had come from her going over the plans once more.

The sand shelf she now rested against itched at her back and kept her mind from focusing entirely on Kyree and her visit.

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