Page 97 of Treasure of the Abyss

He tucked her hair behind her ear and twined a strand around his finger. “No, it’s not beyond our control. My people will only venture so far. We just need the right place to go, and we can leave here and never worry about them findingus.”

“But they’re your people. What aboutArkon?”

“I will miss him…just as you miss your Aymee and your family. But the rest of them…they mean nothing, next to your happiness. If they feel I have betrayed them, they have certainly betrayed me, as well. I owe them nothingmore.”

Macy brushed a hand over his cheek, his jaw, down his neck. “All this time you’ve been gone, you were doing it forus?”

He nodded, brow furrowing. “If I had told you, it would have saved you much worry. That is no one’s fault but myown.”

“I forgive you.” She pressed her lips to his; her kiss had never tasted quite so sweet. “You truly loveme?”

“You are my home,” he rasped, tightening his hold on her. “I will always return toyou.”

Chapter 20

Macy laughedand leaned over Jax, struggling against his strength despite the futility. He had her wrists trapped in his hands and a tentacle around her waist, preventing her from moving the piece of naba any closer to hismouth.

“One bite. Justonebite,” shebegged.

“I will not allow you to poison me, human,” Jax said, his playful smile belied his serioustone.

“You’re part human, so I doubt a little piece is going to killyou.”

“The smell of it alone may be enough to killme.”

“It smells sweet! If you try it, I’ll—” she lowered her head until her lips were near his ear and whispered, “—take you in my mouthagain.”

The humor fled from his face, and his brow fell low. “That is cruel, to offer something I cannot decline in exchange for mylife.”

Macy rubbed her bare leg along his body, feeling the push of his shaft against his slit. “Your life isn’t indanger.”

With lightning speed, he flipped her onto her back, pinning her wrists to the bed and propping himself over her. “You are worth it, eitherway.”

She spread her legs, welcoming him, and wiggled her eyebrows. “You know what you need to dofirst.”

Jax held her gaze for a long while. Finally, with a frustrated grunt, he dipped his head and moved his mouth toward the naba in her hand. His tongue slipped out and licked herfinger.

“I can think of some other things you ought to do with that tongue.” She lifted her hips, rubbing againsthim.

“So can I,” he whispered, his breath tickling her skin, “and none of them involve eating apla—”

There was a sudden commotion in the corridor — a raised, frantic voice echoed off the walls. Jax shifted into an upright position and twisted toward thedoor.

“Jax!” someone called from the hallway. It sounded likeDracchus.

Leaping off the bed, Jax positioned himself between Macy and the door. She sat up and scooted to edge, adjusted her clothing, andstood.

“Where is my youngling?” shrieked an unfortunately familiar voice. “I will kill that human if she hasMelaina!”

The female kraken from the day before — Melaina’s mother — darted through the doorway, her eyes blazing. Jax blocked her path; for a moment, Macy was certain the kraken would claw him apart andadvance.

“Where is Melaina?” The female stopped in front of Jax and didn’t remove her eyes fromMacy.

Dracchus filled the doorway a moment later, his shoulders nearly spanning theframe.

“I haven’t seen her since yesterday,” Macysaid.

“This is our den, Rhea,” Jax growled. “You cannot enter in thisfashion.”

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