Page 5 of Sworn to My Heart
He steadies me, pressing my back against his chest, and brushes his lips against my neck. “No one dares to ignore me,” he says in a quiet threat, his warm breath caressing my neck, making my blood boil with anger and awaken with desire at the same time. I gather all my strength and pull my hand back forcefully, breaking free from his grip.
“I am not just anyone, Your Highness,” I reply in the same threatening tone and try to perform a mocking bow, but the alcohol makes my body betray me. I lose my balance again and immediately grab the bar next to me, but not before knocking over a drink, which shatters on the floor, the liquid soaking my feet.
“Shit!” I exclaim, feeling one of the glass shards scratches my leg.
Luca grabs my arm, trying to steady me and help. I have just a few seconds to get out of here. I ignore his gesture, shaking off his grip, and run quickly to the bathroom, pushing people out of the way. I dash into an open stall and immediately lock the doorbehind me.
“Oh fuck,” I curse as my body hits the floor, and instead of my two legs, my secret emerges. My legs have turned into a long pastel-colored tail with large fins at the end.
“The downsides of being half-fish,” I mutter to myself, taking a deep breath and noticing that the transformation tore my panties, and my heels were kicked to the sides, with one of the buckles broken.
“Good thing I came in a dress,” I chuckle cynically to the air, wishing I could slap myself hard for the millionth time tonight for my carelessness, which could have ended much worse. I need to stay away from that man; he only spells trouble.
Running my hand over my tail like a caress, I transform it back into legs. It’s a skill I mastered a year after returning to the ocean; I did everything to walk on land again.
As my legs return, my skin regenerates and the cut on my leg from the glass vanishes.
I stand up, holding my heels in my hands, throw the torn panties in the trash, and pull my dress down as much as possible.
I need to get out of this club quickly before my tail becomes the least embarrassing thing the clubgoers witness.
Cracking open the heavy door of the women’s bathroom from the inside, I peek out and search for a swift escape route. Spotting one immediately, I swing the door open and prepare to dash out when, out of nowhere, Luca appears, thwarting my plan. It seems he was waiting for me outside the bathroom.
“What’s the matter, Cinderella? Must run after midnight?” he asks after looking at my bare feet and the heels I’m holding.
I give him a confused look. Cinderella?
“Don’t worry, even in rags, I’d still take you on,” he adds witharrogant teasing.
This man knows no bounds, and his cockiness infuriates me. Defiantly, I turn away and sprint, managing to evade him and reach the club’s exit.
I push the door open forcefully and step outside carefully, my bare feet on the rough sidewalk, tiptoeing to avoid stepping on glass shards, scanning for a cab.
In less than half a minute, I spot a cab approaching the street in front of the club. Waving to catch the driver’s attention, he notices and pulls over.
I breathe a sigh of relief and move toward it when suddenly a hand pulls me back.
Doesn’t this man understand I have no interest in his company? I whirl around, fuming.
“Luca, let go of me!” I shout, but to my chagrin, it’s not Luca. A drunken stranger has decided he wants to spend the night with me. “Sweetheart, you look hot. How much you charging?” he asks, swaying drunkenly and tightening his grip on my hand to avoid falling. His grip hurts, and he takes advantage of our proximity to run his lips over my ear.
Nausea washes over me, and I adopt a threatening tone. “Let go of me,” I demand, but it seems he’s already set on how he wants to end the night.
Raising my other hand into the air, I prepare to use my powers.
Dizziness washes over me, but I push through it, swiftly scanning the club entrance to ensure no one notices, attempting to shove him away. Nothing happens; my power isn’t responding. The alcohol has dulled my abilities again, leaving me helpless.
Losing my balance as he leans on me, I realize I need to gather myself and escape. Raising my hand again, trying one last time, knowing it’s my final hope. Suddenly, the drunk man in front ofme is lifted into the air and slammed forcefully against a nearby street pole.
Confusion sets in. I hadn’t used my powers yet. It dawns on me as Luca leaps at the man sprawled on the ground, landing a punch so hard that I hear a crack.
I breathe a sigh of relief, understanding I didn’t need to use my powers and that I’m free from the drunk’s painful grip, which left a red mark on my wrist. I rub it gently, knowing I need to get out of here now. I turn toward the cab and am relieved to see it’s still waiting. It looks like Luca is whispering something into the ear of the half-conscious drunk. I don’t understand how he hasn’t passed out yet, but I seize the opportunity and run to the cab before Luca reaches me.
I hop into the cab, hastily closing the door behind me, urging the driver to speed away as he merges into traffic. Glancing out the window, I see Luca standing over the now unconscious man, glaring at me with a look that clearly spells this isn’t over.
“Drive fast!” I shout at the cab driver, exhaling with relief as we escape just in time.
Luca
