Page 91 of Prince of Tides
The massive sea horse shrieked its sonar shriek, then disappeared into the depths, though I knew he would come again if I called.
But for now, the fighting was over. Sagging from the energy usage, I slowly made my way back to the Bastion, past ranks of awestruck dragons.
I didn’t pause to talk to them.
I had a promise to keep.
Chapter Forty-Three
Laurie
Iwatched, staring in awe like everyone else at the gigantic patch of sea spinning wildly around, far out from the Bastion’s walls.
“Is that …?” I couldn’t finish the question.
“Our prince,” Gisele said. “And a fine one he will be.”
A gust of wind blew in through the opening in the glass wall, pulling at my hair and flinging it out behind me. I steadied myself, watching the turbulent sea. I could only imagine what it must be like in there.
And then, all at once, it vanished, collapsing in on itself in a rush. Waves crashed and slapped against one another, the choppy seas covered in whitecaps moving in all directions.
Calm reigned in the bay as the fighting ceased. Dragons surfaced, some of them alighting on wings to the tops of the walls. All of them were looking outward. Waiting.
“There!” I exclaimed, pointing excitedly as another dragon rose in their midst, moving steadily back toward land. “That’s him.”
Rip entered the bay, spreading his wings wide and flapping as he picked up speed. He soared high into the air, then glided down toward me. I backed away from the opening as he came through it in a rush, tucking his wings in tight as they melded into his shoulders just before he landed on the floor.
“You,” he rumbled, sticking a finger at me before I or anyone else could speak. “You’re with me.”
“Okay,” I said, almost stuttering at the sheerdemandin his voice. A demand for me.
I followed him down a hallway, hands locked together. A pair of doors beckoned us, and he led us into a set of lavish, but not opulent, quarters.
Rip threw the doors closed, then leaned the Trident against the wall in a rack specifically designed to hold it.
As soon as he let go, he sagged.
“Rip!” I cried, rushing to help him out, terrified he’d been wounded somewhere I hadn’t noticed. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
“Fine,” he gasped. “I’m fine. Just tired. Exhausted. Have to lie down.”
I got him to the bed, where he promptly fell asleep. I lingered by his side for the first half an hour in case he awoke, but after that, I busied myself by familiarizing myself with the layout of the rooms. I tidied up a bit—it was obvious that a single male lived there—and just generally tried to keep busy.
Eventually, I took a nap next to him.
When I woke, he was on his side, arm curled over me, holding me in a protective embrace, his front pressed to my back. I liked it. I felt small, safe and nice and snuggly warm. He was a blanket who breathed and had morning wood three hours too early.
I fell back asleep, only awakening in the morning, feeling more rested than I had in a long, long time.
“Good morning, sleeping beauty.” Rip chuckled from nearby.
His voice reached me a second before my nose started to work. My smile turned into a face-splitting grin. “You havecoffeehere?” I gasped, the familiar aroma infusing my nostrils with its delectablegoodness. There was no better way to describe it.
“Yes, we do. Can I interest you in a cup?”
“I’d take the whole pot if I could,” I muttered, rolling over, fighting the addiction. “Maybe in eight mon—oh.”
Rip was sitting naked on the edge of a sofa, his cock dangling half-hard between his legs. His pecs were firm and defined, his abs creasing his stomach.
