Page 67 of Siren's Kiss & Feral Beasts
Those shackles will not keep him down, but a flash of pain still crosses my features. More so when I sense General Orion behind me. He tugs on my arm, but I yank myself away, turning in time to see my wolf break free.
And as planned, I swim past him and yank the stone from his neck. The wolf flashes behind his eyes, our bond trying to reassure me as the mermaids surround their fallen princess. It physically pains me to swim away from him, but I do. I want to extend my hand to him, tell him I will come back, but the formation grows tighter as he watches them take me away.
Yet there’s no mistaking the voice that croons in my head as I’m hauled onto another ship a few miles away.I’m coming for you, my sinful treasure. There’s no escaping me.
They haulme onto another ship, rough hands biting into my arms as if I were a thief caught mid-crime and not the heir to the Del Mare throne. The air here tastes different, a little colder, and I look around and take note of the late evening fog and humid temps. I know we are way outside of Mar de Sombras and slipping into the western territory.
A mistake that could turn out helpful to me.
My father’s pod is from these waters, and they keep precise account of who enters and exits the territory. I clear my throat, and all eyes turn to me. There’s so much judgment in them, reproach, as I’m paraded toward what I think are the captain’s quarters.
Then again, it’s not every day that a mermaid is dragged before vampires, fin still in place. Once outside of the water, we tend to shift, but I want them to see me as I am. Proud, unapologetic, and I will not bend to the will of over-inflated egos.
The few mermen on board are part of the guard, the females have already performed their duties and should be resting inMarivelle with a spread of cakes, jams, and sea grapes to soothe their throats.
I’m offered nothing but judgment with each step closer, my guard’s chin raised high while others hiss behind my back.
Let them look. Let them choke on it.
The door is flung open as we approach, and it rattles against the wall. Inside, the scent of blood and powder is suffocating, as is that gods-awful décor this clan of vampires seems to enjoy. Not because flowers or crystals or gold accents can’t be pretty, but because of the kind they choose. The obscene amount added into every nook and cranny makes each square inch feel suffocating.
My eyes land on my grandfather’s first. He sits behind a carved table, spine regal, and eyes gleaming with command. Beside him, Naia keeps her head down, and the inability to so much as look at me speaks volumes.
To the left is Lord Severus in full regalia, as if we were heading to a royal ball and not the archaic fiasco my own kin have cooked up. He’s as still as a statue, pale and draped in heavy fabric, a shadow draped in flesh, with his crimson gaze roaming from my tail to my neck and back down again.
Each time I swallow, he licks his lips.
My heart accelerates, and he looks to be counting the heartbeats for his ledger.
But it’s my grandmother who steals my breath. Off to the side, bound in chains, she looks worn and fragile. Yet at the sight of me, relief softens her gaze. Relief and hope reflect at me, her nod barely perceptible, and I, too, breathe a little easier.
She’s received my message before this happened, and my father is coming. Other sirens will join this fight. Not showing her too much attention, I square my shoulders and stare at the man I once looked at as a second father figure.
Unshaking. Unbreakable.
“Your Majesty,” one of the guards who dragged me in says, his hand on my shoulders, trying to shove me low but I remain standing. I don’t shift or kneel, much less give these people the show they are looking for.
“He should’ve never been our king.” My words are met with a few gasps from those who are part of the army, while Orion moves in closer. He’d let them drag me; he didn’t want to dirty his hands after my little performance.
Had I known what a delicious little submissive whore you are, I’d have broken this spirit years ago, Princess,” he whispered right before we’d broken the surface. The others had swum away, but he lingered long enough to deliver his venom. “You’ll choke on my cock, cry tears of joy, and then thank me for using your filthy, mutt-loving mouth when I’m done.”
“Watch yourself, Nerissa. Don’t make me hurt you.” Orion’s threat doesn’t land well with everyone; the vampire hisses at him in warning.
“Do not hurt her, or the deal is off.”
“Neri, please…” Naia starts, but that’s as far as she gets when I narrow my eyes at her.
“You are no one to address me with such familiarity. Our friendship died when you betrayed me.”
“I did it for love.”
“No, you did it for your convenience. The desire to be more than what you are.” My words land like barbs, precise and cutting. She flinches, silently begging me to drop it, but I’m past being the understanding, caring friend. “Had you come to me, I would’ve helped you—spoken to my family and found you a higher-ranking position within our palace. Because in your delusional mind, you’re not his equal, when in reality, Orion isn’t worthy of you.”
“Enough!” My grandfather stands, slamming his grayish hand atop the table, and an antique porcelain tea cup tips over,shattering upon impact. The shards spread, the dark brown liquid inside ruining the rug beneath him. Big mistake, as Severus stands and stalks across the room, his hand gripping my grandfather’s throat tight.
Atlas is lifted off the ground, his smaller body clawing at the old vampire’s hands. “Your attitude bores me, Merman. I warned you to keep things civil, to not threaten her, and yet you disobeyed me twice. One more, and I’ll execute you now and name her queen.”
If he thinks I’ll thank him, Severus is mistaken, and I turn my attention back to Orion.
