Page 70 of Siren's Kiss & Feral Beasts
I catch his scent before I see him. But there he is in the reflection of the mirror.
Clean, polished, and regal for a disgraced king. In his hands is a small stack of papers with a pen, but for a few seconds, he doesn’t meet my eyes. Instead, he eyes the stone. Always the stone, and I’m starting to believe it’s a case of wanting what isn’t yours.
He had the crown. He got to marry the true heir and use her connections,
Riches. Respect. Even love for a while, but it was never enough for him.
“I know it may seem like I don’t love you, Nerissa,” he says softly, too softly as he fixes his suit jacket. All red, too. “But this must be done. Not just for me, but for our future. The kingdom deserves the kind of leader who will put us first, not forget who the enemy is.”
“You mean the story you made up?” My expression is deadpan, and I’m grateful he’s not paying attention as I clean up the mess from my lipstick. “That enemy?”
“Just do the right thing, Nerissa. Make this easy on everyone and sign this.”
The one he speaks of? A four-page contract listing my duties as the new mermaid queen and caretaker of the needy. I bite back my retort on the ridiculous title and continue to read, growing angrier by the second.
Twice a month, blood donation to Lord Severus only. No sexual contact unless requested and your husband allows. Compensation benefits both parties.
Sole caregiver for all children born from the union—and if Orion chooses to have a child with his mate, Naia, I will care for those, too.
Confinement in a high tower with Lucienne. Presence solely requested for official ceremonies. Queen in title only, duties handled by the new royal assistant, Naia St. Cruz
Naia and Orion will share a marital bed, as she’s his fated mate. I will perform my sexual duties in a separate chamber, prepared for the entertainment of King Orion.
Duties will begin as soon as I marry.
“You find this garbage fair?” I murmur, voice cutting as the raging, simmering within threatens to overtake me. The blood in my veins throbs, my muscles coiling tight before I strike. I want to. To grab the knife from my thigh and unleash this pent-up hate that is robbing me of breath as I watch the man I thought so highly of try to barter my life away for his benefit.
I will not bow. I will not submit.
Grandfather leans in, his voice a cheap honey over rusted steel. “Don’t be difficult. Sign this, and maybe I can talk Orion into sharing you with the wolf. An agreement can be made, a Monday through?—”
“No.” I’m shaking my head so hard that an earring falls. “I will not be sold as a breeder whore who part-times as a blood escort while taking care of other people’s babies like a glorified nanny. How could you even ask me to sign something so demeaning? To give up my life and freedoms in exchange for servitude?”
“Nerissa, I will not be?—”
“What part did you not understand, Atlas?” My grandmother stands, walking over to us in a red dress that isn’t her normal style. She prefers soft tones, not that I think she had much of a choice in this, like me. This entireweddingis being put together by the vampires. Their taste.Is that what she meant by crimson union?“Let the kids marry first. The rest can be handled after.”
That surprises him. Me too. But he agrees, especially when Severus walks in a minute later, dressed in red from head to toe, and offers me his arm. “Your groom is waiting, little one.”
