Page 9 of The Nymph Prince
I hoped the tide would bring us together again, but perhaps it was best this way.
3
Lorcan
As I watched the mage sleep, different emotions went through me. I was relieved that he’d been awake for longer than a minute and seemed to be healing well. But I also felt a need to protect him.
I might’ve been a creature of the sea, but I’d heard stories of the war between the mages and humans.
A mage by the name of Haman had started an uprising where mages turned dark and thought they were superior to the human race. They used their magic for evil and became monsters. War followed, as it so often did when men believed themselves to be more than they were, and many innocent lives had been lost. The humans won the war with the help of the mages that’d refused to go dark, however, the humans then turned on their allies. The king outlawed magic of all types and anyone who practiced it was hunted down and killed. Including children.
Since that day, bounties were placed on the heads of all mages.
And now they’re after my mage.
I scoffed at that. King James might’ve been the king of the land, but he had no power in the sea.
Long ago, my father made an arrangement with the human king at the time. It was no secret that merfolk existed, as did sea monsters larger than even the biggest war ships. A deal was struck that my father would have reign over the sea and all the life within it, and the human king would have the same on land.
Over time, as human kings ascended to the throne, that arrangement was passed down to them. King James had begun testing the limits, however, sending his navy to sail the waters and attempt to find our palace. Father suspected King James planned to wipe out our kingdom and take control over the sea.
The mage—Alek, he’d said his name was—stirred in his sleep, pulling me from my thoughts.
His dark hair touched the bottom of his ears, and although he was nearly a man, his face was smooth and telling of his youth. My face was smooth, too, as I didn’t favor facial hair. I was often told it made me look like a babe. A young, reckless prince who’d never fill his father’s shoes.
With another scoff, I reclined against the wall and continued watching him.
Alek’s lack of stubble didn’t make him look like a babe. It did the opposite. It told of his youth, yes, but his squared jaw and set of his brow rang of masculinity. What Alek didn’t lack, though, was strength. His muscles were neither large nor bulky, but he was bigger than me.
When I’d carried him through the sea, I’d noticed his body was about the same length as mine, but his arms and legs were thicker. His sweet scent drove me wild, and I fantasized about what it’d be like to be tangled up in his limbs. To share his breaths and hold him close as we lost ourselves to bliss.
I’d had many lovers in my life, so I was no stranger to the pleasures of the flesh, yet something told me Alek was different. A longing that went far beyond the physical.
I eventually settled in for the night, knowing morning came early.
Malik would be on my trail by now, and it was only a matter of time before he found me. If he hadn’t already. None of this had been planned. I’d only wanted to explore the world a little and see my pirate. After a week or so of freedom, I would’ve returned to the palace.
When I’d saved Alek, I hadn’t thought ahead. All that’d mattered was helping him.
I had no idea what to do next. I couldn’t take Alek to my kingdom, but I refused to leave him alone when men wished him harm and he had no one else by his side.
So, I’d stay with him. To protect him. Malik was a problem for another day.
Closing my eyes, I quieted my mind and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, I awoke to a warm breeze caressing my skin. I’d been taking us south over the past week and the tropical air that greeted me was invigorating. I sat up and yawned before noticing Alek was no longer in the cave. The place he’d been was empty, apart from the blanket he’d slept on.
Alarmed, I jumped to my feet and went outside into the sunlight. The rays were blinding at first, and I lifted a hand to shield my eyes. My heart thrummed wildly as every horrible scenario plagued my mind.
Had he been captured in the middle of the night? I’d never forgive myself if something happened to him. I was certain I’d been careful the few times I’d stopped in town for supplies, but what if someone had recognized him and alerted the others?
“Alek?” I called, studying the cove. It was a secluded area with forest on both sides and the sea ahead of us.
That’s when I heard a splash.
Alek came up out of the water and ran his hands through his wet hair. My body stirred when I saw his clothes on the shore. His chest glistened, and I found myself looking closer, trailing my gaze farther down. The clear water allowed me to see enough to know he was naked, but not enough for me to see more.
“Like what you see, nymph?” he asked, turning toward me. Faint bruises lingered on his arms and chest from the fight, but they’d mostly healed.
