Page 119 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

“Mazie?” he asked. “Nay. She is quite a barbarian; she is an incredible fighter. I not only trust she will survive, I trust she’ll win.”

Nola lowered her brow. “Oh, I’ve fought her, remember?”

The siren’s laughter broke off as she pondered more about the memory. The one time she and Mazie bonded, it had turned a bit brutal at the end.

“Mazie told me the reason she doesn’t trust me,” she said. “She believes I will do to you what Sybil did.”

The charming smile on his face faded. “Mazie doesn’t like anyone, Nola. Don’t overthink anythin’ she says.”

The siren arched a brow. “Well, she likes you.”

“She tolerates me,” he said, “There’s a difference.” He combed his hair with his fingers. “She thinks I’m a bastard.”

Nola chuckled, suddenly feeling foolish for bringing Sybil up again. She cared for him deeply, but Lincoln’s had far more experience than she did when it came to relationships.

There was an uncomfortable silence, but his eyes still roamed over her face.

“Um,” she began, trying to change the subject as quickly as possible. “I want to be able to control the change when I’m in the water,” she said, fully knowing he would not understand. When his brows creased, she continued, “My tail, Lincoln. I want to be able to swim and not transition.”

Knowing how difficult it was for her to express her feelings, Lincoln inched closer to her.

“You’re afraid,” he said.

She nodded. “I loved every part of my tail as I swam away from Wentworth’s ship. It felt invigorating. It was a part of me. But at the same time, what if I lose my human legs forever?”

Lincoln let out a long sigh, and the corners of his eyes crinkled. “Nola, they are not human legs. You are Fae. Think about that for a moment. A human is magicless. Your Fae body can do miraculous things. It all makes sense now. The precision when you fight. Your ability to see clearer than any of us. The ability to hear what we cannot.” He gripped her hand again. “You are as magical as those fairies over there.” He gestured to the city. “If you want your legs to turn back while submerged in the water, you can do it.”

Nola’s eyes were glossy.

You have more faith in me than I do,she thought, wanting to thank him, but she did not speak.

Instead, she glanced at the water ripples caused by the gentle wind coming through the trees.

The corner of her mouth quirked up for a moment before saying. “Come in the water with me.” Her voice was a quiet whisper.

Nola’s request caused a flirtatious grin upon the handsome captain’s lips.

“Shall I get naked?” he said, his alluring eyes teasing her.

The siren quickly drew her lower lip between her teeth, nudging him playfully with her elbow.

Then, with a hint of shyness in her tone, she said, “If I’m to be naked, then you shall too.”

Nola laughed at her own response, watching his breath agitate. Her cheeks gave her away when they flushed instantly.

Did I really say that?She asked herself.

Lincoln gave her a charming wink, sending an eager sensation between her legs. When his jade eyes peered into hers, she could not turn away.

Sensing her bashfulness, the captain turned to face her, reaching out to trace his finger down the center of her cleavage.

He stopped.

Nola’s nod was subtle, but he understood what she meant by it and continued to disrobe her, untying the string to her blouse. Her skin quivered from his tender touch—tiny tremors shook her legs.

Nola reached up to meet his hand, helping him undress her. She pulled her blouse over her shoulders and dropped it on the grass behind her. The siren swallowed nervously, her chest heaving, letting out a breath before undoing the tie at her pants, wiggling herself out until she sat naked.

“Shall we?” she said.

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