Chapter One
I'd always thought of the sea as warm. Growing up on the eastern coast of Zaru, I often swam in the temperate waters of the Ilshi Sea. Separating two continents, Ilshi is a narrow sea and warmer than the other underwater kingdoms because of its position near the equator. But all of that failed to matter when you were hundreds of feet below the water's surface.
I couldn’t have ventured so deep without assistance or a swimming mask if it weren’t for my Water Magic, a recent addition to the Land Dragons’ arsenal. As it was, I used my magic to produce a thin layer of air around my body and to propel me through the water. It was a skill I had honed just for this diplomatic mission, and I was proud of it.
To either side of me were my guards, swimming encased in air as I was. Ahead of us were several sea dragons who had come to Zaru to escort us to the city of Kansu. The sea dragons were magnificent in their beast forms, with whiskers trailing from their long faces, flowing manes, and frilled fins adorning their sinuous bodies. Their scales were more beautiful than those of any Land Dragon, shimmering with iridescence.
As a sea, Ilshi wasn't just narrower, but also shallower than its ocean cousins. So we had a shorter distance to travel to reach the seabed, but we also had to travel to the center of the sea. At our speed, it only took an hour before the crown cityof Kansu came into view. It spread out before us—a beacon of warm light shining through the darkness of the deep. Arching over Kansu, an enchanted dome shimmered, drawing air into the city from the water while keeping the water out. That dome was the only reason I agreed to this mission. As much as I enjoyed my Water Magic, I didn't want to sleep underwater.
Despite its location, Kansu had a familiar appearance, with cobbled streets, horse-drawn carriages, and enough light to mimic day. Soaring towers, hundreds of feet high, rose above the city in scattered locations. They held massive light spheres that provided the fake sunlight. Once we descended below their level, the light felt normal. If I didn't look up, I'd think the sea had parted to allow the sun to shine on Kansu.
After we crossed through a designated entry point in the transparent dome, we stepped onto a cobblestone road. I immediately released my magic and took deep gulps of air. Though I had no trouble breathing on the way down, being surrounded by so much water gave me a feeling of suffocation.
The air was as fresh as it was on land, with a coolness to it that countered the heat rising from the street. That far underwater, it got cold. I'd been regulating my body temperature with my Fire Magic, but I released that as well. Sea Dragons had perfected the art of underwater living. Between the cool air pumped in through the warded dome and the heated streets, the temperature settled into a range comfortable for even a Land Dragon from a desert kingdom.
Behind me, my guards came through, the sea dragons entering last since they took the time to shift into their man forms before they passed through. The ward removed the water from their skin and hair, leaving them dry . . . and naked, though the dome had nothing to do with the latter. Their long hair,much longer than we wore our hair in Zaru, partially concealed their nudity. Unfortunately, a Leeya man rushed over to them with clothing piled on his outstretched arms, and my Sea Dragon escorts quickly got dressed. What a pity. All of them were handsome, with an exotic look and lean physiques.
As much as Kansu resembled surface cities, there were some major differences. In addition to the temperature regulators and light towers, the citizens were all underwater folk. I tried not to stare as I got my first look at several races that never left the sea. There were Kaikeyos, Leeyas, and Gashi congregating in large groups on the sidewalks. I'd met many Neraky sailors before, so they didn't interest me. The only differences between Neraky and Dragons were their gills, sleeker builds, a sprinkling of scales, and large eyes. That sounds like a lot, but compared to the Kaikeyo—who boasted chins full of tentacles, horns on the heads of the males, and suction cups on the tips of their fingers—the difference was minimal. These people were so obviously aquatic that it felt unnatural to see them in a dry environment.
A Sea Dragon stepped up to me and motioned at some waiting carriages. “Lord Nadar, we have carriages to take you and your guards to the Royal Palace.”
My guards were all Dragons, which was highly unusual. A diplomat would never receive a Dragon escort for protection on land. They were only for kings. But since I was going undersea, and Dragons were the only race in Zaru who could make the trip unaided (and survive the cold journey), the King made an exception. That being said, they weren't knights, only trainees. Still, I was grateful. King Saric could have hired some Neraky to accompany me, but it was hard to find a trustworthy Neraky. Not that I think all Neraky are disloyal. I assume they're asloyal as anyone. It's just that most of them are pirates. When they came to shore to sell their stolen goods, they pretended to be merchants. It was an open secret, impossible to prove. There were some real Neraky merchants, but you couldn't tell them apart from the pirates. Not until they were boarding your ship and holding you at sword point.
My four guards and I split up into two carriages. We rode through pristine streets, past soaring stone buildings of delicate design, to the palace that rose from the center of the city. A high wall hid the lower portion, but most of the palace was visible above it, with a central tower rising high enough to pierce the dome and enter the sea.
Uniformed guards waved us through the gate, and our carriages stopped before the steps of the main building. The lead carriage, with our Sea Dragon escorts, stopped first. The Sea Dragons waited for us on the steps as we exited our carriages. With a wave toward the palace, they led us up the main stairs. As we neared the dragon-sized door, I nodded at the two Gashi soldiers standing at attention there. Both were muscular, with indigo skin, claws, and heavy brows. One of them smiled at me, showing his fangs. I didn't think it was aggressive, but this was my first interaction with one of his kind. Maybe they smiled at their prey before they attacked. Not that I was worried. Only a fool would attack a Dragon, much less a Dragon diplomat.
The Sea Dragons led us through the palace, but as we strode down the corridors, all but one slipped away. I barely noticed their abandonment. The pearl-studded walls and mother-of-pearl floor captured my attention. Everything was shiny, shimmery, and pale. It made me feel as if I had slipped down the throat of an enormous beast. Even my stoic guardswidened their eyes at the luxury. The Royal Palace of Zaru was exquisite, but we didn't have pearls in the walls.
Our walk ended in an echoing hall of gold columns, with an arched ceiling and a black marble floor. It was empty except for a single man seated atop a blue crystal throne on a low dais. To either side of him, white columns in the shape of gigantic seahorses surged up to hold an arch above his head. Behind him, a glass wall offered an underwater view of brightly colored fish. It couldn't be the sea since we were in the center of the city. It had to be a tank—an enormous fish tank.
An aquarium in the middle of an underwater palace? It seemed a bit ridiculous to me. But the man sitting before it disputed my assessment with his very presence. I hadn't met a lot of Sea Dragons, but I'd heard they were generally sleeker in build than we land Dragons. This man was somewhere in between—more muscular than my escorts, but less so than Land Dragons. I was lean for a Land Dragon, so I wasn't much bigger than him.
My last remaining Sea Dragon escort went to stand at the base of the dais and bowed. “Your Majesty, may I introduce Lord Nadar Damra of the Zaru Dread and his guards?”
The King stood up, unfolding his body to reveal his perfect physique. He was just as tall as me, maybe a fraction of an inch taller—something else I hadn't expected. A gold crown studded with pearls the size of my thumbnail sat atop his head. But its royal glory dulled against that of the King's hair. As white as those pearls, but with a glossy sheen, his straight, thick hair slid over his body in a taunting caress, unfurling to his hips. That hair enchanted me, forcing my gaze to his shapely thighs and trim waist. It hung like a cape over his broad shoulders, seeming to cast a halo around him.
Cerulean silk clung to the Sea King as he walked, and I had to force my attention away from the outline of his impressive shaft. With incredible effort, I raised my gaze to his waist, then up his chest, past the glimpse of smooth pectorals revealed by the V of his shirt. His throat beckoned, the hollow at the base teasing me. Further up I went, until I stopped at his face.
It fulfilled all the promises of his body and continued beyond.
The King's full lips softened his sharp jawline, his high cheekbones added roguish appeal, and a regal forehead united them. My gaze skittered over his stunning features before it landed on a pair of almond-shaped eyes with long lashes. I couldn't move on from them. Moss green with glints of bright lime, they glittered beneath his dark eyebrows. Black eyebrows with white hair—it should have looked strange. Instead, they enhanced both his eyes and his hair.
I've met a lot of very handsome men, but King Jucai outshone them all. It wasn't just his divine face or breathtaking body. It was all he was—the way he walked, lifted his chin, gazed at me. The Sea Dragon King radiated masculinity, authority, and sex. He was a walking orgasm.
I couldn't move as he came down the steps to stand before me, could barely breathe. Something shivered within my chest—an awakening. No, it couldn't be. I was so overwhelmed by him that I was imagining things. It was nothing but attraction. Who wouldn't be captivated by this man?
As I gazed into those entrancing green eyes, they flashed, and his lips parted on a soft inhale. Holy fuck, he wanted me too!The Gods were smiling on me, and I would honor their gift by enjoying it.
My heart raced, pounding so hard that I glanced down to see if my tunic was fluttering. I've never been nervous when seducing a potential lover. I knew I was attractive and good in bed. With the right application of charm or submission, depending on the man, I never failed to get what I wanted. But standing before the King of Ilshi, I felt inadequate.
“Lord Nadar, this is King Jucai of Ilshi,” my Sea Dragon escort said.
“Welcome to my kingdom, Lord Nadar.” King Jucai held out his hand.
Even his hand was perfect, clasping mine with a firm but respectful strength. The scent of salt and cinnamon rose from him to tickle my nose. I breathed in deeply, but despite all that air, my voice came out breathy. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I'm honored to have been chosen by my king to represent him and Zaru here in your court. Your city is the most beautiful I've ever seen.”
The King's smile was full of anticipation. “I agree, but thank you for saying so.” He waved off my Sea Dragon escort. “See Lord Nadar's guards to their rooms. I'll see to Lord Nadar's comfort myself.” He motioned toward a door beside the dais. “This way.”
