Page 12 of Little Shake of Salt

“And as I reminded you, youtold meI could do as I wish.”

Candlelight dappled her dripping skin as she slid to the edge again, dipping her feet and calves in the water. Silence settled between us as I pushed her thighs apart slowly, and nestled my torso between her knees. I craned my head back, looking up at her.

“You’re so angry,” I whispered.

Her brows furrowed. “I didn’t agree to any of this.”

“To what? A date with a monster?”

Demi shook her head. “You know what I mean, Marina.”

I fought a smile as I slid my hand up her thigh. “You can bite me back, if you’d like. Although I’m unsure if your dull teeth can break my skin. It’s quite tough.”

She released a haughty sigh. “No,Marina,I’m not going to bite you back. I do know how this bond works. At least, somewhat. I’m not ready to jump in this fast. We just met.”

I frowned. “Didn’t you know this would happen? That you would meet your fated mate?” Why was sherejectingme?

“I . . .” She swallowed hard, her expression hardening. “I didn’t really believe it, I guess.”

Pain rippled through my chest and I shoved back from her hard enough that water splashed up and doused one of the candles. I hissed between my sharp teeth and ducked underwater, taking a few moments to calm myself.

How could she notbelievein this? Why would she go on a date matched by the Barista if she didn’t believe in fated mates? Why were humans so incrediblyfrustrating?

I deserved to be loved. I deserved this. I always got what I wanted, and I’d been so patient—watching everyone else in my life find their mates and start a family and beloved.Why couldn’t I have that? I could have anything else in the world, but not a mate who would love me?

Demi’s voice echoed within the cavern. I emerged again, glaring at the naked human.

“If you don’t want me, then I’ll return you to the surface,” I snapped. “I’m a princess. I don’t beg, and Icertainlywon’t beg to be wanted.”

Demi massaged her temples. “This is a disaster. Also what do you mean you’re a princess? I didn’t think you were being literal earlier.”

I hissed at her. “I was serious. The mate you sit there and reject isroyalty.”

She groaned. “I’m not rejecting you, Marina. I just want to take things slow for once in my life.”

“Fine,” I said coldly. “Your lighthouse is the one that stands on the stone cliff outside the city, right?”

“Yes,” she said.

“Good. I’ll return you.”

“Good,” Demi said sourly.

I knew exactly where it was, and stared at her for a moment. I’d spent many nights watching the glowing light burn through fog and storms, always drawing me near.

If only I’d known the lighthouse belonged to my mate.

Without warning, I grabbed her ankle and pulled her back into the water. She didn’t gasp as I pulled her under and didn’t fight me when I kissed her on the lips, forming her breath bubble.

I’d take her back to her home, and then I’d wait for her to come crawling back on her strange knees, begging me to fuck her and mate her all over again.

3 /HIGH TIDE

Demi

I still wasn’t over the fact that when I was with Marina, I could breathe underwater.

I stared out of my lighthouse window, watching as waves crashed against the slate-gray rocks below. She was out there. I knew she was out there, waiting. Biding her time.