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Lokene leaned forward, kissing my tear-stained cheeks with a sweet gentleness. Pulling away, he smiled. “I’ve heard that mermaid tears are good luck.” His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “There is even a rumor they can grant wishes.”
I gave a watery laugh at his silliness. My emotions were a complete wreck. “It’s too bad that I’m a Siren then, and not a mermaid,” I choked out the words between sobs and hiccups.
“What if my wish was to spend the rest of my life with you? Would you grant that wish?” Lokene’s playful demeanor turned somber. His eyes watched me intently, waiting for my answer.
Sliding my hand along his lightly stubbled jaw, I whispered, “Yes.”
He pulled me into his arms, kissing me with an abandon that took my breath away.
One-minute Lokene was there, and the next minute he disappeared, leaving me kissing the cool air where he had just been.
“Lokene?” Confusion and panic seeped into me. Had he angered the Ancients? Had they taken him from me again?
His voice brushed against my mind,I’m fine, and no, we’re not in trouble. Right now, I’m not sure you could do any wrong in their eyes. They need you too much. I shouldn’t have kissed you. It’s not my turn—not yet. I just couldn’t resist you, Soyale. I’ll be back. I just need a chance to take a cold shower… Or maybe several of them.
His voice disappeared from my mind, and for a moment, I wanted to cry. When would it be our time? How many millennia did we have to wait?
Warm arms wrapped around me. “Shh, it’s okay. It’ll be okay. The idiot will get his head out of his butt at some point.” Kye’s voice held a teasing note. He playfully rocked my body from side to side, nuzzling my neck. “For now, though, I would be happy to take his time with you.” I couldn’t help but laugh and wiggle out of his arms as he began covering my face in wet kisses.
“Oh no, you’re not getting away that easily!” Jumping up off the bed, he chased me, his arms outstretched.
Tripping and stumbling on my very human legs, I ran to the place where I felt the safest: The water. Still laughing, I dove into the pool, inhaling more than a little water before I thought to close my mouth.
Before I had even surfaced, powerful arms circled my waist, pulling me tight against a lean, muscled chest. Slick fins brushed lazily along my bare legs. My merman had come to my rescue.
Zeno brought us to the surface, where I coughed and laughed and then coughed some more. He kept my head above water, amusement twinkling in his eyes.
These last few days I’d spent with my mates, getting to know them and bonding with them, had been amazing. My emotions were continuing to grow stronger, and I’d smiled and laughed more than I remembered ever having done in this life or my past life.
I wrapped my legs around Zeno’s waist and encircled his neck with my arms. “My hero!” I grinned at the roll of his eyes and rewarded him with a quick peck on the lips.
“Mm. I think I like it when you have legs.” Zeno’s hand slid down my back, across my butt, and down my thighs. He nearly purred as he explored my naked body. It reminded me of Fynn’s first examination of my Siren body. Heat flushed through me as I recalled how that had ended. Zeno’s curious fingers were turning me on more than I cared to admit.
“Oh, do you now?” I raised an eyebrow, trying to ignore how breathy my voice had become.
“Yes.” His lips captured mine in a kiss that sent my temperature climbing higher. “I’ve missed having you in the water with me,” he whispered against my lips.
Several times, Lokene had offered to give Zeno legs so he could join us in the bed. Each time, Zeno politely declined. I could see the idea intrigued him. He just wasn’t ready to accept, even temporarily. I think he enjoyed the connection between the ocean and her inhabitants.
Storm rose from the bed with a pained sigh. “I hate to do this, but I think it’s best that we go check out what’s going on, if for no other reason than to keep Dan’s men from snooping around here.”
Kye and Eason nodded their agreement, their shoulders drooping in disappointment at being pulled away from our little love nest.
Zeno grunted. “And I should probably return to Atlantis, at least temporarily. My advisers have been keeping everything running smoothly, but it is expected that I check in on everything myself. I also need to see my stubborn sister to make sure she is healing properly and not trying to take off with that mer-idiot she thinks she loves.” He sighed. “Atlantis and I will forever be indebted to you for saving her.”
The weight of his responsibility toward his sister showed in the tightness of his tone. I knew that weight. Blood family was sacred to Atlanteans. If harm ever fell on those who shared his blood, then his rule would come into question. Atlanteans believed that if you could not protect your family, then you could not protect Atlantis.
My hand rose, and fingers slid across the deep furrow of his brow. Just for a moment, our eyes locked, and his gaze flickered back and forth between my eyes, holding a hurricane of emotions. Tartarus! Had he been worried about me this whole time? That I might have been mad because of his choice to return his sister to Atlantis instead of staying with me when he was lessening my burden by doing so, securing our reign, and protecting his own blood?
“Oh, Zeno,” was all I managed to choke out as both my palms pressed to his cheeks. Tenderly, I kissed my burdened mer-mate.
“You are a mate that most men can only dream of having as their own.” Zeno brushed the wet hair from my face as he spoke.
“Hey! Don’t be stealing our girl while we’re gone!” Kye growled. It might have been intimidating if his eyes hadn’t sparkled with mischief.
Just great. It seems Lokene was rubbing off on him.
“If all goes well, we should be back in a day or two. Then we can return and make plans on how to confront Richard. With luck, we will hopefully gather enough evidence to arrest him this time.” Storm dressed quickly and gathered his things from the small bedside table.
