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“True, but the most decorated is not Nikolaos but hisgeminaebrother Holter.”
Two things hit me at the same time. Of course Holter and Nico are brothers. They both called Alder father. But Holter is the most decorated? I didn’t know.
“I see they didn’t tell you that. For ageminae, Holter could have anything he wants. A command even. But he stays with Nico. It’s noble of his commitment, even a bit sad, I suppose.” The music stops, and Eros pulls a box out of his pocket. “The Governor of Stele gave you a gift. But I have something much finer.” He opens the box, and a stunning sapphire necklace glistens within. I’m staring at it when he takes my hand and guides me off the dance floor.
Inside, I’m screaming at myself to move away, get away, but I follow like a lost sheep.
“This will bring some color to your lovely neck. Gold is fine, but it is nothing without some color.” Eros takes the necklace out of the box, rolling it around on his finger before clasping it around my neck. It hangs above the borrowed necklace from Ophelia. He runs his finger under the other golden chain. “Interesting idea, this thing. But are you sure you want to follow Duchess Drakos’s fluke?” His finger skims around the side of my neck, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
I suck my lips in. I’m dumbfounded.
The music is stirring in the lull between the formal dances, giving the mermaids a moment to greet their next partner.
Kai appears, her arm linked with her mate Dar. “Annabelle, it’s mermaids’ choice. You can take a break or ask whomever you want to dance.”
“I would love a second round.” Eros is ready to pull me back out on the dance floor.
“Oh, uh... thank you for the necklace. It’s lovely, but I won’t be able to keep it.” I reach up.
“I understand. Wear it for this evening. You can have it returned to me tomorrow.” He leans forward, and I think he’s going to whisper something in my ear, but instead he kisses my neck below my ear. Instead of slapping him, I feel the internal zing travel down my shoulder, and I squeeze my hussy mermaid legs together.
The music’s clearly going to start again. I search the crowd and there, watching me near the drink table, I see Holter. I wave. And his smile lights up his face. He’s on the floor before Eros takes a step away.
“Holter.” Eros bows his head.
“Eros, how did you get an invitation?”
“I have my ways. Good evening, Annabelle. It was beyond delightful meeting you. Please reconsider and keep the gift.”
My hand settles on the necklace, and I nod. Inside, I want to yell. I also want to climb him.
“Can we dance?” I’m not looking Holter in the eye. I couldn’t look any of them in the eye right now. It feels like I cheated.
22
Nico
The ball is almost over, and I’m itching to take Annabelle out of here. Back to our apartment. But my contact at the justice department says the judges are coming here. The verdict will be read tonight.
The mermaid’s choice is always a slow ballad with free-form steps, a way for mermaids to spend time talking. Unlike earlier tonight with its formal steps, there is more swaying going on the floor than actual dancing.
They don’t know what the verdict is. I’m sure the judges might not know yet either. I’ve yet to see any Glyden I’d want her to go with. The Vitrom she danced with earlier was fine, but she didn’t react to him. Not like she is with Holter now.
All eyes are on her and Holter, and she’s oblivious. He isn’t. But he’s always aware of his surroundings. They’re moving like one, and it has me hard. Castor is standing next to Ophelia. He hasn’t danced yet tonight. Not with Annabelle, not with the dozens of mermaids batting their eyes at him. At least the onslaught of mermaids throwing themselves at me to get to Castor has stopped.
Holter raises his chin to me and gives me a signal to come there. I’m on the floor in an instant. As a mated male, I have two choices for dance partners. A female relative, be it sister or mother, or my mate. Since I have neither, and I’ve danced once with Annabelle already, eyes are on me.
Holter leans in and whispers to Annabelle. She kisses him on the cheek. It’s a chaste kiss, but her eyes say more. Holter passes her hand to me.
I confided to him an hour ago about the verdict coming down soon. Holding Annabelle close to me, my heart thuds. I take in her scent, memorizing the way her head nestles under my chin. We danced the minnow earlier with its jarring jumps and movements. This slow, melodic song has me clutching her to me. Never for an instant did I believe my heart could hold more than lust or possession.
I’m a merman, and we don’t have fated mates. But if we did, my soul reaches out to hers. I could never have wanted another as much as I want her. And now I only want her safe.
Her skin is smooth on her shoulders as I clutch her close to me. With the stealth of the thief who gifted her this necklace, I unlatch the swirling sapphire jewels and slide them into my pocket without Annabelle noticing.
I tilt her chin up to my face and take her pink lips, tasting her skin, salty but as sweet as ever. I told her earlier that we wouldn’t hear about the verdict until tomorrow. It’s a lie I want to believe too.
“I need to tell you,” I whisper in her ear, but the door opens behind Ophelia. I squeeze my eyes shut. It feels false now. A lie I’m telling her. But I’m going to tell her anyway. She looks up at me, her back to the balcony. A hush falls over the other guests. She turns her head to see what they are looking at. “Look at me.”
