The treaty hadn’t solved anything. It was built on threats, on desperation, not trust. Humans still did not have safe passage through the seas. Pirates and hunters still trafficked in black market gems and sunken goods. The balance hadn’t shifted. Except for one thing.
Eric loved his wife. It had barely been a day, but he knew this fact like he knew his soul. He loved Ariel fiercely, wholly, with a protectiveness that bordered on something primal. And he would never let anything, anyone, harm her.
His siren let out a soft inhale as she began to wake, her body shifting against his beneath the sheets. Eric dipped his head, pressing his lips to her gills. He let his mouth linger there, where her breath had once sustained his own.
Her body tensed, then relaxed, her fingers curling against his chest. He moved his mouth up, brushing his lips to her temple. Then down to her cheek. And finally, against her mouth. When her eyes fluttered open, he kissed her again. Deeper this time, as if he could pour all the unspoken vows he still hadn’t said into her skin.
When he pulled back, he pressed his forehead to hers, his voice a low vow against her lips. “I’m goingto fix this.”
“What did you break, my prince?”
“I didn’t break anything. Neither of us did. It was our fathers and their decades-old distrust of each other.”
She pulled away from him. That’s when he remembered that she had been a victim in the senseless war between their kind.
“I know that you were targeted by hunters as a child. I thank the sands that you were unharmed.”
“You should thank Ursula for that.”
“If she were here, I would.”
That appeared to mollify his siren.
“The problem with the treaty is it's based on threats," he continued. "It needs to be an alliance, one like we have. One where we come together and bring out the best in each other.”
“You think you bring out the best in me?”
“I know you bring out the best in me. In just one day, I’m a better man, a better leader because of you. You’re going to make me an exceptional king.”
She cocked her head, studying him. “Yes, I believe I will.”
“We need to demand safe passage across all of the sea from Triton.”
“You went quickly from exceptional to demanding. Triton doesn’t control the sea monsters. They rise when men disturb them. Sailors need to stick to theprescribed routes if they want their bounty and their bodies to remain safe.”
“That’s doable. But I can’t control pirates or hunters.”
“Don't bother trying. Their lives will be forfeit if they go those routes. What you can control is the littering and destruction that goes on by sailors and seagoers. Merkind don’t come to the surface and litter in your yards.”
“Fair point. Anything else, my queen?”
Her head jerked in that way that Eric was coming to realize meant she hadn't been expected to be taken seriously. She had to know he would always take every word she uttered with care and consideration.
She bit at her lower lip before saying more. Eric almost missed it. All he could think about was biting that lip.
When she released hold of her lip, she said, “I want the family jewels.”
“You’ve had your way with my family jewels all night, my love.”
“Not yours. I want my family jewels returned to me from my—from Triton. He took them from me as a punishment when he felt I… misbehaved. But it was because he didn’t listen to me, and I was right.”
“I won't ever make that mistake. I will always listen to you. And I’ll get you your jewels.”
“Then we have a deal.”
Eric held out his hand in the same way he'd seal a political or economic deal. After a flash of a grin, Ariel took his hand. When her fingers met his, he pulled her to him. She gasped into his kiss.
"I expected you to be more demure, princess," he said when he came up for air. Instead of breathing the sea air, Eric pressed his mouth to her gills. That rare air was quickly becoming his favorite taste.
