Max’s eyes widened slightly. “You found her?”
A slow nod. “She knew we were looking for her. Came to me in a dream, agreeing to meet but only on her terms. We have to drink this, fall asleep, and then she can pull us into her dreamscape.”
Hells, Max thought.That kind of power.
It took little time and thought before Max nodded in agreement, lifting his mug to knock against Wolcott’s. Max knew if he took any longer to dwell on it, he’d talk himself out of it, and they needed help now.
A minute later, and they’re both staring at the ceiling from Wolcott’s bed, both their eyes getting heavy before they’re pulled into a spelled sleep.
Max’s vision blurred, and never quite cleared as his eyes opened again, finding himself in what could pass as the inside of a cave. His mind alert as he straightened to stand beside Wolcott, but the clarity never changed. Magic, to protect the security of what was most likely the sea witch’s home.
A flash, and Ursula becomes the only clear object in the room.
A sea witch. The last of her kind, thanks to men who feared powerful women. Men like Triton, who shared the same prejudice and hostility towards witches as Max’s father.
The witch had curves for days. Tentacles sprawled from her waist down as she sat leisurely on a mossy bed as if it were her throne.
Violet skin contrasted with the messy long shag of white hair and green eyes that dulled, making her appear bored to death, or perhaps just dead inside.
“Are you done ogling me, Prince?”
Max snaps out of it, opening his mouth to apologize.
“Surely, that new mate of yours wouldn’t appreciate it. Perhaps after I kill you for your disrespect, I’ll take your little witch for myself.”
Tapering down a growl, he said, “Apologies.”
A wicked smirk graced her lips, followed by a small sound of amusement before Wolcott cut in.
“Admirations aside, I hope you’ll consider our offer. Your power is unmatched, and would be invaluable—”
“Admirations aside?” she interrupts, laughter in her voice. “Admire away with your boot-licking compliments all you want. I already know you’re desperate. No need to make it more pathetic—”
“Not desperate,” Max interrupts.
She raises a full white brow that does nothing to hide her ancient but youthful beauty. “No? Your little mate strong enough to conceal an entire army already, prince? Is that why you’re here? To boast about your latest possession, who has completely lost her autonomy thanks to people like you?”
Tense silence fills the assumed cave before she continues.
“No, she’d have them ripped apart before they reached the shore. What a feast she’d provide for my creatures.” Chittering sounds echoed, but they couldn’t see anything beyond the magical veil. “Marvelous little thing. Do keep her close. Else someone takes her away. Magic like that gives everyone in the world legal cause to kill on sight.”
“If they dare try,” Max threatens.
Ursula smiles with delight at the thought of that fight. Sparks of violet erupt in her eyes like flames.
Wolcott steals Max’s attention with his furious glare, silently begging Max to shut the fuck up. Guilt stirs in Max’s chest, but only because Wolcott was holding out hope for someone who clearly only wanted entertainment.
Max breaks eye contact with Wolcott, determination flooding him. “I don’t suppose you’ve found comfort in hiding. Or was I wrong to assume?”
“You’re wrong to assume anything regarding what I want, Prince Maximus,” she snarled.
“Forgive me for assuming a queen’s needs and wants. Royalty has always had a knack for shirking their duties and hiding in the shadows.”
“You would know all about that, wouldn’t you? Pray tell, how is your whore of a mother?”
Max can feel his eyes shifting, struggling to hold back the scales that threatened to coat his skin.
Ursula smiled triumphantly.
