Leaning forward, I capture his mouth as my body erupts. We groan into each other’s mouths as we find our peaks at the same time. My hips freeze as my muscles lock down. Flames lick at my skin as bliss pools inside my stomach. Qurill jerks behind me, and hot seed floods my ass. He fucks it into my depths, each torrent heightening my climax.
Seed spills down my thighs as he finally withdraws. He turns me in his arms. Falling against his chest, he lands on his back atop the sand. The tide splashes along our sweaty bodies. The scent of our coupling hangs heavy in the air. His hands trail down my back and squeeze my ass. Satisfaction kindles in his gaze.
Placing a chaste kiss on his lips, I revel in this perfect moment. The sound of rushing water nearly lulls me to sleep.
“How are you feeling?” he asks gently.
“Wonderful.” I smile. “Everything is perfect now that I have you.”
“You’re what’s perfect.” He kisses me again. “I love you so much, Astryd. My heart and soul. My mate. Let me prove myselfto you. You’ve given me the greatest gift in agreeing to be mine—I’ll never give you cause to regret it.”
I open my mouth only to hear a shocked gasp from just beside us.
Glancing across the beach, I can’t help but laugh at the small group of villagers collected there. They are all dressed in simple gowns and trousers. They each wear matching shocked expressions. Turning towards Qurill, I take his lips once again.
“Thanks for saving me again.” I hook my arms around his neck. “Now take me home. We’ve given them enough of a show.”
Leaning up, I nip at his ear.
“I want to reward my savior in our bed.”
Qurill grips me to him. His smile is pure satisfaction.
“With pleasure.”
7
ASTRYD
My steps slow on the gold vein marble.
Smoothing my seafoam colored dress, I can’t seem to keep my palms from sweating. With it snug inside Qurill’s strong grip, I must also be dampening his hand. I’d feel embarrassed for my errant perspiration if my nerves weren’t at an all-time high.
Glancing over to Qurill, my merman is the picture of perfect confidence. Blue linen pants cling to his muscular thighs, while a matching shirt decorated with gold thread stretches across his upper body. He is dressed nicer than I’ve seen him. Though, to be fair, in the five days since our reunion on the beach, we’ve scarcely worn any clothes.
His hunger for me is rivaled only by my hunger for him. Every time he takes me, a deeper well of pleasure is unlocked. Qurill has claimed all of me. We’ve fucked in every room—every corridor—of Sunshell Palace. My screams of pleasure have scattered schools of fish. My body is an homage to his lovemaking.
Bruises in the shape of fingertips decorate my hips, while the imprint of his teeth adorns my neck and shoulders. I wearhis marks proudly. They are a reminder of our love—that we’ve chosen each other. The endless days of solidarity are far behind us.
I’ll never regret my choice in staying with him. Fear had stopped me from claiming what I truly wanted. Qurill keeps me safe. He alleviates all my concerns. Every time we come together, he tells me how much he adores me. Each morning, we share words of love and end each day in the same manner. Our love is permanent and unwavering.
The rare times we are not reveling in each other’s embrace, we explore the surrounding sea. He shows me even more of his hidden coves and treasures lost to the water. My meals are succulent and shared with my lover. Still, my hunger is truly satisfied only once Qurill is inside me.
We are ravenous for each other, only refraining from taking each other out of necessity. And today is very much a necessity.
The Kraken of the Darksea’s palace is magnificent. The polished marble floors pair with distinguished golden pillars. Large statues of forgotten deities and sea creatures line the hallway, pointing towards the glass ceiling. Like Sunshell Palace, all the water has been pumped out of the structure, making it suitable for a human to live here.
Not just any human—Qurill’s mother, the Queen of the Darksea, lives inside the towering structure. All the surrounding grandeur makes my feet slide to a halt on the floor. My heart pounds and my thoughts race.
Qurill pauses beside me. Dropping my hand, he tips my face up to meet his gaze. The tenderness swimming in his blue eyes makes my knees weak. A simple golden circlet is woven between his white strands of hair. It glints in the warm light streaming in from above.
“What is wrong?”
Biting my lip, I shake my head, gesturing towards the large marble doors at the end of the hallway.
“What if they don’t like me? Think I’m not suitable?” I say in a rush. “What if they think you’ve chosen poorly? What?—”
“Astryd.”
