I was a different male before I found her. She’s changed me in the span of a heartbeat. My father said it was instant—uncontrollable—and he was right. There is no going back for me. I happily give myself over to the woman in my arms. She will decide my fate, and I will do everything I can to show her I am a worthy choice.
“What is your name?”
“Astryd.”
“Astryd,” I repeat, tasting the word on my tongue.
She shivers at my voice. I feel her in my heart and weave her into my soul. Need kindles within me. We were always meant to meet—our paths were destined to cross. I want to know everything about her and for her to learn everything about me.
Her wounds give me pause. Once she is healed, I will set about wooing her. For now, she needs the attention and care of my magic.
“Listen to me, Astryd. You aren’t going to die.” Golden brows lower over her blue eyes, but I press on. “I promise everything will be better very soon.”
Unable to help myself, my fingers trail the smooth curve of her cheek.My Astryd. Mine.Possessiveness crowds my chest and tips my words with a deadly edge.
“And the man who chained you to this rock will be dead come sunrise.”
3
ASTRYD
My first thought as I peel back my heavy eyelids is that I’m dead.
I drowned attached to that rock. Vague memories of a savior and crisp air were just figments of my imagination. Scenes conjured up from the depths of my mind meant to comfort me until I reached this place. Wherever I was now, there was no pain—no intense burning from the sun or chafing shackles. I was at peace, lying atop a cloud.
Everything was shockingly blue. Shimmering glass was above me. Just beyond it, schools of rainbow fish swam leisurely through open water. The image gave me pause. Glass? A school of fish? Where was I? What aquatic afterlife had I been dumped into after suffering such a watery demise?
That’s when I feel it. It comes over me like a wave. Soreness radiates from every muscle. I breathe deeply, inhaling scents of sandalwood and citrus. Surely if I were dead, I would no longer need to breathe. Glancing from side to side, I realize it’s not a cloud I’m lying on but a bed. One made up of silky blue sheets and large pillows. A matching silk sheet is draped over me, my naked skin sliding against the fabric with no friction.
The pain in my ankles and wrists was gone. Lifting my hand, I stare at the unmarred skin at the base of my palm. My hand lifts high, touching my shoulders that had blistered in the unforgiving sun. I gasp as the tips graze a thick gel. Swiping some of it from my shoulder, I test the green goo between my fingers. It is delightfully cool.
I return my hand to my shoulder and feel the smooth skin underneath the substance. My burns have healed just as my wrists and ankles have. How is that possible? Where am I? Unease begins to settle in as I test more gel between my fingers. I am not dead, but am I safe? Moving feels like an impossible feat and yet?—
“Leave that in place.”
I scream, shooting straight up on the bed at the sound of the booming voice. Apparently, fear is a good motivator. Clutching the silk sheet to my chest, my eyes widen at the figure in the doorway. Delicate green and blue scales decorate the skin of the impressive male body lingering at the threshold. Leathery blue pants cover his bottom half while his stomach and chest remain uncovered. The cuts of his muscles are impressive.
Gills protrude from his strong neck, giving way to an even firmer jaw. Fin-like ears stick out from under a thick crop of dazzling white hair. Crystal blue eyes glow in the warm light of the room. His full lips twitch before he crosses his muscular arms over his impressive chest.
My heart races. Thoughts flood my mind in a torrent. I’ve heard of this creature before. Sailors whisper about a rare breed of monster that hails from the depths of the sea. He is a merman.
A legend just like the Kraken, but I have seen him before.
“You saved me,” I breathe, my voice hoarse from disuse.
His blue eyes flicker before nodding. Taking a small step into the room, I swallow my surprise as a plate laden with orange slices and bread appears in one hand. A glass of water appearsin the other. I’m not sure what to think; my mind is a jumble of emotions. When I do not retreat further up the bed, the merman takes a few more small steps into the room.
“You need to eat. It’ll help replenish your strength.” He thrusts the plate towards me. “You were in pretty rough shape. It’s nearly sunset, clearly you needed the rest.”
Who can blame me? A dirty, cramped cell is hardly a place to catch any good sleep. I lick over my dry lips.
“Am I dead?”
I know the answer, but I need confirmation nonetheless.
“No.”
I sag with relief, holding out my hand for the plate of food while keeping the other to my silk covering. Not that my modesty matters much anymore, the thin fabric cannot even conceal my hardening nipples.
