The young mermaid beamed as she worked her magic with the dress, repositioning many of the jellies to at least cover my nipples. I would not allow this mortification to affect our mission. In and out. I did my part to get us safely into this realm. We could secure the queen’s support and be done. If this dress brought me success, and a way to fulfill my end of the bargain, then so be it. The knot in my throat didn’t agree. Hells, I did not sign up for this.
The mermaid gently combed my hair, which thankfully continued to maintain its whitened color. She created a coronet braid with half of my hair, affixed with a simple shell. The rest of my hair, including the small braids behind my ears, flowed in a curtain of silver behind me.
The servant searched through a drawer until she found some tiered earrings to compliment my gown. She offered them to me as she appraised my outfit, “Now you are most presentable for the Queen. Let’s meet the others and I will lead you to dinner.”
Reminding myself I was a highly trained murderous assassin did not help my humiliation. I entered the living area to face the group of very male rebels with my chin held high.
Everyone stopped talking, the proverbial air sucked out of the room. I took in their outfits as they took in mine—the fabric of their shirts clung to their chests emphasizing every ripple of muscle. I noticed them all, but my gaze glued to Dom. The shirts lacked buttons on the top half revealing everything from his throat to his chest. His pants billowed with the current, intermittently adhering to his powerful thighs.
Bowen elbowed Finn and they immediately busied themselves with their hands. Dom stilled, a muscle in his jaw feathered as his eyes affixed to mine. Slowly, they raked down my body, then carefully back up. Warmth spread from my core, and the knowing heat of flushed cheeks radiated, but I refused to balk.
“I hope I don’t have to kill anyone this evening. Might ruin the mission.” His words cascaded over me, glass sharp and tempest black.
Swallowing hard, I flashed a coy smile. “Are we ready to eat or are we going to stare at each other all night?”
He took a step forward, meeting my challenge. “Perhaps I’m not hungry for food.”
I didn’t move, still unable to peel my eyes off of him. His pupils overpowered his golden irises, darkening his powerful features. His voice came out hard, gravelly. “I’ll escort you. Take my hand. Please.”
I had no desire to disobey.
“Good girl,” he murmured.
My breath caught. His arm tensed beneath mine as he sensed my reaction.
“Good to know,” he muttered.
“I could eat something,” Finn suggestively responded, waggling his eyebrows, effectively throwing ice water on the heated moment.
I swear I heard Dom growl.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
THE GENERAL
Finn shot me a warning glare as I struggled to compose myself. The curves of her body demanded my attention. And I wasn’t in a sharing mood. My shadows betrayed me by responding to her presence, and I allowed them to restrain Bowen so that he followed far behind us. I held firmly to her arm, my glare threatening violence toward anyone who dared look in her direction.
We wound through hallways and under archways; mermen with tridents and sharks at their sides hovered every few feet. Queen Thaleia had done well for herself, and that boded well for me.
Entering the great room, we approached the raised dais where we were seated at a high table with the mermaid queen. I sat to the queen’s left. Her consort reclined on her right. Rue sat across from me, next to Bowen.Foka. My entire body tensed at their proximity. It was going to be a long night.
I ignored the agitation simmering beneath my skin. Finn sat on the other side of Bowen, next to a mermaid whose dress left even less to the imagination than Rue’s. I recognized the swim suit that Gemma had provided Rue back in Yarit. I was gratefulshe had brought it, but I refused to let myself explore why it mattered.
Most of the food laid out was a variation of fish or mussels or clams. The flavors ranged from briny to buttery. I ate my fill, while keeping an eye on our hosts and our surroundings. Rue’s presence was a complicated, though not entirely unwelcomed, distraction. The queen reclined at my side, asking polite questions about Lyrae, avoiding the true nature of our visit.
I studied the room, noting the guards and the multitude of merfolk that filled the space. It seemed Queen Thaleia’s court was well-ordered and relaxed. It was said that Queen Thaleia had once been cursed. Once she was able to break it, her realm had expanded as her power increased.
The queen raised her glass. “Tonight, we toast our guests. It’s been too long since another realm has made the journey to us. May the evening be filled with the best delights the Nereids have to offer.” Glasses clinked and my gaze caught Rue’s. I wanted her beside me. I forced myself to study my food instead.
The queen leaned toward me. “We may discuss your concerns and requests tomorrow morning. Bring your water wielder as well. Tonight, General, is for merriment.” I nodded, setting my glass down, resigned at having to wait longer for potential answers and curious at Rue’s inclusion in our meeting.
Musicians began to play a haunting melody. Above us, purple smoke hazed through the water. It spread among us, fading to a pale lavender. Several people at the dinner erupted in applause at the sight.
A tingling sensation traveled through my magicked gills and a metallic taste hit the back of my throat. I vaguely noticed myself unwinding. Sounds became increasingly muffled as my ears attuned to the melody of the musicians.
Rue’s laughter speared through the haze of my thoughts. What brought on her unabashed delight? And why wasn’t I thesource of it? I watched her leaning toward Bowen, her arm brushing his. I smoldered as I observed the touch. I shouldn’t watch her. But I just needed one more glance. She was a vision of beauty so striking and fierce, I felt paralyzed by it.
Something inside of me opened, possessiveness bleeding out. My fork began to melt. I restrained the metal magic that punched beneath my skin. Finn shot me a warning glance, then disappeared with the mermaid that sat next to him, his intentions abundantly clear.
