Chapter One
Anightmare woke Meedafrom a sound sleep.She sucked in a deep breath and opened the patio door off her bedroom.She walked to the ocean in her sleep shirt and dropped it to the sand before she stepped into the waves.She summoned her tail and moved deep into the darkness, where no one had hurt her and she had the power.
She laughed and played in the depths, looking at lichen and stroking the enormous oysters that surrendered their pearls when she asked.Vine could enchant the surrendered spheres, so Meeda collected three pearls in black, blue, and a surprising purple.
She stroked the oysters and told them what she wanted, that she would give them the strength to push the pearls out, and when she did, the oysters took in more sand to create another one.
Meeda cradled the three pearls and smiled at the coral and reefs as she cruised along the sea floor.She didn’t need to speak, didn’t need to think, she could just play.
She hummed her favourite songs, and the music didn’t go far.Swimming was almost as regenerating as sleeping, but the nightmares didn’t exist here.Even the things that considered her food weren’t a surprise.
Meeda played until the sun touched the water above her.She felt eyes watching her, but she was underwater.Eyes were always watching her, and she could call for help if she needed it.It was comforting to be underwater.When she used her wings, she just got hungry, and then something had to meet her teeth.Fortunately, Wonder had no shortage of alphas who just wanted a cuddle and didn’t mind the biting.She was a holiday story for about half a dozen men, each donating about two ounces.Apparently, her bite felt really good.
She walked out of the surf and headed to the villa, the pearls in her arms.
She got breakfast started and had the coffeemaker chugging away before six in the morning.
She showered and put on a dress.Enjoying the option of fruit and pastry for breakfast was one of her favourite things about the islands.Mia was local, and that meant she had the wherewithal to create a quiet space for herself.Meeda, being her sister, extended that courtesy to her.The king had created a writ that would let her make her home on any empty spot of land touching water that she wished.
Meeda sat on the patio and listened to the distant sounds of the repeat race that was happening.Her friend Xida had been low-key conscripted by a two-man team.She liked free running, so it wasn’t a big deal, and the alphas had bribed her to be their third as every team had not to contain just alphas.Meeda wasn’t sure what Xida was, but she was either beta or omega.Either way, she was fit as hell.
The race took place around the island, and the first run was a test for footage.The runners had all been put up for a few weeks of vacation or sent home and brought back and had made some nice snacks for Meeda.She had tried to drink from Xida once, but it was not something Meeda’s body was interested in.
Today was the proper race.The race that counted for those who wanted to sprint around the island and climb trees.Now that they knew what to expect, the run was going to be faster.The island had put obstacles in the way and changed routes for the run, so things were going to be fresh and interesting.
Meeda preferred to use wings or tail for speed, so she sat back and enjoyed the thought of men sweating while getting dirty.It was the opposite of everything she did.
She heard soft laughter and moans from the house and grinned.She looked forward to Vine and Kazuya having an actual wedding.They needed a locked-in honeymoon in the worst way.
Mia walked out.“Morning, Meed.Had a rough night?”
“More like an extremely early morning.”
“Ah.”
“I got three giant pearls for Vine to play with.They should hold a spell quite well.”
“She will love them.”
“I know.They are in the fruit bowl in the kitchen.I hope no one tries to eat one.”
“Maybe you should bring them out here.”
“Good idea.”Meeda got up and went to get the pearls that were the size of a grapefruit.
Mia smiled and said, “Thanks for making coffee.”
“There had to be bonuses for not sleeping.”
“I know the answer, but the nightmare again?”
“Yup.”
Mia held out her hand, and Meeda took it, squeezing.“I worry.”
“I know.At least here I can hit the ocean when needed.”
“Even though it took everything from you?”
