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The scent wafting from Kyree’s hair was intoxicating. They’d never been this close before. Honour had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep herself focused because she was so entranced by the sweet scent that came from Kyree’s body. How could one mer smell this good?

“They’re not taking us back to Talon,” Honour whispered. From this position, she could keep her voice quieter than before, and the battalion couldn’t see if she was talking or not. She buried her nose in Kyree’s hair, moving against her neck so that her lips brushed against Kyree’s skin. “They’re not wearing Talon colors, and Talon is a very proud tribe. Everyone wears their colors, even the civilians.”

“Really?”

“Shh, yes.” Honour took in another breath, closing her eyes as the scent rushed through her. Her body pulsed, a mix of sensations and emotions floating through her. “They’re defectors.”

“Who’s this Hudson?”

“No clue.” Honour bit back the whimper that she wanted to release. She didn’t want Kyree to think she was in any kind of pain, because it was the complete opposite from that. The sensations running through her chest and tail couldn’t be more different. “But if this Hudson defected from Talon, we can expect her to be wild and untethered.”

“What does that mean?”

“We’ll be lucky to ask for a swift death.”

Kyree stilled, her entire body stiffening from that revelation. Honour moved in closer, her lips brushing the edge of Kyree’s ear. “I’m working on a plan to get us out of here.”

“We’re tethered. You’re injured. And we have no weapons.”

“I know. But I can be… resourceful.” Honour bit her lip. Kyree had put out into the universe the same things Honour had been thinking. They had very little hope of escaping before being brought to Hudson, but after they were with this Hudson, wherever they may be, then their chances of getting out of there were nil.

“Just trust me,” Honour whispered. She wished her hand was free so she could slide it around Kyree’s waist, giving her some of the comfort that she knew Kyree wished for. But she couldn’t move more than a little bit to lean into Kyree’s back. It would have to be enough.

Kyree splayed her fingers against Honour’s abdomen, pressing her full palm into Honour’s body. The connection was warm. It was the comforting presence that Honour had been hoping to give Kyree from the beginning, so perhaps it had worked. Perhaps they had finally found a way to communicate with each other despite trying since Kyree had agreed to come to the upper soundings.

“I trust you,” Kyree murmured and then repeated, “I trust you.”

3

Tension rippled across Hudson’s shoulders in that delicious way that made her know she was alive. That recognition of her own strength made her who she was today. Every time she had found herself leaning into the power of her own body, she got one step closer to her goal.

Her name would live forever in the histories of her people. She would be known alongside the men of old. One of the war heroes of their people. The first mermaid to earn a title and make her tribe see beyond the limitations they had placed on them all for far too long.

She smiled into the darkness of her small cave. She had taken it as her own when she called for a temporary camp just beyond the edges of Talon space. They never stayed longer than a handful of nights and never the same place twice. She wouldn’t fall into the trap of the laziness of those of old.

Stretching and wriggling into the grainy sand on the floor she felt every tightened muscle and laughed. This feeling always premeditated great change. And she had been itching for more challenge.

“Hudson.” Mika’s voice reached her. His silhouette in the cave entrance pulled her back to her reality—something she definitely needed to change.

“Mika.” Hudson drawled his name as she moved upright and languidly made herself comfortable on the flat rock that sat in the center. She toyed with her body, running her fingers up and down her sides and lightly over her breasts as she watched him carefully. What was he thinking?

“You’ve returned sooner than I expected.” Her saccharine voice no longer fooled any of her men, but so many others bought into her slim build and golden hair thinking her weak for her sex. She was the one all the mer men vied for back in Talon, and she was going to be their undoing.

“It went well.” Mika’s voice trembled the slightest hint, and Hudson prepared herself for unexpected news. “Cryloc and the rest will arrive at the first light, and they bring two captives with them.”

“Captives?” Hudson smirked, a smile that lacked all warmth lifting up on her right side along with a single eyebrow. Excitement coursed through her. This must be the change she had felt.

“Um, yes.” Mika’s voice now dripped with nerves.

“Oh Mika.” Hudson chuckled and lifted herself from her rock. “You’re a messenger. Why are you so concerned about the captives?”

Mika lowered his head as Hudson drew closer. She lifted his chin and looked in his face, ensuring she smoothed her face into the least aggressive look she could. She was brutal and ruthless when needed, but her men should only fear her when she wanted them to. “They’re mermaids.”

“Truly.” Hudson recognized the electric shock that ran up and down her body. But she had long ago schooled her features to show nothing of her emotions except what she wanted.

“Yes.”

“Have they touched them?” Hudson asked.