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She blinked at the young servant, who dropped her gaze immediately and stepped back, moving to Raziel. She felt Keventin’s gaze before she looked at him. He smiled in a way that made her skin crawl. He had a Sirenidae in his employ, and he’d sprung her on Mer to get a reaction.

Duke Keventin gestured to the Sirenidae servant. “A pleasant surprise, no? You’re not related are you?”

Indignation had her sitting up in her seat. The insinuation that someone was related just because they were of the same race was disgusting.

“As much as I would like to claim her, unfortunately no,” she gritted out.

The duke took a heavy swig of his brew, and swung his hand out, not seeing the Sirenidae servant stepping forward to place his plate before him. The duke knocked the plate out of the servant’s hands and into his daughter’s lap. She squeaked, a whole plate of hot food splattered on her dress.

The duke pushed from his seat and backhanded the Sirenidae, knocking her to the ground. Mer gasped at the brutality of the action, finding herself on her feet as Keventin kicked the servant twice for good measure.

All eyes turned to her as she glared at the duke’s back.

King Raziel had reached out and caught her skirts in his hand, discreetly tugging so she’d sit. Righteous anger filled her for the poor servant on the ground. The duke had been the one to cause the accident, not the waiter.

All she wanted to do was vault over the table and beat the horrible lord with one of his shiny candelabras.

Keventin spun around with a bright smile and smoothed his hair back from his face. He blinked slowly at Mer. “My queen, is everything alright?”

No, it was not. Mer was about to show him how much of acreatureshe could be.

Mer looked at the king, who was as blank as a white canvas as he stared up at her. The only thing that gave him away was the fist he’d buried in her skirt to keep her in place. What a joke. Little did he know she’d destroy the dress in seconds to get to the Sirenidae servant.

Be smart.

“My king,” Mer murmured. “I must take my leave so I may help Duke Keventin’s daughter. Please excuse us while we freshen up.” She caressed his bicep, ignoring the tension that filled her king at her touch.

She kept her eyes from the servants, who helped the younger girl from the floor and dragged her from the room.

Keventin’s smile grew sharp. “You mean my wife.”

Mer froze, her gaze resting on theDuchessKeventin before she pasted a pleasant smile on her face. “As you say.”

The rest of the men and women rose from the table. The king released her dress and stood as well. She flinched as he dropped a quick kiss on her cheek.

“See you soon.”

A promise or a threat? She couldn’t contemplate either.

Mer woodenly walked out of the room, followed by an entourage of ladies and one rumpled-looking Lady Keventin.

Who was only a bloody child.

It looked like Raziel wasn’t the only one who needed to pay for his sins.

Chapter Nineteen

MER

Duchess Keventin’ssalon was cozy.

Mer stood at the glass doors that led outside to the veranda, half listening to the chatter of the ladies. The sound of the ocean was music to her ears. She could taste the salt in the air. Even as goosebumps ran down her arms from the chilly breeze, she couldn’t find it within herself to move.

Huge waves crashed against the cliffs below. She grinned as she spotted luminescent jellyfish floating through the dark water.

Home was calling her.

What she wouldn’t give to swim peacefully among the jellies.