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Warriors were shouting at each other, and court ladies were crying in dismay. Mer locked eyes with King Raziel over Keventin’s shoulder. He held onto the edge of the dock, his wet red hair so dark it looked like spilled ink.

No worry creased his brow. Only anger.

He’d seen what she’d done.

That didn’t bode well for her plan of winning him over just to destroy his heart.

With her gaze still on the king, she whispered in the duke’s ear, “I keep my promises. Remember what I said. Return Phia to the keep.”

“As you wish,my queen.” He leaned into her body with a groan, his hand reaching for hers. “I am a man of my word too. I’ll have you soon.”

She jerked away, bile burning the back of her throat as he turned in the water, grinning, his pupils blown wide from the Lure. Nausea churned in her belly. He reminded her of a shark. Cunning, smart, and dangerous.

“Everyone onto the ship,” Gideon ordered.

The warriors followed the command, ushering the ladies up the bridge onto the warship. Sienna paused watching Mer tread water, no emotion on her young face. The girl tipped her chin to Mer, a small act of defiance before hustling onto the warship.

Mer’s teeth began to chatter as Gideon helped Duke Keventin out of the bay. The hulking duke stumbled away from the water’s edge and brushed off his help. He spun to smile at Mer, and her blood went cold. This was not nearly over. She wanted to shrink under his gaze, but somehow, Mer managed to keep her head up.

Duke Keventin held his hand out to her. “Let me help you out of the water, my queen. What an adventure!”

The thought of touching him again just about made her retch.

“Your Grace,” Gideon called, flashing his bright smile. “Come and get warm. The captain tells me they have dry clothing for you on the ship.”

Annoyance crossed Keventin’s face before he masked it. “Of course.”

She watched as he disappeared onto the massive ship.

That just left Gideon, the king, and herself.

King Raziel hauled himself up, water pouring down his wide shoulders and muscular back. An unwelcome flicker of heat surged in her belly. He was too handsome for his own good.

He knelt and held his hand out to her, his face an impassive mask. “Gideon, you need to move back, away from the queen and me.”

His blue eyes widened. “Of course. Be careful. I don’t want to go in after you.”

They thought she was going to drown him. While the idea always had merit, not today. The only one who deserved a horrid drowning was the duke.

Slowly, she bridged the distance between them, assessing the king as his pupils expanded. He coughed, and a shudder ran through his body when she slipped her hand into his large calloused one. A squeak flew out of her when he yanked her from the cold sea and into his arms. She stumbled, catching herself against his chest. Water poured from her gills and then sealed shut.

“Cloak?” the king grunted, pulling her fully against him. “Why are you always almost naked?”

Gideon handed over his own, and the king brusquely slung it over her shoulders.

She blinked up at him, shivering. “I’m wearing a full dress.”

“One that issee-through.”

Her teeth chattered together, and everything hurt, but she managed to shrug. “It’s just a body.”

“One that doesn’t belong tothem,” he muttered.

“Nor to you.”

He stilled. “As you say.”

She scanned his features, and the urge to cup his face nearly overwhelmed her. He was upset, and she wanted to soothe him.