Page 85

Her beast’s peachy ears perked up, and her long tail swished through the underbrush lazily.

No aggression.

“So, you decided to come.” Mer waved her left hand at the beast. Thefiileechuffed. “Let’s go.”’

Mer turned her back to the feline and continued on. Her gaze kept flickering over her shoulder at thefiileein wonder. This was not what she expected.

They made their way through the forest until the thunder of waves reached her ears at last. Her steps picked up speed. She ignored the sharp bite of a pinecone in her left heel as she practically sprinted toward the sound.

They were calling her.

Home.

Tears flooded her eyes as the trees abruptly stopped, and the dirt turned to stone.

She slowed to a stop, the porous rock warm beneath her feet. Mer shuffled forward until she stood at the edge of a cliff. Blue-green waves crashed below her as if raging.

The cliffs formed a huge V that stretched out to the open ocean. Large black rocks rose from the water like rotten teeth. It would have seemed dreary to some, but to Mer... it was everything.

Staring down at the roiling waves and seafoam, it took every bit of self-control not to jump. Her arm couldn’t handle it. The waves spoke of dangerous churning tides. The inlet was a death trap, but she still wanted the comfort of the ocean. After several nights of nightmares about the duke and little to no sleep, all she wanted to do was climb into the loving embrace of the ocean.

But not here.

Mer forced herself to continue on, the sea spray coating her skin as she walked west. Wisps of smoke rose in the distance. A village, to be sure.

Thefiileestop trailing Mer and padded next to her, her amber eyes darting everywhere in interest.

Mer couldn’t help the smile that curled her lips. This moment was surreal. She would never have dreamed of having her own Methian mount. Nothing would stop her now.

She slipped on a particularly slimy rock and scrambled. She caught herself, jarring her shoulder and cutting the bottom of her right foot. Mer kicked up her foot and stared at her bloody arch. Her brows furrowed in frustration. This was just what she needed.

The sun sank low as she limped her way toward the smoke trail curling in the sky, leaving behind the rocky inlet for the forest once again. They had to make it to the village before dark, or she would have serious problems. Shivers had begun to wrack her body as her damp dress clung uncomfortably to her skin.

The sky turned from orange to pink to periwinkle and then a dark blue.

Thefiileepressed closer to Mer’s left side, her left hand resting on silky soft fur. Mer found herself brushing her fingers through the beast’s coat as they maneuvered their way through the woods.

As the stars began to appear in the sky, Mer spotted a familiar constellation and adjusted their course. She almost wept in gratitude when she saw a fire in the distance. The trees thinned out until a small coastal village was revealed. Little stone houses dotted the main road, and the black sand beach stretched out to the north, waves crashing calmly against the shore.

Mer limped her way toward the large bonfire at the other end of the village, passing a few homes on the outskirts of town.She frowned at the blue paint swiped across their door. What the devil did that mean? Was it a sign? Or a Methian form of decorating?

Thefiileepressed her nose into Mer’s palm before loping back into the forest. Mer stared after the feline and then shrugged. She didn’t blame the beast for not wanting to deal with any more humans.

“I’ll see you soon,” she called. “I hope.”

It was an easy walk into town. Some lantern light filtered through curtains and windows in a few homes, but many were dark. Did the fishing village seek their beds so early? It seemed so.

The closer she got to the bonfire, the stronger the scent of something burnt became. She couldn’t put her finger on it. It wasn’t food, but something that made her stomach turn. Mer kept to the shadows, not sure how the people would take to a Sirenidae. She hovered near the porch of the house closest to the fire and blinked at the sight that greeted her.

There were Sirenidae here, and they were wearing face coverings.

She frowned.

So, this was where the king had sent her dowry.

A twinge of foreboding filled her as two humans carried a wrapped bundle between them. She swallowed hard as they tossed it into the fire.

Bodies.