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The stone house was one rectangular room with a loft above. The fireplace was directly across from the door. A simple kitchen lay to the right with an old circular table and two well-used chairs. And to the left was a small tub with actual warm water fed from the hot springs. In the corner between the fireplace and the tub was a rustic bed made from driftwood.

It was perfect.

Mer padded over to the tub and turned the water on, running her fingers underneath until it reached the right temperature. She smiled as she spied a plate on the small counter. Bread, cheese, and smoked fish. Her stomach rumbled as she popped some salted fish into her mouth, followed by a chunk of creamy cheese.

She’d have to thank Isla somehow. The woman was in charge of caring for the Sirenidae, and she was a force to be reckoned with. Mer tore a chunk of heavy bread away from the crusty loaf and munched on it. Once finished, she dusted her hands off on her ratty skirt and sauntered over to the bathtub, turning the water off.

Peeling her soiled clothes off, she tossed them to the ground and sank into the water. She released a groan as the warm water caressed her skin and loosened her muscles. This was one of the human comforts she could get used to.

Her eyelids slowly slid shut, and she leaned her head against the edge of the tub. Over the last five days, she’d been cursingherself for not going back to the palace. Not because she didn’t want to help but because she was stuck here. Sure, she had wanted to visit this area and gather more information on Ceto. But no one wanted to talk about old legends when they were fighting for their lives or bone-tired from trying to save lives.

In fact, she’d been so busy over the past few days that as soon as she lay down, she slept deeply. Which was unfortunate because then she was stuck in the nightmares.

Her eyes popped open at the mumble of voices outside. Mer sat up and clenched the edges of the tub. Her breaths came fast, and her eyes landed on her pillow where she’d hidden a blade. Nudity had never been an issue before, but after Keventin’s attack, it had changed something inside her. She stood just as the door swung open. Mer dropped back down into the tub.

“Thank you so much for your hospitality,” Raziel’s deep voice said.

She shrank even farther into the basin when he stepped inside. His head hung low as he shut the door and leaned back against it, closing his eyes.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded.

The king’s eyes snapped open, all traces of weariness gone. “I thought it was obvious. Going to bed.”

Mer glared at him over the rim of the tub. “That is my bed and this is my home.”

He smirked at her. “And you are my wife, so whatever is yours is also mine.”

The audacity. He pulled his boots and socks off, tossing them by the front door like he owned the place. She gaped at his broad back as he explored the kitchen and even took some of her bread.

“You’re not welcome here,” she hissed.

“Clearly.” He took another bite of the bread. “But as there is no other place to stay, and we are married, this is where I will sleep until it’s safe for us to leave.”

“No.”

“You have no choice.” He sighed, walking over to the fire, completely dismissing her.

She shook as he warmed his hands and then moved to the head of the bed, plumping one of the pillows.

“Don’t you dare.”

Raziel met her gaze, his silver eyes hard. “You put me in this situation. If you hadn’t run away, I wouldn’t have had to look for you.”

“I didn’t ask you to.”

“No, you didn’t, but as your husband, it didn’t feel right doing nothing when you could be dead or dying somewhere. What the blazes were you thinking when you tried to claim a bloodyfiileewith no training?”

Mer started to tremble. “That you’d trapped me, and I was tired of being a prisoner. I am a daughter of the sea, not some maiden you can lock in your bedroom for your pleasure.”

He barked out a laugh. “Pleasure? What pleasure is there, Mer?” He moved to the end of the bed and yanked the collar of his shirt down to reveal the scar she’d given him. “Was it when you tried to cut my throat? Or the other time when you tried to tear it out with your bare teeth? How about the time you made a mockery of my court by wearing curtains to your welcoming banquet? Or when you accused me of murdering your husband?”

She trembled harder as he stepped between the tub and the door. Her breath became thready. “Stop.” He was too close. She couldn’t breathe.

He took another step closer. “Stop telling the truth? No. It’s clear neither one of us wanted this marriage, but we had no choice. I have tried to make you comfortable, and all you have done is literally stab me. I will no longer make your life easy. I have lied for you, protected you, and made excuses for you.No more, especially after what happened in Laos.” He loomed closer. “But what I can’t forgive is your actions with Duke Keventin. You knew he was important, and you undermined me by trying to kill him in broad daylight?”

Not safe. Not safe. Not safe.

Mer snapped, her reality blurring when he came closer.