Page 93

Three days since Mer had looked him in the eye.

And it bothered him. A lot.

He stepped back from the immense heat and wiped the sweat and ash from his brow, adjusting the scarf he’d wrapped over the bottom of his face. The Sirenidae healers had advised him to stay away, but how could he? The village needed more help and its people were suffering. He wouldn’t hide away in his coastal cottage when he could help.

“The sun is setting, my king,” a gruff fisherman by the name of Jodere said. “We have this handled. Please get some rest.”

Raziel nodded to Jodere. “Let me know if you need me to take a shift during the night.”

“I will.”

He walked away from the pyre, his skin itching to be free from his dirty, sweat soaked clothing. Raz pulled the scarf from his nose and smiled at those who bustled through the quiet village. A smile could do much for morale and the people needed it.

Winding his way through the town, he followed the sound of the waves. Raz popped out onto the black sand beach. He yanked his boots and socks off, stuffing them in the boots and picking them up. The sand stuck to the bottoms of his feet as he trudged his way to the cottage at the end of the cove.

The door still hadn’t been replaced. The large driftwood piece was set aside.

Mer was home.

He eyed the open doorway and sighed. Raziel didn’t think he could have an evening of strained silence. Plus, he needed a bath. Raz pushed past the little home to the back of some rocks that curved around the edge of the cove.

Dropping his boots in the dry sand, he took one last look at the cottage before shucking his clothes and striding into the surf. A sigh escaped him as the cool water washed over his calves, thighs, and then waist. He ran his hands over the top of the gentle waves, ignoring the ever-present fear that lurked in the back of his mind.

Just breathe.

The waves rocked him gently back and forth, his feet settling into the sand. Raziel inhaled measured breaths until the anxiety receded. He watched as the water changed colors into the evening. Colorful fish darted around in the clear water as if playing tag. Sea stars clung to the bright corals along the rocks while sea anemones waved like dancers with their hands flung to the heavens.

A cream spotted snake skittered next to his left foot and he almost jumped out of his skin, a curse flying from his lips before he cracked a smile. The sneaky little creature had perfectly camouflaged itself against the sand once again.

While he feared water in general, there was something hypnotic and almost magical about the ocean, the scenery always changing and new treasures to be discovered.

He brushed a dirty strand of hair from his face and grimaced. It needed a good scrub. He inhaled deeply and dove beneath the waves, cold water closing above his head. Raziel opened his eyes, the saltwater slightly burning his blurry vision. Roughly scrubbing his scalp, he eyed the water, looking for any murky shapes. The fishmen tended to gut and clean their fish in the area which attracted larger predators.

Like the leviathan.

A shudder went through him as he gave his hair another good scrub. Bath time was over.

A flicker of movement not twenty feet to his left caught his eye. He froze, fear rooting him in place. His eyes narrowed as he registered what it was. A foot. A silvery foot.

Mer.

Curiosity piqued, he swam over to the rock shelf, sending crabs scuttling into the cracks of the porous rocks. He grasped the rock, avoiding the coral and popped his head above the water. On the other side of the rocks was a small cove.

His wife burst through the water, throwing her head back, water flipping in an arc behind her. His breath caught as the sinking sun glimmered on the scales of her shoulder. She shone like the inside of a shell—all pinks, purples, peaches, and silvers.

Silver hair dripping down the back of her neck, she stood up with her back to him and slapped the water, releasing guttural screams that made his chest ache. Scream which spoke of frustration, pain, anger, and loss.

Things he could identify with.

She turned slightly so he could see her profile and in that moment, he was sure he had never seen anything so radiant. It was as if the sunset had been captured and formed into this magnificent creature.

He watched in fascination as her gills spurted water and then sealed shut, becoming almost invisible. Her eyes closed and she tipped her head back as if to calm herself. A huff to his left pulled his attention.

Feather was perched on the rock above him, her orange and white striped tail lazily swishing just above the water. Her gaze pierced him and a small prick of guilt hit. What was he doing? Watching his wife during something that was clearly private surely wouldn’t endear him to her.

He tried to back away but a large wave crashed into him, forcing his body forward and against a sharp piece of coral. Raziel hissed and jerked back, the right side of his ribs stinging.

Blood curled through the water from the small cut.