Page 83 of A Warrior's Heart

“I thought Triton destroyed them all,” I said, worry bubbling in my gut.

“He destroyed many of them, yes, but not all. He cast out the sirens long ago for joining forces with the dark mages, yet they, by definition, are creatures of the sea. Their actions reflect on my father. If it’s true and theyareattacking humans, the treaty stands no more.”

Malik squared his jaw. “So the treaty is broken by the sea, and James gets to play the hero as he fights against us.”

“Yes,” Lorcan answered in a lifeless tone. His eyes looked that way too. “The sirens have been known to attack sailors in the past, but it’s been close to a hundred years since there’s been an incident. I can’t help but feel James had a role to play in this. He’s been testing the barriers of the treaty since he came into power, and now as he searches for a weapon that can kill my father, the sirens come out of hiding and start attacking humans again? It’s too coincidental.”

“The fisherman was right about one thing,” Malik said, eyeing the sky where lightning lit up the clouds in the distance. A rolling rumble of thunder soon followed. “Sailing tonight is unwise. We should wait for morning.”

Because of Kellan’s past in Whitebridge, everyone took turns keeping watch all throughout the night, making sure there weren’t any attempted attacks on the ship. When it was my turn to sleep, I cuddled against Malik’s chest and tightly closed my eyes, trying to distance my mind from the chaos of the storm.

And then Malik kissed me.

I groaned and returned the kiss, pushing my tongue into his mouth as I got on top of him. His hands rested on my hips, and he squeezed the globes of my ass. He kissed me so hard I thought my lips would bruise from it.

Getting lost in his touch was the perfect distraction.

He tugged down my trousers, then did the same to his, and simultaneously stroked both of our cocks. I whimpered against his kiss-swollen lips as the sensation of his cock and hand sent me over the edge.

Exhaustion took me over, and my eyes closed.

I dreamed of stormy waters and tall waves that swallowed ships whole. But I didn’t fear the storm. I didn’t fear anything with Malik’s arms around me.

He brought my soul peace.

Chapter Seventeen

Malik

“You seem more yourself today,” I told Lorcan as we stood near the bow. Two days had passed since we’d left Whitebridge. Dark circles remained beneath his eyes, but his strength had returned.

“I feel more like myself,” he responded. With the wind in his silver hair and the sun shining in his eyes, he resembled his father more than ever. Or perhaps the resemblance came more from the fire burning inside him, one that refused to be snuffed out. “Troy cannot keep his hands off you, can he?”

Hearing Troy’s name brought an instant smile to my face. “Nor I him.”

“Have you bedded him yet?”

“No.”

The prince arched a brow. “Why wait? Is he afraid?”

“No, he’s not afraid. Not anymore.” I followed his gaze upward as birds passed overhead. They were flying south, migrating before winter came. “He wishes for our first time to be in the sea.”

Lorcan nodded. “That sounds like him. The sea is where he’s most comfortable.”

Merfolk had no shame in sex. We were open about such things. Where a human might’ve thought it strange to be having a discussion such as ours, it was common for us, for our people.

“Sir!” Nereus called from behind me, his steps heavy on the deck as he charged toward us. “Ervin has spotted men in the water! They’re following our ship.”

“In the water?” I put a hand to my dagger. “People from Avalontis?”

“I believe so.” Nereus’ fingers wrapped around the hilt of his sword. “Yet, I know not which side they hold allegiance to.”

“Stay behind me,” I told Lorcan. He didn’t listen of course. His priority was going to his mate.

Ervin jumped down from the crow’s nest and stood in front of me. His hood was up, and the lower half of his face was covered as usual. Only his blue eyes showed. “I counted five of them.”

We advanced toward the middle of the ship where the others waited. Eva stood beside Kellan, and Fletcher was absent. I was sure Kellan told him to go to their cabin. Reif faced port side where the men had reached us and would climb aboard any moment. Troy held his bow, an arrow at the ready. Lorcan pulled two small blades from his pouch, one in each hand as he stood back-to-back with Alek. Nereus drew his sword, and Shar moved to his side.