Page 8

Chapter Seven

We go to the first place I can think of—Halia’s cabin. It’s on the border of the Mermaid Kingdom, and nowhere anyone besides Halia would think to look for us. It’s my safe place.

She won’t mind me being here. We use this place for our monthly girls’ night catch-up, and it’s magically warded to let me in.

“Wait here. Let me make sure it’s safe,” he says, stepping in first.

I’m confused as to how he could go in without me. He shouldn’t be able to.

“Are the wards down?” I ask, frowning.

He comes back and holds out his hand. “Come on, it’s safe. The wards are up. They usually don’t work on me. It’s the most useful magic that I have.”

“That’s pretty cool,” I admit.

Wards can’t hold him? I’d love to have that gift.

We step inside, and he glances around again, taking in the small kitchen, peach-colored leather couch, and a dining table that seats four. A door leads to the bedroom and the bathroom with a bathtub attached to it. It’s the perfect hideout, except for the fact that there’s only one bed.

I didn’t think about that when I brought us here.

“Where are we?” he asks in a deep, husky rumble.

He’s tall—much taller than I ever realized. His gaze is gentle as he stares down at me, so different from the other males I have been with. There is a strength to him, a calming presence that steadies me in a way I didn’t know I needed. As someone who can be anxious at times, it’s comforting to be around that kind of energy and soak it in.

“Shelly, in the Mermaid Kingdom. It’s my friend’s cabin,” I say, sitting on the couch while August stares out the kitchen window. He seems captivated by the ocean views, and I know how he feels. It’s stunning here, with blue skies and water as far as the eye can see. Behind us are lush green cliffs and a small town in the center. Shelly is the smallest capital city in all eight kingdoms, which makes sense, considering they spend most of their time in the water.

“I’ve always wanted to come here,” he admits, turning around and licking his lips. I realize he must be hungry.

“Help yourself to anything you need. I’ll get us some food while you have a bath,” I offer.

He glances down at his clothing and winces. His shirt is torn, showing off most of his muscled back.

“I’ll go grab you some clothes too. There are clean towels in the bathroom.”

He nods, walking forward and stopping in front of me. “Thank you.”

“I shouldn’t have brought you there in the first place,” I admit, swallowing hard. “I’m sorry, August. I betrayed you by doing what I did. Just know, nothing like that will ever happen again.”

He smiles, and a curl falls across his forehead.

Fuck. He’s spectacular.

“I’m loyal to you now, Milana,” he states, lifting my chin in his fingers. “What’s a little drugging and kidnapping between mates?”

My lip twitches, and I raise my hand to touch his. “Don’t forget locking me in your bedroom.”

“Are we keeping score now?” he teases, and I poke my tongue out at him.

His eyes darken, and his gaze lowers to my mouth before the pad of his thumb brushes across my lower lip. “I’ll go get cleaned up.” He lets go of me, and I miss his touch instantly. How long has it been since I’ve been with a male? A year, at least. I’m not a virgin, far from it, and I hope he doesn’t expect I am. From what I’ve gathered, I’m a lot older than him—not that it matters so much when we live so long.

I zip away to get August everything he needs, picking up some fresh clothes, a toothbrush, and some food. I’m placing the items on the bed when the door opens, and he enters wearing nothing but a towel wrapped low around his hips.

Wow. Hard, corded muscles stare back at me. His body is lean and muscular, his six-pack making my mouth water. He has a trail of dark hair that disappears beneath the towel, drawing my attention lower. His V points toward what I know is going to be a prize by the way it’s pushing up against the material.

Thank you, fates.

He has no ink, only smooth, tanned skin. He clears his throat, and my eyes snap up to his amused ones. “You had your fill?”

I look away and can feel my cheeks heat as he laughs a deep, melodic sound that sends a shiver down my spine. He runs his thumb across the rough shadow of stubble on his cheek as he steps forward, a few droplets from his damp hair trailing down his chest.

I want to lick them.

“Milana, if you keep looking at me like that…” he growls, reaching behind me to pick up one of the tunics I got him. His bicep touches my shoulder, and I clear my throat, stepping aside to give him a little space.

“You didn’t have to get me anything, you know? I could have gone myself,” he says, holding the material.

I look over his perfect naked form. “August, you’ve been tortured, half-starved, and left to sleep in the dirt for days. Please, let me do this for you. It’s the least I can do. I’m the reason you were down there in the first place.”

“We’re letting that go, remember?” He flashes me a smile I’m sure has caused many panties to drop in the past.

“I’ll let you get dressed,” I manage to get out, closing the door behind me to start cooking.

When he’s fully dressed, he steps out and sits at the table while I place a thick, juicy steak, some potatoes, salad, and a glass of ale in front of him.

“Thank you,” he rasps, keeping his eyes on me as he takes his first bite. “You made this? It’s delicious.”

I shrug. My father ensured I was raised to be a good wife. I’m a great cook, I keep a tidy house, and I know how to plan and host events. He didn’t want me to learn how to fight, and I’ve always hated that. I never wanted to be weak, and I pushed to get involved in the rebellion, but looking back, I think it was for more of his time and approval than anything else. I wanted to feel useful. I didn’t want to be a pretty toy waiting to be picked up.

“So, what now?” he asks, sipping his ale. “I need to let my friends know that I’m safe. Will Rion try and look for you? I’m not going to let anything happen to you. You know that, right?”

I do.

“Yeah, he will be looking for me. He would have told everyone about what I did by now,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “He won’t find us here, though, and Halia won’t tell him where we are.”

“The Mermaid Princess?” he asks, eyebrows raising.

I nod. “Yeah, she’s kind of my only friend. At least now that Vera…” I trail off, not wanting to bring that whole Vale thing up again. I already feel bad enough knowing that Vera lied about Rave abusing him. I was manipulated by her, and now I feel like an idiot. I thought I was helping and doing the right thing for a friend, for another woman, but I was being manipulated. “We can trust her.”

We finish the rest of our meal in silence, and August cleans up before I stand to do so. I go to the bathroom to wash up and change into some of Halia’s spare clothes, which she leaves here. Now we’re safe and out of fight-or-flight mode, my mind starts to wonder what the hell will happen next.

Leaving the bathroom and entering the bedroom, I stare at the bed. Lifting my head, I notice August standing in the other open door, doing the same.

“I can sleep on the floor,” he quickly suggests, rubbing the back of his neck and glancing up at me with a lopsided smile, giving him an almost boyish look.

“I can take the couch,” I suggest instead, knowing there’s no way his large frame will fit.

“Milana, that’s not happening.” He shakes his head, pulling the sheets back on the bed before turning and lifting me in his arms. With a soft squeal, I hold onto his shoulders while his big hands land on my hips. He gently places me on the bed and then kisses my head.

I hesitate before offering, “The bed is huge. There’s no reason for you to sleep on the floor, especially after how you’ve spent the last few nights.”

His eyes flicker. “Are you sure?”

I nod and slide over on the mattress.

Wisps of golden magic slice through the air, an awkward reminder of who we are to each other.

Of what’s on the line.

August slides into bed, pulling the blanket over us and tucking me in.

My heart races, and my nipples pebble.

I’m on the run from the people I thought I belonged with, turned on, and in bed with my mate.

What can go wrong?