Page 59 of Fae Tithe (The Cursed Courts #1)

Helena’s face broke into a wide smile, and she felt tears of joy prick her eyes.

The map was stunning, a bird’s eye view of a smattering of islets and a single larger island, with Nautilus marked in between the two.

The paper was carefully inked in colours and each name of a location was written in Seeliespeak with swirling calligraphy.

One of those could be our new home, she mused.

That is exciting! Atlas exclaimed.

She turned her attention back to Lance. “It’s perfect. She will love it,” Helena gushed.

The High Prince grinned before carefully rolling it back up and securing it with the soft ribbon. “I have a present for you too.” He placed the map on the kitchen tabletop, and then his hands dived into another bag.

Lance removed the pale blue material from the sack, letting it unfurl from his hands. The Merman held it at arm’s length from his body.

Helena gasped.

A striking dress caught her eye. Delicate sleeves tapered into a fitted bodice, which hugged the waist, before flaring into an elegant skirt that fell just below the knee.

Along the hem, a ring of tiny dragons danced in mid-flight, each one intricately embroidered in shimmering gold thread.

Atlas gave a soft hum of approval at the sight of his kin immortalised in the silk.

“That is beautiful!” she enthused, standing and running her fingertips over the buttery-soft material. “Did you have this made for me? The Selkies again? It looks like it will fit too!”

“I know your body well for the sizing. It should fit perfectly. Yes, I commissioned the Selkie weavers to make this for you.” Lance nodded confidently. “I have more of a gift for you, but we will need to go outside.”

“Wait! I want to put this on,” Helena said, taking the dress from his offering hands and pressing it against her curves. “Thank you… but it’s not my birthday soon, what’s the occasion?”

“I remember you saying that sometimes you wished you had beautiful clothes to wear, and I thought that you deserve that,” Lance replied. “If you want to change, go do it now, and I will meet you outside.” He grinned, before pressing a soft peck to her lips.

Helena felt giddy as she watched her Merman step back into the warm night air.

She even gave a little twirl in the kitchen with the dress pressed to her, before giggling her way down the hallway to her room.

Helena tore the nightgown over her head.

She was about to reach for her underwear and strophium, but stopped herself.

She instead pulled the dress on, flush against her nude body.

The material was deliciously soft against her still tender skin.

She stepped in front of the mirror in her room, tarnished with salt air and age.

The Selkie-woven dress fit perfectly and accentuated her thick curves.

For the first time since returning home, Helena felt beautiful, despite the raised, red scars all over her.

The dress helped her with her confidence, and she was beginning to feel a little like herself once more.

Hopefully tonight is the night. She ran her brush through her hair.

Lance had been so sweet and gentle with her since her injuries, having gone no further than a stolen enthusiastic kiss or two. She ached for her Merman and craved more of his intimate touch. She clenched her thighs at the prospect of him filling her, excitement coiling in her belly.

For what? the Dragon asked, his curiosity peeked.

Helena swallowed and her cheeks burnt with embarrassment. Atlas, remember what I keep repeating to you?

Not all your thoughts are meant for me, he replied sweetly.

Helena had no idea how to broach this subject with the sometimes-na?ve Dragon. I will be needing privacy tonight, Atlas. Lance and I will be… She did not know what the correct language was here. … mating, hopefully. Helena cringed at the word, but she knew that her Dragon would understand.

Mating? Does this mean you will be creating more offspring? Atlas asked excitedly.

Helena flushed. No, no. Nothing like that, she replied hastily. I mean, one day, but not tonight. Tonight will be for fun. Lance and I will be… mating… to show how much we love each other and to reconnect.

Oh... A flash of disappointment came from the Dragon at the idea that there would be no more children in Helena’s immediate future. And for this, you need privacy?

Yes. Can you sleep? Maybe go into the mind garden we have been creating together? Helena practically begged.

Over the last couple of weeks, the woman and the Dragon had been constructing a place more pleasant than the white void of Helena’s mind to meet and spend time together in her dreams. Atlas had sent her fleeting images of parts of his home continent, Tierra.

She had begun, with his help, to visualise sweeping, raining forests and sapphire coastlines.

I will spend some time in our garden. Atlas huffed. I will give you some privacy.

Don’t be grumpy, Helena chided playfully. I told you I may need some time alone with Lance occasionally.

I am not grumpy. The Dragon laughed.

He sent an image across her mind of his long, spiked tail disappearing into the thick vegetation of the mind garden.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Helena double-checked her reflection, before making her way down the hallway, through the kitchen, and standing at the threshold of the door leading outside.

Helena’s heart raced with nervousness, excitement, and apprehension, all knotted up inside her. She placed a palm on her thundering chest, took a deep breath, and stepped into balmy night.

She grinned from the veranda at Lance’s silhouette against the bright light of the moon.

He cut a lean and handsome figure as he stood at the top of the steps carved into the cliffside.

Helena could not help but let out a dreamy sigh at the sight.

She toed on her sandals she kept outside the door and made her way over to her Merman.

Lance turned to Helena as she stopped beside him. His jaw dropped and his eyes sparked with desire. “I… uh. Wow. You look beautiful. I mean, you always look beautiful, but… wow. Gorgeous. Sweetheart, that dress is perfect on you,” he babbled. “And… Atlas?”

“He is giving us privacy,” Helena confirmed.

He took a step towards her. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead as he ran his hands from the middle of her shoulders and down the small of her back.

Lance’s hands finally landed on her ample ass, and he palmed there greedily.

Tingles shot down Helena’s limbs and her toes curled into the soles of her sandals as his body pressed against hers.

She felt the Merman’s distinct hardness press into her belly though their clothing and stifled a giggle.

“You are distracting me,” Lance groaned, peppering her head with kisses. “I have more of a surprise for you.” He pulled away from their embrace.

“Take a look.” He swept his hand towards the horizon.

Helena stepped forward and let out an excited gasp at what met her gaze.

“It’s so beautiful!” she exclaimed.