Page 9 of Fionn (Starlight Mermen #1 | Starlight Alien Mail Order Brides #7)

Elise

T he wooden screen was completely solid.

I'd hoped for a lattice of sorts that would allow a peek, or a fabric screen that could suggest the outline of the person on the other side.Instead, all I had was polished wood, tall enough that even if I leaned back in my chair and craned my neck, I couldn’t catch so much as a shadow.

I smoothed my hands over the tablecloth, pretending calm, though my heart was thudding like a drum. What was I doing here? Dinner with strangers whose faces I couldn’t see, whose names I didn’t even know yet. It felt halfway between a reality TV stunt and a very strange speed-dating event.

“Good evening,” a male voice said, deeper than I expected, with a strange rhythm to the words. “You must be Elise.”

“Yes,” I replied, relieved my voice didn’t squeak. “And you are…?”

Before he could answer, another voice cut in, sharp and commanding. “I am Kelon. It is an honour for you to dine with us.”

The confidence in his tone made me sit straighter. Whoever Kelon was, he clearly thought very highly of himself.

“An honour?” I repeated, letting a little humour slip into my voice. “Well, that depends on how good your table manners are.”

There was a cough, possibly a laugh, from another male voice, quickly stifled. I bit back my own smile. Someone over there appreciated sarcasm, at least.

I didn't know what to say. Without seeing them, or their reactions, it was hard to hold a conversation. I took a few spoonfuls of soup instead. Fish soup with a fine note of lemongrass. Delicious.

If they were also enjoying the multitude of dishes arranged on the table, I couldn't hear any evidence of it.

This was awkward. To cross the silence, I asked, "Who else is there besides Kelon?"

"RainseArken-Clutch of Eynhallow," a melodious voice said from the left.

Someone else hissed something I couldn't understand.

"That is an unusual name, Rainse."

"It is to your ears," he chuckled. "Next to me are my brothers, Cerban and-"

"Fionn."

It was the man who'd cough-laughed. His voice was dark velvet on a warm summer's night. It had been just one word, just his name, but I already knew that I would listen to him read the phone book.

"Yes, yes," Kelon interjected. "Let me tell you more about myself..."

Kelon launched into conversation without pause.

He spoke about wealth, influence, his family’s holdings - things that felt like a cross between a job interview and a sales pitch.

I made polite noises, but my gaze drifted to the solid screen, willing it to become transparent.

I wanted to see the other men. Specifically, the one with the beautiful voice.

In a rare moment of silence, I was quick to ask another question in the hope that Kelon would shut up.

"Thanks, Kelon, that's a lot of information. But what do you like to do in your free time? Maybe the others could respond first."

Velvet-voice - no, Fionn - chuckled again. “I like the sea,” he said before Kelon could start another monologue. "Not just to swim in it, but to feel it. The salt, the spray, the sound of waves against rock. It reminds me I am alive.”

The words stopped me mid-bite. I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. That wasn’t the kind of answer you rehearsed. That was real.

“That,” I said quietly, before I could overthink it, “I understand.”

"I like to swim, too," Rainse muttered, but it was without the passion Fion had shown.

"All of us do." That was the third brother, Cerban. He laughed and the others joined him. I didn't quite get the joke. So they all liked to swim, so what.

"Tell us more about yourself," Fionn asked softly.

"I don't know where to start. Until yesterday, I would have told you that I swim for Britain. I'm on the national team. I was going to compete in the Olympics, but... Anyway. I don't. Not anymore."

"You no longer swim?" It was Fionn again, sounding sad for some reason.

"I... I don't know. I won't be competing. That was my life.Training every day, long hours in the pool and the gym. I'm not sure I remember the last time I went swimming for the joy of it. It's been about times and technique for so long..."

I stopped before I sounded melodramatic. A deep sadness washed over me. When had I lost finding pleasure in swimming? It used to be my refuge. Underwater, I could think. Peace and quiet. But then it became all about performance.

I suddenly wanted to run out of the building and into the sea, swim in the warm ocean, see what it was like. Reclaim the joy I'd lost. But I was in the middle of a strange first date with four men I couldn't even see. It was ridiculous.

Kelon's raspy voice cut through my thoughts. "As I was saying, I will be able to offer you whatever you want. A pet, your own private island, all the pearls in the ocean-"

He was back to his sales pitch. I had zero interest in the guy.

It didn't matter how attractive he may be beyond the screen.

I didn't like how self-obsessed and pompous he was.

He didn't realise though. He kept talking without pause.

I let it wash over me and focused on the food again.

One dish in particular was so delicious that I made a mental note to ask the chef for the recipe.

Some kind of white fish with spicy pineapple and pok choi.

I could have eaten a second bowl of it, if I hadn't been so full already.

And I hadn't even touched the four little desserts to my right.

"What's your favourite food?" I asked when Kelon stopped to have a drink.

I'd hoped one of the other men would reply, but Kelon was faster.

"Fish."

For his standards, that was an extremely short answer. I expected him to add something about gold leaf and pearl dust, just to emphasise how rich he was, but he refrained from elaborating.

"Fish," Rainse echoed. I could hear the smile in his voice.

Cerban chuckled. "Fish. If you hadn't already guessed it."

Fionn took a while to answer. "You wouldn't know the dish I'm thinking of, but one day, I hope to cook it for you."

Aww. If his cooking was as delicious as his velvety voice, I would devour it.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Paul, the island's manager, approach.

This dinner was getting a little awkward.

Maybe he'd remove the screen now so I could finally see the men opposite me.

But he simply asked if we had everything we needed.

Kelon asked for more wine. I hadn't even touched mine, sticking with fruit juice instead. I wanted a clear head for this.

Paul bent down and asked softly, "Are you okay, miss? If you want to end this meal, just let me know and I'll take you to your suite."

My suite. I hadn't even had the chance to unpack yet or look around the resort.

Paul had collected me at the airstrip and driven me to this building in a little red golf-cart.

I'd not seen any cars on the island, only a few motorbikes.

Tomorrow, I would ask for a tour. And now, I really wanted to go for a swim.

"Actually, I think I'm done," I whispered back. "I'm quite tired from the long flight."

He smiled with understanding, then moved to the other side of the screen.

"If the gentlemen have finished their meal, the agency has prepared a film for you to watch. You will be able to meet Elise and the other ladies again tomorrow."

Kelon made a snorting sound. "I don't get to see her? I thought you'd remove the screen after we've eaten."

"No, the screen will stay in place until I am told otherwise by the agency. Please wait here while I escort Elise to her rooms. I will have a bottle of wine sent to your villa."

Kelon protested, but Paul ignored him without seeming impolite. I admired him for that. He must be used to dealing with difficult guests all the time.

I followed Paul out of the room, glancing back at the screen one last time in the hope that one of the guys might give me a glimpse of themselves. But no, they stayed sitting where they were. An enigma. I smiled to myself. I kind of liked the excitement and mystery of it all.

My suite was in a large building just opposite.

I had a bedroom with a massive four-poster bed with dainty white curtains, a huge bathroom with a clawfoot bathtub big enough for two people, a bright sitting room with a small kitchenette area - I doubted I'd need that considering how good the food had been - and a veranda with an uninterrupted view of the ocean.

A hammock stretched between two palm trees just beyond, inviting me to read and relax.

"It's beautiful," I told Paul. "I still can't quite believe I'm here."

He smiled politely. "We are very lucky to live and work here.

Tomorrow, more women will arrive who will also stay in this building.

We thought you might enjoy each other's company.

There is an indoor pool, a library, a games room and a breakfast lounge.

There are no set meal times so just turn up any time you're hungry.

We also have room service, there's a button in every room. "

"Thanks." I was a little overwhelmed. I'd never stayed in a place like this.

The hotels my trainer had booked for competitions and training had always been basic.

Swimming was a sport that didn't have the same funding as football or rugby, where the athletes were housed in much more luxurious accommodation.

Not that I'd minded. It had given me the opportunity to travel and do what I was best at. Swimming.

As soon as Paul had left, I rummaged through my bags for my swimsuit. The sun hadn't quite set yet and the air was still warm. After sitting for hours on a plane, I needed to stretch my muscles. I grabbed a towel and headed straight for the beach.