Page 13

Evelyn

I should have warned Kai before we entered the men’s hut.

What was I thinking? This type of occurrence is so routine, happening several times a day, that I didn’t even think to prepare him.

After witnessing it for so many years, it’s normal, but I should have thought about how different this might be for him.

I could feel his embarrassment and hesitation at the scene, and while we navigate through the hut, I can’t help but wonder if he’s ever experienced being with more than one partner at a time.

It’s quite common here to have multiple lovers simultaneously, but the city he comes from seems so rigid .

They probably wouldn’t understand our way of life.

Many of the men who come from Halvendor have mentioned various rules about making love with strangers in their kingdom. A part of me can’t help but wonder if there is any wisdom to their way of intimacy on the mainland.

As we weave our way down the hall, Mathius comes out of his room to greet us.

He has been on the island for as long as I can remember, and while he’s not exactly human, he seems to come from the same part of the world as the sailors, and they all follow the rules he’s put in place without question.

He cuts a stark figure, taking up the majority of the door frame, towering several inches above Kai.

After a moment of introductions, I graze Kai’s hand with my own, a soft and deliberate touch anchoring me to the reality of his presence. He’s warm and solid, and for now, mine and mine alone.

The Elders have always been strict about following our rituals with newcomers, for our safety and theirs.

These poor sailors have only heard horrid tales about us, and we can’t have them darting back into the churning sea, terror-stricken by the mistaken belief that we are monsters determined to drag them to their watery graves.

So, as per tradition, all newcomers must meet the Elders before participating in the weekly Elder flower cleansing ritual, and then meet the rest of the residents of the island.

Normally, the cleansing ritual would be tonight at dusk, but since Kai has just arrived and is still healing from his injuries, I will request moving it to tomorrow.

I know that is what Florence and the other Elders want to discuss with me.

The cleansing is a sacred piece of our life with the sailors here, a necessity for them to survive, or at least that’s what I’ve always been told.

Typically, during these rituals, the men finally begin to relax, letting their guards down, and surrender to all the island has to offer, including us sirens.

After each cleanse, there is a celebration, which—if I can convince them—will likely be moved to tomorrow evening.

During the celebration, the entire island erupts into an orgy, indulging in their most carnal impulses.

At one time, I eagerly awaited the weekly Elder flower ritual, but I’ve long since found no joy in it, much to Katarina’s dismay.

But I suppose if Kai wanted to try… No. I shut the thought down as soon as it comes. I want him all to myself. I can give him private lessons on anything he might see during the post-cleanse celebration tomorrow evening in the privacy of his room, far from the other siren's hungry eyes.

Kai is something new and so different from the other men on the island. A kind and alluring man like Kai is sure to ignite a wanting in my siren sisters. They will see a sweet new flavor to try, and they won’t be able to keep their hands off him, which is why I need to relish these moments.

I’m determined to savor every lingering glance, every heated kiss, and every whisper of affection for as long as I can. Time is short, and I must go speak with the Elders before the ceremony tomorrow, including Florence.

Looking back at Kai, I let out a heavy sigh, happy to simply enjoy the view of his perfectly sculpted ass and broad shoulders for now.

The very thought of him mingling with my sisters causes a fierce protectiveness to surge within me. No part of me wants to let Kai go through all this. What if he meets my sisters and chooses someone else's bed? I won’t let that happen.

My mind wanders back to our journey to the village and the way he feasted on me like a man who’s never had a meal. The way his lips felt pressed against mine still sends a tingle across my skin. I touch my lips, remembering the feel of his cock in my mouth and his seed spilling down my throat.

It makes me want to pull him into his new room and continue what we started in the forest. I’ve never wanted someone to take me in such a way, never wanted to explore my need so deeply with only one person.

While having multiple partners was common here, we’ve been told by the men that it’s not where they’re from.

Although all of the humans I’ve met thus far seem happy with this change of standards, which makes me think that Kai could be convinced as well.

Yet, even just the thought of him with another siren makes my stomach churn.

A wave of possessiveness surges through me. I want him to be only mine and mine alone, and I will do whatever I can to ensure he only wants me in return.

His priority is finding his brother. He has made that clear, but perhaps while we search, we can explore a few fantasies along the way. Besides, who knows if his brother is even on this island, and it’s not like the men can go anywhere, so we have plenty of time to find him if he is here.

I clench my jaw at the thought, because I still haven’t told Kai that he can’t leave, even if he does find his brother. The time just hasn’t been right, but I will tell him when he needs to know.

For now, I follow him as Mathius provides Kai introductions to the few men who are not currently engrossed in other activities. None of them are Kai’s brother, and Mathius leads us to a private room that is to be Kai’s quarters.

Each of the men has their own rooms within the expansive hut, though they don’t tend to spend much time in those spaces. Still it's a comfort that we try to provide them—something to give them a small semblance of peace since they are trapped here with us.

We turn down another narrow hallway and I gently push open the wooden door at its end to reveal a modestly sized room.

Dominating the space is a large, inviting bed, elevated by a carved wooden frame and draped with a quilted blanket that adds warmth to the room.

At the foot of the bed is a sturdy trunk, its surface weathered with age, and in the far corner stands a wash basin made from a large clam shell, already filled with fresh water.

The walls are made of straw, and the wooden floors make the space seem cozier.

A delicate flowering vine creeps its way inside his room from the small window above the wash basin and several woven rugs litter the floor.

I can see his eyes taking in the room with utter fascination. He mentioned that where he comes from in his— what was the word again— province. It is more of a city, full of buildings and people, and I can only imagine what his quarters in his home there look like.

The island provides most everything that we need, and what it doesn’t, we scavenge from the wrecks that the storm brings our way. While it isn’t the lavish life Kai is probably used to being the son of a wealthy leader—it’s home. Our home. He just doesn’t know it yet.

We all work together as a community to keep the village running, so anything extra he might need can be found in the heart of our beachside huts.

Kai walks around the room, looking astonished.

“I know it’s probably not what you’re used to, but I hope it will work for you,” I say, feeling a little self-conscious of our humble homes.

“This is perfect, and very generous. All one needs, to be honest.” He says, staring longingly at the bed. He must be exhausted—getting caught in the storm, almost bleeding to death, feasting on me, and then me returning the sentiment, and walking several miles across the island.

Shooting a glance down the hall and making sure no one is around, I blurt out.

“I guess you must be pretty exhausted. You probably want to wash up and get some rest. Dinner is in a few hours, and I can come get you beforehand. There should be spare clothes in the trunk, and I’ll just leave you to it. ”

Turning sharply towards the door, I feel like I should leave the room. The air grows thick, and I feel like I can’t breathe.

Kai grasps my wrist as I take a step to leave and pulls me round to face him.

“Or you could stay and tell me more about what to expect from the others at dinner. Will there be another performance with our meal like the one in the front room? Dinner and a show?” He smirks, and my entire body relaxes.

I am not ready to show him off to the rest of the girls, but I know he has to come to our nightly meal. It’s tradition. If I can steal another few more moments with just the two of us, I certainly will.

I laugh, “No show. Just dinner and then the cleansing ceremony tomorrow morning.” He raises a brow, and I quickly add, “It’s fun, trust me.

You will get to meet all of the other sirens more…

intimately. They’re just as beautiful as Katerina and even more open about their appetites.

I’m sure you could find a few to share your evening with. ”

Why did I just say that? What is wrong with me?

I don’t want him to find someone else to share his evening with.

I want him to share it with me. I can’t stop thinking about how much I want to push him onto this bed and take every ounce of satisfaction I can muster from him before falling asleep wrapped in his arms.

Kai releases my wrist and moves to grip my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. “I am not interested in spending the night with anyone,” he whispers. “Except you.”