Page 15

Evelyn

W aves crash, the white caps crest higher and higher with each lull of the tide. A crack of lightning off in the distance. Sand under my feet. I look around and try to place exactly where I am.

“My dear, I've been looking for you everywhere.”

A woman with long blonde hair and teal scales walks along the shoreline, wrapping her arms around a man's waist. He turns to face her, capturing her in his arms, and his face is alight with pure love and affection for this woman.

Why does she feel so familiar? Who is she? Do I know him?

“I’ve been right here the whole time. Watching.” He smiles big and full-toothed, and it brightens the world around him. But I can’t see his face, because it’s somehow blurred from my view.

“You have to stop obsessing. It’s just a storm cloud, it will leave.” She says to him, planting a kiss on his cheek and reaching up to muss his hair.

He catches the woman's wrist as she continues to chip away at his carefully constructed exterior, and he kisses the top of her hand, the inside of her wrist, up her arm, and her lips. His arms squeeze her closer, and he whispers something in her ear that sends her into a fit of giggles.

Releasing her from his grasp, the woman turns to look at the lone storm cloud off in the distance and then up at the clear blue sky above her. She’s radiant, full of so much love for this man, and she seems so happy.

Something tugs at the back of my mind, and I can feel the edges of my consciousness stirring to life, but I can’t wake up. Not before I figure out who this woman is.

I take a hesitant step towards them, determined to get a closer look, when suddenly she turns toward me and I can see her round, heavily pregnant belly.

I know exactly who she is.

I wake with a start, forgetting where I am. The dream felt so real, like I was there, almost like a memory. The images of the dream start to fade quickly.

Feeling the cage of Kai’s arms around me helps my racing heart, but the feeling of unease is still sitting on my chest. It had to have been Aurelia, my mother, but who was that man? Was he my father?

Her eyes, the curve of her nose, that shining hair. She is what I always imagined my mother to look like. My mind is playing tricks on me, conjuring up fairy tales even when I’m sleeping.

But it felt so real.

Blinking awake, I realize that we’ve slept most of the day away. The sun is low in the sky, it’s now late afternoon, and there are more important things to deal with than some strange dream, even if it felt so real.

A rustling from Kai jars me from my thoughts as I feel his naked chest press into my back and something else that seems eager and wanting.

“Kai, we have to go. It has to be almost dinner time, and you have to meet the others.”

“Dinner can wait, surely,” he groans while rolling his hips into me.

“Fine,” I rumble. “Dinner can wait.”

Immediately laying me on my back, Kai kisses my lips like it’s been days, not hours.

He lazily makes his way down my body, sending shivers down my spine.

He makes it to the center of the thighs and starts to kiss up each thigh gingerly, intimately.

His hand grazes the inside of my leg, and then he eases one finger into my center.

I gasp at the sensation. He begins thrusting in and out while kissing my clit.

What a way to wake up, am I right?

He adds another finger and arches them inside me.

With no warning, he nips my clit and I scream feeling my orgasm shoot through me.

The feelings of pleasure crest through me, and I’m seeing spots dance behind my eyelids as he continues with his fingers.

Languidly, he pulls them out and looks at me with his dark, jeweled gaze before he sticks them in his mouth and licks off my arousal.

“Your so fucking addicting,” He purrs. “Who needs dinner when I can have your sweet wet pussy instead?”

I glide my fingers through his luscious curls and tug slightly. A moan escapes him, and he kisses between the apex of my thighs one last time before coming up, his mouth meeting my waiting lips.

He wraps his arms around me, cradling me to his chest, and plants a kiss atop my head, drawing lazy circles along my back, and I sigh contentedly. I haven’t felt this at peace in a long time.

“These scales are so soft. I can’t stop touching you.” He says sleepily. “I thought they would be rough, but they’re so smooth and cool. They’re breathtaking. You are breathtaking.”

He yawns, and soon after, I hear his light snores begin, and decide now is the perfect opportunity to go and talk with the Elders.

Soundlessly, I slide out from Kai’s arms and plant my feet delicately on the floor. I turn to look over my shoulder, making sure I haven’t woken him. His golden curls have fallen into his face for the hundredth time, and he looks so relaxed, so serene, like he’s right where he should be.

Resisting the urge to sweep the hair from his face, I gather my clothes and tie the strings of my top as I mentally prepare for tomorrow's events.

What I need first is to speak with Florence and explain where I’ve been the last day and a half. Then I need to talk to the other Elders about the cleansing ceremony and have them check on Kai’s still healing wounds.

I make a mental note to be more gentle next time we’re in bed together.

Next time.

I’m already planning a next time, planning our future, and I’ve only just met this man. Am I out of my mind? I touch my fingers to my lips and remember the feel of his mouth devouring mine.

Stealing one final glance at Kai’s sleeping form, I open the door as quietly as possible and sneak back out into reality.

I find the Elders in their hut deep in discussions, heads huddled together and whispering in each other's ears with looks of concern etched across each of their faces. Cautiously, I clear my throat to acknowledge my presence, not wanting to seem like I’m eavesdropping on their heated conversation, even as curiosity has me wishing I hadn’t revealed myself so soon.

“Evelyn, my dear, where is that new sailor? The ceremony will begin this evening. We need to see him now and make sure he’s prepared to participate in the cleansing ritual,” Florence says, making her way towards me and sweeping me in one of her bone-crushing hugs.

Although I’ve been around for one hundred and twenty-seven years, I’m still just a child in her eyes. She holds me in her arms and kisses the side of my head. I squeeze her just as tightly before letting my arms drop and nod to all of the additional Elders in the room.

“He’s sleeping in the men’s hut.” I say, “He sustained several injuries from the ship wreck, and I left him to rest and recover.

I would hate to wake him now, mistresses.

But I can ensure he is ready bright and early tomorrow morning if you will allow.

" My voice wavers slightly as I’m unsure if the Elders will move the ceremony.

After a brief shared look between them, they nod in unison. I nearly sigh in relief, internally squealing in delight to have the rest of today and the entire evening with Kai all to myself.

“We still have things to discuss, young lady. You’re not getting out of telling me all about what happened with that boy.” Florence jokingly scolds, “Walk with me.”

“Yes, Flo,” I say, bowing to the other three Elders, looking each one in the eye as I do.

Their gazes always send a shiver through me.

They are the most powerful sirens ever to exist. They were the reason Kafidga is what it is today—a paradise.

If only they could use their gifts to eliminate the storms, then we could be free to come and go from our home as we please.

Florence leads the way out of the cottage, and we head out towards the water. “You must be starving, seeing as you disappeared for almost two full days and didn’t take any food with you,” she teases.

“I did take some supplies, but I definitely didn’t expect to be gone for so long.”

“Tell me, dear, what happened?”

“Well, I just couldn’t see another man lost to the storms, so I decided I could still be helpful if I gathered medicine and other supplies for any injured men that the sisters might save.

I went to the cove on the other side of the island for the jindera flowers when I spotted him out in the distance.

Florence, I can’t explain it. I felt this pull towards him, like I needed to save him.

” I pause and check her expression. She just watches me with that loving, motherly expression she always had.

She had always been there for me, no matter what.

I could tell her anything and everything, and she would comfort me.

“I was able to pull him ashore, but he was bleeding from several wounds, and I had to sing in order to heal him. We were both exhausted and ended up staying the night on the other side of the island until he was well enough to make the trip here.”

“I’m so sorry, Eve, I know how you feel about new arrivals. How did he take the news?”

I chuckle slightly at the memory of our conversation on the beach. Was that really only a few hours ago?

“Surprisingly well. Kai mentioned that he’s searching for his brother, a royal who’s ship was lost at sea one moon ago. I’m hoping it’s that boy that’s been following Katerina around, but I can’t be sure. I need to talk to her. Where is she?”

“Right here, sis!” Katerina calls from behind me.

I spin to see her dripping wet from time spent in the sea, and she’s not alone—a dark-haired man trails behind her, the one who’s been following her around like a guppy.

I narrow my eyes at him, studying his features.

His hair is so dark it could almost be black, and his eyes are a light brown, but as the dying afternoon sun hits them, they seem almost to shift green. Could this be Kai’s lost brother?

“There you are, Kat. I need to talk to you.”

“I’m sure you do,” she winks. “So, where’s Wonder Boy?”

Florence gives me a knowing look and quirks an eyebrow. I groan internally, knowing I will have to confess my full feelings for Kai before things go too far.

“Wonder Boy has a name, and it’s Kai,” I emphasize, hoping for some spark of recognition from Katarina’s latest conquest, but he’s too busy nuzzling her neck to be paying attention. “He’s asleep in the men’s hut. It’s been a long few days for him, and I wanted to let him rest.”

Katerina smirks at me, leaning into the man’s advances, and I roll my eyes. I want to catch her up on everything that has happened since she met Kai only early this morning, but now, in front of Florence, is not the time.

“Well, it’s too bad everyone hasn’t gotten to meet him yet.

He’s quite the catch, sis. I’ll see you at the gathering in the morning.

Always a pleasure, Florence.” Kat says while turning back towards the dark-haired man.

She sweeps her fingers across his chest before grabbing his hand and pulling him towards her hut.

Florence coughs beside me, shaking me from my thoughts, “So this boy. What’s the real story?”

“I…I’m honestly not sure,” I say, because this bond I feel with him is still a mystery to me.

“When I brought him to shore, I felt this instant connection and a deep need to protect him. The hours I spent nursing him back to health, I felt a spark growing between us. I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve never felt this way before. He’s awakened something inside me.”

Florence smiles lightly at me.

“He’s kind and caring. He’s gentle and..” I trail off, looking Florence in the eyes, waiting for her reaction.

“And handsome,” she laughs, her eyes alight with happiness.

I smile at her, feeling joy and excitement spread through me for the first time in ages. Maybe this island could feel less like a prison with Kai around. Maybe having someone to share this life with was all I needed.

“I’m so very happy for you, my dear.” Her smile falters slightly, and I feel a wave of uneasiness come over me.

“But make sure you are following the rules. He must participate in the cleansing ceremony as soon as he wakes in the morning, and you must introduce him to the rest of the village. It would benefit you both to spend time with the others.”

I try to hide my frown of disappointment as I say, “Yes, Flo, I know. We will be at tomorrow’s ceremony, I swear it.”