Page 17 of Rock of Stages (Moonlight Siren #4)

CALEB

I headed up to the Gargoyle’s Perch, the top-level deck where winged creatures like me often soared from at night.

Unfurling my wings, I propelled up toward the stars.

The wind whipped past me as I flew higher, and the ship appeared to shrink to the size of a toy boat in a bathtub.

Since Naiya had left, I’d spent more time up here, seeking refuge in the sky, comfort from the constant yearning.

Mate.

The word echoed in my head, like the steady beat of a war drum.

Naiya had said she’d return tonight, and I could feel her presence inside me, a pleasant warmth in my chest. The pull between us was faint but pulsing deeper as she approached.

It was the mate bond, growing stronger as each magical thread formed.

I glanced down to the ocean, yearning to glimpse the outline of Naiya’s long, smooth body swimming beneath the surface, her graceful silvery-teal tail propelling her.

Something changed.

A tightness in my ribs. Fear. Sharp and raw.

It was Naiya. She was afraid.

I tensed mid-flight, my wings beating hard to keep me aloft as dread coiled in my gut. Where was she? I scanned the sea below as I resumed flying, searching for any sign of her in the ocean.

Was that—movement?

Yes. Two figures beneath the water, struggling?

Was I imagining this?

I flew lower and focused. Sweet skies—it was Naiya.

And the bastard holding her? Angus in human form.

A guttural snarl ripped from my throat and rage exploded inside me. Before I could think and strategize, I snapped my wings tight and dove. My fear of the ocean returned just as it rushed up to greet me.

Too late now. I hit the water with a thunderous splash, my world turning cold and weightless as I plunged. I retracted my wings and shifted to human form underwater, making it easier to swim.

I followed the mate bond and found them struggling. Angus dragged her and she thrashed her powerful tail, trying to escape his hold.

I unleashed a roar that ripped the current and surged toward them like a torpedo. Naiya spotted me and her eyes widened with shock. She jerked against Angus’s grip, and he turned to me just before I hurled my fist in his face.

The motion shot him back, forcing him to release his hold on Naiya. His blood clouded the water—or maybe it was just my eyes burning with rage.

He smirked, but it faltered as he spat out a tooth from his bloody mouth. I lunged forward and grabbed him by the throat, forcing him upward. He pounded against my chest, struggling to escape, but adrenaline surged and I barely felt his feeble attempts.

Once we broke the surface, I took a massive breath and then tightened both hands around his neck. “This ends now,” I growled. “I’ll kill you for touching my mate.”

His eyes bulged, and he was struggling, clawing, fighting. Satisfaction flooded me as I watched him struggle to survive.

A hand touched my back. Naiya floated beside me. “Enough,” she said gently.

I struggled between glancing at her, back here with me, and finishing the job of ending Angus.

She touched my cheek. “Caleb, please.” She trailed her soft fingers over my shoulder and down my arm, calming the beast inside me. “It’s over.”

I blinked through the crimson haze blinding me and then let go of his slimy neck.

Angus coughed. “You insane piece of rock!” he sputtered. “You almost killed me.”

“If you come back, I will,” I seethed.

With a look of disgust, he shifted to selkie form and dove into the deep. I stared after him, waiting several seconds for that sneaky shadow to resurface, but the surface remained calm.

“How did you find me, Caleb?” Naiya whispered, her voice tinged with awe.

I cupped her face, our foreheads nearly touching, and our breath mingled in the salty sea air. “I felt you,” I said. “The bond. I’ve been feeling it grow since you left.”

She gazed at me, a wondrous gleam in her eyes. “I’ve been feeling it too.”

I tipped my forehead to touch hers as we treaded water in each other’s orbit. “You're my mate, Naiya. I will always come for you.” In a softer voice, I added, “I love you.”

Her lips trembled and then formed a luminous smile. “I love you too.”

I pressed my lips to hers and kissed her. The energy between us sizzled, searing into my soul that this was right, this was perfect. It didn’t matter that we were sea and sky—we were mates.

We pulled away a fraction, holding each other there in the ocean.

She tilted her head and flashed a sly smile. “We’ve met like this before, gargoyle.”

I chuckled. “True, mermaid.” I grunted. “Same selkie causing trouble.” I pushed a strand of wet hair off her cheek. “Then you saved me.”

Her eyes gleamed. “This time, you saved me.”

A lump of emotion formed in my throat, and I swallowed it down.

She ran her hands over my back. “How about you show me those beautiful wings of yours again and fly us back onboard?”

I gazed down at her. “Excellent suggestion.”

Seconds later, I unfurled my wings and she squealed as I flew upward. She clung to me and then laughed, her tail hanging down toward the ocean.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

Her breath hitched. “Yes.” Magic shimmered against my skin as she transformed, her tail reforming as legs. She glanced around us and exhaled. “It’s exhilarating up here. Incredible to see the sea from the sky.”

“Indeed.” I couldn’t think of anything better than holding my mate as we soared beneath the moon. “Can we fly for a few minutes before returning to the ship?”

She held me more tightly. “Yes, show me your world.” She kissed my cheek. “Let’s fly, my gargoyle mate.”