Page 10 of Seducing Scylla (Mated Myths #1)

Morgan

M y feet ache from the cold stone and I’m pretty sure my toes have started to go numb. The sea creature hasn’t let go of my hand as she leads me through the underground tunnel system, and I find her strong grip reassuring that she won’t leave me in the dark.

My heart is fluttering rapidly. I know I should be afraid, but for some reason, this is the first time in this whole horrible ordeal that I feel safe.

I haven’t been able to stop rambling, spilling everything that has happened to me so far like verbal vomit even though I know she doesn’t understand me.

My hand rubs at my sternum, at the ache behind my ribs; like an inescapable tug that keeps me tethered to this creature’s side.

Ever since I woke, my body has felt hot and tingly, and I can’t figure out why.

I’m worried I’m catching a fever, which would not be ideal here in this place where my suspicions of there being no town are feeling more and more likely as we traverse the underground tunnels.

I’m really starting to feel warm now, a stark contrast to how cold I was when I first climbed into the cave.

I pull at the neckline of my dress, the fabric feeling like a suffocating vice around my chest. Is it getting warmer the further we travel?

I place the back of my hand against my forehead to check if I’m burning up, but if I am, I can’t tell.

I look at the creature to see if she’s noticed a difference in the temperature, but she’s showing no signs of discomfort.

She really is beautiful. My eyes graze over her long blue-purple hair that has mostly dried now and looks so soft and silky.

I wonder what it would feel like to run my hands through it.

“Ah!” I hiss sharply.

A jagged rock slices through the sole of my foot, my hand slipping free of the creature’s as I hop around on one leg.

I lean against the wall of the tunnel, bringing my foot up to inspect it, my hand coming away slick with blood that drips from the gash.

I tip my head back against the wall, scrunching my eyes against the pain before I’m airborne with a gasp.

Two thick, velvety octopi tentacles cradle me against the creature’s body.

I don’t need a mirror to know my face is flushed a deep crimson.

I groan in embarrassment, covering my face with my hands, forgetting they’re smeared with my blood.

I can’t believe I cut my foot on a rock because I was too busy thinking about how her hair would feel sliding between my fingers.

I don’t know what has come over me. I know it’s been a while since I’ve had anyone in my bed but girl, get a grip on yourself.

Silken fingers gently pry my bloodied hands away from my face and I can only imagine the sight I must be.

She looks at me with what can only be described as concern on her face as she says something I don’t understand, and I can feel the growing frustration between us that we can’t understand one another.

I wish I knew her name, so I had something to call her other than creature .

“Morgan.” I point to my chest, hoping this will work.

She cocks an eyebrow at me.

“Mor-gan,” I repeat.

She places her hand on my chest, the fire sizzling beneath my skin flares at the touch.

I inhale sharply at the sensation, and she yanks her hand back, hurt flashing through her eyes.

How do I tell her it isn’t fear that makes me gasp, but an overwhelming need I can’t explain pulsing in my veins?

I reach out for her hand, her gaze wary as she lets me, and place it back on my chest. I swallow as I stare into her eyes, the black so all-encompassing that I can see myself reflected in them.

“Morgan.” Her tongue wraps around the syllables as she tests out my name. Her voice is sweet and melodic, the type that lures men to their deaths in the deep.

I sigh happily and nod. This pressure beneath my skin likes the way my name sounds on her lips.

She takes my hand and places it on her own chest. “Scylla”.

“Scylla.” I smile, relieved that I can call her by her name.

Something about the name Scylla tickles my brain and I’m sure I’ve heard it before.

Scylla proceeds to carry me through the rabbit warren of underground tunnels, and I know that without her to guide me, I would easily get lost amongst the twists and turns and little light available.

She moves so smoothly across the stone floor, the motion lulling me into a drowsy relaxed state; but the more relaxed I get, the hotter my body feels.

I think of her tentacles wrapped around me and how I didn’t expect them to feel so soft and silky like velvet against my skin.

Need pools low in my belly and I grimace, squirming against the bind of her arms. What has gotten into me?

She glances down at me and away again quickly, and I almost think she knows what I’m feeling.

I immediately still. What if she does know what I’m feeling?

I feel a hot flush spread up my neck and across my cheeks.