Page 30 of Siren’s Kiss & Feral Beasts

NERISSA

PRESENT…

“ T hat’s my beautiful treasure. Such a good little female worshipping her mate.”

His praise excites me, more so because the show we’re putting on only serves to anger Orion. I know he’s watching, angry at my defiance and the sweet smile I give my wolf. A man who didn’t doubt me or ask questions—Kai Daire only wants to make sure I’m safe.

This ship will not make it, and the only thing he asks for in return is that I remain loyal. That I come back to him. Two things he will never have to worry about as long as there is breath in my lungs and blood pumping through my veins.

I am his.

Taking him into the back of my throat, I slide my lips down fast and then drag them to the tip slowly, one hand skimming across his swollen knot, then lower to his balls.

I squeeze and tug in a rhythmic sequence, giving him the bite of pain I’ve come to know he appreciates while the pleasure mounts as I worship on my knees.

From our position, no one can see me as he’s facing away from the chaos, but they can hear.

Know that I am giving my mate his well-earned pleasure, and Orion can choke on that from wherever he hides.

Kai’s grip on my hair tightens, and he forces me to look up at him.

He pumps in lazily a few times, enjoying the control as water begins to lap at our feet.

He’s close, and I transition slowly, showing him the full effect of my skin turning from golden to a shimmering tail beneath the rising water as what’s left of the mast groans.

He does, too, as I use my tail—flick the fin back and forth—to keep me at just the right height to fuck his cock.

But it’s the look in his gorgeous honey eyes that drives me to hungrily hiss out, “Mine.”

“I’m yours, Nerissa. Take what you need.”

“Never forget that, Alpha,” I say, and this time, when I sucks him in, I don’t stop until reaching his knot. There, I tighten my lips and tease the underside with the tip of my tongue…

“Gods, sweetheart. Perfect fucking mouth,” Kai hisses out from between clenched teeth as the first rope of his spend lands on my tongue. And I hum at the taste, hollowing my cheeks and bobbing faster to milk every last drop.

I’m blushing as I do. The heat on my face spreads from the apple of my cheek down to the tops of my breasts, but then it all crashes into us. Sounds get louder. Yelling is desperate.

Gods, everything slams back into focus as we take full breaths.

The late-night sky is lit up by the storm, and rain begins to pelt hard just as the water reaches his chest. The weight of the broken mast is dragging him down, dark water surrounds us, and yet I’m not concerned.

Those shackles will not keep him down, but a flash of pain still crosses my features. More so when I sense General Orion behind me. He tugs on my arm, but I yank myself away, turning in time to see my wolf break free.

And as planned, I swim past him and yank the stone from his neck.

The wolf flashes behind his eyes, our bond trying to reassure me as the mermaids surround their fallen princess.

It physically pains me to swim away from him, but I do.

I want to extend my hand to him, tell him I will come back, but the formation grows tighter as he watches them take me away.

Yet there’s no mistaking the voice that croons in my head as I’m hauled onto another ship a few miles away . I’m coming for you, my sinful treasure. There’s no escaping me.

They haul me onto another ship, rough hands biting into my arms as if I were a thief caught mid-crime and not the heir to the Del Mare throne.

The air here tastes different, a little colder, and I look around and take note of the late evening fog and humid temps.

I know we are way outside of Mar de Sombras and slipping into the western territory.

A mistake that could turn out helpful to me.

My father’s pod is from these waters, and they keep precise account of who enters and exits the territory. I clear my throat, and all eyes turn to me. There’s so much judgment in them, reproach, as I’m paraded toward what I think are the captain’s quarters.

Then again, it’s not every day that a mermaid is dragged before vampires, fin still in place. Once outside of the water, we tend to shift, but I want them to see me as I am. Proud, unapologetic, and I will not bend to the will of over-inflated egos.

The few mermen on board are part of the guard, the females have already performed their duties and should be resting in Marivelle with a spread of cakes, jams, and sea grapes to soothe their throats.

I’m offered nothing but judgment with each step closer, my guard’s chin raised high while others hiss behind my back.

Let them look. Let them choke on it.

The door is flung open as we approach, and it rattles against the wall.

Inside, the scent of blood and powder is suffocating, as is that gods-awful décor this clan of vampires seems to enjoy.

Not because flowers or crystals or gold accents can’t be pretty, but because of the kind they choose.

The obscene amount added into every nook and cranny makes each square inch feel suffocating.

My eyes land on my grandfather’s first. He sits behind a carved table, spine regal, and eyes gleaming with command. Beside him, Naia keeps her head down, and the inability to so much as look at me speaks volumes.

To the left is Lord Severus in full regalia, as if we were heading to a royal ball and not the archaic fiasco my own kin have cooked up. He’s as still as a statue, pale and draped in heavy fabric, a shadow draped in flesh, with his crimson gaze roaming from my tail to my neck and back down again.

Each time I swallow, he licks his lips.

My heart accelerates, and he looks to be counting the heartbeats for his ledger.

But it’s my grandmother who steals my breath. Off to the side, bound in chains, she looks worn and fragile. Yet at the sight of me, relief softens her gaze. Relief and hope reflect at me, her nod barely perceptible, and I, too, breathe a little easier.

She’s received my message before this happened, and my father is coming. Other sirens will join this fight. Not showing her too much attention, I square my shoulders and stare at the man I once looked at as a second father figure.

Unshaking. Unbreakable.

“Your Majesty,” one of the guards who dragged me in says, his hand on my shoulders, trying to shove me low but I remain standing. I don’t shift or kneel, much less give these people the show they are looking for.

“He should’ve never been our king.” My words are met with a few gasps from those who are part of the army, while Orion moves in closer. He’d let them drag me; he didn’t want to dirty his hands after my little performance.

Had I known what a delicious little submissive whore you are, I’d have broken this spirit years ago, Princess,” he whispered right before we’d broken the surface.

The others had swum away, but he lingered long enough to deliver his venom.

“You’ll choke on my cock, cry tears of joy, and then thank me for using your filthy, mutt-loving mouth when I’m done. ”

“Watch yourself, Nerissa. Don’t make me hurt you.” Orion’s threat doesn’t land well with everyone; the vampire hisses at him in warning.

“Do not hurt her, or the deal is off.”

“Neri, please…” Naia starts, but that’s as far as she gets when I narrow my eyes at her.

“You are no one to address me with such familiarity. Our friendship died when you betrayed me.”

“I did it for love.”

“No, you did it for your convenience. The desire to be more than what you are.” My words land like barbs, precise and cutting.

She flinches, silently begging me to drop it, but I’m past being the understanding, caring friend.

“Had you come to me, I would’ve helped you—spoken to my family and found you a higher-ranking position within our palace.

Because in your delusional mind, you’re not his equal, when in reality, Orion isn’t worthy of you. ”

“Enough!” My grandfather stands, slamming his grayish hand atop the table, and an antique porcelain tea cup tips over, shattering upon impact.

The shards spread, the dark brown liquid inside ruining the rug beneath him.

Big mistake, as Severus stands and stalks across the room, his hand gripping my grandfather’s throat tight.

Atlas is lifted off the ground, his smaller body clawing at the old vampire’s hands. “Your attitude bores me, Merman. I warned you to keep things civil, to not threaten her, and yet you disobeyed me twice. One more, and I’ll execute you now and name her queen.”

If he thinks I’ll thank him, Severus is mistaken, and I turn my attention back to Orion.

“My crown. My blood,” I spit out, voice carrying sharp across the room.

“Never forget that, Orion. I’m not some nameless woman you can command at your will, nor will I ever drop to my knees for you.

Your biggest mistake is confusing manners for submission…

you’re unworthy, egotistical, and blinded by a level of self-importance that astounds. ”

His jaw ticks, eyes leaving me to look at the vampire holding his king. “Quit while you’re ahead.”

I snort at that, turning to the woman I once called my best friend, instead. “What do you see in him, Naia? What kind of a mate hurts his beloved, only to turn around and use her again and again?”

That had to sting more than one person, especially with how Atlas murdered Severus’s goddaughter for similar reasons.

“This is not why we’re here,” the vampire cuts in, his voice controlled. Low. “This is supposed to be a celebration between species, and my donor isn’t happy. That makes me even less agreeable to what you’ve asked of me, Atlas. Fix this.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask as renewed dread fills me. Especially as Severus, with his grip around my grandfather’s neck, walks him over and presents him to me. On his knees, the mermaid king looks up at me. “What did you do?”

“You’re to wed Orion tonight, under the new moon.”

“No.”

“You have no choice, Nerissa. It’s this, or your grandmother dies.

” Six words, and they bring nothing but horror to me.

Dread. I knew coming here they’d have plans to marry me and Orion, but not today.

Certainly not when I have no idea just how close Kai is.

“It’s the only way to keep her breathing, and you by her side, my child.

” His gaze drops to the stone in my grip.

I’d forgotten about it, my focus on keeping calm and stalling for as long as possible.

“Don’t think of it as bad, but rather a joyous occasion.

We’ll get the stench of wolf off you, perform the ceremony with the help of my wife, and then seal the bond with a bite.

Nothing too hard, and think of it as an investment, versus squandering your legacy on that filth. ”

Orion steps in when I don’t respond. My shock doesn’t allow it, his hand wrapping around me before I can pull away. His grip is iron tight, and I grimace, especially when his nails dig into my side. “It must be done, Neri. I promise to cherish this gift and remain faithful.”

A pain-filled sound comes from Naia, hurt laced with anger, but she doesn’t say a word.

Pain lances when his unoccupied hand covers mine and the stone. It burns, but not from heat—the outright refusal of a mating, and then nothing. It grows arctic cold, and for a second, I wonder if it’d shatter on its own rather than take what is not freely given?

Orion snarls and tries again, pressing his forehead against mine like a force can rewrite fate, but the stone remains still. “What did you do to it?”

“Nothing. Just standing here.”

“Or maybe you forgot a simple rule about magic.” It’s my grandmother’s voice that cuts through. “You’re trying to force her, and magic, much like love, needs to be coaxed. Not taken, but freely given.”

Dusting himself off, her husband stands to his full height and narrows his eyes. The vampire has moved to stand against the back wall, almost blending in, while Orion paces. Mutters to himself.

“Tell me, Lucienne. What did I do wrong?”

“You perform the wedding first. A crimson union.”