Page 32 of Siren’s Kiss & Feral Beasts

NERISSA

I stare at myself in the mirror, fog rolling in from the sea like a living thing, thick and curling around the ship.

It’s hard to see anything past the plume, and I pray that just beyond the physical manifestation of my fear is my wolf.

That his boats are nearby, and my family didn’t turn their back on me when I needed them the most.

My chest rises and falls with each pull of the damn electric air.

It’s slipped in from the open window, humming as I put the final touches on my costume.

Grandma Lucienne watches me, nervously wringing her free hands as I slip into the wedding attire for my people.

How, without meaning to, I make a spectacle of what we value as traditions.

The bra, a delicate opal coral bead, catches the muted lights as I turn in the mirror. Each bead is chosen with care, contouring over the slopes of my breasts and covering, framing each nipple in a way that isn’t obvious but if you look hard enough, you see the bare tip.

It’s meant to highlight what now belongs to your mate.

A tribute for him to uncover and covet, making it impossible to last past the ceremony, and you retire early to the marital suite.

In a true ceremony, I’d be in my tail until the bite, and then everything is fair game.

Today, though, I’m in a thin and billowy skirt, the white material shifting with each minute movement, with a slit that reaches my hip.

No underwear. Nothing in my future husband’s way, and I shiver in disgust at the thought of being tied for life to Orion. Every step must be careful, measured, and with self-awareness.

I refuse to flash anyone.

Grandmother Lucienne steps in beside me, her delicate hand on my shoulder, pushing the long strands out of the way.

“Nerissa, your father and the family pod—everyone is here. Beyond the fog, twenty pirate ships are ready to strike, with Magda and Elara holding the cloaking illusion up. Smart move on giving Kai the robe.”

A breath of relief escapes me, and I bite back tears. “He came?”

“I’m right here.” He walks out from behind a floor-to-ceiling velvet drapes.

I’m shocked it could conceal his frame, but the position of a high-backed chair in front of it masks his size.

That, and an armoire directly beside it in the same finish as the chair.

Dark wood, thick fabric, and so many little trinkets that the eye is too busy taking everything in to play find the alpha.

“When did you…?”

“Doesn’t matter.” Within seconds, I’m being lifted off the ground and kissed, my earlier red lipstick wiped off with the onslaught.

It’s deep and lingering, and I’d gladly give up my last breath to never stop feeling those lips on mine.

Footsteps come closer, the wood creaking, and he pulls back long enough to look me up and down.

Give my nipple and the beads a quick tug.

“You look gorgeous, smell amazing, and taste even better. I want to claim you wearing this, little treasure. Don’t let Orion touch a single bead. ”

The possessiveness in his tone has my thighs clenching, but the look in his eyes makes me whine, a sound my grandmother raises an eyebrow to. “Don’t judge.”

“Not at all.” From a pocket in her dress, she pulls out a small switch blade with a clear quartz handle and a ribbon of sea-silk.

I thought I’d lost it. How did she find it?

She places both in my hand, the reason very clear, and I secure it to my thigh in a way that it appears part of the attire.

My heart tightens, throat dry in gratitude.

Thank you , I mouth, but she shakes her head, placing a small kiss on my cheek.

“All I want is your happiness, my child.”

“And I yours. It’s never too late to claim Eph?—”

“Quiet. Someone’s at the door.” A second later, someone tries to turn the handle but finds it locked. That gives Kai time to slip into place again, my grandmother unlocking the door before taking a seat in front of the curtain. “Come in.”

I catch his scent before I see him. But there he is in the reflection of the mirror.

Clean, polished, and regal for a disgraced king. In his hands is a small stack of papers with a pen, but for a few seconds, he doesn’t meet my eyes. Instead, he eyes the stone. Always the stone, and I’m starting to believe it’s a case of wanting what isn’t yours.

He had the crown. He got to marry the true heir and use her connections,

Riches. Respect. Even love for a while, but it was never enough for him.

“I know it may seem like I don’t love you, Nerissa,” he says softly, too softly as he fixes his suit jacket. All red, too. “But this must be done. Not just for me, but for our future. The kingdom deserves the kind of leader who will put us first, not forget who the enemy is.”

“You mean the story you made up?” My expression is deadpan, and I’m grateful he’s not paying attention as I clean up the mess from my lipstick. “That enemy?”

“Just do the right thing, Nerissa. Make this easy on everyone and sign this.”

The one he speaks of? A four-page contract listing my duties as the new mermaid queen and caretaker of the needy. I bite back my retort on the ridiculous title and continue to read, growing angrier by the second.

Twice a month, blood donation to Lord Severus only. No sexual contact unless requested and your husband allows. Compensation benefits both parties.

Sole caregiver for all children born from the union—and if Orion chooses to have a child with his mate, Naia, I will care for those, too.

Confinement in a high tower with Lucienne. Presence solely requested for official ceremonies. Queen in title only, duties handled by the new royal assistant, Naia St. Cruz

Naia and Orion will share a marital bed, as she’s his fated mate. I will perform my sexual duties in a separate chamber, prepared for the entertainment of King Orion.

Duties will begin as soon as I marry.

“You find this garbage fair?” I murmur, voice cutting as the raging, simmering within threatens to overtake me.

The blood in my veins throbs, my muscles coiling tight before I strike.

I want to. To grab the knife from my thigh and unleash this pent-up hate that is robbing me of breath as I watch the man I thought so highly of try to barter my life away for his benefit.

I will not bow. I will not submit.

Grandfather leans in, his voice a cheap honey over rusted steel. “Don’t be difficult. Sign this, and maybe I can talk Orion into sharing you with the wolf. An agreement can be made, a Monday through?—”

“No.” I’m shaking my head so hard that an earring falls.

“I will not be sold as a breeder whore who part-times as a blood escort while taking care of other people’s babies like a glorified nanny.

How could you even ask me to sign something so demeaning?

To give up my life and freedoms in exchange for servitude? ”

“Nerissa, I will not be?—”

“What part did you not understand, Atlas?” My grandmother stands, walking over to us in a red dress that isn’t her normal style.

She prefers soft tones, not that I think she had much of a choice in this, like me.

This entire wedding is being put together by the vampires.

Their taste. Is that what she meant by crimson union?

“Let the kids marry first. The rest can be handled after.”

That surprises him. Me too. But he agrees, especially when Severus walks in a minute later, dressed in red from head to toe, and offers me his arm. “Your groom is waiting, little one.”

It’s hard, but I fight back the urge to cringe at the pet name. Just no.

Kai is the only man I will ever accept any term of endearment from.

Turning around, I pretend to touch up my lipstick a final time, fluff my soft, dark waves…

I’m stopped by the words etched into the bottom right-hand corner of the mirror. I didn’t see it until now, the light letters hidden by vain distractions, as my great-grandfather used to say, but the message hits home—today more than ever:

What your heart desires is

never truly lost.

You fight for it. You take it.

They escort me to the top deck, my grandmother sending me a wink no one catches.

There’s red and gold everywhere. Even the sails are crimson, catching the moonlight through breaks in the fog.

An archway is near the helm, like a raised dais where those here to witness will watch a woman demean herself in the name of tradition and sexism—the sale of her self-worth in the name of egotistical pride.

This will be a crimson union; I will make sure of it.

The small dagger feels cool against my skin as we pause long enough that all heads turn in my direction. The mermen have changed into human skin and stand with the vampires, appraising the future queen as if she were an object and not someone’s little treasure.

Then I find Naia. On her knees, Orion has his hand on her head, patting it. She’s in tears, while he smiles at those in attendance. Exchanges a few words with the man officiating the ceremony.

“This is unbelievable,” I mutter under my breath, but Severus catches it. His hand pats mine in the crook of his elbow. Planning to give me away as if we were family.

“Looks exquisite, doesn't it?”

“Sure does.”

“We wanted the best for you, Nerissa. To make this as pleasant as possible.” Somehow, I think that’s more to do with him than the other two.

They’d be happy to force me to sign and then bite me so hard, I’m in pain for days after.

I don’t say any of this, of course. Instead, I force a small smile onto my face that could be confused with gratitude. “Now, let’s get you down the aisle.”

From somewhere, an organ starts to play, and we take the first step.