Page 12

THALASSAR

I woke gradually, a rare sense of contentment settling deep in my bones.

Lucy lay curled against my side, her dark hair spread across my chest, one hand resting over my heart.

Each breath stirred her hair, carrying her scent, her taste.

Mine.

The thought burned through me with unexpected force.

I wanted to wrap myself around her, keep her safe, protected.

Hide her away from the world.

But she wasn’t some treasure to hoard.

She was fierce and strong and determined.

And somehow, impossibly, she’d chosen me.

My hand drifted down her bare back, savoring the silken feel of her skin.

So different from my scales, yet perfect.

A quiet sigh escaped her lips as she curled closer.

Protective instincts surged.

I’d spent decades guarding my people, my waters.

But this.

.

.

this was different.

Personal.

Open in a way I’d never allowed myself to be before.

Maris would laugh herself sick if she could see me now.

Speaking of Maris.

.

.

I glanced at the water clock.

The meeting.

I needed to go, but leaving Lucy felt wrong on a bone-deep level.

Still.

Duty called.

With utmost care, I extracted myself from the bed.

Lucy made a disgruntled noise and rolled into the warm spot I’d left, but didn’t wake.

I dressed quickly in formal robes, though my mind kept drifting back to the bed.

To Lucy’s curved form among my sheets.

To last night.

.

.

Focus.

The walk to my study helped clear my head.

Somewhat.

Guards nodded as I passed, and I caught more than a few knowing smiles.

News traveled fast in the palace.

Maris waited in my study with Korus, my trade minister.

They both rose at my entrance.

“Good morning, your majesty.” Maris’s eyes sparkled with barely suppressed mirth.

“Sleep well?”

I gave her a cold look that had absolutely no effect.

“The trade reports?”

“Can wait five minutes while you tell us about the human,” Korus stated flatly.

I exhaled, dropping into my chair.

“There’s nothing to tell.”

“Nothing?” Maris raised an eyebrow.

“The entire palace is buzzing about how our king carried her to his chambers like a conquered prize. How neither of you emerged for dinner. How---“

“Enough.” I rubbed my temples.

“Is this a meeting about trade or gossip?”

Maris smirked.

“Both.”

I grumbled something unintelligible, but Korus only shrugged, sorting through a pile of scrolls.

“You’ve always been... reserved,” he said.

“Controlled. Then this human arrives and suddenly you’re...” He gestured vaguely.

“Different.”

“I’m not different.”

“You smiled at breakfast yesterday,” Korus pointed out.

“Twice.”

“I smile!”

“No,” Maris replied.

“You don’t.”

I scowled, but before I could respond, movement outside the window drew my attention.

Lucy.

She walked through the palace gardens, sunlight catching in her dark hair, her gown shifting around her like flowing water.

She trailed her fingers over the petals of a flowering vine, pausing to admire the delicate blooms.

Everything else faded.

I had never seen anyone so effortlessly beautiful.

She crouched near the reflecting pool, reaching out to touch the water’s surface.

A small, iridescent fish darted away, then returned hesitantly, as if drawn to her presence.

My heart clenched.

Maris sighed dramatically.

“Oh, my friend. You’re in deep.”

I didn’t deny it.

“You should be careful,” Korus warned.

“If you’re not, you’ll find yourself asking her to stay.”

My gaze returned to the window, watching as Lucy tilted her face up toward the sky, eyes closed, basking in the warmth of the sun.

My jaw tightened.

“Maybe I already have,” I muttered.

Silence.

Maris and Korus exchanged glances, but neither of them spoke.

Finally, Maris smiled, softer this time.

“Then I hope she says yes.”

I continued watching Lucy through the window.

For just a moment, everything felt right.

But something nagged at the edges of my awareness.

A warning.

A premonition.

I pushed it aside.

For now, I just wanted to watch her smile.