Page 10 of The Nymph Prince

“Lorcan,” I corrected, still admiring him. “Notnymph. How do you feel?”

“Better,” he answered, slowly moving his arms through the water. “And you didn’t answer my question.”

I smiled. “I’m sure you don’t need me to in order to find your answer.”

Alek’s gaze moved down my body and back up again. “I suppose so.” Even with his cocky attitude, I saw his tension. Whether it was worry over his friends or worry for himself I didn’t know. Perhaps both. “Are you goin’ to stand and watch me, nymph? Or will you join me?”

My jaw clenched, and I corrected, “Lorcan.”

Alek’s lips upturned and he moved to his back in the water, floating lazily.

The water tempted me. Nerves kept me in place. He’d seen me plenty of times in my merform, yet I had reservations about it. In a way, I was nervous about what he thought of me, of whether he saw me as a monster.

As I debated on whether to jump in, he cocked his head at me.

“What happens to your clothing when you transform?” He gave me an inquisitive stare. “You’ve always had a tail when I’ve seen you. This is the first time you’ve had legs. Do your trousers break apart when you turn, and you come back naked?”

“No.”

“How?”

“If I said magic, would that appease your curiosity?”

“Maybe,” he responded, spreading out his arms in the water before sinking under the surface. When he came back up, he scrubbed his hands over his face and made his way back to the shore. He didn’t get out of the water, though. He rested his back against the bank and looked over at me. “I must confess it’d be disappointing.”

“Disappointing?”

“I’d much rather you be naked.”

“Are you flirting with me, mage?”

Alek shrugged.

He reminded me of Troy a little with his cautious behavior. Untrusting and guarded. I got the impression that Alek didn’t confide in many people. With his upbringing, having to hide and live in fear every day, it made sense.

“I never got the chance to thank you for saving me,” I said, walking closer to the water’s edge. “When the pirates captured me and you risked your life to set me free.”

Blue eyes moved to me. “Looks like we’re even. Our debts to each other are paid.” He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, and the action emphasized the sexy curve of his throat. I’d always had a weakness for a good neck and his was mouthwatering, as were his broad shoulders and sculpted chest. “What’s the plan now?”

“I’m not sure,” I answered. “We need to keep you out of sight for a while.”

“I can take care of myself,” he said in a somewhat harsh tone. “I’m not some damsel who needs rescuing. If you want to leave, just go.”

“But I don’t want to.”

He released a breath and got out of the water. His naked body glistened, and my own body stirred in response. The mage was more beautiful than any male or female I’d ever laid eyes on, and the connection I felt between us tugged. Pulling us even closer.

Before I could act upon my desire, I averted my gaze from him and looked outward to the sea.

The sun shone on the blue water, creating a shimmer on the surface. Not even all the jewels in Father’s palace could hold a candle to it. Areas of the sky were still orange with the sunrise, but the light was rapidly consuming the land. As the sun chased away the shadow of night, the world came alive. Green valleys and blue skies.

I would never tire of the view.

Life in the sea was magnificent and held its own appeal, and the view beyond the kingdom barrierwasvery beautiful, but I craved the sun, the rolling hills of the land, and the wind ruffling my hair.

“Well, thanks for savin’ my life, but I should be going.”

When I looked back at Alek, he was fully clothed and standing a few feet away. His dark hair was damp from his swim, and his skin had a beautiful sun-kissed glow. He stood at eye-level with me, but even with our similar height, he seemed bigger than me. I’d always been on the smaller side, never having much muscle, but Alek was strong. Probably from his years of working on theCrimson Night.