Page 107 of The Nymph Prince

“But your mother?” I asked, aghast.

“You forget our way, Alek. Sex is a large part of who we are. Unlike in the human world where women are expected to be modest and those who aren’t are seen as whores, women are free to do as they desire here. Men, too. And often times, marriages are not monogamous. Both husband and wife are permitted to seek pleasure with others. It doesn’t mean they don’t love each other; only that they have a lot of love to give.”

Customary for merfolk or not, I’d never be able to share Lorcan. Any man—or woman—that dared touch him would be met with my rage.

“Calm yourself.” Eva placed her hand on my arm, and the anger dissolved. “Soulmates are different. The possessive bond would never allow it. I take it you two have not completed the mating?”

“No, we haven’t.”

There’d been too much happening to add that on top of the pile. Ever since our trip to Talena there’d been a wall between me and Lorcan.

She stood and held out a hand to help me up. Once I was to my feet, she gently patted my chest.

“While patience is a virtue, Alek, it can sometimes lead to regret. Tomorrow is never promised. Nor the day after it. Do you truly wish to march to war without having mated him?”

Her warning was clear. If one of us fell in battle, there’d be many regrets in my life. I didn’t want that to be one of them.

***

Lorcan wasn’t in his chamber when I went in search of him later that day. Nor was he in the library. The king was in the throne room, but the smaller throne beside him where Lorcan sat was empty.

I checked the private dining chamber, finding it vacant, as well.

“Might I offer a suggestion?” Reif said. I’d just searched the kitchen to see if Lorcan had tried sneaking a sweet treat before evening meal, as he was prone to doing, and hadn’t found him there, either. “The prince is usually training at this time.”

“Aye, he is,” I responded. I felt silly for not thinking of it first. “Thanks.”

Before I left the kitchen, I grabbed a blueberry tartlet from the counter.

My nymph would be hungry after the physical exertion of fighting against Malik. He’d told me the night before that they were doing more combat drills that day. For four nights in a row, he’d come to bed with bruises on his beautiful skin from all the times Malik had knocked him to the ground.

I ran through the entrance hall, hearing—and ignoring—the complaints from the guards on watch. Reif followed closely behind me. Even when running, his steps were light. Nearly soundless.

People jumped out of my way as I took the palace steps two at a time, and I issued an apology when I nearly knocked over a young boy who’d been carrying a basket of freshly baked bread. Once I reached the garden, I found the path that led to the training field and continued my quick pace.

The florescent plants grew brighter as my legs bumped them. Trees with vibrantly colored leaves and shiny bark lined the path; some purple and others blue. Several had a multitude of different colors, reminding me of the sunset.

The field was near the army barracks and I passed armored warriors, who gave me a curious passing glance before losing interest. They’d been training in their private arena all day and many were sweaty and red-faced.

Captain Orta greeted Reif as we passed, and he shouted a quick reply without stopping.

I heard her laugh and mutter something that sounded like, “Where’s the fire?”

I wasn’t sure why I was in such a hurry. The chase exhilarated me, though, and the more I ran the more alive I felt. Maybe it was like my dream of the bird. Running down the path reminded me of soaring amongst the clouds; I was free. And what waited for me at the end of the path was a paradise unlike any other.

My nymph. My soon to be mate—hopefully.

When the field came into view, so did Lorcan’s silver hair. I saw the concentration on his face as he dodged a blow from Malik before landing one of his own.

Malik’s massive body didn’t even budge with the hit.

I reached the edge of the field before I slowed to a walk. Lorcan’s gaze met mine, and although he was clearly exhausted and looked a complete mess—with a dirt-stained face and his hair clumped with sweat—he broke out into a smile.

“Fancy seeing you here, mage,” he greeted.

“You look dreadful.” It was a lie, of course. Even when filthy, he was stunning. “Are you finished with training?”

Lorcan nodded and shot his guard an amused eyebrow raise. “Mark my words. I shall best you on the morrow, Malik.”