Page 13 of The Nymph Prince

Lorcan observed his mug and slowly lifted it to his lips. Amused at the sight, I watched him take his first drink. He made a sour face, and when he looked at me as if I’d betrayed him, I howled with a laugh.

“That’s repulsive,” he said with a cringe before wiping at his mouth. “How do you humans drink this?”

“Easy. Like this.” I took a big drink, all the while holding eye contact with him, and then placed my mug back on the table. “Do you not drink where you’re from?”

“Oh, I drink plenty,” he answered, pushing his mug away from him. “But it’s not piss water like what you drink.”

“Is that so?” I arched a brow.

“Yes.” He mirrored my expression, one brow arched and a sly smile in place. “You know nothing of drinking, Alek. Not until you’ve had ambrosia laced spirits.”

For two days, we’d traveled together, and within that time, I’d come to expect snarky banter between us. Although I tried not to let it show, Iwasdrawn to the nymph. More so than I admitted to him. And it frightened me a little.

Before I’d met Lorcan, Fletcher had told me stories about nymphs. They differed from ordinary merfolk in several ways. He told of their extraordinary beauty, unmatched by all other living creatures, and how their blood was powerful. Magic. They often possessed certain abilities, and from experience, I knew Lorcan had such gifts.

When Lorcan had been captured by my crew, he’d used his voice to persuade some of the men to untie him. It’d worked, too.

He hadn’t used his ability on me yet, though, even when he’d been trying to convince me to stay with him days before.

Conversation ceased once the stew arrived. It tasted incredible, the saltiness bursted on my tongue and the meat was juicy and tender.

Lorcan’s eyes grew wide when he tasted his, and he scooped more into his mouth. He might’ve hated the mead—or piss water as he’d called it—but at least he enjoyed the food.

As we ate, I found myself unable to stop staring at him. I’d never seen anyone more striking.

His hair was the shade of moonlight, and his soft complexion was complimented with creamy skin and sparkling green eyes. And his ears, although hidden right then with a hat, were pointed. His body was small, as were his muscles, and his baby face made him look much younger than he was.

There was something between us; a bond unlike any other. I didn’t understand it, but I was drawn to him, as if we were tethered together.

Wanting to save our coin for food and supplies, we forewent a room at the Inn. I purchased dried, salted meat from the market before we headed to the cave we’d found. We were still in the south, so the nights were comfortable.

“We should build a fire,” I said once we were inside the small cave.

“I’ll gather the wood.”

He left without another word, and I stared after him. Though we’d talked, we hadn’t said anything of importance. That needed to change soon. If we were going to be traveling together, it’d be nice to learn more about him.

I observed the night sky as stars started to appear.

My eyes stung as a memory surfaced of me and Fletcher stretched out on the main deck of theCrimson Nightunder the stars. He loved telling stories.

“I’ve told you the story of the sea nymph who fell in love with the sun,” Fletcher said, placing his arms behind his head and staring upward. “But have I ever told you the one about the man who lives in the stars?”

It was strange having been away from theCrimsonfor so long. For six years, it’d been my home. I’d slept in my bunk every night, lured to sleep by the gentle rocking of the ship, and when I awoke each morning, it was to the sounds of the crew starting their day. I missed it more than I could explain.

Lorcan returned with sticks, and we made a small pile for the fire. As he carefully placed them, I glanced at his hands. Long, pale fingers and his nails were sharp like small claws.

“Where’s your home?” I asked once we got the fire going.

In the orange glow, he looked beautiful and far from a human. It was as if his sharp features caught the flames and transformed into something both alluring and sinister.

“In the sea,” he answered.

“Do all the merfolk live together then?”

His eyes flashed to mine. “Why do you wish to know?”

“Curiosity.”