Page 19 of The Nymph Prince

Even with the seriousness of the situation, I smiled that they’d had to clothe me.

When Alek had asked what happened to my trousers when I turned back into my human form, I’d fibbed and said magic made them re-appear. In reality, they tore off my body unless I removed them before shifting. I usually carried an extra pair in the satchel I kept fastened around my waist.

Now he knew the truth. And what a way to find out.

“Where is he?” I asked, fearing the worst.

Malik was loyal and would give his life for me without a second’s thought. Yet, he owed nothing to Alek.

“He left to find food,” Malik responded, watching me with cautious eyes. “He is the one you sneak off to see so often?”

I nodded. “I cannot explain it, Malik, but I feel… connected to him. As if we’re meant to be together. When I’m away from him, I grow anxious.”

“Is he worth your life, Lorcan? You went gallivanting after that mage, putting your own life in danger, even after you swore you’d not do it again.”

He very rarely called me by my name.

“I’m sorry.”

Orange eyes lingered on mine, and I wished I could read the guard’s thoughts. He gave very little away in his expression, unless he was angry. And I pitied the poor fool who ever awoke that wrathful side of him.

I’d only seen him that angry once before; angry to such an extent that he’d lodged a dagger into a male’s throat from several feet away. The merman had been in the throne room, arguing that King Triton was unfit to rule, and the male vowed to start a rebellion against the crown. Malik had retrieved the blade from his waist and with one swift flick of his wrist, the merman had fallen dead, his blood pooling on the marble floor.

Although my father cared for me, he’d never been the type of devoted father who was always around. Perhaps it was because he was a god and had lived for hundreds of years. They became fickle and easily distracted. Bored, even.

When Father had left all those times to travel the sea in search of excitement or whatever it was gods sought, Malik had been the one to watch over me. To care for me.

Malik had married once, but his beloved had been killed. Only being two years of age at the time, I couldn’t remember his mate. He never spoke of him either. Even though many years had come to pass, there were still times when I saw grief in the guard’s eyes as he looked at happy couples.

“Do you ever think of finding love again?” I asked.

Birds sang their songs in the branches of the tree we sat beneath. Although in the shade, it was still warm, and my skin felt slick.

Malik studied the dagger in his hands, slowly turning it. “No.”

“Why?”

As his orange eyes snapped back to me, they glowed brighter before dimming once again. “Because my life is yours, my prince. I am devoted to you and you alone.”

“I don’t want that,” I said, touching his arm. “I want you to find happiness, Malik.”

Gently, he moved his arm out from under my hand and got to his feet. “We leave for the palace at first light. Rest.”

With guilt heavy in my chest, I watched Malik walk over to the shore. He sat on the sand, brought his legs up, and looked toward the sea. I didn’t need to see his face to know he was upset.

“You’re awake,” Alek said as he sat beside me. He carried a basket that held apples, cheese, and a loaf of bread. “I was worried.”

“Thank you,” I told him. “For saving me.”

Alek’s lips quirked up in an almost shy smile as he downcast his eyes. “We’re even once more. You saved me. I saved you. Debt is paid.”

“We seem to do that a lot,” I pointed out, amused at the fact. “Death must loathe us for cheating him so many times.”

“Maybe death needs to realize he can’t have us.” Alek’s accent was more noticeable then, touching his words with a small lilt that was very pleasing to the ears. He reached into the basket and withdrew an apple. After taking a small blade and cutting the fruit, he handed me the slices. “You need to eat.”

“Where did you get the blade?”

“Stole it when I went into town,” he answered and shrugged.