Page 37

Chapter Thirty-Three

RAZIEL

Someone had hurt his wife.

And Raziel would kill them.

His jaw clenched as he dropped more wood onto the burning pyre, his eyes watering from the smoke.

Three days since she’d attacked him.

Three days since she’d spoken more than ten words to him.

Three days since Mer had looked him in the eye.

And it bothered him. A lot.

He stepped back from the immense heat and wiped the sweat and ash from his brow, adjusting the scarf he’d wrapped over the bottom of his face.

The Sirenidae healers had advised him to stay away, but how could he?

The village needed more help and its people were suffering.

He wouldn’t hide away in his coastal cottage when he could help.

“The sun is setting, my king,” a gruff fisherman by the name of Jodere said. “We have this handled. Please get some rest.”

Raziel nodded to Jodere. “Let me know if you need me to take a shift during the night.”

“I will.”

He walked away from the pyre, his skin itching to be free from his dirty, sweat soaked clothing. Raz pulled the scarf from his nose and smiled at those who bustled through the quiet village. A smile could do much for morale and the people needed it.

Winding his way through the town, he followed the sound of the waves. Raz popped out onto the black sand beach. He yanked his boots and socks off, stuffing them in the boots and picking them up. The sand stuck to the bottoms of his feet as he trudged his way to the cottage at the end of the cove.

The door still hadn’t been replaced. The large driftwood piece was set aside.

Mer was home.

He eyed the open doorway and sighed. Raziel didn’t think he could have an evening of strained silence. Plus, he needed a bath. Raz pushed past the little home to the back of some rocks that curved around the edge of the cove.

Dropping his boots in the dry sand, he took one last look at the cottage before shucking his clothes and striding into the surf.

A sigh escaped him as the cool water washed over his calves, thighs, and then waist. He ran his hands over the top of the gentle waves, ignoring the ever-present fear that lurked in the back of his mind.

Just breathe.

The waves rocked him gently back and forth, his feet settling into the sand.

Raziel inhaled measured breaths until the anxiety receded.

He watched as the water changed colors into the evening.

Colorful fish darted around in the clear water as if playing tag.

Sea stars clung to the bright corals along the rocks while sea anemones waved like dancers with their hands flung to the heavens.

A cream spotted snake skittered next to his left foot and he almost jumped out of his skin, a curse flying from his lips before he cracked a smile. The sneaky little creature had perfectly camouflaged itself against the sand once again.

While he feared water in general, there was something hypnotic and almost magical about the ocean, the scenery always changing and new treasures to be discovered.

He brushed a dirty strand of hair from his face and grimaced.

It needed a good scrub. He inhaled deeply and dove beneath the waves, cold water closing above his head.

Raziel opened his eyes, the saltwater slightly burning his blurry vision.

Roughly scrubbing his scalp, he eyed the water, looking for any murky shapes.

The fishmen tended to gut and clean their fish in the area which attracted larger predators.

Like the leviathan.

A shudder went through him as he gave his hair another good scrub. Bath time was over.

A flicker of movement not twenty feet to his left caught his eye. He froze, fear rooting him in place. His eyes narrowed as he registered what it was. A foot. A silvery foot.

Mer.

Curiosity piqued, he swam over to the rock shelf, sending crabs scuttling into the cracks of the porous rocks. He grasped the rock, avoiding the coral and popped his head above the water. On the other side of the rocks was a small cove.

His wife burst through the water, throwing her head back, water flipping in an arc behind her. His breath caught as the sinking sun glimmered on the scales of her shoulder. She shone like the inside of a shell—all pinks, purples, peaches, and silvers.

Silver hair dripping down the back of her neck, she stood up with her back to him and slapped the water, releasing guttural screams that made his chest ache. Scream which spoke of frustration, pain, anger, and loss.

Things he could identify with.

She turned slightly so he could see her profile and in that moment, he was sure he had never seen anything so radiant. It was as if the sunset had been captured and formed into this magnificent creature.

He watched in fascination as her gills spurted water and then sealed shut, becoming almost invisible. Her eyes closed and she tipped her head back as if to calm herself. A huff to his left pulled his attention.

Feather was perched on the rock above him, her orange and white striped tail lazily swishing just above the water. Her gaze pierced him and a small prick of guilt hit. What was he doing? Watching his wife during something that was clearly private surely wouldn’t endear him to her.

He tried to back away but a large wave crashed into him, forcing his body forward and against a sharp piece of coral. Raziel hissed and jerked back, the right side of his ribs stinging.

Blood curled through the water from the small cut.

Great. Just great.

He lifted his eyes and locked onto a familiar pair of magenta ones.

Bitter bones.

Raziel froze, not knowing if he should retreat or say something.

She arched a shimmering brow at him. “Spying on me, my king?”

A shiver of pleasure skittered down his spine at her words. He swayed toward her, his gaze devouring his wife. She wore a gray and white spotted bodice that fit like a second skin. He’d never seen anything like it. It looked slick like poured oil. What would it feel like beneath his fingers?

Raz shuddered. Why was she affecting him so much? It’s not like he was close enough for the Lure to take effect. Her other brow lifted.

Blast. She was still waiting for an answer.

“I came from the pyres,” Raz replied gruffly. “I needed a bath.” Like he had to explain himself.

She nodded slowly, her face losing any playfulness. “How many did we lose today?” she asked softly.

“Three.” It was only one word, but it hurt to speak it out loud.

His stomach dropped as an image of a smaller wrapped body flashed through his mind. Grief rose. The loss of children cut deeper than anything. How many little bodies had been burned over the years? When would the plague decide it had claimed enough life? When would it be sated?

Never.

Mer shifted closer. “Less than yesterday.”

But still too many.

His rib stung and he glanced down, annoyed at the cut that leaked blood. He needed to tend to it before it got infected. Time to go.

“You’re hurt,” Mer commented, her voice all too close.

His head snapped up and his eyes rounded.

She’d snuck up on him and had lifted herself on the rock to look down on him.

Raziel sucked in a breath and immediately regretted it, her scent sinking its claws into him.

His mind fogged a little bit, but he knew he needed to leave.

The last thing either of them needed was for Raziel to lose himself and try to maul her while completely nude.

He gritted his teeth and backed away, the water lowering to his hips. “I’m fine.”

The Sirenidae dropped back into the water and quickly swam around the point of the rocks, her pretty eyes narrowed on him.

“You’re hurt. I can help.”

His wife dove into the water, flashing him her entire bare back and disappeared beneath the waves. Panic crested over him, and he dropped his hands into the sea to cover his groin. While he wasn’t ashamed of his body, he didn’t want to scare Mer.

It was clear someone had taken advantage of his wife. He didn’t want her to think she wasn’t safe with him or that he’d come out here with the intention of watching her while he was naked.

Raziel grumbled to himself, “I only wanted a bloody bath.”

He glanced longingly over his shoulder at his clothes. There was nowhere to go where his nudity wouldn’t be exposed. He should have gone inside the cottage.

Turning back toward the open ocean, a fissure of fear skated down his spine as he spotted a murky shape that was neither human nor Sirenidae.

A shark.

He cursed, glancing at the blood dripping down his abs and into the water. Part of Raz wanted to run screaming for the shore, but knew the movement would only rile the ocean beastie. Perhaps if he held very still it would leave him alone.

His heart pounded as it edged along the outcrop of rocks.

Mer popped back up in front of him and he shouted, nearly scared out of his skin.

She held out an orange leafy plant in her hand. “I found something for you.”

His gaze had turned back to the shark which drifted closer. “Mer,” he said softly. “There’s a shark.”

“And?” she muttered, quickly grinding the delicate plant beneath her palms.

“It’s coming closer,” he hissed, noticing how the size seemed to grow.

She held out the pulpy mixture. “Take it.”

“But the shark.”

His heart lurched into his throat as the shark darted forward. Mer spun, holding the pulpy mixture aloft. Raz gaped as she grabbed the snout of the shark and redirected it away from them with a firm, but gentle push. He barely twitched when she ran a hand down its side, crooning softly.

The shark didn’t spin around but continued toward the open ocean as the Sirenidae turned back to him once again.

“You pushed it away,” he said woodenly. “Like a misbehaving pup.”

“She was only hunting and curious about your blood. Nothing else.”

“Would the shark have attacked?” he asked, still searching the waves for any other sharp-toothed beasties.

“Their teeth are one of their senses.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”