The Sea Witch: A Wicked Villains Novel

by Robert, Katee

“I’ll run the drinks back to our table when Ursa is ready for us.”

  “Thanks.” Tis sets the fourth drink on the tray and moves to the next person waiting.

  Zuri leans against me a little. “Is there a reason we’re waiting?”

  “Ursa will motion us back when she wants us there.” At Zuri’s questioning look, I elaborate. “She and Malone are both territory leaders. That means sometimes they’re talking as friends, and sometimes they’re talking business. When they’re friends, Ursa doesn’t care if we hang around. Business is different.”

  Zuri frowns. “But if you’re her partner, shouldn’t you be looped in?”

  I almost laugh. Only the fact that it’s an earnest question makes me wrestle back the impulse. “Zuri, honey, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but my track record shows that I am shit when it comes to being in charge of my own life, let alone any others’. I have things I’m good at, but playing official second-in-command to a territory leader isn’t one of them.”

  The line between her brows makes me want to smooth it away with my thumb. “So you want to be a…kept man?”

  “Something like that.” Truth be told, we’re still figuring out the dynamics of our relationship, and this week hasn’t allowed for much in the way of talking about it. But I know where I stand. “Ursa has stood alone for decades at this point. She’s kept people at a distance because she can’t afford to let anyone close who might undermine her. If I can help create a safe space for her to let down her hair and actually relax, that’s worth a whole hell of a lot, don’t you think?” She’s still frowning, so I give in to the urge to press my thumb to the line between her brows. “If you choose to stay, that doesn’t mean you have to do the same thing, Zuri. There’s room to find your feet, too.”

  She smiles at me, but it’s obvious she’s still mulling over my words. “There’s still a lot I don’t understand, but I don’t think I want to hold the same kind of position you do.”

  “You have time to figure out what you want.” But even as I say it, I’m reminded of the fact that there might not be much time left at all. A few measly days. If we don’t convince Zuri to give us a chance, she’ll walk and that will be that.

  I’ll be happy with Ursa. Fucking deliriously happy.

  But I can’t help feeling that, without Zuri, our relationship will be missing a vital piece.

  Chapter 25

  Ursa

  “My drink’s getting warm while you’re playing games with your submissives.”

  I raise my brows at Malone. “Someone’s in a mood tonight.” I suspected as much the second she walked through the door. I’m not sure what happened between when we spoke earlier and now, but Malone’s entire body is practically vibrating with tension. I lean forward and lower my voice. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing you can help with.”

  “Darling, it’s not always about helping. It’s about being there for you.” When she doesn’t respond, I keep prodding. “That’s what a few decades’ worth of friendship is for. Tell me.”

  She finally turns those cold green eyes on me. “There’s trouble back in Sabine Valley. Even with all my resources, I can’t help, and it’s aggravating in the extreme.”

  “Trouble…” Malone isn’t the sentimental sort, so she doesn’t talk overmuch about the city she grew up in. I have my own sources of information, though. I know Sabine Valley is run by three factions. One of the factions used to be Alaric’s cousins before they were run out of town and his uncle was killed. One of the others is run by Malone’s older sister. The Amazons are matriarchal, and since she wasn’t the heir and wouldn’t inherit, Malone came to Carver City and took over her own territory. “Is your family well?”

  “They’re alive.” Malone looks away. “Due to the folly of my sister, two of my nieces have paid a high price. I don’t know what happens next.”

  Alive is a relief, but we both know all too well the harm that can be caused while a person still breathes. “I’m sorry.”

  “Me, too.” She gives herself a shake. “I’ll know more in the morning, but tonight I needed the distraction.” Her mouth twists. “I’m doing a hell of a job with it.”

  “You’re allowed to buckle from time to time.”

  Malone gives an elegant snort. “Really? Do tell me how that weakness has worked out for you?”

  She’s got me there. When I buckle from the pressure, I do it alone and behind locked doors. Even being territory leader for as long as I have, there are no guarantees. I’m only as strong as my weakest day, which means I can’t have a weak day. It’s only recently that I’ve admitted that I want to stop being so damn strong when I’m home with the people I care about. I’m still not entirely comfortable with the idea, but I’m warming up to it. “We’re not talking about me.”

  “Mmhmm.” She makes a show of looking at the bar, where Alaric and Zuri linger. A flicker of appreciation ignites in my chest. Alaric’s been around the block to know how things work without me having to hold his hand and walk him through it. This one small action of anticipating my needs before I voice them feels… It doesn’t feel small at all. It feels like another sign that we can really make this work.

  Malone leans back against the seat. “I take it you’ve made a decision.”

  No point in playing coy. “I’m going to keep them.” If Zuri decides to stay. No matter how willing I am to bathe my hands in blood, I won’t keep that woman with me if she doesn’t want to be there. There have to be lines, thin though they are. Nonexistent, some might argue.

  “Good. You deserve some happiness.”

  I turn back to Malone. “Careful, darling. That was almost tender.”

  “Missteps are known to happen.” Her smile is knife-sharp. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to return the favor and take your advice.”

  I watch her stand. “Do tell.”

  “I’ve got to see a man about a bratty little submissive.” She waves an elegant hand and walks away before her words have fully penetrated; no doubt to prevent me from having the last word. I watch her go and hope I haven’t made a mistake. It’s easy to give advice from the outside, but the truth is that I don’t actually know why Malone has avoided Aurora all these years. It’s too late to go back and change words, and I’m not entirely sure this is a mistake. Only time will tell.

  I catch Alaric’s eye and motion him to return. He keeps one hand laced with Zurielle’s as he heads in my direction, the drink tray expertly balanced on the other.

  It’s only been a few days since he was employed here, but he already moves differently. Lighter. Even with the frown on his face, he’s definitely benefiting from being his own man. Regardless of whether being his own man means he’s mine or not.

  Perhaps I should remind him that he’s free to leave. Perhaps. But I don’t want to. I finally have him all to myself, and I’m loath to do anything to make Alaric look to the horizon instead of to me. It might happen anyway. I care about him, but I’m not naive about the kind of man he is. There may come a day when I won’t be enough. But as he smiles at me, I have a hard time remembering that.

  The future will bring what it will bring. I have him now, and it’s enough.

  I have them both.

  Alaric releases Zurielle so she can climb into the booth and then he sets the drinks in front of us. “Just a minute.” Then he’s gone, striding back to the bar.

  Zuri reaches for her drink. “I don’t know if I can do what he does.”

  My chest gives a pang, but I smother it. She hasn’t made a choice. She’s simply asking a question without asking a question. “Elaborate, darling.”

  She takes a big sip of her drink as if she needs the courage. “Alaric can be a jerk, but he’s happy to be submissive to you all the time.”

  There still wasn’t a question in there. “Yes.” I touch her wrist when she starts to lift the glass to her lips. “Speak your mind, little Zurielle. You don’t need the liquid courage for it.”

  “I have b
een kept my entire life.” Her mouth twists. “I think I understand why it’s a comfortable place for Alaric, but that doesn’t mean I want the same thing.” She lifts her chin, finally meeting my gaze. “I want more.”

  For the first time, it strikes me to wonder what she might become if the people around her stop trying to attach stones to her waist to keep her with them in the depths. I want to reach out, to touch her, but I’m acutely aware of the power dynamics of the moment. If I want this woman to choose me—to choose us—then I need her to do it on her own. If I try to tip the scales, she’ll resent me the same way she resented her father. “As I said—elaborate.”

  She deflates a little. “I don’t know. Right now, I don’t know what I want; I just know what I don’t want.” Zurielle looks at her glass. “That sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? How can I not know what I want?”

  “You haven’t had the opportunity to figure it out for yourself.” I understand Triton’s desire to keep his daughters locked away and safe. The world is not a kind place even in the most mundane of lives. Moving through the worlds we do? It’s even crueler. A handful of days in Carver City and Zurielle has already lost a little of her shine. She’s seen a tiny bit of what people are capable of and it’s cracked her rose-tinted glasses. “You have plenty of time now.”

  “Do I?” She sets her glass on the table. “Five days isn’t much time.”

  “Darling, you don’t have to know all the answers by the end of the week.” I should leave it at that. I know all too well what comes from letting my emotions get the better of me and grasping for things just beyond reach. Pain. Disappointment. The kind of loss that burrows down deep and leaves scars in its wake. Astounding that this girl is able to dredge up these old fears in me, but I’m old enough to see situations for what they are, rather than what I wish them to be. I take a slow breath. “If you stay, we’ll figure it out. Together.”

  “As simple as that.”

  “As simple—and as complicated—as that.” I reach out before I can think of all the reasons not to, and place my hand over hers. “You’re not in this alone, Zurielle.”

  “Ursa?”

  “Yes?”

  She licks her lips. “My friends. Uh, the people who care about me. They call me Zuri.”

  “Zuri.” I say it slowly, testing it out. I know Alaric calls her that, but I chose to keep the distance between us. This is a small step toward something more, a step I have to force myself to take at a measured pace. “It suits you.”

  Alaric returns, his blue gaze jumping from me to her and back again. “You both look incredibly serious right now.”

  “Nothing to worry about, lover.” I slide out of the booth and hold out my hand to Zuri. “Let’s have some fun.” It wasn’t necessarily what I had in mind when I decided to bring them to the Underworld tonight, but it’s glaringly clear that it’s what we all need. A release. A break from navigating treacherous waters.

  I lead them toward the door back into the public and private playrooms, smiling when I recognize the Black woman leaning casually against the wall. “Allecto.”

  “Ursa.” Her lips curve, though her gaze stays cool and professional. “Going to get into trouble tonight?”

  “Of course not, darling.” I smile at her. “I don’t suppose tonight is the night you’ll finally take me up on my offer?” I’ve been trying to tempt her away from Hades since I first met her—ever since Monica met her and demanded I find a way to bring Allecto onboard. It’s a lost cause—she’s one of Hades’s Furies, one of the three women who answer directly to him and keep this place running—but I still get a perverse amount of enjoyment in trying. Allecto is the head of security at the Underworld, and anyone who can run a tight ship and keep all the powerful people here in line is someone I want on my staff. Granted, one of the very things that makes her such an asset it the very thing keeping her from ever accepting my offer. She’s too loyal. It’s a shame, but I enjoy ribbing her lightly about it.

  “The answer’s never going to change, Ursa.” Allecto shakes her head. Like every other person Hades employs, she’s beautiful, all dark-brown skin, long black braids, and a strong body that could kill anyone in this room in half a dozen different ways. Really, she’s a gift.

  “It can’t hurt to keep asking. You never know when circumstances might shift.”

  She rolls her eyes and motions to the door. “Go play with your submissives and get out of my hair. Don’t cause any trouble tonight.”

  “I never do.” I save my troublemaking for other places. The Underworld is too valuable a hub to risk its doors being closed to me. I might enjoy irritating Hades when I get the opportunity, but I obey the rules of neutral territory just like everyone else. The benefits far outweigh any inconvenience.

  I can feel Alaric and Zuri at my back, and the thrill of knowing they’re both mine has me fighting not to pick up my pace. I feel…possessive. Like I want to strip them down and play with them where everyone can see, stamp my mark all over their bodies so everyone in this city knows who they belong to.

  I almost veer off toward one of the empty sitting areas in the room. Almost give into that impulse. Almost.

  But in the end, they aren’t quite mine. Not in truth. Until we figure out the finer details, there will always be some doubt there, and while there’s doubt, I won’t let my impulses get the best of me. It’s not safe. Not for my territory. Not for my heart.

  Instead, I lead them through the halls that contain the private themed rooms. Given enough time, I’ll plumb Zuri’s fantasies and enact them one by one, but for now I chose a simpler route. I open the designated door and walk through, holding it so they can follow.

  It amuses me entirely too much to watch the confusion flicker over Zuri’s face as she surveys the room. It’s set up with a small stage against one wall and three couches arranged in a half circle around it. Simple, yes, but effective. There’s a wardrobe tucked back in the corner that holds a number of toys and tools to utilize, but I’ll get to it later. For now, this is about recreating something I know Zuri enjoyed.

  Something I know Alaric will enjoy just as much.

  I shut the door and give them both a long look. “Your safe words.”

  “Hurricane.” Zuri immediately drops her gaze and folds her hands in front of her.

  Alaric gives me a quick grin before he lowers his eyes. “Mermaid.”

  I circle them slowly, letting the click of my heels on the hardwood floor increase their tension. Zuri is practically shaking already and I’ve barely done anything. By the time I move back to stand in front of them, Alaric’s cock is a hard bulge at the front of his slacks.

  “I’m in a mood, lovers.” I smile. “A mood for a show.”

  Chapter 26

  Zurielle

  A show.

  At Ursa’s command, Alaric and I move to the stage. He gives me a hand up even though it’s barely two feet off the ground. I enjoy the contact, though. I enjoy the way his touch steadies me even more. Anticipation curls through me as we once again face Ursa.

  She walks to the center couch and leans a hip against it, watching us closely. “You enjoyed being on stage, little Zuri. You liked being on display for the entire room of people.”

  It’s not quite a question, so I press my lips together to keep from breaking my silence. The truth is that I did enjoy it. I would have enjoyed it more if I’d known the ultimate outcome, if there was no fear of who might win the bidding involved. Even with that… Yes. Enjoyed doesn’t begin to cover it.

  “Alaric.”

  “Yes, Mistress.”

  “I would like to see what my money won.” She still sounds warm, but I’ve learned all too well how that kindness can shield cruelty beyond imagining. Maybe I shouldn’t like it so much, the bite that comes with a kiss, but I can’t help myself.

  Alaric takes my hand and guides it over my head, spinning me slowly as if we’re dancing. When I’m once again facing front, Ursa holds up a hand. “She’s very pretty.”<
br />
  “Yes, Mistress.”

  I don’t dare look at him, but there’s a hunger in his tone that I can’t help but respond to. I can’t help but respond to all of this. Except… Why fight it? Why worry about my response? Ursa is fully in control of this scene, which means I don’t have to be. I take a slow breath and let go of all my trepidation. I like what she does to me, what they both do to me. That’s all that matters right now.

  “Tiny little thing,” Ursa murmurs. “Practically bird-boned. Do you think we’ll break her, lover?”

  He chuckles. “Only way to find out.”

  “All in good time.” She moves to sit on the couch and crosses her legs, looking completely at ease. “Let’s see the rest of her. Slowly.”

  He steps behind me and guides my arms up and lace my fingers at the back of my head. Then he runs his hands over the front of my body, as if trying to smooth the dress even closer to my skin. It’s as if the last few days haven’t happened, as if this is what happened after the auction.

  Ursa laughs. “Now you’re just teasing me. Come now, lover. You know what I want.”

  “Yes, Mistress.” He hooks his thumbs at the top of my dress and tugs it down to my ribs, baring my breasts. “Pretty little things,” Alaric murmurs. He cups them as if offering them up for her inspection. “Small and perfectly shaped.” He plucks at my nipples and hisses out a breath when I moan. “Sensitive.”

  “Show me exactly how sensitive they are.” Her voice has gone a little raspy in a way that’s so fucking sexy, I can barely stand it. “With your tongue.”

  It would be hot for Alaric to touch me like this, to bend back over his arm and close his mouth around my nipple. Having Ursa command us every step of the way? It’s exponentially more. More of everything.

  He licks and nibbles and sucks hard on first one nipple and then the other, until I’m shaking and whimpering and on the verge of begging one of them to touch me where my pulse pounds between my thighs. I barely manage to keep my silence, barely manage to keep up the thin veil of fantasy that I’m truly the prize they’re examining.