The man studied her as if she was an unsavory but fascinating parasite. Perhaps she had his interest after all.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
Meri’s heart quickened. Progress! “Merielle.”
“That’s it? Merielle? No other name to go with it?”
“I have other names, but you do not need to know them. What is yours?”
He hesitated but Meri thought he just might be a gentleman. He did not act as other sailors she had known. He had a smooth veneer he could not hide.
“Nikolas Cosara.”
She repeated the name, relishing the sound of it on her tongue, enjoying even more the warmth his gaze created in her core. “I like it.”
“I’m not helping you.”
“I do not think you are the type of man to leave a lady in distress. I am sorry for hurting you, but I brought you back, and now I ask a favor.”
Nik frowned and sat cross-legged before her. Again, his eyes ran over her face, her body. It heated her even more.
“I don’t owe you a thing,” he said.
Meri swallowed her nerves, seeking the strength she required to convince him. “I am injured, Sir, and I need a place to recover before I resume my journey.”
“I tried to kill you. Why do you think I would now aid you?”
Inspiration zapped through Meri. “I do not think you would have harmed me. And now that we have exchanged names, I believe your honor will not allow you to abandon me.” She took a deep breath to steady the sickness in her stomach.
He shook his head. “Who the hell are you? I don’t owe you anything.” His eyes narrowed as he gazed at her. “If I did help you, what could you offer in return?”
“Is it not enough to help someone who is down on their luck?”
“Perhaps it would be if you were a human woman, but one of the murdering sea people? I don’t think so.”
Meri gasped at his rudeness. “Perchance you have no honor, after all?” She must rest and soon or she would pass out.
Nikolas stood and Meri couldn’t help but cringe at his abrupt movement. Would he now harm her? She prepared “the song” for she would not give her life to this man.
“Perhaps I’ve forsaken honor,” he spat. “Perhaps your people have carved it from my heart.”
Meri’s spirit quailed in the face of his bitterness. Had she met the only human man who would not help her? “I know not what I can offer in exchange for your help, Lord Cosara.”
Her words seemed to anger him further. “I’m no lord!”
Panic swirled in her gut, making the pain in her shoulder rise to a wave that threatened to engulf her. “Please, I will give you whatever I can, only provide sanctuary until I am fit to resume my travels.”
Her desperation seemed to calm his anger. The scowl left his face, and a flash of pity gave her hope.
“I’ll grant you refuge for tonight, and as for tomorrow, we’ll see. I shall return.” With that, he strode off up the beach, heading for the cliffs.
Meri had to believe he did have honor to spare for her. Oh, she hated being out of her element and out of her depth. What if another came along this windswept beach while Nikolas was away? What if he never came back? Could she shuffle down to the water’s edge and limp along the coast to the harbor; convince a dock worker to take her in?
She tried to relax, to have faith her tanned rescuer would return. She lay back in the debris and closed her eyes, listening to the waves and the cries of the sea birds, the throbbing of her shoulder a constant reminder of her predicament. Her head began to pound. If Nikolas didn’t return soon, she would have to roll her way to the water to stop her body from drying further. Already the skin of her tail had taken on the texture of desiccated seaweed.
The gentle swish of the waves and the warmth of the sun lulled Meri. She dozed, only to be awoken by a noise she couldn’t identify. She pushed herself up with her good arm. Nikolas was returning to her, leading a large beast whose color was a shade darker than her tail. Meri’s heart leapt into a gallop at the sight of the strange creature.
“Stop!” she said, her voice shrill.
Nikolas halted, frowning. “What the devil for, woman?”
“I would not have that beast closer to me.”
His frown deepened and then he laughed. “This is Storm,” he said. “He’s a gentle horse and won’t hurt you.”
“A ‘horse’ you say?” Meri struggled to get her tongue around the strange term. “What is his purpose?”
Nikolas appeared to be struggling to hide his amusement. “His purpose is transport. You’re to ride him.”
“I decline.” She eyed the so-called “gentle” Storm. He chose that moment to snort, and she jumped.
“How else am I to get you to my cottage?” he asked.
“You look strong enough to carry me.”
“Well, I’m not capable of getting you up that goat track without Storm’s help. You’ll ride.”
“I will not.”
He closed the short space between them and reached for her, his face tight.
“One moment!” she said. “My body craves moisture. If you could submerge me in the waves before we leave, I would be grateful.”
He huffed a sharp breath. “Already I’m beginning to regret this.”
She gritted her teeth. Depending on the gruff man who held her wouldn’t be easy. The coiled strength of his muscles wrapped her securely and the rough cloth of his shirt abraded her skin in the most distracting way. But Meri knew he would rather leave her in the surf and walk away.
Despite that, he bent and lowered her gently into the breakers, steadying her against the push of the waves. “Do you need to be further out?” His gaze remained glued to her face, never dropping to her chest, but a small muscle bunched along his jaw.
“This is excellent, Nikolas. You may retreat.” She lay back in the foamy wash, luxuriating in the cool, frothy waves. The headache receded and her tail regained its glossy sheen. When her fingertips had wrinkled, she called to Nikolas.
“I have soaked long enough, My Lord.” Meri pushed herself into a sitting position and Nikolas approached with Storm. Did he ever smile? She imagined how a smile would light his eyes and enhance his rugged good looks.
He bent and lifted her, taking care not to bump her injured shoulder. “I told you I was no lord,” he said, grunting as he settled her body against his chest. “Have you taken on water? I swear you’re heavier than when you went in.”
Meri’s face blazed. “I may be somewhat weightier than before,” she said, “but a gentleman would not make comment on the fact.”
“I told you I was no gentleman.” The merest suggestion of a smirk lifted the corners of those sensuous lips that hovered so close to her face, but Meri had no more time to admire his mouth as she was hoisted onto the back of the horse.
Read the full story in The Lord and The Mermaid - Queenmakers Saga Book 4
Princess in Exile Page 19