Surrender to the Sea (Lords of the Abyss Book 4)

by Michelle M. Pillow

  “I don’t think the lady is taking suitors.” Bridget shooed them away, and they obeyed reluctantly.

  “You will think about it?” Vitus called after the ladies.

  “She is even more beautiful awake,” Brennus told his fellow guard though his whisper echoed just enough that Laurel heard it. She glanced back. Both men grinned at her.

  “Ignore them,” Bridget said. “Unless you are interested in one of them? Then by all means, accept their attention. Both are good men with strong reputations.”

  “Not really looking to date,” Laurel answered. “Just want to get home.”

  * * *

  Brutus was not sure if his reveal went well. Laurel didn’t scream or cry or faint, so that had to be an indication he’d handled it appropriately. His new ward gave the impression of being a smart woman. Surely the blunt approach was best. At least, it was better than trying to think of lies as to why she couldn’t contact her government. He was not one for lying.

  Rushing through the halls to find Aidan, he almost tripped over his own feet. The man was always in the collections room, cataloging and organizing the treasures brought back from the ocean. Well, more accurately, he was always in the collections room unless he was in Althea’s home trying to pretend they weren’t lovers.

  Whenever they returned from a shipwreck, Brutus and the other hunters sent scavengers out to the location to bring back artifacts. The items were clues as to how the world above had changed. Aidan cataloged his findings and sent small scrolls to the surrounding countryside with stories and drawings for the population to wonder over.

  “Aidan?” Brutus frowned as he poked his head into the large rectangular room. Inside were rows of long tables overfilled with recovered artifacts. Aidan had been complaining he was running out of storage space. “Aidan?”

  Why wasn’t the man cataloging? It was in the middle of the day.

  Thinking of Lady Laurel, Brutus paused. If he had a woman waiting for him, he probably wouldn’t want to play with rusted fishhooks either. In fact, he might never leave his home again.

  Perhaps he didn’t need Aidan. Brutus knew the story of how they came to be, had lived through it. He’d done an adequate job so far in explaining reality to his ward. Turning back around, he went to seek Laurel out in his home. The urge to see her was fierce, and this would give him something to talk about to her.

  Chapter 8

  “Let me see if I understand this correctly.” Laurel wasn’t sure what to make of her situation. The evidence of a merpeople cult was all around her. “We’re underwater in a snow globe that was put here by Poseidon to punish a group of Ancient Greeks for being impious. They’re merpeople who are immortal—”

  “For the most part,” Bridget interjected. She pointed upward. “Surface air can kill us. Well, some of us. I’m working on a theory as to why some can surface above and why others can’t. Just, don’t go swimming outside the dome and you’ll be fine.”

  “Right,” Laurel said. She eyed the mural depicting mermaids on rocks. “So, there is no murder or accidents? What if you lose an arm down here it, what? It just regenerates?”

  “Well…” Bridget shook her head. “I suppose homicides are a possibility. I haven’t heard of any deaths by murder or accident. It wouldn’t be much of an immortality curse if merfolk were easy to kill. Merr heal quickly, and I tend to think that non-vital limbs might not grow back.”

  “You don’t know?”

  “I never thought to ask about dismemberment,” Bridget said.

  “What about population control?” Laurel walked along the wall. She imagined a distant spot depicted on a beach might be a child playing.

  “Children are very rare. I don’t know why I was blessed with triplet sons. Maybe the conditions of my coming down happened to be perfect. None of the other women have become pregnant.” Bridget touched her elbow. Laurel stiffened. “No one knows what the future holds. I understand that you’re scared, but life here is not so bad, and you just have more future now than you did before.”

  Losing her baby had been one of the hardest moments of her life. The emotional pain of it had nearly killed her. As much as she loved children, life had made that decision for her long before now.

  “Laurel?” Bridget prompted.

  “You’re saying I’m immortal?” Laurel asked.

  “I’m saying—” Bridget began only to stop as Brutus interrupted them.

  “There you are. Why did you leave my home?”

  Laurel automatically looked at his legs to assure herself they were there. She tried to detect a hint of his scaly alter ego in the strong muscles and flesh. He appeared normal. Well, as normal as a sexy Caesar gladiator type merman cult member could appear. At his expectant look, she said the only thing she could think of, “I don’t want to drown.”

  * * *

  Brutus gazed at Laurel in relief, happy that she had not wandered off into a room full of men. He knew she’d be safe in the palace. Nothing would happen to her, other than the fact she might pick up more suitors.

  “Lord Brutus,” Bridget said, stepping forward to demand his attention. “I’ve been telling your ward about the Merr.”

  Brutus frowned. “I already told her.”

  “Yes, yes you did.” Bridget nodded. She gave Laurel a small smile. “I was filling in a few of the details you left out.”

  “But, I was going to tell her of the details.” He grimaced and turned his full attention back to Laurel. Now, what was he going to talk to her about? He’d been practicing how he would explain to her the story of why their underwater world came to be. If he spoke slowly and in great detail the conversation could have lasted for hours.

  “My lord.” Bridget gestured that he should walk with her. He began to refuse, but her hard look demanded that he follow her. “Give us a moment, Laurel. I need to discuss hunter business with Lord Brutus.”

  Laurel nodded and turned back to the mermaid mural. There was a sadness in her as she touched a tiny spot on the depiction of a beach. Perhaps Bridget did not do as good a job as he when it came to explaining things. The idea gave him hope.

  Leading him down the hall where they could still see the newcomer but not be overheard, Bridget said, “Demon told me you surfaced. How are you?”

  “It was only my skin. It tingled, but there is no injury.” Brutus liked Lady Bridget. She had a big heart and divided her time caring for her family and caring for the Merr people. He wasn’t sure what she did in her laboratory, but he knew she worked to find out why the mermaid cult could breathe surface air while the rest of them could not. It was her insistence that the hunters eat a seaweed diet. It was probably that diet that kept the surface air from lighting him on fire.

  “I am very glad you are not hurt,” she said.

  He turned his attention to watch Laurel.

  “You have to stop staring at her like you want to devour her.”

  “I am only looking at her,” he defended.

  “You’re staring and your expression appears stern,” Bridget insisted. “Try to smile.”

  Brutus forced the sides of his mouth up.

  “Perhaps not so much,” Bridget said. “Smile like you smile at my children.”

  “She is not a child. Why would I treat her like such?”

  “I’m not saying she’s a…” Bridget sighed. “I’m not trying to be critical. I only want to help. But, I should not offer advice unless you ask for it.”

  “What am I supposed to say to her now? I was going to tell her the story of Atlantes and my people. It took me a walk through the palace to come up with that much.” He glanced to where Laurel stood. She was so beautiful. Even now his stomach tightened, and all thoughts tried to leave his head. “I practiced it.”

  “Let the conversation come naturally,” Bridget said. “Before you told her of the Merr, what were you two doing?”

  “I told her to eat. She ate. I counted how much food she took in to make sure it was enough. It was not. I can eat ten ti
mes what she consumed.” Brutus straightened in worry. “Should I force her to eat more?”

  “No,” Bridget said, a little too loud. Laurel turned her full attention on them and inched closer. Lowering her tone, Bridget continued, “Don’t talk about what a woman eats. Trust me on this. I’m pretty sure that social rule will not have changed since I made the trip down. And don’t count her intake.”

  “Go on.” Brutus crossed his arms over his chest and stared at Laurel. She took another step toward them. He thought about the breathing kiss, the feel of her body as the ocean water surrounded them in a cold, dark blanket. It was the most intimate moment he’d ever had with a woman.

  “Just treat her as you would a fellow hunter.” Bridget made a small noise. “No. Forget that. Treat her as you do me.”

  Brutus didn’t move.

  “You like her, don’t you?”

  He sighed in frustration. “Of course, I like her. She is my ward.”

  “I mean you’re attracted to her.”

  He thought about denying it, but he wasn’t one for lying. “She intrigues me.”

  Bridget smiled. “You should take her to the borderlands. As far as I know, it’s the best way to convince someone that all of this is real.”

  Brutus started to protest but then heard laughter. He turned to see Laurel talking to Erastos. The man worked in the kitchen. Laurel laughed harder. The man handed her something, and she accepted the gift.

  “Brutus?” Bridget asked. “Are you listening to me?”

  “He has not been introduced,” Brutus said, ready to charge forward.

  “Who? Erastos? Yes. I introduced them in passing as I was showing her the palace,” Bridget said.

  “I accept your advice. We leave for the borderlands immediately.” He strode toward Laurel.

  Erastos saw his approach and quickly took his leave. Brutus glared after him.

  “You are accepting suitors?” Brutus asked.

  Laurel looked at her hand. “I thought he called it an auv?” She held up the round fruit.

  “Good. You should eat. We have a long walk today.” Brutus motioned for her to follow him.

  “I’m not sure I’m up to a long walk. I need to rest.” She handed him the auv. “I think I can find my way back.”

  “But…” He watched as she walked away from him. “We are going to the borderlands.”

  “That was an interesting approach,” Bridget said behind him.

  Brutus handed her the fruit and went after Laurel. He couldn’t force his ward to leave with him, not if she needed to heal, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want to. The borderland held one very big appeal—no males to ask to be Laurel’s suitor.

  Chapter 9

  “My lady, I plan to bring you a giant squid,” Brutus said.

  Laurel looked at her host in surprise. They sat in his living room, not talking, not doing much of anything. It had been like that for a few days. She spent her time between sleeping and eating and sitting and thinking. When the boat she’d chartered didn’t make it back to the dock, and she didn’t check out of her hotel, Laurel was sure they’d declare her missing. She looked up at the ceiling. If she was in Deep Ocean like everyone claimed then there might be a rescue party searching for survivors. If they found the others, those men would tell everyone she drowned. She was officially dead.

  Laurel scrunched up her brow as Brutus’s words sunk in. “You plan to bring me a squid?”

  “Aye, after I build you a pool to keep it in.” Brutus gave her a small, hopeful smile. Most of the time he stared at her in silence as if he was worried she’d fall over and break. She had yet to decide if it was disturbing or sweet.

  “Ah, thank yo—actually, wait. Why? Is this part of the whole drowning ritual? You feed me to a squid?”

  “I told you I would not drown you unless it is your wish.”

  “It’s not,” she assured him.

  “Women like things from the ocean to study. Bridget requires her husband to bring her live samples. He has never brought her a squid, so I will bring you one of those.”

  Laurel merely stared at him, torn between admiring his handsome face and paying attention to what he was saying.

  “You may let Bridget examine the squid if you wish. It will be yours.” Brutus smiled. The gesture transformed his features. “I have given it much thought. Lady Lyra enjoys a strange hot dog. She communicates with the surface world where her brothers live. They send her packages in sealed trunks. If you have requests, I can ask her to include a message to your family. Communication has become incredibly fast. They speak at least twice a year now and it only takes a few months.”

  “Squid and hot dogs,” Laurel summarized.

  “Yes. As your guardian, it is my duty to see to it you have everything you require.” He continued to smile at her. It was a genuine look as if his desire to please her made him happy.

  “The gesture is very kind, but really, I don’t need a pet squid or hot dogs.”

  “But I devised a way to trap…” For a moment she thought he’d fall back into silence, but then he asked, “What about a message home?”

  Laurel thought of her crotchety neighbor.

  Dear Mr. Jenkins, I’m writing to tell you I’m now living in an underwater world with a man who would make any professional athlete jealous. Sorry, you won’t be able to count wine bottles in my garbage anymore and silently judge me. Regards, Laurel

  “Ah, no, there is no one I need to get a message to via sealed trunk,” she said.

  “But…?” His smile fell. “I have given this much thought.”

  Laurel instantly felt bad. The man looked like she’d struck him.

  “Clothes.” Laurel eyed her shapeless gown. “I would like a change of clothes. And conversation.”

  “I forgot to buy garments.” Brutus stood and made his way for the door with renewed purpose. “My apologies. I was busy trying to draw up plans for the squid pool. I will rectify this oversight immediately.”

  “No, wait,” Laurel tried to stop him, but the man was gone. She sighed, letting her body fall sideways onto the low couch. Pulling her feet off the floor, she rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. To herself, she mumbled, “I would much rather have the conversation.”

  * * *

  “Clothes,” Brutus muttered to himself. How could he forget clothes for his ward? He gave a rueful laugh. “Probably because I can’t stop picturing her out of them.”

  He was disappointed she didn’t want the squid. He’d given the project much thought—from how to trap the creature in open water, to how much space he’d need to ensure it lived a healthy life. Of course, this decision was more practical. He wasn’t sure how he’d convince the king to let him build a saltwater pool large enough.

  But, Laurel was a special woman. He needed a big gesture to impress her. What was bigger than a squid? With every man she encountered trying to marry her, he needed to stand out. The fact he was her guardian made it even harder. He couldn’t hide her away from the world forever. He couldn’t refuse to let her take suitors if that was her wish. She hadn’t indicated that she wanted him to deny other males on her behalf.

  Seeing his twin brother, Brutus quickened his pace.

  “Bru—” Demon began.

  Brutus changed course and walked faster down the wrong passageway. The last thing Brutus wanted was to listen to Demon’s renewed claim. He wanted Demon to find happiness—just not with Laurel.

  * * *

  “Hello?” Brutus’s voice sounded a little hoarse.

  “I’m here,” Laurel called. She dropped the lock on the bedroom cabinet, unable to open it and not wanting to get caught trying.

  “Lady Laurel.”

  Laurel paused in the doorway at the excited tone. Brutus was turned from her, waving his hands to motion others to come inside the home. Women entered carrying folded clothes, boots and several cloth bags that were tied shut.

  “Please accept these tokens.” Brutus moved behind his en
tourage.

  A woman handed a stack of clothes to Laurel before she could speak. “You are most welcome to Ataran, my lady. I hope you will enjoy these dresses we have made for you.”

  “I—” Laurel attempted to answer but was cut off.

  “And these are inmates,” another woman said, placing a bag on top.

  “Intimates, Phoenia,” the first seamstress corrected.

  “Intimates?” Laurel felt heat spread over her cheeks. Did Brutus order lingerie for her?

  The women giggled.

  “Lady Lyra taught us about these designs.” Phoenia tugged the string on the bag and reached in.

  Laurel saw a flash of what looked like skimpy lace and quickly moved to set the pile on the couch to keep the woman from pulling out whatever was in the bag. Weakly, she said, “Thank you.”

  “Many thanks, ladies!” Brutus held open the door indicating they should leave. A few tried to linger, curiously staring at Laurel. Brutus guided them by their arms out the door. While turning back to her, he said, “I am glad you have accepted my suit.”

  Now that they were alone, she couldn’t look at him. “You…you like me?”

  Her heart pounded violently, and her hands shook. Brutus had never said anything so bold as to indicate he was pursuing her. She’d struggled to deny her attraction to him, thinking he did not return her feelings. She stared at the bag of lingerie.

  “You are a very beautiful woman.”

  Laurel looked up in surprise. Brutus had stepped close. Only now as she looked directly at his face, she realized something wasn’t right. “You appear different.”

  “I am myself,” he assured her. “I would like for you to eat with me tonight.”

  She didn’t answer. This man had the same face, the same color of eyes, the same build, but there was something off about him. She couldn’t find a difference in his appearance, only in the way she felt when she looked at him.