by S. K Munt
‘When I spoke to Callum, he told me that his love was gang-raped and murdered years ago.’ Tristan said softly. ‘He’s confessed that he’s been adverse to Ardhi this whole time, but unsure of how to go about it, until he met me, and realized that the bullshit stories Ardhi has spun about being framed were exactly that-bullshit. And when he saw Ardhi on the computer yesterday googling how to pleasure a woman, and then received a call from Dallas today with the details of the attack happening on the full moon-he knew he had to warn us.’ He scratched his head. ‘Callum thinks Ardhi wants to break in, rape you, steal the crown and then split. Bali is stop one on their escape route.’
‘I can’t believe that there are so many awful humans in such a quaint town,’ Grace said sadly.
‘But they’re not awful.’ Tristan said. ‘The story he’s telling them doesn’t include the rape part and he’s painted us as being evil. They’re just eager to start these awesome new lives he’s promised and unaware of the true nature of the guy who’s promised them.’
‘Why this fixation with the crown?’ Joyce asked. ‘Does he want it simply to keep it from Lincoln and Tristan?’
‘Possibly, but Ardhi’s telling them that he has a buyer lined up for it in New Zealand. I doubt that very much-I googled the crown on my phone before and there’s no mention of it’s existence on the internet so there’s no demand or reward in place. Anyone who could know of it’s value would have to be mer, or a thousand years old.’
Ivyanne’s thoughts scattered and re-grouped, then scattered again and regrouped elsewhere. New Zealand again? What was Ardhi’s fixation with that country anchored to? What puzzle piece was she missing? Or was it all just coincidence?
‘Anyway our plan will decimate his, and quickly. We’ll all go out for a swim together early tomorrow afternoon so every one of us is at our strongest, then rest until the late evening. We know Ardhi plans to start watching the house and brewing the storm around six o’clock. But we’ll be expecting it and practice caution.’
‘Whoever pulls the trigger will be knighted.’ Price said with a soft smile. ‘Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer me up there? Tristan’s already got millions and I’m the best shot.’
Everyone laughed. Beside her, Lincoln rested his chin against Pintang’s head, his expression pensive, obviously realizing that being knighted was out of his reach now. Ivyanne worried her lip with her teeth, wanting to back Price up but knowing Tristan would never forgive her if she emasculated him again. She’d stuffed up a lot of things that night-she wasn’t going to withdraw her pledge to have more faith in him too.
‘That’s true. But on the off chance that it comes to hand to hand, Tristan will be more likely to survive.’ Garridan pointed out. ‘I don’t like it either, and so I hope it’s my door he comes to first.’
Ivyanne turned to Tristan, realizing that she owed him one, but still too angry with him to go about it nicely. ‘I can’t believe this Callum guy likes you so much after two minutes that he’s determined to betray someone like Ardhi on your behalf! I didn’t realize that your powers work on men as well!’
‘They don’t,’ Lachlan and Lincoln said in unison, and not without bitterness. And then all of the mermaids were laughing. Even Tristan. All except Pintang, who continued to cry softly.
Ivyanne’s heart twisted at that and she knew in that moment-she couldn’t mark Pintang for any more pain, or risk a Kayu-Api ever becoming a ruler. Their bloodline was too volatile.
Pintang wasn’t going to have to wait until her fiftieth birthday. Ivyanne was going to release her by bedtime.
*
The midday afternoon sun warmed Ardhi’s back as he knelt in the dense foliage of a mango tree against the innermost wall of Ivyanne’s house, watching the overladen sailboat slap it’s way across the water, heading out to sea.
He couldn’t believe his luck. He’d woken up that morning, his heart racing like he’d run a marathon and known that he wouldn’t be able to just sit around all day, waiting for the best day of his life to start. He’d had to go down to Ivyanne’s house and scope it out-see who was coming and going, try to gauge how many of her houseguests were armed.
Most of his mers had been headed down to Cannonvale for a swim, while Callum had been called out for a charter tour of Hook Island that would keep him detained until near sunset, leaving only Sherri at home. So he’d told her where he was going and warned her that if he didn’t return-to go through with the plan as arranged. He couldn’t chance getting stuck in a tree all day while someone sunbathed beneath him and blow his one shot at the crown and the girl.
And boy was he glad he had come down-because his bird’s eye view afforded him a glimpse of something that could have been detrimental to his plan-Perfects. Ivor and Arulen, whom he’d met a few years before in Indonesia were unmistakable as they flitted back and forth across the bay in front of Ivyanne’s boat. That ruled out a water entry or escape, so he was glad that he’d had a plan B.
Ardhi thought it over as the disfigured mers glide, realizing that they complicated matters more than he’d originally thought. So he pulled out his phone and sent Sherri a quick text: ‘Have a chance to get in for a quick survey. Leaving phone behind. Keep them on schedule in case I get stuck somewhere until nightfall. But warn Lorens and Jade that there are mers in the water who can read minds so they cannot go in, at any cost!’
His phone beeped almost straight away: ‘Geez Ardhi I swear you’re trying to fail my heart. I’ll tell them, and I’ll keep watch. Please be careful. I don’t want to lose you.’
Ardhi smiled, touched. It was funny, but in some ways, he could see that if he’d met Sherri before Ivyanne...Then he snorted, realizing that it was a bad day to get sentimental or reflect on what might have been. Especially when he still wasn’t sure what could. Who knew? Maybe he’d find closure from Ivyanne and in time, his bond with Sherri would strengthen in other ways.
‘Be careful what you’re wish for. You might end up stuck with me forever.’ He texted back, then, spotting a shallow knot in a nearby branch, Ardhi wedged his phone inside. Then, he wiped his dirty hands on his shorts, checked that the safety was on the small pistol he’d snagged from Sherri and began to inch over a branch which extended almost to the roof of what looked to be a guest house. When it began to bow, Ardhi took a deep breath, double-checked that he was out of the camera’s sight and leapt-landing in a crouch on the roof of the first building. There was a light ‘whump’ sound and he froze, staring down below, waiting for a cry of recognition, but when none came, he skittered cross the roof and leapt onto the other one, just barely catching himself on the gutter, which sagged considerably under his weight.
Somewhere, he heard a growl, and remembering the dogs, pulled himself up and onto the angled, hot surface of the roof. He bolted forward-spotting the highest point a good thirty feet away.
A tower for a princess. He thought, smiling. Ardhi scrambled forward on all fours, the powdery roof oven-hot under the relentless Queensland sun, until he reached the other pitched area. He came to a halt there, his ears straining to hear a cry of discovery-but there was none-only the chirping of birds, and the light slap of the water breaking against the dock in the distance.
When he was on top of the eave he desired-he hid behind it, peering over the top, looking for the Perfects. He could see them from there-about forty meters out, slowly moving across the water, then past each other, then turning around and going back like a mystical forcefield. He couldn’t see them well due to the glare on the water from there, but he recognized the way their rear fins flicked gently, causing ripples.
Ardhi decided that now was the time to act-while they were submerged. He snaked his way around the front of the pitch of the roof, flattening himself against an inset section of wall. To his delight, it consisted of three, frosted panels of glass, and the centre was opened inwardly at a sharp angle. One peek inside confirmed a white tile floor behind a long white curtain.
A bathroom. Ardhi wet his lips and
pushed the glass inwards, almost knocking over what ended up being a small yucca palm in a planter beneath. The glass was thicker than most, possibly shatter proof, and a large lock was fitted into the edge-a lock that was pretty useless when unfastened. Ivyanne’s ‘don’t fence me in’ policy was going to make her a mother.
Trying to be the embodiment of silence, Ardhi eased his leg through, which only just touched the ground. He let the rest of his body follow, ducking so his backpack wouldn’t get snagged and grinned when his second leg made it in. When he straightened he was staring down a long, narrow and airy space that was mostly white broken by silver, black and violet. There was an oval spa beside him, white porcelain set into a rectangular, black tiled base, flush against a purple feature wall that was covered with a gigantic, black framed mirror. Above the spa dangled a pure white chandelier. It was a decadent space, created to make bathing an experience, and he rolled his eyes, wondering if the indulgence was Tristan’s influence.
Ardhi went to her toilet, relieved himself and flushed gently, then broke off some paper, wet it and went back to the window he’d entered through, wiping off his dusty red handprints then checking the room for others. Thinking quickly, he went to the shower and turned it on, washing his hands and feet and then drying them on one of many rolled grey towels beside it, shoving it into a hamper after, which luckily, contained several others amongst soiled clothes. Then, satisfied that he’d left the space exactly as he’d found it, Ardhi inched towards the bedroom door, inhaling Ivyanne’s scent hungrily from the soap on his hands-lilac-a fragrance she’d been partial to a few years before. It made him giddy, reminding him of when they’d been an ‘us,’ monogamous in their own unique way.
A commitment she’d not only broken, but shattered. His resolve hardened like drying cement.
Ivyanne’s room was so splendiferous that he almost couldn’t stand it-the silver and gold reminded him of her hair, the indigocoverlet of her scent. He investigated it quickly, opening drawers and rifling through them, making sure to leave everything as he had found it. To his utter delight, he spotted the king’s crown almost straight away on the bureau. He waltzed towards it and went to lift it to his head, but paused at the last minute, frowning. It was an obvious spot-she’d notice if he moved it prematurely. He’d have to wait. Reluctantly, he sat it back down in the open box.
‘Got it Luca,’ he said out loud. The Court family treasure would soon be his! He ignored the twinge in his chest when he imagined handing the crown over-something he’d coveted since childhood, even before he’d fallen for the princess. But it was no more his than it had been Ash’s, or any of the men before them. Besides, Ardhi had a much more valuable prize in mind. Luca could have his birthright, and Ardhi would claim his own, between Ivyanne’s perfect, provocative thighs.
He turned turned to the bed then, running his hand across the silky comforter, trying to remember the last time he’d slept in something so comfortable. He’d love to stay the night there, to trap her body with his own until the sun rose, but minutes was all he’d get.
Unless… Ardhi wet his lips, excited. Why did he have to leave and come back? Why not stay and hide right there, in her inner sanctum? The plan would go ahead regardless, and he’d have hours to observe her, if not to touch her. She liked naps, after all. He might get the chance to explore her in the daylight!
Body humming in anticipation, he looked around the room. He told himself that he needed to find an ideal hiding place first but it was a pointless self-command. His mind had been made up since he’d caught the scent of Lilacs.
*
‘The sky is literally falling in.’ Tristan said, squinting out the window. He glanced at his watch. ‘Five thirty and it’s pitch black out there. I hate knowing he’s so close and yet untouchable. We should be hunting him-not waiting on his terms.’
‘You thought it was a fine plan last night.’ Garridan grumbled from his position in front of the monitors. Joyce was having a rest, and they were using the opportunity to double check that every signal was coming through clearly.
‘Yeah well that was last night. The time is nigh and I’m out for blood. I can’t take this waiting.’ Tristan felt like there were sea lice under his skin. ‘Just the idea of him touching one of his webbed feet to her bedroom floor makes me want to cut throats. And what if he spots Ivyanne early and decides to jump the mark?’
‘That’s exactly why I’m taking her upstairs for a rest soon. She can stay in there until nine. I’ll post Price out at the pool watching her window until then and I’ll stay by her door. He won’t get in, Tristan. This place is like Fort Knox.’ He paused. ‘But I understand your distress. I’ll feel much better when she’s locked down.’
‘I know, I know,’ Ivyanne muttered, appearing suddenly. ‘I was just coming to tell you that I’m going up now where I will stay put until you send for me. And to give you this.’ She held out the king’s crown to Garridan and Tristan had to catch his lip between his teeth to stop a sound leaving his throat.
Mine! he thought, swallowing rapidly. That’s for me!
‘I even polished it for you, but moved the box into my bedside table. When he opens it, you’ll hear it. That might give you a chance to shoot him in the back.’
Garridan took the crown that had been passed over his head with shaking hands, staring down at it with reverence. ‘Thank you your majesty. That’s a very good idea.’
‘I was due one.’ Ivyanne wrapped her arms around herself. ‘Anyway like I said, I’m going up now. You’re not going to stick someone on the roof though are you in this miserable weather?’
‘No. Price will be on the boat, watching your floor all night at his own insistence. He’s itching for a shot at Ardhi, so I’m giving him one from a dryer vantage point. But the rest of the guards are about to be forced to sleep in the theatre room. I’d like you to try and get some shut eye too.’
Ivyanne nodded. ‘Good for him. I have some things to do first... but yeah, I’ll eventually try and shower and get some sleep.’ She motioned to the cameras. ‘You got those on in every room?’
Garridan patted the monitor in front of him. ‘Yes-except the bathrooms. I was just about to send out a text to warn you guys to cover it up when you’re outside of the water closets.’
Ivyanne frowned. ‘Do you have timers on them?’
Garridan shrugged. ‘They can-why?’
Ivyanne was staring at the reflection of her own room. ‘Turn mine off for a few hours, okay?’
Tristan immediately rose to attention. She noticed, and shot him a withering glare.
‘Please. No-I just have some things to do and I don’t want to be spied on while I’m doing them.’
Tristan couldn’t fight back his broad grin. ‘Need me to call, honey?’
‘I’m not hearing this…’ Garridan muttered.
Ivyanne looked at Garridan quickly then back at him, clearly mortified. ‘No. And if you do, I won’t be answering.’
Tristan exhaled heavily, trying to look dispirited. But truthfully-he didn’t really care what she said. He was getting into her room that night. He didn’t care if he had to knock her guard unconscious-he would be claiming her before the sun rose or die trying.
‘I’ll set it until nine.’ Garridan said. ‘But I want you to keep your blinds drawn behind the curtains and your lights off, just in case he sees you and gets ideas about striking early. I’m about to go set myself up in the hallway.’
Ivyanne frowned. ‘But you need sleep too.’
‘I know,’ he said with a smile. ‘And that’s what I’ll be doing-all day tomorrow.’
Ivyanne smiled. ‘I can’t believe this could be over tonight.’ She said softly. ‘What will you do then?’
‘I guess it depends.’ Garridan said. ‘I did promise your mother that I’d stay until your first child was born, but I suppose I can relax that rule once Ardhi has been held accountable. But I dare say I’ll stay until you’re at least married.’
Ivyanne’s
face softened. ‘Good.’
‘Good?’ Garridan laughed. ‘I thought you wanted me gone?’
Ivyanne walked over and kissed him on the forehead, then bent over so she was looking into his eyes. ‘But if you go straight away-who will give me away on my wedding day?’
Tristan sucked in a breath. If she’s chosen who she wants to give her away does that mean…?
Garridan looked just as shocked. His face was slowly turning pink. ‘You mean... me?’
Ivyanne stood up and ruffled his hair. ‘Of course silly.’
Tristan’s uncle’s entire face lit up. For a moment, Tristan was afforded a glimpse of the young, joyful man Garridan had been once. ‘I’d be honored, your majesty.’
She wagged a finger at him, avoiding Tristan’s eyes. ‘Will you be just as honored regardless of who the groom is?’
Tristan winced, thinking that was a shitty thing to say right in front of him. But he supposed she couldn’t help it-when wasn’t he around? Besides, if Tristan ended up alone after all of this, he would be too devastated over losing her to give a shit about who participated in the wedding.
‘I will.’ His uncle said, kissing one of Ivyanne’s hands. ‘Given the trials these boys have gone through, I don’t doubt that you’ll choose the best partner for yourself-and I will trust that judgement.’ He glanced at Tristan apologetically. ‘Even if I am biased emotionally on the matter.’
‘Thank you.’ Ivyanne said. ‘Anyway I’m going upstairs….’ she glanced at Tristan pointedly. ‘I need to double check everything I locked earlier.’
Tristan winced and looked away. Stab after stab to the heart. Suddenly-he very much needed a lie down. When he looked back, Ivyanne was gone.
‘That was... sweet of her to ask me.’ Garridan said, his face still a shade of rose.
Tristan nodded, but said nothing, staring at the empty space Ivyanne had been, his heart no longer racing but thudding slowly, purposefully, like it was running out of beats and was trying to conserve the last ones.