by A. K. Koonce
“So, my Princess,” My lips tug up at my own claim. She is mine. Or at least I hope and pray. “Your father thinks it’s better to hide you away? Should you not be at the castle kissing babies, sending out well wishes to your kingdom and such?”
A laugh shakes through her small body. The loose and free noise calms my soul while I watch it clear the worry from her face.
I missed her. More than I should.
“You’re funny.” Her head tips up as she narrows her pretty eyes at me.
A smirk tilts my lips from her careless compliment.
“It’s a punishment. I’m supposed to be hidden from ruffians like you,” she says.
Her delicate finger comes up to point at me. My own fingers reaching up and slowly intertwine with hers. Together we pause, neither of us taking another step until she brightens red and drops my hand.
“What’s the matter?” I question, not bothering to fight the concern that falls on me.
“Nothing.”
“Wren, with women, nothing is always something.”
In her silence, each step drags on. My heart beats louder as my unsure eyes jump from the ground, to the passing shops, to her face.
Her teeth, bright white, run over her bottom lip, “I’ve just had some weird dreams lately and … with all this wedding planning ... I don’t know. I just feel off, I guess.”
The simple word wedding fills me with irrational anger.
A reminder that she isn’t mine.
Not at all.
Wren stops. Her feet coming together as we stand at the entrance of a large estate. The lawn is flawless and well-manicured. It’s framed by stone walkways that lead to a grand brick mansion.
Her arms raise in show. “Here we are, this is Hazel’s.”
Large double doors stand tall at the front. Dozens of glossy windows shine across the brick building.
“Which one’s yours?” I point to the house.
I’m sure she’s locked away safely in the tallest tower.
Not that that’ll stop me.
She turns to me, her smooth dress skimming my hip. I keep my hands safely to myself as I stare down at her beautiful eyes.
“Why? Planning to come visit me soon?”
My head dips low, her soft hair brushing my jaw. “They couldn’t keep me away.”
Long locks skim my shoulder as she tilts her head toward me, studying me closely.
“I have a friend I want you to meet.”
Friend.
The word sounds odd in her mouth, uncomfortable. Nervous.
It’s the last thing in the world I thought she might say to me.
“Any friend of yours is a friend of mine, Princess.”
I tilt my head at her strange behavior. The gravel at our feet become the focal of her attention.
“He’s kind.” Her brows pull together. “Kind of.” A small smirk pulls at the corner of her lips. “He led me to the sea witch, though. He helped us.”
“He did what?” The tone of my voice is harsher than I expected.
“I found a witch,” she says more confidently. “She was confusing”
“What did she say? She didn’t hurt you did she?”
I’ll never stop searching the depths of the dark ocean until I hunt her down if that witch did something to Wrenley.
Swiftly she shakes her head.
“She said I had to set you free. I had to set all of you free. I don’t know what that means.” She shakes her head once more before meeting my eyes with a strange look in her gaze. “Will you meet him? My friend. Ledian.”
She likes him. Suddenly I feel as lost as she does.
“Does he … appreciate you?” If he hurt her I’ll kill him. I don’t even know him and I’ll still find a way to end him.
“Appreciate?” she repeats with a small smile.
Wrenley might not understand her own emotions. She might not realize how obvious she really is.
But I see it.
I see her, every part of her.
“Is he good to you? Respectful.” I push her hair back from her smooth features. “Sweet.” I lean into her, my chest brushing hers. “Caring.” I swallow hard before I speak again. “Loving.”
Her lips part with a half-smile.
“Cohen, I barely know him. He isn’t loving. I doubt he even knows how to be.” She scoffs and glances down at the minimal space that separates us. “He’s nice. He helped us. He’s a little bit like you.”
“How so?”
Hesitant fingers skim up my chest, my heart storming to life beneath her touch.
“He’s protective. Funny. Smart.” Her hand travels up to my neck, soft fingers drift along my skin. “You’ll like him.”
I lean into her, my lips skimming her cheek, wishing I had the nerve to kiss her again.
“If he kept you safe, then I already like him.”
It’s that simple. He was here when I wasn’t able to be. If she likes him, if she trusts him, then I’ll figure it out.
My emotions aren’t fragile. My feelings for Wren aren’t something delicate.
They’re demanding and strong and if she wants me—if she cares for me—then that’s all that matters.
Chapter Nine
Magic
Nash
Sitting in my room, the one the king has gracefully given to me to at the castle, I allow an ounce of untrained magic to light the candle before me. A simmering energy pools in my fingertips. Pushing a large breath out, I kill the flame only to light it again. The magic taunts me with thoughts of what it could be.
It could rise into so much more.
I scowl at the desk before me. This should be mine, this all should be mine.
Anger flounces through my body pushing at my magic till the candle flame is too high. I know what they are. Most importantly, I know who they are.
Working my entire life to gain a title, to gain more than a title—to gain a crown—I’m not about to let the Ryken family steal that from me.
My hands claw at the wooden desk before me leaving splinters under my nails. I don’t care.
The dagger, I knew it was gone the minute it left my room. Its presence had become something familiar, almost comforting. Sensual. The moment Wren left, she took that raw energy of magic with her.
The visit to her slut of a cousin’s residence had confirmed my thoughts. The princess kept the damn knife on her. My hands worm their way up to my hair, pulling, fraying the ends into disarray.
None of them understand what they’re toying with. The danger and death that weapon will bring will haunt them.
Perhaps I’ll just wait for precisely that moment.
I’m sick. Sick with the anger that boils just under the surface when I look at those fucks; the Ryken brothers. A snarl works over me just at the thought.
My life has become a charade where I play the poor fool who hides behind his guards. It won’t be like this forever. No, one day they will bow at my feet.
Chapter Ten
Normal
Wren
The wind blows against the castle, shaking the shutters and pulling at the tree limbs outside my window. The moon is full tonight. Clear, white light plays tricks with the shadows of the room.
It’s been days since I’ve seen Ledian. The memory of us together drifts through my mind almost hourly. I’ll never be able to tell him he took my virginity and I’m sure he wouldn’t dwell. In a way, I’m relieved it wasn’t one of the Ryken brothers. They … care about me. Sure, Ledian cares if I put myself in danger but he wouldn’t exactly fret over never seeing me again.
At least that’s what I thought. The way he looked at me. It feels different now.
He was the easy choice in a way.
The silhouette of a man pulls himself over the small balcony and I nearly scream. My fingers grip around the candle stick on my bedside table. The only weapon I have.
Cohen’s dark eyes peer into mine, settling my racing heart and replacing the fear on my face with a s
mile.
My feet pad quickly over to the door and fling it open to him. Astonishment parts my lips.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” I whisper, the smile pulling hard against my face.
He doesn’t reply, he pulls me against him and his mouth against mine is the only response he has. His warm hands wrap around my hips, aligning my soft curves against his hard body. As his tongue parts my lips, I’m suddenly aware only my thin nightgown separates us.
I pull back from him.
Guilt spirals through me.
“I had sex with Ledian.” My teeth sink hard into my bottom lip.
He doesn’t meet my eyes as he studies the dark floor. If he never looks at me again it’ll ruin me.
But I don’t feel like I made a mistake.
Ledian helped me when I didn’t know how to help myself. All of this feels like fate in a way. We’re all being pulled together for a reason.
A breath shakes from his lips, his hands are still firmly on my waist.
“It doesn’t matter.” My brows pull together as I stare up at him. “Wren, I’m not your keeper. I don’t own you. I—I care about you.” His palm drifts along my jaw as he holds my head in his large hand. “I have a million other things I should be doing,” my stomach sinks as I remember the sea witch’s words, “and yet, all I wanted to do was sneak over here to see you again. Life isn’t all black and white. Neither is love. Our lives are screwed up. You’re engaged and I’m … a fucking merman. You having feelings for more than one person is probably the most normal thing about us.”
Relief floods me, the knot in my stomach unwinding a little.
With careful movements, his fingers tangle into my long hair. His lips brush mine once more. Slowly. His tongue slides over mine.
“Why—” I pull back from him as the memory of the first time he kissed me skims my hazy mind. “Why didn’t you try anything the first time we kissed?”
He smiles against my lips.
“I didn’t think it was a good idea. Had a lot on my mind; curses and such.” His head leans against mine, our hair mingling. “And you said I was your first.”
“That bothered you?”
“Scared the hell out of me.”
Laughter hums through my chest.
“It’s not that I wasn’t interested. I haven’t had sex in a hundred years.” His chestnut eyes grow wide with horror. “I can’t believe I just said that to you.”
A smile tilts my lips.
“Are you afraid you forgot how?” The teasing in my voice makes him smirk slightly.
His hands fall low against the small of my back, his hard body is all around me as he stares down into my eyes. His face doesn’t hold any sarcasm, as mine does, there’s no playful demeanor in Cohen. He’s always the serious one. He leans his head down, his temple resting against mine.
Then he says something that tears at the frayed threads that hold me together. Cohen Ryken steals every little piece of me.
“I’m afraid of breaking your heart, Princess.”
Chapter Eleven
A Proper Introduction
Cormac
I want to wrap her up in my arms and never let her go. The four of us stand near the ocean. The crashing waves mimic my pounding heart as I stare at the one woman who terrifies me the most. Wrenley Hazlitt terrifies me because I can’t control the way I feel around her.
“I missed you so much,” she says as Cason wraps her tightly into his big arms.
I’m on edge just watching her.
Cason releases her and she turns to me, throwing her arms around my shoulders without hesitation. Her warm body presses against mine and I lift her until her feet no longer touch the ground. She laughs against my neck, a humming feeling that buzzes right into my veins.
“I missed you.” Her voice is muffled and as she slides down my chest, her feet touching the sand once again, I lean into her. Our lips brush lightly, her breath stealing away from her as she stares up at me.
It feels good for us all to be together again. We’re good together. Our lives are bound together with a curse. I feel cursed. I’m on edge with an energy I can’t explain unless we’re all together.
“There’s so much I have to tell you all,” she says as she turns away from me. Her hand lingers in mine, our fingers lacing loosely between us.
She tells us of a shady guy she met at a pub, of Nash’s estate near the sea, of a mermaid and all that she said. I shift on my feet, dying for her to finish her story. She tells us endless information and all I hear is one thing:
“So what’s the deal with this Ledian guy again?”
Cohen rolls his eyes slowly before he and Cason exchange a knowing look.
“She said she met a new and wonderfully helpful friend,” a man says from behind me. “Try to keep up.” He gives me an arrogant wink.
My eyes narrow on him and with his attitude, I know who he is before we’re even introduced.
“Ledian.” A wide grin fills the princess’ face. She drops my hand as she walks toward him. He holds his hands in his pockets, a vest with a few holes in it hangs from his broad shoulders.
“Cohen, Cason, Cormac, this is Ledian.”
“Yeah, I’m never going to remember those names.” He smirks at her.
Cohen shakes the creep’s hand as if they’re both reasonable adults.
“And what’s Ledian to you?” I ask once more for crystal clear clarification.
“Friends. We’re friends,” Ledian says slowly as if I’m dense.
The red hue tenting Wren’s cheeks draws my attention and I hate that I’m dwelling on it.
This guy’s no good. But she likes him for some odd reason. So I’ll deal with him.
Until he fucks up.
Chapter Twelve
Nice Guys Finish Last
Cason
“I hear they’re expecting a wedding next week.” I don’t want to say it. It’s the last thing I want to talk about.
It drives me insane that I can’t keep my thoughts to myself when I’m around her.
Princess Wren slips her feet into her boots as she gets ready to leave. The three of us snuck up her balcony just in time to catch her getting ready to leave.
I have the shittiest timing.
A frown pulls at her lips and I hate it. I hate that I just did that to her.
“Sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” Her assurance sounds weak though, her thoughts seem to be miles away.
“You can’t fucking go, Cormac.”
Cohen’s always stern voice drifts through the room, his tone becoming low as he argues with Cormac on the balcony. Their conversation is quiet, the doors left open, as if they have nothing to hide.
They don’t. Wrenley knows everything about us. Our secrets are now hers to keep.
Cormac wants to attend Wren’s wedding. He said it just like that. As if he was just another guest. As if he wouldn’t try to murder a certain redheaded groom just before their vows.
Cohen won’t allow it.
That’s what the two of them do. Cohen lectures Cormac like a disappointed parent and Cormac rebels like a disobedient child.
And I just shut the hell up and let them bicker.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Cormac did secretly attend the wedding.
I take a seat at Wren’s side, the soft mattress pulling her closer to me.
My weight shifts as I turn to her, my arms run up her back as my palms settle against her small shoulders. She’s tiny. I love it.
I rub the tense muscles there and she melds into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed.
“Thanks.”
“Happy to do it.”
God, I’m probably too happy to do it.
Her skin’s smooth against my rough touch. I can feel the tension falling from her. A euphoric feeling swirls within my chest all because I’m helping her. Even if it is the smallest amount of help I can offer her.
She leans back until her back is flat against my che
st and my hands slip around her thin waist.
She should eat more.
“You okay?” I ask in a quiet voice, my head leaning against hers.
Her hair shakes beneath my cheek as she shakes her head no.
My heart breaks in two, it shatters just knowing there’s absolutely nothing I can do to help her.
“I have to go, Ledian asked me to have a drink with him before I leave this week.”
“You like him?” I hate that I asked that. It’s none of my business.
“Yeah, he’s helping us. He’s nice.”
I nod. If our lives were different it might matter. It might matter that I care about the same woman as another man. Wrenley’s different. I couldn’t stay away from her if I tried.
If she trusts him then I trust him.
***
He brought her home drunk. The bastard.
Ledian snuck off into the night, didn’t even make sure she made it to her room okay. He’s careless and reckless, not at all the caring person Wren seems to think he is. I’m happy I came by tonight when I did.
The soft blankets fist in my hands as I pull the covers up to her chin.
“Cason.” My name’s breathy on her lips, stopping me in my tracks.
“Yeah, Princess?” I sit at the edge of the bed in case she needs me closer.
“Can you get me a glass of water?” Her voice is scratchy with emphasis of the much needed water.
“Yeah. Of course.” With a loud thumping sound, I stumble through her room in the darkness, not wanting to hurt her eyes with a mere candle light. I pour her water and come back to her in an instant.
She sits up unsteadily on an elbow and chugs it all down in one gulp.
That’s not the best idea with nothing but alcohol in her belly …
“Can I have some more?”
My brows crease but once again I stand and fetch her another full glass of water. The pitcher’s empty when I set it back down on the table with minimal noise. I trip on one of her boots, sloshing the water over the brim of the glass and do my best to soak up the mess with the hem of my shirt before returning back to her.
Again she drinks it quickly, making me feel queasy just thinking about the way her stomach must be turning with liquid right now.