Siren Descending

by Katherine Smits

  Exhausted, she smiled back at him.

  Thorne crawled to shore, then dropped on the rocky plateau. “Come on, Athenia. Change.” As he spoke, the wetsuit flowed back off his head, then down his body and off his legs. It flopped into the water and disappeared.

  Athenia sent another prayer of thanks to Styx, then transformed and heaved herself on shore.

  Between them, she and Thorne managed to stand as Athenia tried to keep her gaze on the sunlit area ahead. They were both naked. Her cheeks heated. How silly, I’ve been with humans too long. This is no time to worry about modesty.

  Arms around each other for support, they stumbled from the barren rocks into the living world.

  As soon as they crossed the tree line, Laurel rushed to them and hugged them. “You made it back. Athenia, you saved Thorne. I’m so proud of you.”

  Laurel held soft towels and blankets. First, she handed them the towels. Once they dried off, she helped them wrap up and hustled them to the cabin.

  Fussing, Laurel sat them down in the two chairs. Though it was a hot day, shivers wracked both Athenia and Thorne.

  With a wave of Laurel’s hand, the temperature around Athenia soared as if she had stepped into a sauna. The warmth banished the chill from her bones, and she sighed. Beside her, Thorne’s body relaxed, as though he too had warmed up.

  Next, Laurel brought them mugs of hot, sweet tea and placed a platter of frosted sugar cookies in front of them. “Eat, you need the calories. When your teeth stop chattering and your skin turns from blue to something like normal, we can talk.”

  Suddenly ravenous, Athenia grabbed two of the treats and stuffed them in her mouth.

  Thorne took three.

  After Athenia swallowed the last crumb and sipped her scalding tea, she set the mug on the table. “Thank you, Laurel. You saved us.”

  Laurel startled. “What do you mean? You did it, Athenia. I merely waited here for you.” She spread her arms. “You weren’t gone long, so I got to spend a couple of pleasant hours meditating in the woods until I felt you approach. After I called you a few times, you appeared.”

  Sighing, Athenia shook her head. “I got lost, couldn’t find my way, but then I followed the sound of your voice to the bank on this side. If not for you calling my name, I would never have made it.”

  With a smile, Laurel shook her head. “Well, I’m happy I helped, but you deserve the credit.”

  Athenia ducked her head. “So many beings assisted me, I can’t count them all. One thing I found out during this ordeal is no one person is powerful enough to accomplish great things alone. When everyone works together, we can achieve amazing things. I won’t forget that.”

  Thorne took her hand and squeezed it. “That’s the wisest thing you’ve ever said.” He took a deep breath, sniffed, and glanced around. “Hey, what happened to all the dead fish and the red tide?’

  Laurel grinned. “While I waited for you, I needed to do something besides meditate.”

  Athenia put her mug on the table and went to Laurel. She hugged her. “Thank you so much. I should have taken care of the mess, but I…”

  Laurel patted her shoulder. “You had more important things to do. I contributed a small part.” With a sharp expression, she scrutinized both Athenia and Thorne. Then, she said, “I’m so glad you’re back, but you have a lot to talk about. Time for me to go.” Abruptly, she strode out the door.

  ΨΨΨ

  Athenia sat back in her chair. “There’s something else I need to tell you. With all the commotion surrounding Gelion, I didn’t get a chance…I found out Merlindrake is still alive.”

  Thorne’s expression hardened. “Where is he?”

  “I don’t know. I went to his lair to search for his grimoire.” She swallowed. “Because I needed more power. The book was gone and so was his body.”

  “How could he survive the rock fall? Those boulders buried him.”

  “Maybe he reached water through a crack below where he landed. The water would rejuvenate him. Once he regained his strength, he probably used his sorcery to escape the rocks.”

  “Damn.” Thorne rubbed the back of his neck. “He’ll try to capture you again, won’t he?”

  “Yes, and he’ll be after you, too, since you helped me defeat him before.”

  He took her hand. “I’m sorry, I should have made sure Merlindrake was dead, but I was in a hurry to leave. See, you’re not the only one who’s made mistakes. Let it go for now. When he comes back, we’ll take him on together. Next time, we’ll be sure it’s the last time.”

  He lightly stroked her palm. “Now, we need to talk about what happens next with us.”

  When Athenia met Thorne’s gaze, her body trembled again, but this time, not from cold. Anticipation curled in little wisps throughout her body. Tingles ran down her spine. “Um, you said we’re friends.”

  When he brushed her hand, he sent a thrill straight to her heart. “I said we’re at least friends. We are, aren’t we?”

  “Well, yes of course.” For some reason, disappointment made her slump in the chair.

  “But not just friends.” A little smile turned up the corners of his lips.

  Something wonderful fluttered inside her. Hope soaring, she lifted her head. “No?”

  He took her other hand, so he held both of hers in his. “What you did for me, the sacrifice you offered to make for me, was the most beautiful gift anyone ever gave me.”

  Athenia shrugged. “Oh, well, you’re welcome. I owed it to you.” The tender shoots of excitement withered. Is his warmth due to gratitude?

  “No, you didn’t owe me. Anyway, you saved me for another reason…didn’t you?”

  Unable to meet his gaze, she glanced down.

  “You went to Hell and agreed to give the devil your soul to save me because you love me.” When she tried to pull away, he held on. “It’s true. You said so.”

  Her eyes brimmed. “I’m so sorry, but I couldn’t let you go without saying it at least once. I won’t let my feelings get in the way of our relationship. I can continue on as your apprentice like before, right?”

  With a sigh, he shook his head. “Not like before.”

  “Oh.” She let the tears flow. “I guess you want me to find another mentor. Or—do you want me to give up being a mage altogether? I can join Deme’s clan, I guess. Or, I’ll go on alone. Like I did before.” The prospect of so many lonely years stretching before her, made her chest ache.

  When Thorne stood and pulled her to her feet, she clutched the blanket around her, afraid it would fall, and he would think she wanted to seduce him. Won’t act like I did with Merlindrake. I’m not the same person anymore.

  Taking the end, he tucked the soft fabric securely around her body. His chest was bare and his covering rode low on his hips, exposing a small area of untanned skin below where his bathing trunks usually covered.

  Without thinking, she peeked from his chiseled abs down the sexy line of hair which ran from his belly button to… “Oh.” She glanced away. Heat rose in her cheeks. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stare.”

  What an idiot, I’m acting like a fool. Squaring her shoulders, she took a step backward. Got to get out of here before I make this worse.

  Thorne held on to her hands. “Don’t leave, sweetheart. Give me a minute to explain.”

  She stood stiffly before him. “All right, say what you need to, and I’ll go.” No matter what he tells me, I won’t break down. I’ll deal with it and do what I must to survive.

  Thorne ran his hands through her hair, and then took her chin and tilted it so their gazes met. “I love you, too, Athenia, but I didn’t trust you after what happened when we first met. Now, I know I can entrust you with my heart, my life, and my soul. Styx was right. I’m your mate, and you’re mine, for eternity, if you’ll accept me.”

  Did I hear him right? “You love me?”

  He nodded and pulled her to him in a long hug.

  The joy of his declaration sang through her enti
re being. I can’t believe it. She opened her eyes. “You mean it?”

  He touched his lips to her forehead, then her nose. “With all my heart.”

  She leaned in and captured his mouth with hers.

  When they drew apart, they both breathed heavily.

  “So, will you be my mate? Will you marry me?” He brought her knuckles to his lips

  Holding back a smile, she narrowed her eyes. “I’ll think about it.”

  He jerked back. “What?”

  Without warning, she punched him, hard. “I thought you’d throw me out. How dare you put me through that?” Her hand ached, but she didn’t shake it like she wanted to. No way I’m going to admit his belly is so hard it almost broke my hand.

  He massaged the spot on his gut where her fist had collided. For a moment, he pressed his lips together, but then he burst out laughing. “I had that coming.”

  “Damn right, you did,” she muttered.

  Thorne got down on one knee. “Athenia, will you marry me? Please say you’ll be my partner in this life and the next.”

  She knelt in front of him. “I’ll always be yours, Thorne Sanderson.”

  Taking her in his arms, he brushed her lips with his, then he led her to his bedroom.

  After they sat together on the side of the bed, he kissed her again, long and deeply, leaving her feeling drugged and lightheaded.

  He moved over and lay on his side on the bed. With a sexy grin, he pulled back the covers and patted the spot next to him. “Come, lie here next to me.”

  Her mouth went dry, and her breath hitched. “Wait, I’m nervous. Silly, but…”

  He patted her arm. “It’s okay. We won’t do anything you aren’t ready for. What Gelion did to you…” He trailed off. “Literally, that was Hell. We’ll go as slow as you want and only do what you’re comfortable with.”

  She perched beside him but tensed and cringed. “Something else I have to tell you...” Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to continue. “When Gelion tried to seduce me with his illusions, he made me feel things.” Heat from shame suffused her body. Will Thorne hate me when he hears this? “I didn’t want to feel them, but I did. I was so, um, aroused, I almost threw myself at him just for the release.”

  As he turned on his back and bunched his fists, Thorne’s body went rigid, and he stared at the ceiling, his clenched jaw bulging.

  Rolling away, she hid her face. Now he’s disgusted by me. The ache throbbed in her chest again.

  He moved back to his side and rested his arm across her body, dropping tiny caresses on her shoulder. “Oh no, darling. Don’t think I’m upset with you. I want to kill Gelion.”

  She dared to look back at him. “But I shouldn’t have—”

  “Don’t ever imagine you did anything wrong. None of this was your fault. You couldn’t help your body responding. You’re only human.”

  “Well, actually I’m—”

  He growled. “You’re Nerei. But you aren’t as different from us as you think.”

  She ventured a little smile. “Is that right?”

  “Come here, and I’ll show you.” He brought her closer and kissed her for a long time. Then, he threw the cover away from her body and tossed it to the floor. He nuzzled a path down her neck as he fondled each of her breasts.

  Athenia tingled all over. She ran her hands over his chest and around his back, delighting in the feel of his muscles.

  As his lips made their way down her body, Thorne shrugged off his blanket. He reached her breast, sucked it, and teased her nipple with his tongue.

  Liquid pooled in her core, and she moaned. “This feels so good, but I don’t want to…”

  He sat up. “Do you want me to stop? All you have to do is say the word. Anything we do has to be right for you.”

  She squirmed. “I don’t know... I don’t want to feel the way I did when Gelion tempted me.” Peeking under her eyelashes, she sighted down his body. He was erect and straining toward her. He’ll stop if I ask him to, but it will be an act of sheer will. Her ability to arouse him gave her a pleasant shiver.

  He sat up and reached for a pair of shorts on the floor beside the bed, probably forgotten when he packed to leave the cabin. “I love you, Athenia, and you love me. For now, that’s enough. The most important thing is for you to be completely sure before we make love.”

  For a few seconds, she tuned in to the depth of her emotion for him. Love is the most powerful force in the universe and always overcomes all difficulties. Now I realize the contrast between the lust Gelion foisted on me and the true desire I feel for Thorne. “Wait, don’t get up. I’m okay. What I feel for you is totally different than what Gelion made me feel. He disgusted me. This is true magic. Please, make love to me.”

  He stared into her eyes. “You’re sure?”

  “One hundred percent.”

  Thorne kissed her again, his tongue tangling with hers. He ran his palm down the length of her body, eliciting goose bumps all the way. When he reached between her legs and gently touched her core, she pulsed with need.

  “I want you inside me now.”

  He eased a finger into her, and she clamped around it, rocking against him. “Ooh, that feels good, but that’s not what I meant.”

  He chuckled, withdrew the finger, and lowered himself over her.

  She twined her arms behind his neck. “I love you.”

  As he entered her, he moaned. “I love you, too. For eternity.”

  For a moment, he held her, as connected to her as a man and woman could be. Then, he moved with her in a rhythm as old as the tides.

  Her body heated like a pool of lava. She urged him to give her faster and harder thrusts, and he brought her to the edge.

  Too soon, overwhelming pleasure rocked her with a shattering orgasm.

  When she crested, Thorne cried out his own release, and they fell through space and time as one.

  As she drifted toward sleep, wrapped in a cloud of contentment, Thorne whispered in her ear. “We’re home. You saved me, and we’ll be together now, forever. Nothing will ever come between us again.”

  The End

  EPILOGUE

  Two weeks later, the cabin walls shook from cacophonous noise. It hurt her Nerei ears, but Athenia smiled through the pain. Bodies gyrated in time to the thrumming drums and the vibrating bass of guitars. Classic rock music, Thorne calls this. Must be an acquired taste.

  She moved to the group of mages, and they surrounded her. The women hugged her. Rowan and Ash gave her little bows of respect.

  Willow grabbed Athenia’s hand. “Let me see.”

  The diamond ring sparkled and refracted a rainbow of swirling colors.

  “Oh, it’s beautiful.”

  Laurel examined it next. “Not bad. I thought he’d cheap out and give you a chip, but this is half a carat.”

  Athenia frowned. “I don’t know what a proper size should be since engagement rings are a human custom, but I love this. It’s perfect.”

  When someone came up behind her, the headache-inducing music prevented her from hearing his approach. A muscled arm looped around her. She started and jumped. “Oh, it’s you.” She relaxed into Thorne.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “I’m fine. More surprised than scared.”

  He kissed her, and his lips made everything else fade away.

  “Get a room,” someone yelled.

  She pulled away, her face heating.

  Thorne took her hand and gave her a contrite grimace. “Guess you’re still not comfortable with PDAs.”

  “PDAs?” Perplexed by the unfamiliar phrase, she raised an eyebrow.

  “Public Displays of Affection. A little human slang.”

  “Oh.” She glanced around, but the mages had moved off a few feet and talked among themselves, ignoring her and Thorne.

  “They expect us to be wrapped up in each other. They weren’t offended, just joking around.”

  As several more people squeezed int
o the crowded room, Athenia smiled. “There’s Deme with Nik and Bas and some other clan members. Let’s go say hello to them.”

  Arm in arm, they made their way to the newcomers, swerving around dancers. Guests laughed and parted for them, the men pounding Thorne on the back.

  By the time they reached Deme and the other Nerei, they were flushed and sweaty from dodging revelers in the crowded space.

  Athenia shouted in Deme’s ear. “Let’s go outside so we can talk.”

  She nodded, and they all headed out where the racket was muted enough for Athenia to hear herself think. She grimaced. “They’ll ruin their hearing.”

  Deme put on an expression of wry amusement. “How do they tolerate it?”

  “Yeah, give me peace and quiet.” Athenia nodded, and they sighed simultaneously.

  Thorne laughed. “You two sound like grumpy old women.”

  Nik punched him on the arm. “Hey, groom to be. This is too soon to start with the old ball and chain jokes.”

  Bas ducked his head. “Don’t make these ladies mad. You’ll be sorry.”

  Thorne snickered. “Voice of experience?”

  Pointing at Nik, Bas whispered. “You don’t want to know.”

  When Nik shot him a narrow-eyed glare, he slashed a finger across his neck in a cutting gesture, but he grinned in the way of a satisfied male.

  Athenia hugged Deme and Nik. “Thank you so much for coming. This means a lot to me.”

  “We wouldn’t miss your engagement celebration.” Deme inspected her ring. “Gorgeous.” Sadness shone from her eyes.

  Athenia squeezed her shoulder. “Your time will come.”

  Deme moved away a step. “Today is about you, not me.”

  Athenia’s heart ached for her. “I wish I could say something to help you.” She’s been dealing with a terrible betrayal. “But nothing seems adequate.”

  Treating them to an overly brilliant smile, Deme dried her eyes. “Don’t be concerned about me, I’m fine. So, I heard there’s wine and food. Let’s party.”

  The three of them headed back inside, Nik frowning.

  She’s worried about Deme, too, but she can’t fix it either. Concern for her friend dimmed Athenia’s happiness.