Hidden Depths

by L. M. Brown

  “Thank you.”

  Finn turned to Kyle, who was uncharacteristically quiet. “What’s the matter?”

  Kyle startled. “I was thinking about my own mother, wondering where she is. I think I need to find her. I would much rather her be here in the new colony than out there in danger.”

  Finn squeezed Kyle’s hand. “We’ll find her together. I promise.”

  “That’s a lot of ocean to search,” Kyle said. “It would take years to swim it all, and even then, we might not find her if she’s traveling around.”

  “We’ll find her,” Finn promised, “as well as the others in your clan who chose not to stay in the sunken city.”

  Kyle nodded, a sheen of moisture on his eyes. Finn vowed to find a way to bring Kyle’s family back together. His lover and friend had given him so much, he, more than anyone else Finn knew, deserved to be happy.

  Chapter Twenty

  The next morning, Kyle woke to the familiar feeling of having been thoroughly fucked by the men he loved. He opened his eyes to see Finn watching him with a smile.

  “How long have you been awake?” Kyle asked.

  “A while.”

  “And how long have you been staring at me?”

  “The same.” Finn leaned over to kiss him. “We should probably head back to the colony in a little while. My father will be sending out a search party for me, if we don’t return soon.”

  Kyle stretched and yawned. “You go back. I think I’ll stay here in this nice soft bed for a few more hours.”

  Finn stuck out his lower lip. “You’re supposed to be my bodyguard.”

  Kyle laughed as he pulled Finn down on top of him. He wrapped his legs around Finn, holding him in place. “Maybe you should fire me?”

  Jake groaned beside them. “What time is it?”

  “Just before five,” Finn replied.

  “For fuck’s sake,” Jake grumbled. “Go back to sleep, the pair of you, or I’ll throw you both back into the ocean.”

  “You’re not tired, are you?” Finn teased.

  Jake opened one eye and glared at them. “We only went to sleep a couple of hours ago. How can you possibly be this bloody chirpy?”

  Kyle laughed as Finn pounced on their lover, causing Jake to curse and swear, while burrowing under his pillow.

  “Kyle, help,” each of his lovers cried at the exact same time.

  Deciding to take pity on Jake, Kyle pulled Finn off him, giving Jake time to recover.

  “Traitor,” Finn muttered as he half-heartedly attempted to escape Kyle’s embrace.

  “Now, now, Finn,” Kyle teased. “You’ve got to remember that Jake isn’t as young as we are. As he gets older, he’s going to struggle to keep up with us.”

  “Hey!” Jake exclaimed. “Who are you calling old? You’re less than three months younger than me.”

  Finn raised a brow at Kyle. “He’s got a point. You’re both a lot nearer to thirty than I am.”

  Kyle and Jake exchanged a look before tackling Finn.

  Early in the morning or not, they were all wide awake now, though he suspected it would be quite a while before they headed back to the ocean.

  * * * *

  When Finn and Kyle finally returned to the colony, after another round of sex, a full English breakfast and nearly an hour on the phone to their friends and family in England, they were immediately summoned before King Nereus.

  “I told you he’d be sending out a search party,” Finn said as they swam into the largest cavern, which had been declared the king’s new audience chamber. Several mermen and mermaids congregated in the chamber, though few Finn recognized.

  King Nereus swam to meet him. “Finn, my son, I expected you back here hours ago.”

  “We’ve been on the island,” Finn replied. “Jake is living there.”

  “Jake? You mean your human lover? Isn’t he back in England?”

  “He was, but not any longer. Caspian took him to the island, along with our dog. We spent the night with him, and I guess we lost track of time.”

  King Nereus didn’t seem appeased. “I’ve received a disturbing report about this human.”

  “He startled some of the mer when he arrived,” Finn admitted. “But they swam off before we could explain he was a friend.”

  “That’s not what I’m referring to.” King Nereus flushed and wouldn’t meet Finn’s eyes.

  “Father, what is it?” Finn had a sinking feeling in his stomach.

  “I’ve been advised that this human has used violence toward you,” King Nereus finally said.

  “Who has told you this?” Kyle asked.

  King Nereus glared at Kyle. “You will remain silent. As Finn’s personal bodyguard, it’s your job to protect him.”

  “Kyle protects me perfectly well,” Finn argued. “Now, how about you answer his question?”

  King Nereus turned his fury on Finn, and for a moment Finn saw a fleeting glimpse of the man who had sent them from Atlantis. Then he seemed to visibly rein himself in. “Otus returned from the island an hour ago and felt the need to report to me what he had seen immediately, due to concerns for your safety.”

  “Otus? What are you talking about?”

  “The leader of the guards was concerned when you were a long time returning to the ocean,” King Nereus explained. “He ventured to the human structure to check that you were unharmed.”

  “What?” Finn searched the room for Otus, finding him hovering nearby, a gloating smile on his face.

  “When he saw the human beating you, he swam back here at once.”

  Finn shot a venomous glare at Otus. “Did he really?” he asked sarcastically. Even if Otus had crept into their home and watched them, there was no way he’d swum right back here to the king. If he had, he’d have been back hours ago and King Nereus would have sent someone to bring him back as soon as Otus had raised the alarm. More likely the odious merman had waited until there were plenty of merpeople around before he decided to express his so-called concerns.

  “Is it true?” King Nereus asked. “Did this human raise his hand to you? Did he use some human instrument to beat you?”

  Finn felt Kyle take hold of his hand and squeeze his fingers in support.

  “You have nothing to be ashamed of,” Kyle whispered into his mind, for Finn alone to hear.

  “Stop calling him ‘the human’. He has a name,” Finn snapped.

  “Answer the question, Finn!”

  “Jake helped me break my fever.”

  “That’s not what I asked you,” King Nereus replied. “Did he strike you?”

  “He gave me what I needed last night.” Finn knew he was avoiding saying the words out loud, but there were so many spectators in the room, and even if he sent his words to his father alone, he could tell the king was projecting his voice for everyone in the cavern to hear.

  “Answer the question!” King Nereus roared.

  “Yes!” Finn shouted back. “And I loved it.”

  The king reeled back at Finn’s response. “What are you saying?”

  Finn glared at Otus, hating that he had been forced into this position by a merman who simply wanted to stir up trouble. Finn wished he had sent his words privately to his father, but it was too late now, even if he didn’t know that Otus would be telling anyone who would listen about what he had seen.

  He turned back to his father. “My trigger is being spanked,” he said quietly. “I enjoy it, as I’m sure Otus could tell when he invaded our privacy last night.”

  King Nereus sat on the luxurious sponge that he had been installed as his throne. “Come here, Finn. Everyone else, please leave the room.”

  Finn kept hold of Kyle’s hand, not wanting to be left alone when he was feeling so vulnerable.

  “You too, Otus,” King Nereus said. “I’ll speak with you later.”

  When the cavern had cleared, Finn approached his father, drawing Kyle with him.

  “Tell me the truth, Finn. Is that really your trigger?” />
  “Yes.”

  King Nereus frowned. “And this human—Jake—he treats you well outside of the mating seasons?”

  “He always treats me well,” Finn replied. “You know our triggers are what bring us the most sexual pleasure. I know it isn’t befitting a prince, but it’s what I enjoy, and on the solstice, it’s what I need.”

  “I want to speak to him personally,” King Nereus said.

  “Not if you’re going to shout at him. He’s given up his entire life to be near me and Kyle, and I don’t want you saying anything to him to make him regret his decision.”

  “You don’t trust me?”

  “Not when you’re in a temper,” Finn muttered.

  His father took his hand and pulled him onto the sponge beside him. “Finn, I just want to make sure you’re being treated as you deserve—not because you’re a prince, but because you’re my son, whether we’re blood related or not.”

  “I am. I swear it.”

  Finn let his father hold him and finally released Kyle’s hand so he could hug his father back.

  When they parted, Finn retreated to Kyle’s side.

  “We’ll have to make sure we lock the door next time,” Kyle said. “I don’t know about you, but the thought of Otus watching us last night makes my skin crawl.”

  “Mine, too,” replied King Nereus, reminding them both that he could hear even their private communications. “I think perhaps Otus needs to be reminded of his place.”

  With a roar that startled both Finn and Kyle, King Nereus shouted for Otus to be brought before him.

  The guard appeared a few moments later. No doubt he had been hovering right outside the cavern.

  “Otus,” King Nereus said, “can you tell me why you chose to follow the prince and his lovers into the human’s building?”

  “I was concerned for Prince Finn’s safety,” Otus explained.

  “Why?”

  “Humans are treacherous.”

  “Having met Prince Finn’s human lover for yourself, it should have been obvious to you that was who he greeted. Again, I ask you, why did you follow them?”

  Otus remained silent, and Finn had the impression he was trying to think of a reason that might sound plausible.

  “I’ll tell you why, shall I?” King Nereus said as he swam right up into Otus’ face. “You’re jealous of what my son has with his two lovers. You thought to spy on them for your own pleasure. Then you decided to embarrass His Highness for your amusement.”

  “No,” Otus argued. “I was concerned for the prince’s safety. I swear on my life that I saw the human strike him, many times.”

  “If that is the case, why did you not intervene?” King Nereus asked. “If the prince was in danger, was it not your duty to protect him?”

  “It would have been three against one.”

  King Nereus raised a brow and smiled. “Then you didn’t believe Prince Finn was in danger, because if he had been, he’d have welcomed your intervention, and it would have been two against two, or three mermen against one human, depending on whether the prince’s bodyguard chose to assist you or the human.”

  Convicted by his own words, Otus hung his head.

  King Nereus pointed his trident at Otus’ throat. “You are hereby stripped of your position as leader of the guards. If you wish, you can remain in the ranks, in a more junior position, but if you dare to lie to me again, I’ll see you banished from this colony for life.”

  Otus snorted and glared at Kyle and Finn. “Banishment for life doesn’t mean much around here.”

  King Nereus’ face went purple with rage. “Get out, now, and never show your face here again.”

  Otus seemed to realize he had made a mistake, but King Nereus prodded him with the trident and urged him out of the cavern. “Guards!”

  Several mermen swam up at the king’s call.

  “See this merman is escorted from the colony,” the king demanded. “He is not to return for as long as I draw breath.”

  “But he’s the leader of the guards,” one of the mermen said. “Who will take that position now?”

  King Nereus faced Kyle. “Do you want the position?”

  Kyle shook his head. “No, Your Majesty. I will be leaving to search for my mother. I cannot take charge of the guards.”

  The king appeared disappointed, but he nodded. “All guards are to report to me in one hour. I’ll make my decision as to Otus’ replacement by then.”

  Finn watched as the guards led a furious Otus away. He truly hoped he never saw him again.

  All around him, curious mermen and mermaids gazed at him with wide-eyed stares. Finn fancied every one of them was imagining him bent over his lover’s lap, having his arse spanked. He inched closer to Kyle, seeking his hand and support.

  King Nereus swam over and patted his arm. “Don’t worry so much, my son. I promise none of those present are thinking of you in such a way. Most are wondering what Otus has done to be banished, and a few are glad to see the back of him. He isn’t very popular, it seems.”

  “I wonder why?” Kyle muttered.

  Finn nudged his lover and turned back to his father. “They might not be thinking of me now, but we know word will spread of what Otus saw.”

  “And what if it does?” his father replied. “You are a prince, and no one would dare to say anything to your face.”

  “I know, but I don’t like to think of them saying anything behind my back, either.”

  King Nereus raised Finn’s chin with his finger. “Hold your head high, my son.”

  Kyle nodded. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, my love.”

  Finn took their advice, and when he looked around again, he saw the crowd had dispersed, everyone returning to their chores, the banished guard and the prince apparently swiftly forgotten. Perhaps it will be all right, after all. Finn certainly hoped so.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Once his lovers had returned to the water, Jake set about doing a little more exploring. The plants in the garden weren’t yet ready to be harvested, but there appeared to be a variety of fruits and vegetables. Jake was pretty sure some of them shouldn’t flourish in the current climate, but he guessed Caspian had something to do with that.

  Treacle happily explored the house and the island, nosing into everything he could find. Jake made it a top priority to fence in the garden before the animal dug it all up.

  Jake suspected Caspian had also had a hand in the decent mobile phone reception and the electricity in the house. At first Jake had thought the latter must be from a generator, but despite searching high and low, he couldn’t find any trace of one.

  The fresh water running from the taps was another mystery he had yet to solve.

  Jake wondered whether they would be getting any bills for the supplies, and if so, who they would be from. Hell, will we be getting any post at all? Though he’d be happy to see the back of the junk mail.

  Jake and Treacle walked the length and breadth of the island, exploring every nook and cranny.

  Although the island was comparatively small, much of the terrain wasn’t ideal for walking, and by the time Jake returned to the house, it was mid-afternoon, and his stomach was growling.

  “Come on, Treacle. I bet you’re hungry, too.” Jake quickened his pace as they walked up the path from the beach to the house.

  As they neared, Treacle ran ahead, barking madly. The dog charged around the side of the house, heading for the garden. Jake ran after him, hoping he caught up before the dog had dug up half the plot.

  When Jake rounded the corner, he found Treacle, not destroying the garden, but growling at a vaguely familiar man sitting on the doorstep. Jake thought he might be one of the guards who had helped with the evacuation of the mer, but he couldn’t recall his name. The guards had all gone to the cave network outside the city before the immortals had raised the city.

  “It’s about time,” the man said.

  Jake studied the man who was naked and apparently not
bothered by the fact. Definitely a merman, then. “Can I help you?” he asked.

  “You’re the prince’s human lover.”

  Jake shrugged. “What of it?”

  The merman rose, revealing he was an inch or two taller than Jake. “What makes you think you have the right to touch a member of the royal family?”

  “I don’t see Finn complaining,” Jake said as he brushed past the merman, refusing to be intimidated.

  “The prince is easily led, usually by his cock.”

  Jake spun around and pushed the merman up against the wall. “Watch your mouth when you speak about Finn.”

  The merman shoved Jake away. “You think you can fight me?” He laughed loudly. “I’m leader of the Atlantean guards. There’s not a merman in the world who can take me on and beat me.”

  Jake laughed. “I don’t care who you are. What you should be asking yourself is who I am.”

  “I know who you are, some random human who thinks he is good enough for our prince.”

  “I’m also a direct descendant of the Atlantean Goddess of Love, and I don’t take kindly to random mermen turning up at my home and telling me who I can and can’t be with.”

  “You should leave this island,” the guard said. “It can be dangerous living alone in a place like this.”

  “I can take care of myself,” Jake replied. He had a feeling the merman was threatening him, but he refused to rise to the bait. He turned his back on the merman and opened the door.

  A moment later, everything went black.

  * * * *

  Kyle and Finn swam to the island with King Nereus close behind. The ruler of the colony had insisted on accompanying them back there, so he could speak to Jake for himself as well as see where Kyle and Finn would be spending a lot of their time.

  They arrived on the beach just as the sun was setting, and once they had got their legs, they walked along the path to the house.

  “You’ll like Jake once you get to know him properly,” Finn said. “He’s a wonderful man, kind and generous. And he loves me and Kyle so much.”

  Finn’s father nodded but didn’t comment as they approached the house.