Hayden
I wake up confused and alone in bed. Light seeps in through a crack in the curtain, and although there is the sound of birdsong, something feels wrong. The place where Natasha slept is empty, and my heart goes cold. Why didn't she wake me up?
I pout while putting on clothes. "Didn't Natasha want to eat breakfast with me?"
My heart squeezes.
I thought we were making progress yesterday. We joked and laughed, and Natasha accidentally called me her boyfriend. I was in such a state of shock I stopped breathing.
Her words warmed my heart, and the blush that spread over her skin like a rapid forest fire was endearing.
But now I don't know what to believe.
I'm disappointed Natasha she didn't push me awake. I would have grabbed her and forced her to cuddle with me. I'm soft in the morning and would have loved to inhale the scent of her hair.
But perhaps Natasha would have hated that?
Where is she, anyway? With Aid
Natasha I’m exhausted, and my lungs are burning from all the crying, screaming, all the sounds I’ve made during the journey here. “Some woman you are!” Aiden pulls us up on some golden beach, and I’m already halfway into the grave when he throws me on top of the sand. I’ve fought him during the entire way here, and the siren is furious with me. “I can’t believe you fucking bit me! And that was after you punched me in the eye—in the eye! I’m probably already blind! Is that what you want? A blind mate? Because I can’t hunt anything if I’m blind, Natasha! And who will feed you then? Huh?” Aiden keeps yelling at me, but I tune him out and focus on the birds circling in the cloudless sky. I can barely see them. My eyelids are swollen and bruised and battered. It’s a miracle that I’m still breathing. I’m not sure what came over Aiden, but he acts like a psychopath. After I tried to escape from his stupid neck where he had placed me, he grabb
NatashaI passed out after Aiden beat me, and now I steer my tired eyes toward the fire he has breathed to life. Night has fallen, and we are still on the beach. It's freezing."You're such a hard woman to deal with..." Aiden mutters into the flames, probably not even aware that I'm awake. "But I will shape you..."I close my eyes because fear is rattling my bones.Aiden is the sickest person I've ever met. He took me from behind earlier, and the pain made me blackout. I'm still sore from it, and my eyes are swollen from the tears I shed. Anal sex isn't for me.I hate Aiden.If I possessed enough strength, I would flee from him.But my only weapon, the necklace, is gone from around my neck. I tried to reach for it in our fight, but oddly enough, the pearls wouldn't respond to me. No matter how I cried or wrapped my fingers around them, nothing happened—I don't understand what I did wrong!A thousand thoughts race through
Natasha I squint my eyes, barely able to see. The pain in my limbs is excruciating, and I think death would be a kinder fate than to keep breathing through heaving lungs. My skin is on fire, and the two glowing orbs belonging to Hayden study my physical state. "I know you're afraid of me, but if you meet my eyes, I could remove that ugly fear from your heart." "No, don't take my fear," I say, despite being afraid. My voice is weak and exhausted, but it's honest and filled with emotion. "I'm tired of running. It's everything I do. When things get hard, I find a way out..." Hayden is silent for a while, then he inhales. "You don't want that anymore?" "No," a giggle slips out through my lips, and I meet his eyes, smiling with genuine feelings not caused by hypnosis. "You frighten me, but maybe that's because I like you. I've feared what other people will think, terrified of—" I hesitate. My head is spinning. I know what I want to say, but
NatashaWe are swimming through the ocean in the rain. Safira is playing with her dolphin friends while I'm holding on to Hayden's soft hair. He has been sweet during the entire journey.My feet and arms are tangled in blonde curls as I'm lying down, keeping myself warm by the heat coming from his scalp. Fear is still there, but it's slowly fading away.Hayden is big, but he is quite the teddy bear with me. We have been talking about life and other things."So, what is your dream?" I ask.Hayden continues to paddle, humming. "I want children, but I'm not sure if I can have them. Vivian lost our daughter and blamed my mutated genes. So it might be a lost cause.""I'm so sorry for your loss," I tap his head, hoping it will offer some comfort. "But Vivian might be wrong. Trying doesn't hurt.""True, you're not on the pill now, are you?"I laugh. "No.""And would you like to have children?"I blush. "Well, I think it'
HaydenI'm not very fond of the idea of Natasha sleeping alone tonight. She is my precious mate, and who knows what type of weird men she will meet inside the fancy hotel?Every minute without her feels like a freaking eternity, and my worry grows when she doesn't open a window. She promised to tell me goodnight.Grumbling to myself, I crawl up on the hill. I dwarf the building, but I don't care if anyone sees me. My woman is a walking wheel of misfortune. She pulls trouble toward her everywhere she walks, and I swear men check her out as if she is meat."She better be okay..."I eye every window. Most are sealed, except for one. I rest my elbows in on the ground and creep closer, freezing when an older woman screams in fright at the view of me.Shit!Without speaking too loudly, I try to calm her. "There is no need to be afraid—I come in peace!"I try to give her a warm smile, realizing I'm showcasing my sharp teeth too
HaydenI'm determined to follow the stairs and find Natasha when I enter the hotel. My blood is coursing through my veins, sending a wave of heat over my skin. I want Natasha served on a platter tonight.Her black hair spread over a pillow, and those nipples in the air ready to be sucked and licked—the mere image makes my cock throb.My mate is gorgeous. I want to kiss every inch of her skin, worship every part of her body, but I stop in the doorway."No... Please don't touch me..."The weak feminine voice stops my heart. What is happening in here?My eyes dart around.In the lobby, a girl sits on the couch, and a group of unfriendly men surrounds her. They are wearing grins and towering over her frail form, speaking in menacing voices."So, you're one of those mermaid freaks?" A man shows his teeth in a smile. "I'm such a lucky man since your thoughts and opinions don't matter. When you washed up on the beach, I thought
Scylla / KatjaLong ago, my parents locked me in the basement. They said it was because I'm different from them and my sister.At first, I wouldn't understand their reasoning. I couldn't comprehend why I was treated like a dog. My parents would hit me, spit me in the face, and barely give me any food.It took me a long time before I realized my family feared me, that they were human while I was a disgusting sea monster.It was barely noticeable at first.In the beginning, small patches of scales would appear on my body, and my mother would use a knife to pick them away.I would hold on to the element in the wall and shut my eyes. I cried out into the night as she worked that blade, tormented by the excruciating pain that ran over my skin like a flock of spiders."Scylla! Stop being difficult and let me wash you!" My mother would say, in that voice, which told me she no longer saw me as her daughter. "Stop screaming! You're not making
Scylla / KatjaI'm glaring into the wall, waiting for my food while leaning my back into the soft bed behind me. Hayden threw me into this room, and my butt is still recovering from the impact.Violent man.Suddenly there is a knock on the door, but I don't bother to answer. I'm tied to the bed, eyes barely alive."I'm here to serve you your lunch," it's a man talking, probably some recruit. "I wasn't sure what you like, so I made a buffet. There are various small portions of fish—mermaids like fish, right?"My eyes sting with unshed tears. "I'm not a mermaid anymore."The man is silent. He probably didn't expect me to sound so broken. I'm the evil girl—I bet my emotions are a shocker to him. I bet my sister spread the word that I'm a villain.I hug my knees to my body, biting my lip so hard I draw blood. I'm confused and lonely, not sure what to do. If I escape, where will I go? Scarlett doesn't need a human.Scarl
John Epilogue Many years later, I still wake up wanting to see my wife first thing in the morning. Kitty Kat and I have been together forever, but something about merman genes and the mate-bond keeps us from aging. We do age, only much slower. Not that I mind—it only means I get more time to spend with the love of my life. She makes it a true blessing to wake up every morning. I peer down at my left palm, smiling at the human who uses one of my fingers as her body pillow. I'm not much larger than I was ten years ago, but since Kat was attacked by a group of dire wolves last year, my resolve to protect her has grown. Kat is prohibited from sleeping without me, and I want her around me all the time, even if she is a loud snoring lady. I find it amusing when she sounds like an airplane, so I haven't told her about it. As I hover above her, I stroke a finger down her petite back, biting my lower lip when she smiles in her sleep. My
Katja I wake to the sound of tropical birds and the blazing sun trying to kill me with its light. I roll over with a groan, only to almost slip down from John's muscular neck. Ah, that's right. I was nuzzling John before we fell asleep, talking about favorite songs and music before dozing off on top of him. His neck, dark hair, and pulse felt warm, and the merman promised he wouldn't move in his sleep, so I stayed. A loud voice yawns. "Morning..." John reaches for me with one hand, and I slide into his palm. His sleepy blue eyes become my beautiful sky, and he breathes a laugh through half-curled lips. "You have bed hair..." John says. His eyes are warm, filled with affection before he kisses me with those lips I can't run away from—not that I want to. A flock of doves swarms my stomach, and I laugh as his soft lips cover my body's upper half. I don't remember ever putting on my clothes after our love-making or when my pants di
Katja My eyes are caught on the moon while my heart is trying to pound through my ribcage. I'm nervous. John is the more experienced one, the older, hot guy who has had his fill of plenty of women. I've seen women throw themselves at his feet, but I can't precisely blame them. John is hotter than hell, and I grow self-conscious of that insight. His large, manly hands are on my thighs, tongue licking me between my legs. I see his dark hair and mountainous shoulders move when I lower my gaze, and my insides throb with need. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I want him. But what if my vagina looks weird or something? A hundred thoughts are racing through my skull. But then an involuntary moan slips out through my parted lips, interrupting me. Oh-my-god, John is the devil—merciless as he sucks my clit! My fingers grab his hair, twisting it, and I can sense John smiling in satisfaction against my skin. "Enjoying ourselves, are we?"
Katja After John has pulled up the shipwreck on the shore, and we have made sure nobody died, I'm left with the giant merman holding me in his massive paws like I'm a delicate treasure. In some ways, I am, at least compared to John. He is absurdly monstrous, but he isn't like Hayden. My sister and her boyfriend are adrenaline junkies, and they are never careful. On the other hand, John is sweet and gentle in a way that makes my insides sizzle like bacon in a frying pan. I lie flat in his palm, turning my head toward his large, brilliant eyes. He is staring at me. I blush, asking softly. "So, are you ever going to change back into a human?" His lips pull into a smile. I try to look away from him―to act like I don't notice the fire in his gaze, but I can't help it. He looks like every fantasy I've ever had come to life, merman perfection with a hint of cockiness to match. His stark blue eyes gleam in the moonlight
Katja A violin, paced and furious, plays a melody of fear through my bones. It's awakening my senses and making me see black. John's lush lips are so close, and there isn't a sign of his kind soul within those dark eyes. Yet I have to reach him. I can't give up. His tongue flicks out, ready to devour me, and I move while held by his tentacle, fighting my better judgment. I know my idea is stupid, yet I do it—I grab hold of his upper lip. He is trying to throw me into his mouth, but I lean in, giving him a peck of a kiss. My eyes close on instinct, and I try to convey everything: love, hope, despair, and the will to be with him through my lips. I know I'm smaller than him and that he probably can't physically feel me, but the emotions within my heart feel so large. I love John, and he needs to know. I think back to the times we bickered in the kitchen and the lustful glances we sent each other. Tears prickle behind my eyelids, a
Katja My eyes are glued to John. His transformation is different this time, probably painful if I'm to judge from his screams. Those tentacles are giant now, and his height is downright terrifying. I don't think I've ever seen a kaiju or a merman so big. John is putting even Hayden to shame. Dark hair hangs over his muscled back, and his tentacles are black with a white underside. He knocks down the tree above me without warning, and I shriek in fright. It falls in the other direction, and I lift my chin. John seems about ready to move, and while I know it's foolish trying to follow a monster rivaling Hayden's size, I can't stay on this island. John's face is darkened, eyes glazed over, and nothing seems to happen inside his thick head. Scarlett has taken control. John is now a threat and danger to everyone on our ship. Since Hayden isn't at home, John will have a simple time battling us. Because let's face it, no one on the ship could
JohnMy chest is warm, and my heart beats an entirely new rhythm. Kat is in my arms, watching me apprehensively. Her lips attempt a smile, but I can smell small traces of fear in the air.I get it—I'm a sea monster, much bigger than Kat and capable of hurting her even by accident. We aren't mates, and there is no reason for her to trust me other than because we used to be close friends in the past.But I wouldn't hurt her, and it hurts acknowledging that idea seems to have rooted itself into Kat's brain.She appears terrified of my every breath, and her face is rapidly turning pale as she absorbs my features.It saddens me. Even with no romantic feelings involved, Kat is my best friend, and I wouldn't hurt her, not willingly. Scarlett wants me to kill her, but I'm fighting the throbbing command within my blood.I focus on the warmth and the butterflies instead. Kat hesitantly lifts her chin to meet my eyes, and I smile."I'm not
Katja"So you don't mind my scars?" John asks while we both stare up at the starry sky. His eyes flicker to mine, and I feel them like a physical weight on my shoulder. "You can be honest with me, Kitty Kat. I won't get offended."What is he talking about?I don't mind his scars at all!I have to tell him, but I'm too shy!A flustered smile spreads over my lips, and I nervously brush my hair behind my ear. I'm experiencing heart palpitations around John. I've never been on a date before, and this must count as one.And knowing this is a date, how am I supposed to stay calm? Being with him is the rush of a lifetime—every time I take him in, I feel my heart skip a beat again. I'm drowning in these warm bubbles of joy.I'm seriously hyperaware of John, and I'm afraid. I don't want to screw things up between us by acting weird, but I'm this smiling, giggling mess around him because nothing can stop the butterflies from swarming my c
JohnI've been with plenty of women in my lifetime. Pretty ones, loud ones, blondes, brunettes, big boobs, small breasts, ladies who won't stop talking, and the kind that makes you laugh. Yes, I was a manwhore in the past, never once settling for one person.I determined love didn't exist; never once did I expect my heart would pound for one person—oh, how stupid I was!A few seconds ago, Kat told me she likes me, and my world did an instant backflip, and now I can't think. I can't breathe. I mean, why? How can a pretty girl like her want to be with a monster like me?I stare at her, take in her features, and wait for the punchline. There must be one! She can't honestly like me—I don't deserve her!And shit, my master, Scarlett, ordered me to kill Kat, and here I am, daydreaming about our future wedding. I can hear wedding bells, and a dumb smile spreads to my lips when I notice Kat is blushing."Aren't you going to say anything?