Page 26 of Ensnaring the Siren

“Nireed, do you want him to accept you?” Delphine signed slowly, brow pinched with concern.

“I don’t know.” Nireed rubbed her chest before continuing. “There’s this pull. Every time, I could’ve let him be, just kept on swimming or walked away, but I keep going back.”

Delphine smiled, taking the cutlery crown from her head and placing it on Nireed’s. “Worth exploring, I say. But if you don’t want to, self-pleasure takes the edge off. You can get through a frenzy without mating.”

Melusina nodded. “But if you do want to, don’t be like Aersila and let fear deny you your mate. You deserve to be happy, Nireed. You’ve given so much to this pod. Now it’s time you take something for yourself.”

“If Reid is your mate, and he makes you happy, Aersila will come around.”

Chapter

Nine

For nearly his whole life, Reid had no idea mermaids existed, and now, he couldn’t go anywhere without bumping into one. Water, land, it didn’t matter, because here he was, down at the docks, looking to buy lobster from one of the local, independent fishermen, and there was Nireed across the pier, slinking between outbuildings, dripping wet in an ill-fitted dress.

He cast a look around, a light rain pelting his rain jacket.

The docks were bustling with afternoon activity—fishermen offloading their catch and getting it ready for market—all too wrapped up in their routine to notice the siren sneaking around. Nireed weaved between stacks of lobster pots and other equipment, pausing occasionally to read a building sign before shaking her head and continuing onward.

What are you up to, Starfish? It looked more like searching than hunting, but there was only one way to be sure.

Abandoning his place in line, Reid tailed after her, fully preparing to talk her out of trouble. He ducked behind a bit of equipment and whisper-yelled, “Nireed, wait up!”

Body tensing, she spun into a crouched position, poised to lunge.

Throwing up his hands, he quickly added, “It’s just me.”

“Coast Warrior.” She relaxed, a smile softening her face. She seemed more pleased to see him than he expected. “What a pleasant surprise.”

The last time he saw her, he’d scared her away with his touch. No matter how well intentioned—wetting a drying bit of hair, playfully tapping her nose—he hadn’t asked if it was all right, and that wasn’t cool. His mother had taught him better than that.

He crouched beside Nireed, their bodies hidden behind a cluster of barrels. This brought them closer together, but she didn’t move away, and he hoped that was a good sign.

“About the other night,” he began, pretending to be fascinated by a callous on his thumb. Apologies were hard to get right, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try. “I made you uncomfortable, and I’m sorry.”

“Reid.” She tilted his chin, bringing his eyes to hers. Chips of amber glinted back at him, so bold and unflinching. What horrors and wonders those eyes must’ve seen. What truths. “Look at me when you have something important to say.”

Respect. Honesty. That’s what she was demanding. No matter their differences, what uncertainties remained between them, he owed her that, and for the simple reason that she was a person. He stared into those eyes, both eerie and beautiful, and said, “I shouldn’t have touched you.” No matter how much he’d wanted to.

A flush rose to the mermaid’s cheeks, but she kept her eyes trained on his. “I wasn’t expecting it, but I’m not mad that you did.”

“No? You swam away pretty fast.”

“That wasn’t because I didn’t like it.” Her fingers slid away, scraping his stubble as they went, before dropping to her side. “I liked it a little too much.”

An unexpected thrill curled up his spine at what those words implied. This had nothing to do with the circumstances that brought them together. His voice was a little hoarse when he finally replied, “How much?”

“Enough to hope you’ll do it again.”

Swallowing thickly, he edged closer, daring to take a drenched lock of hair between his fingers. “Don’t know that I need to. The rain’s got you soaked.”

“A shame that it has.” She sighed. “Another time, then.” The siren took his hand, pulling him up with her as she stood, their little moment passed. “Come. You might as well help me while you’re here.”

“Help you with what?”

“Looking.”

For what, for whom, she didn’t elaborate, and yet, he allowed himself to be towed along, their hands still linked. At every twist and turn, they took care to stay out of sight. Whatever had brought Nireed to the docks, whatever her goal, required secrecy, that much was clear, and he hoped that whatever it was, he’d be able to keep her out of trouble.

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