Page 60 of Ensnaring the Siren

Lifting the side of her borrowed shirt, Nireed showed her the deep pink scar. “I think I’m feeling well enough to return.” She frowned. “But I don’t want to leave without saying goodbye to Reid.”

Lila’s warm hand squeezed her shoulder. “Lorelei has gone to check on everyone and will call with an update tomorrow morning. Rushing home isn’t going to change what already is. Give yourself, and him, some more time. After everything you’ve done for your pod, you’ve more than earned a break at least ten times over.”

Melusina and Delphine had said the same thing. If three of her friends thought this, it must be true, and Nireed wasn’t going to insult them by ignoring their wisdom.

“One more day,” Nireed agreed. “Maybe two.”

“That’s the spirit.”

Chapter

Twenty

Reid found Nireed right where he’d left her, only now there was a stack of potted meat on his counter and a pile of women’s clothing on his bed.

“Friend stopped by?” He set down a sack of clean laundry along with groceries and supplies.

Nodding, Nireed splashed her face and neck with water before coming inside. “One of them. Dr. Lila Branson.”

Dr. Lila…whoa.

Even he, a casual science lover, knew that name. Dr. Branson was huge in the scientific community as both the discoverer of, and the world’s leading researcher of mermaids. And she’d just seen the inside of his tiny houseboat. Thank fuck, he’d tidied before leaving.

“Hungry?” He spread out an assortment of freshly caught fish he’d picked up from the pier in town. A thrill of pride swelled in his chest when he saw Nireed bend over to sniff and nod her head approvingly. Extracting a knife from the knife block, she quickly began filleting each one, her hands moving quickly and dexterously, like one might expect to see with a professional chef. Occasionally, she’d pause to eat a piece.

Glancing sidelong at him, she said, “My sister Aersila makes these.”

“Your sister is a knife smith?”

Nireed nodded. “And other tools. She doesn’t like that I’m here.”

That was a non sequitur if he ever heard one. “On shore or with me?”

Her face fell, her eyes sad when they found his. “Both. I’ve tried to make her understand, but I don’t think she ever will unless she sees for herself.”

Settling behind her, he smoothed his hands over her shoulders, then rubbed the tight muscles in her neck with his thumbs. She leaned into the touch, a soft, pretty hum rumbling from her throat. “That’s a lot of unknowns. I imagine my mom would be really freaked out if I came to live with you in Under Water Mermaid Land.”

Nireed looked over her shoulder, pinning him with an unamused glare. “Under Water Mermaid Land?”

“Land Above the Water, Under Water Mermaid Land. I think we’re matching energy here.”

She snorted. Setting the knife down, she turned around in his arms, a small, wry smile creeping across her lips. “Perhaps you’re right, Coast Warrior.”

“It happens sometimes.” He tapped her on the nose. “Got a present for you.”

Her eyes lit up. “Show me.”

Pulling a box from one of the bags, he began unpacking the device inside. She watched him curiously as he filled the basin with water and plugged it in. A quiet rumbling, then mist spouted out the top, making her jump back with a surprised little shriek. She glared at him when he began to laugh.

“Sorry, Starfish,” he said, hiding his smile behind his hand. “Should’ve warned you.”

She crouched beside him, peering at it with interest, irritation forgotten. “What is it?”

“A humidifier. Puts moisture in the air. Was hoping it might help you feel less dry.”

“Oh.” It was a quiet, breathless ‘oh,’ and when he twisted to look at her, to gauge her reaction, he saw that her eyes were shining. Then, without warning, she pounced, hugging him fiercely. “Thank you,” she said into his shirt.

“I hope it helps.” He enveloped her in his arms. “Now, what do you say? You up for a little bit of adventure?”

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