Page 370 of Kingdoms of Night

It wasn’t a coincidence. It had to be fate.

For the first time in my centuries of life, there was someone who found a woman who found me worthy of saving—worthy of trust.

She’d saved my life.

I chose to believe it was about more than our deal. There was something deeply rooted between the two of us, and I began to wonder if it was written in the stars—jotted down in prophetic scrolls.

Bastian was my most trusted mate, and knew what she was. The iridescent gills on her face and neck were enough proof that she was not of this world, but the world beneath the surface of the sea.

A mermaid—in my bed.

“I haven’t decided,” I said, tapping his fingers on the table. “For now, we keep it a secret.”

Bastian lifted a heavy, black brow that used to match his hair before he’d shaved it off to reveal the tattoos on his head. “How long will that be possible on the sea? Won’t the water give her away?”

I sighed, shaking my head. “Under usual circumstances, it will. But, I can enchant her, and hide them from the men.”

“Very good, Captain,” Bastian said, with a nod. “Your secret is safe with me.”

I met his dark gaze. “I know that, Bastian. You’re the most loyal crewman I’ve ever had.”

“Thank you, Captain.”

“But, I’ve been betrayed before.”

“I know that, Captain. You don’t have to fear that from me. I have no desire to captain a ship of my own like Blackthorn.”

The word itself disgusted me. I’d missed my chance to steal that ungrateful pirate’s soul.

“Sign this,” I said, sliding a contract over to Bastian.

Bastian’s eyes narrowed, as he picked it up and looked it over. “I can’t read this.”

“I know, but if you trust me, you’ll sign the contract. Its a simple soul vow stating that you will keep Siddhe’s secret until I deem it appropriate to share it with the others.”

Bastian chuckled. “You went to too much trouble, Captain.” Nonetheless, he took the quill and signed.

“One can never be too careful, can they?”

Bastian handed me the signed contract back. “I suppose not, Captain.”

I snapped my finger and the contract vanished. I didn’t need a physical copy, the magic had already been interwoven.

Then, I tensed as a ringing bell radiated through my right ear. I lifted my gaze to look across the room toward the door.

“She’s awake,” I said, feeling the shift in her energy. Relief washed over me. It had been days.

The door to the room opened, and in walked the cabin boy.

Like a parrot, Bram repeated my last words. “Captain! Captain! She’s awake!”

I nodded, hope filling my heart. I didn’t doubt she was strong enough to recover from that fateful night, but it was a relief to have proof after days of her fighting a fever.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been so worried about another person. I’d seen many a friend fall prey to fever and never awaken from them. I wasn’t a healer.

My power was to take life—not give it.

“She’d like some scented soap for a bath.” Then, Bram bowed and looked down at his feet as he waited for an order.

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