Page 8 of Taken By the Alien Merrow King

He tapped a fist on the intricately carved post of the enormous canopy bed, considering. “Both,” he said finally.

“Personally, I don’t have a problem with some humans living here, as long as they learn the rules and respect our culture, and most people I’ve talked to agree,” Gunnar said with a shrug. “Besides, we could use some fresh blood in these waters, considering our declining population.”

“You’re not wrong about that.” Des shrugged into a calf-length black wool coat, smoky gray fur lining the collar.

Both Des’s father and brother had attempted to address the population issue, offering housing, bonuses, and other perks to anyone who took up residency within their kingdom’s borders. Some had accepted the offer, but not nearly enough to write their listing boat.

Located to the far north, their territory was more isolated than most, bound by cold, dangerous waters. The ancient seacreatures who made the deepest fissures and caverns home patrolled the depths and tended to be hostile to intruders unless arrangements were made first. While their universities boasted some of the best science and arts programs on the planet, drawing students and experts alike to their waters, few made their stays on the Isles permanent. Adding some hardy humans into the mix might be exactly the solution they were looking for.

“And like I said, your mate seems a bit odd, so she’ll fit right in around here.”

“She will, won’t she?” A grin flashed over Des’s face as he pictured her interacting with his people. Their people. He couldn’t wait to introduce her to them and this territory that he loved.

“Where are we going?”Astra asked, her arm twined through his. She was wearing a navy blue wool overcoat with a full skirt and hand stitched embroidery along the cuffs and hem that brought out the sparkle in her icy blue eyes. Her hair fell like a sleek blonde waterfall down her back and a crisp spring wind off the northern coast brought out roses of color in her cheeks. The low heels of her black boots tapped over the town’s ancient cobblestones, the sound resonating off the stonework of the houses lining the street.

Unable to stop himself, Des leaned down and kissed the top of her head, breathing in the subtle scent of heather and pine needles from her shampoo.

“And what was that for?” she said, shooting him a suspicious look.

“It’s so hard to resist you, looking like a gorgeous package I can’t wait to unwrap.” He grinned down at her. “Why? Am I not allowed to kiss my mate?”

“I’m not the biggest fan of public displays of affection is all,” she grumbled. “I don’t love feeling like people are watching a private moment.”

He ushered her over to an empty space next to a large bay display window filled with books and stationery supplies. “Then I apologize for my boldness,” he said, facing her. “What are you comfortable with, if I may ask?”

She nibbled her bottom lip as she considered her answer. Des swallowed hard, the slight gesture making him feral. He wanted to grab her and kiss her hard, suck that lip into his mouth and taste her. Shit, he thought, his cock stiffening as his imagination ran wild. It was going to be a serious challenge to keep his hands off his mate, public or not. But he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.

“Holding hands is fine. I just…” She nibbled on that lip again, her teeth white against deep red. “I’ve never enjoyed being the center of attention. I’ve always felt too tall and awkward and out of place, no matter where I am. Because of that, any undue attention makes me unsettled. And, because you’re Mr. Big Fish around here, there will always be people watching, especially in public places like this.” She gestured at the crowd eddying around them.

To him, it was the same as every other day. Yes, people were watching, but most were at least making an attempt at being subtle about it, rather than stopping in the middle of the road and staring. For the most part, Merrow tended to mind their business even when it came to their leaders. Of course, that didn’t mean they wouldn’t meet up at the pub later and gossip like fishwives about him and everyone else they’d run across during their day.

Either way, he’d learned early on not to pay them much mind. But he could see how it might be disconcerting, especially to someone who’d never had to deal with that level of regard before.

“As much as I like your kisses, I can’t. Not in public, anyway. I mean, maybe someday I won’t mind so much, once I get to know you and your people better, but right now, I’m saying no.” She cocked her head, looking up at him through her lashes. “Okay?”

She likes my kisses, he thought, biting back a triumphant grin.And she wants to get to know me better.

Not that he was planning to let her leave, anyway. She was his mate. He’d stolen her from that meeting fair and square. Her place was at his side and it was his responsibility — no, his honor — to make certain she was happy there.

“Love, the last thing I want to do is make you uncomfortable.” He took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm as they resumed their walk. There were plenty of other ways he could show his affection without embarrassing her. He bent close and whispered in her ear, “I’ll save my kisses for later when it’s just the two of us. For now, anyway.”

The pink on her cheeks deepened. She cleared her throat. “So, where did you say we were going?”

As the sun sank behind the seaside town’s skyline, solar lights kicked on, casting the town in a warm glow. Skualan was the oldest of the Merrow settlements, and beneath its ancient stones lay a bright, modern society that honored its past while looking to the future. He wanted to explore every inch of it with her, to show her all his territory had to offer. He was starting with this. “Oh, you’re in for a treat,” he said, rubbing his hands together. “Are you ready for a party?”

8

DESBURCHÙ

“Aparty?” She brightened.

“Yep,” he said. Then he caught himself and asked, “You up for it? How are you feeling?” He was a terrible mate, dragging her all over town when she was recovering. Granted, his people’s health-focused nano tech was top notch and could have a Merrow up and moving within a few hours, but she was human.

Her lips twisted. “I’m fine. Why?”

“Well, you did get shot yesterday.”

“And your fancy tech fixed me right up. Barely even a scar to remember my heroically stupid run into danger.” She touched her side before changing the subject. “So, tell me what we’re celebrating.”

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