Bride of the Sea: A Little Mermaid Retelling (Otherworld Book 3) Page 8

  A shiver danced down her spine. He was a fine specimen of a man, and it was a shame her sisters couldn’t admire him.

  That would open a can of worms. They didn’t need to know the possibilities the rest of the world held. It would only make their own life that much harder.

  The waves stroked his feet, his strong calves, and then delicately to his thighs. Manus flexed his muscles, rubbing his shoulders to prepare for cold water and Saoirse lost her breath again. His sun darkened skin poured over the muscles of his body like liquid bronze.

  Could it be possible he wasn’t a man at all? A prince? Or perhaps he was a god of the ocean, like his stories, come to steal her away.

  She shook her head and pushed herself away from the shore. Dwelling on such fantasies was a child’s game. She shouldn’t put him up on such a high pedestal, she would only find herself disappointed.

  Peering up through the waves, she saw the flash of his grin before he dove beneath the surface to join her.

  His hair floated up, the knotted tendrils reminding her of the dark kelp which grew in the depths. He hovered in the crystal-clear water, sand billowing in great puffs from his kicks, with a smile revealing blinding white teeth. The golden hoops in his ears flashed, and the beads in his beard echoed with a clack.

  Could he hear things the way she did?

  Saoirse clutched sand in her fists, staring up at him with her heart in her throat. His eyes were the deepest of oceans. Dangerous, but exciting at the same time.

  He kicked with his powerful legs and shot towards the surface. It broke the spell he held upon her. The membranes along her spine flattened as embarrassment turned her fingers cold. She was acting like a lovesick child.

  Twisting, she rose to meet him. Her dark hair slicked back from her face and water dripped down her cheeks. She licked the droplets, enjoying the taste of salt on her tongue.

  Saoirse hadn’t thought it possible, but his gaze heated even further. His eyes traced a burning line from her lips to her eyes.

  “Which way?”

  “Follow me.”

  She dove deep into the waiting cold of the water. It was a chilling splash, one that reminded her above all else she was just a merrow. He was a human man. He wouldn’t live as long as her; they never did.

  Manus swam above her, his shadow merging with hers until she could pretend he had a tail as well.

  “Foolish,” she muttered, bubbles floating from between her lips. “If he were a merrow, then he’d be just as ugly as the others.”

  She couldn’t survive his beauty being stripped away from him. Disturbed by her own thoughts, Saoirse flicked her tail and sped through the water.

  White sand blasted in her wake, leaving a trail of sparkling light she could see over her shoulder. A brightly colored fish swam in front of her and she marveled at its scales glimmering like the most precious of gems. At the sound of her bubbling laugh, a starfish lifted an arm and waved.

  Manus kept up with her. He hadn’t lied when he said he was a strong swimmer. His body cut through the waves easily, and his shadow never left hers. Not even for a second.

  As they rounded the isle, Saoirse reached out her hand and traced the outline of his. He had reached one hand forward in his strokes, leaving it jutting out.

  Curious, she flipped over and stared straight up at the surface.

  He was watching her. Dark eyes locked upon her form and powerful legs did most of the work. The raised arm shifted, moving until his shadow traced along her cheekbone. Saoirse held her breath as the faint outline of his hand moved down her throat, between the valley of her breasts, and down to the curve of her hip.

  She didn’t know how to respond. Was this what men and women did on land? Was every interaction so visceral they couldn’t breathe?

  The fluke of her tail flicked involuntarily, sending her shooting away from the temptation he presented. He didn’t need to touch her at all, she was already captivated.

  His smile flashed again. Bright, like the side of a tuna when sunlight strikes its scales, and so blinding it seared into her mind forever. He lifted his head to the air and the spell shattered.

  Her heart thundered against her ribs, pounding so hard she could hear it. She pressed her hands to her chest. They trembled so violently she feared she might have harmed herself.

  Had she? Saoirse thought long and hard, trailing her thoughts down her body but could identify nothing physically wrong. Yet, the trembling would not cease.

  The shipwreck loomed before them. Jagged edges of wood lashed out at the ocean, their points like swords ready to catch any that ventured too close. A once great mast had long ago snapped in half, tilting over the edge of the ship and pointing down into the abyss. Barnacles covered the hull, and eels stuck their heads out of their holes, watching the newcomers with black eyes.

  Saoirse might have once been afraid of the dark place and the shadows that lingered in the belly of the ship. Now, she only saw the beauty hidden within.

  Propelling herself to the surface, she silently revealed herself next to Manus. “Found it.”

  He let out a loud curse and spun around.

  She giggled. “I’m sorry, I thought you were watching me.”

  “I was, but I lost track of you. I was staring at the monstrosity below us.”

  “Isn’t it beautiful?”

  He glanced through the water towards the ship. “I don’t know if I’d call it beautiful. Ancient comes to mind.”

  “Old things are beautiful too,” she replied. “Didn’t you want to see all the treasure?”

  “Of course I do, but are you sure there are air pockets? There doesn’t seem to be much left of the ship.”

  She nodded, albeit a little slowly. It had been some time since she explored the area of the ship where the air pockets had been. It was difficult for her to climb to those sections, and she hadn’t wanted to.

  In any case, it wasn’t that far down. A child could swim to the bottom and back in record time, surely he could do the same.

  “We’ll be careful,” she replied. “If there aren’t air pockets, we’ll come back up.”

  If he was worried, Manus didn’t reveal it. He rolled his shoulders, nodded, and breathed deep through his lungs.

  Saoirse panicked for a moment. He was breathing so quickly and so deeply that something had to be wrong. At her panicked noise, he gave her a wink, and a flashed grin, then dove.

  Shocked, she ducked her head and watched him cut through the water like a spear. His powerful body dove deeper and deeper with no hesitation at all.

  He hadn’t lied. Only a creature who came from the sea could swim that well.

  With a grin on her own face, she followed him into the depths with a bright flick of her tail. It was easily five lengths of a man to the ship, then they needed to find an entrance. She should have scouted ahead for air, but he rushed head first into the ocean with little fear.

  She liked that.

  Excitement bubbled in her chest, foaming and frothing until it popped in her heart as the brightest of glee. She spiraled around him, her tail glimmering in the light and her hair a riot of dark color that tangled over his shoulders.

  He grinned, powerfully pulling himself through the weight of the water with his strong arms. No wonder ropey muscles crisscrossed his body. It was so much more work for humans underneath the waves!

  She admired his determination. It was a long way down, and not once did he hesitate.

  Saoirse reached the ship first, catching the edge in her hand and peering into the nearest hole. No air, just a sea slug and a few clams that opened their mouths at her arrival.

  Frowning, she pushed herself down the side, searching for a small bit of air where he could catch his breath. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to see all the wonders of the ship! And she desperately wanted to prove to him that her world was just as beautiful as the surface.

  He knew it. Saoirse had seen the longing in his eyes when she told him stories of swimming beside
whales and their hunts for deep sea squid. He deserved to experience it first-hand.

  Determined, she pulled at a rotting piece of wood and ripped it from the side. A few bubbles escaped. They weren’t much, just a few, but that had to mean there was air.

  She turned, but Manus was already swimming towards her. He closed strong hands on the side of the ship and disappeared into the opening she’d made.

  “So brave,” she observed, shocked by his lack of fear as she slipped in after him.

  It was dark, and it took a while for her eyes to adjust to the dim light. Blinking, she glanced up where Manus had pressed himself against the ceiling. The faintest line of air created a space barely the width of her finger.

  Saoirse’s heart stopped beating for a fraction of a second. It wasn’t enough air to keep him alive, it might not even be enough to get him to the surface.

  He ducked back into the water, his gaze meeting hers with a surety that felt too final for her liking. He knew he wouldn’t make it back to the surface, couldn’t without a lungful of air.

  That wouldn’t do.

  Saoirse’s brows lowered in determination and she launched towards him. Spearing through the water with a flick of her powerful tail, she struck him like a stone plummeting towards the bottom of the sea. Her momentum pushed him backwards, but the wall would stop them.

  Grasping his cheeks, she turned his head and closed her mouth around his. She inhaled deeply through her gills, fronds spreading open wide in her gasp, filtering the water into crystal clear air. They snapped shut as her body switched the air into her lungs, which she then poured between his lips.

  He grew slack in her grasp. Was he dying? Had she done something wrong?

  Saoirse’s gills flared again, and she took another deep breath. Bubbles created a curtain between them as she tried to get him to take more air, but it billowed out of his mouth. She was frightened he’d passed out and didn’t feel him move until his hands found her hips and drew her closer.

  Even in the water, his touch burned like fire. This incredible man tugged her into his arms and wrapped her in his embrace. She exhaled again, and he drew air from her lips as if he were sipping the finest of wines.

  He stroked his fingers down the indent of her spine. They lingered at the small of her back, dipping in the curve and stroking the scales that met the sensitive area. Feather light and gentle, he cupped the back of her head with his other hand and angled it up.

  His lips softened against hers. She couldn’t begin to fathom what he was trying to do, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

  Saoirse let her own mouth relax, allowing him to explore, and discovering him in return. Her chest bumped his and his legs tangled around her tail. She didn’t know where he began and she ended.

  Her eyes drifted shut and she let him take the lead. Manus pressed tiny kisses against the corners of her lips, drifting in the faint current as if they didn’t have a care in the world. When he needed air, he brushed his fingers over the slits of her gills. They flared at his touch and she fed him air from her own lungs.

  Every inch of him was warm. The firm plane of his chest held her comfortably while his hands calmed her every movement. It was as if he was in her head, like he could read her mind.

  Eventually, he drew back with lungs full of air and a grin on his face. He lifted a brow at her stare.

  Of course, they were supposed to be finding treasure.

  Her shoulders shook with a shiver, but she gestured for him to follow her. Saoirse grasped the ragged edge of a doorway and pulled herself deeper into the ship.

  The light filtered through holes in the sides, revealing the treasures she cared about. Eels slithered through the shadows. Silver fish darted through the window, their formation breaking around Saoirse. Their smooth sides brushed against her and sent her hair swirling in a coil.

  Grinning, she beckoned Manus forward into the dark room.

  He didn’t hesitate, following her into the darkness and catching her by the neck. Surprised, she didn’t stop him when he pressed his lips against her again and sipped air from her lips.

  Bubbles floated from her mouth, the tip of his tongue stroking the outline of her bottom lip. Startled, she pulled back and swam towards the treasure.

  But the taste of him remained. Salty, like the ocean, like the oysters she had shucked for him. And sweet, like the finest of jellyfish, rare and only tasted on special occasions.

  It was a taste she could become addicted to, and she couldn’t understand why.

  Merrows did not press their lips together. Saoirse had seen humans do it, even men on ships found their way towards each other. It never made sense to her. Mouths were for eating.

  At first, she thought they were animals. The pressing of lips must be some kind of attack, a threat, a way to warn off other creatures. But they continued to do it. Repeatedly, and they always smiled afterwards. As if they enjoyed it.

  She pressed her fingertips against her mouth and tucked her newfound secret deep in her soul. If it were a kiss he gave her, not just the exchange of air, then he had given her a gift. No other merrow that Saoirse knew could say they understood this human pleasure.

  A smile spread across her face. She lifted her hand again, gesturing for him to follow her. There was another secret to this ship although she wasn’t supposed to show it.

  Every now and then, merrows found themselves captivated by gold. She never understood the desire. The ocean provided far more than any human could ever make. But those who enjoyed the secrets of humanity, carefully hid them away.

  She hadn’t planned to show him, there were other treasures he could see. Yet, the kiss lingered on her lips and clouded her mind.

  The tunnel extended through the bottom of the ship. Deep into the earth it bored, twisting and turning until it emerged in a cave system. She remembered air and a great pile of gold.

  How did she express he needed to trust her? It would be a frightening journey for a creature who couldn’t see well in the darkness, and who couldn’t breathe unless she helped him. And yet, she was willing to take the risk to see the look in his eyes.

  Saoirse reached out and grasped his hands, pulling him into her arms so she could stare into his eyes.

  “Trust me,” she said, not knowing whether he could hear or understand her. “I promise, I will keep you safe.”

  If he understood, he made no movements.

  Hesitantly, she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his again. The kiss was meant to be calming, to ease any worry he might have. He changed it, forcing more of his heat into her body until even the surrounding waters warmed.

  Saoirse pulled him even closer, wrapping her arms around him and tucking his head underneath her chin. He stiffened but allowed her to control his body. She ran a hand down his back and curled his arms around her. With her tail, she nudged his legs closer, curved her spine, and dove backwards into the dark tunnel.

  He immediately clenched his body around hers. Bubbles echoed, his question lost in the water as they passed by. She caught only one word.

  “What—”

  Perhaps it was cruel, but her teeth flashed in the darkness. She pulled him up her body and pressed her lips against his. She flexed her tail, propelling them through the tunnel with ease.

  His heart thundered against her chest, and she needed to give him air three times before she saw the faint light.

  “Just a bit more,” she told him, although he couldn’t possibly understand her. “It will be worth all the fear.”

  One last powerful undulation and they burst free from the tunnel, into the air.

  Manus spluttered, coughing and flailing his arms. She held him up while dodging his kicks.

  “Manus!” she shouted. “Manus, we’re here!”

  “Here? Where is here? You couldn’t have warned me?”

  “I didn’t think I’d take you here.”

  “You know humans can’t breathe underwater, don’t you?”

  “I do,” Saoirse
chuckled. He finally stilled in her arms, hair hanging in limp strands across his forehead. “I kept you alive, didn’t I?”

  “Barely! What if you hadn’t known I needed air?”

  “You were taking care of that,” she murmured. Her eyes strayed to his lips, the thin slashing lines turned down in displeasure. “Or perhaps you were entertaining yourself in other ways.”

  “Ah,” he shook his head. “I shouldn’t have taken such liberties.”

  “I hope you will continue to take them.”

  “You deserve someone better than me.”

  “I know you claim you aren’t a good man,” she said. Saoirse met his gaze with a heated stare. “Has it occurred to you I am not searching for a good man, but one who will break all the rules to have me?”

  He groaned. “You shouldn’t say such things, Saoirse.”

  Her name strummed through her veins like pure magic. It bubbled, foamed, popped in her heart until all she could think of was him.

  “Did you kiss me?” she asked. “Or were you using me for air?”

  “Both,” he admitted in guttural tones. “Each time.”

  Her skin heated with the admission. He had kissed her. Her. A simple merrow, from a simple family, with nothing to her name but a family who desired her to marry.

  This man surprised her around every corner, and she refused to hide her feelings any further.

  Saoirse slid her hands along his shoulders, up his neck, to the back of his head where his hair tangled in her fingers. Coarse and thick, the kelp-like dreadlocks reminded her of the deepest oceans that lingered in his eyes.

  “Kiss me again,” she whispered, “when there is no danger of life or death. Just a man and a woman, with nothing else between them.”

  Her words snapped whatever control he held upon himself. Manus kissed her as if he were a drowning man and she his salvation. With teeth, lips, and tongue he devoured her.

  She hardly remembered to keep them afloat, wanting to drift back into the embrace of the ocean where she knew they would both be loved. They were two halves of the same shell. Creatures born outside of their true element, linked by their love of the sea.