Page 42 of Welcome to Seaman’s Cove: Part Two

“You there,” Llyr yells.

My mother’s men turn toward the sound. “What are you doing out here?”

“I was about to ask you the same,” Araxie replies. There’s a seductive edge to her voice I wasn’t expecting, but a little flirting will probably be the most distracting course of action, so I guess it’s good thinking.

Farrasea and I don’t wait to hear the rest of their conversation. We bolt toward the little island prison, our tails whipping powerfully through the water.

Sebastian’s the first to spot us as we rise above the surface on the opposite side of the island from where I normally appear. He’s sitting with his knees tucked into his chest and a contemplative look on his face. His features go slack as he takes in the mermaid next to me.

Madi is with him a second later. A smile lights her face, but immediately falls into confusion when she notices Farrasea. There’s an edge of jealousy in the bond that makes me smile. I love my omega feeling possessive of me.

We swim all the way up to the rock outcropping. I set my hand on Madi’s thigh and give a quick squeeze. “Starfish, this is Princess Farrasea,” I say in Madi’s language.

Her eyes light with recognition, but the introduction also has the effect of increasing the anxious nervousness in the bond. She sets a hand over mine. “This is your betrothed?”

I nod before turning to Farrasea, whose eyes are locked on my mate’s possessive grip. Her mouth falls open, smooth forehead wrinkled. “It’s really true.”

“Yes, this is my mate, one of them,” I say in our tongue. “And we need your help.”

Farrasea’s attention shifts to the men gathered around Madi, her eyes narrowing. I can practically see the wheels spinning in her mind as she notes each fresh bonding bite.

“Call off the wedding,” I plead. “My mother will never let me out of our arrangement. The treaty means too much to her. But you could⁠—”

“I can’t.” There’s a pained wince in her voice. “My parents are equally set on this alliance. And my people…” She shakes her head. “We need this. Our population is dwindling and the merfolk of Veris are threatening our borders in the south. Without this alliance…” She shakes her head, then draws back her chin, her posture lengthening to her full height. “I can’t do what you ask.”

Madi watches us carefully from beside Sebastian. Hunter and Phoenix stand behind them like sentinels, equally intent on the conversation they can’t understand.

“What’s she saying?” Madi asks.

Before I can translate for her, or try to persuade Farra, a mechanical, chopping sound has us all looking up. There’s a black spot in the sky that gets bigger as it draws near and the sound grows louder.

“A helicopter,” Madi says, jumping up from where she was sitting. She frantically waves her arms over her head. “Oh my gods, it’s a helicopter!”

“My helicopter.” Sebastian joins her, shouting, “Here! Over here!”

My relief is tempered by concern as my gaze swings out to sea. This is going to draw too much attention. The guards will hear. Farrasea seems to have the same thought, her expression turning worried.

“You need to be fast,” she says. “I can try to distract them and hold them off while you get away.”

“What about you?” She just told me that this wedding is important to Sirena. Is she really letting me leave this easily?

“I’ll figure something out,” she says, half growling the words. “This is your one and only chance, though. If you don’t leave now, I will marry you for the honor of my family and the sake of my people. Despite your… mates.” She scowls at my pack, then takes off into the water.

The helicopter is right over the rock now. Whoever’s inside drops a ladder.

“Madi first,” I say, swishing my tail urgently. The need to ensure my mate is safe rides me hard. Who knows how long it’ll be before my mother’s guards are on us? We need to get Madi out of here as quickly as possible.

Phoenix and Hunter nod their agreement. Madi looks like she might argue for one brief second, but Hunter stares her down, daring her to challenge him. That look has me shivering, cock swelling inside my pouch. Shit, not the time.

Hunter takes hold of Madi’s hips and lifts her toward the ladder. She grabs the first rung and wraps it around her arm as she carefully makes her way up.

Sebastian climbs after Madi, with Phoenix just behind him, leaving only Hunter and me.

“Come on.” Hunter points at the rock, encouraging me to get out of the water so my tail can dry out. He should start climbing, but I appreciate that he’s waiting for me. He’s a good alpha and will lead our pack well.

Just as I set my hands on the ledge and lift up, a spear hurls through the air, zipping right past my ear. I duck to the side just in time to avoid it, but hear Hunter yell. The tip of the blade slices along his outer bicep before clattering to the rock.

I spin back to the water to see four guards charging toward us. Princess Farrasea and her entourage are nowhere to be seen. Did they even try to distract my mother’s guards? How did the queen get more people here so quickly? Were we just unlucky enough to have the helicopter come right at the changing of shifts?