Moon Borne (Halcyon Romance Series Book 1) (28 page)

“Whyever not?”

“The Moon. The Tide.” She cried out as more pain shot through her. This time, the poor maiden fell unconscious.

She rubbed her own shoulder in memory of such agony. Determined not to let the Water Borne suffer, she waved to Arsenius to help her. Shuffling to her side, he bent and scooped the mermayde into his brawny arms. They returned to the boat and once again, she admired his strength. Even with the body of the limp mermayde in his lap, he easily maneuvered the longboat toward his ship.

Once onboard, she barked orders for the tub in Arsenius’s cabin to be filled with sea water. As she followed them, an odd sensation spiked the hairs on the back of her neck.

The curious gazes of the crewmen became heated. She caught more than one adjusting his breeches. A few of the more feral creatures snarled or growled lowly. Several fights broke out, followed by Thereus’s booming voice ordering them to cease.

Kyme increased her pace and caught up to Arsenius. Drawing upon her powers, she searched for the Moon. Aedre had warned…
Oh, no. No.

How had she missed this? Aedre wasn’t afraid of Arsenius, or of his crew. She was terrified of
all
males. Because at midnight, the Proxigean Spring Tide would arrive.

The Tide which occurred every one and a half years.

The one that signaled the breeding period of Water Borne females.

Oh, hell.

***

Arsenius cradled the frail form of the sea maiden as a few of the powder monkeys deposited buckets of sea water into his tub. Kyme paced the room, glancing between him and Aedre. After the lads scampered off, she sprang to lock the door.

He placed the maiden in the water. Whether it was the sight of the bed, or of Kyme, he was struggling to halt his impending arousal from making an appearance. He flipped through his usual set of deflating images. Thereus with his sister Adrasteia, being chained, peering into the sordid leer of his master.

“Arsenius, Arsenius.” Kyme snapped her fingers in front of his face. “Look at me. We have a problem. How long will it take us to reach Halcyon?”

He lowered his gaze onto her. His Kyme, so perfect. Aye, no image on this earth was powerful enough to block out the heat he felt for her. Right here, right now.

Kyme cursed. “Focus, Arsenius.” She raised her hand and slapped him.

He roared, whipped her around, and pinned her against the wall with his body. Grinding his rock hard cock into her hip, he bruised his lips against hers. He needed to claim her, now. To hell with the consequences. He yanked up her tunic. Her body melted against his, becoming limp in his arms. Oh, aye. She craved this, she—

Kyme raised her leg and kneed him.

Snarling and cursing, he clutched his throbbing groin and sank to the floor. She didn’t back down. Damn, nothing frightened this woman.
His
woman. He loved that she opposed him. Not precisely in moments like these, but…most of the time.

“Listen to me, Arsenius. I figured out what’s wrong with Aedre. It’s the breeding season for females of her species. Do you fathom what this means?” She crouched beside him. “If you don’t locate Halcyon, find her mate and deliver her by midnight, well, over a hundred men on board this ship are going to share one purpose and one only.”

She swallowed hard. “To breed with her. And me.”

Chapter 26

Arsenius growled at the threat to his female, even though it came from her own lips. “I told you she was dangerous.” He clenched and unclenched his fists at his sides, and inhaled a deep, calming breath.

Kyme scowled at him before settling beside the mermayde. “I didn’t know what was wrong with her. Besides, Tide or no Tide, she needs our help. We couldn’t have abandoned her to be raped by whatever male she drew near.”

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he grated, “
Amazone
, you brought a bloody siren on board my ship.”

Kyme tilted her head up at him from her post beside the mermayde. “She’s not a siren, and she can’t help it. Now, she’s in need of aid, and I vow I will protect her. No matter what.” Those midnight blue eyes spun to steel. No point in arguing with her. Her protective streak coursed as deep as his. Bloody hell, if she had chosen to protect this mermayde, he’d better stand behind her or throw them both overboard.

“Fine. I’ll secure the cabin and the men.” He huffed in defeat but shot her a glare. “If I have to kill any of my men over this, it’ll be on your head.”

She beamed back at him, the gratitude in her smile cutting through his anger. Though he may not agree, he would do this for her. Even if it meant another detour from his destination, and Lena. Damn.

The tenderness in her eyes eased his apprehension and heat flowed through him again. “Do you require anything?” At least his voice now sounded calm and in control.

“No, thank you.” She hummed as she dipped a cloth in the water and pressed it to the mermayde’s forehead.

For whatever reason, this creature was special to Kyme. Hell, if his mate wished for a pet, he wasn’t going to tell her no. When had he melted into such a romantic sap? He grimaced. He didn’t have the strength to deny her anything. Rising, he paused at the entry. “Lock the door. Don’t open it for anyone. Not even me.” He would never forgive himself if anyone harmed her…especially himself. “When she revives, ask her what the name of her mate is. If a male answering to that name knocks at this door, it will be safe to open.”

Her brows drew together. “How will you know who her mate is?”

He shrugged, that would be the easiest part. A bonded male, separated from his mate, hours before she would go into her breeding season? Even a blind man would be able to distinguish him. “Trust me, I will. Just be safe, Kyme.” Gods, he ached to grab her and crush her in his arms, to leave her with words meaning more than “be safe.” He didn’t trust himself, though. The Water Borne’s pheromones tempted him to the edge of his control.

“Arsenius, wait.” Kyme dashed to his side and rose on her tiptoes to feather her lips across his. “Thank you.”

He closed his eyes and savored the sweet scent of her breath. Just as his control slipped and he grasped for her neck to draw her closer, the point of her dagger pressed into his neck. The beast inside him scoffed. A simple blade wouldn’t stop him. Still, he admired her resourcefulness.

She leaned in and claimed his mouth again. As their kiss deepened, as his tongue demanded more of her, she drew back. Growling, he grabbed the back of her head and dragged her closer. The sweet bite of her blade was worth it. A warm trickle of blood bubbled where the knife pierced the flesh of his collarbone. He made sure not to glimpse his blood as he pressed the collar of his shirt against the wound.

Though his chest rumbled, he released her. Ignoring the apology on her lips, he strode from the cabin. One thing he would never regret was a kiss from her—no matter if he paid the price with his own blood.

Arsenius stepped away after the lock clicked. As his first task, he organized a barricade of half a dozen powder monkeys at the door. The lads weren’t strong enough to fend off any of his men, but they were quick and able to run for aid. They were also the only ones on board not affected by the mermayde. Judging by the beams of pride on their faces, they would not fail him.

Next, it was time to gather some Wind and Water Borne. He had a vague idea of Halcyon’s location, but he’d not been entirely truthful. He’d never sailed there and he was sending out heavy prayers to Poseidon that they would in fact reach Halcyon by midnight.

***

The mermayde was beautiful and delicate, yet it’d been foolish to bring her on board. Not only had she sworn to protect Aedre with her life, she’d defend her with her body as well.

Males affected by the intoxicating mating pheromones perfuming from Aedre wouldn’t care to differentiate one female from another. Kyme wasn’t concerned. She had faith in Arsenius. If anyone could navigate them in time, it would be him.

If any male were motivated to mate with her, it would also be Arsenius. A tingle crept down her spine. Though he should have been eager to claim the closest female to him, his intense stare had stalked only her. Whatever words had been spoken between them, she had proof that his desire rivaled hers.

The benefit was, Arsenius would kill his entire crew to rule out the competition, thereby saving her from having to do it.

However, once any obstacles had been eliminated, nothing would prevent him from claiming his prize.
Me.
If it came to that, he would take her and most likely, brutally so. He wouldn’t be able to control the madness. No more than he was able to tame his frenzy when the beast claimed him.

Arsenius was her virtue’s greatest threat. She shivered, more in anticipation than fear. What would it be like, to be claimed by him? Kyme shoved the craving down, deep down, where it belonged.

“Aedre, Aedre, wake up.” She pressed the damp cloth to the mermayde’s feverish forehead, grateful for this distraction. The poor female, only her mate’s touch would cure her fever.

As her eyes fluttered open, Kyme hoped the mermayde was lucid enough to answer her questions. “Aedre, who is your mate?”

A half-smile formed upon Aedre’s lips, but a frown quickly replaced it. “Gaven.” She wrinkled her nose. “Oh, but he can be very controlling, and then I become so furious, I lash back and do something foolish.” She clasped Kyme’s hand. “Do you and your mate have the same problem?”

“Ah…” Her own cheeks grew hot. “He’s not my mate.” She cleared her throat. “Aedre, tell me what happened. Why is your mate not with you?”

“Oh, it’s my fault. I was outside of Halcyon’s boundaries. I planned to be gone a day, perhaps two, while I searched for herbs to replenish my stores. I’m a healer.”

Kyme squeezed her hand in encouragement. “Where is Gaven?”

An iridescent tear rolled down her cheek. “If only I had listened to him and waited until after the Tide. I never should have left.” Another moan rolled through her.

Gods, this was like helping a woman through labor. She’d have moments of lucidity, followed by periods where she was in such pain nothing reached her. “Aedre, listen to me. Would you like to
morphos
into human form? It might be more comfortable for you on the bed.” Every time she writhed, she splashed water out of the tub. Soon, Kyme would have to bail out the ship.

Kyme gawked as the Water Borne’s tail shimmered and glowed until it separated into two legs.
Nude
human legs. She grabbed a towel and helped Aedre dress in her extra tunic. One of Arsenius’s shirts might have been more comfortable, but she doubted Aedre’s mate would appreciate her smelling of another male. Besides, his shirts were hers.

Draping an arm under hers, she assisted the sea maiden to the bed and tucked her under the blankets.

“He loves you,” Aedre mumbled as she drifted off.

“Who loves me?”

“Your mate. He loves you.”

Kyme gaped at the mermayde. Aedre had conversed with Arsenius for a mere handful of minutes. Why would she conclude such a thing?

They lusted for one another, and he likely cared for her, but love? No. It was ridiculous. Impossible. No matter how much she envied Aedre and Gaven, she couldn’t fall in love. No Amazon ever did, and no male loved them, either.

The behavior Aedre complained about—the possessiveness, the controlling—was typical of bonded males. One of the many reasons why Amazons never mated.

To be tied to a male who presumed he knew what was best for you? Who would control every aspect of your existence?
Never.
Freedom, like the Amazons treasured, wasn’t free. They’d made the sacrifice, paid the price, and the endless independence they gained was worth it.

No one will ever own me or control me. I am an Amazon. Proud, strong.
Her head slumped into her hands.

And forever alone.

***

Praise Poseidon, they were closer to Halcyon than Arsenius had dared hope.

“We’ll arrive within the hour, Captain,” Castor informed him.

Arsenius shook his head. “Nay, first we must make one stop.”

“Sir?”

“There.” He pointed to a small port on the coast. “We’ll unload as many crew as we can. I won’t bring a shipload of lusty men into what should be a peaceful transaction.”

After he’d consulted with some of the Wind and Water Borne on board, he’d come to the decision. These females weren’t responsible for how they affected the men, and neither should his men be expected to fend off those powerful pheromones.

Three-quarters of his crew rowed ashore. They’d have to pull double-duty, but he wasn’t going to risk starting a war.

After the quick deposit, they set sail once more. Arsenius and Thereus paced along the length of the ship, ensuring they sailed as fast as possible. With less than a quarter of her crew, the
Adrasteia
would require every hand she had.

Both of them kept a steady eye on Arsenius’s cabin door, though for different reasons. Thereus, always noble, would make sure no one intruded. Arsenius wished his motives were as pure. Every instinct of his urged to break down the door. Only the exertion of manning the ship kept his sanity.