Something Fishy About Love (Monstrana Paranormal Romance 3)

“It’s just a cut.” She swallowed the lump that remained in her throat. “Are you okay?”

“I think I’ll live.” He gave her a weak smile and her heart thrilled at the hint of dimples on his cheeks. “It was touch and go there for a little while, shark bait. But I’m glad you came to my rescue.”

She laughed as tears sprang to her eyes once again. How could she be so foolish? She had no right to hold him captive. He was a man. An undead, immortal vampire, but still a man. She was ashamed of what she’d done. What she’d become.

She had to make things right.

“You’re going home,” she announced, pushing the branches aside so that sunlight streamed through the holes. “Now.”

Leo stood and offered her a hand. She took it and he pulled her toward him until they stood inches apart.

“Why? Have the rest of the mermaids decided to let me go?” His forehead wrinkled in confusion. “Has my brother agreed to your terms?”

“No.” She shook her dark hair and set her mouth in a grim frown. “I don’t care what they decide. You need to be set free. This has gone too far. I never should’ve gamble

d with your life.” Her chin trembled as she looked up at him through her lashes. “I’d never forgive myself if something had happened to you.”

Understanding reflected in his eyes. He grasped her upper arms and opened his mouth as if to say something. Words seemed to escape him. He clenched his jaw and instead pulled her closer until his hard body pressed against hers.

She tilted her head up and gazed at his lips. A series of emotions rushed through her. Shame for her actions, loyalty to the sisters who had raised her, a desire to have her voice heard, and forbidden feelings for the man standing in front of her. She shuddered as the emotions battled for purchase inside of her.

“Eina, I feel like I need to tell you...” Leo seemed at battle with his emotions. His eyes flashed. “I’ve never felt this way before...”

Alarm coursed through her. He was about to say something he couldn’t take back. And with those words, these feelings she was fighting were about to become real. There would be no hiding from them. She couldn’t let that happen. She was loyal to her colony and to her sisters. If he said anymore, those loyalties could go up in flames.

She lowered her head and pushed away from him, instantly missing his touch. “We should go.”

She turned toward the water’s edge and walked a few steps. When she didn’t hear him following, she stopped to look over her shoulder. He stood in the same spot she’d left him, his eyes trained on her back.

“You’d really do this? Give up your leverage. Possibly lose your colony.” He tilted his head to one side. “For me? A monster?”

She nodded and stuck out her chin. It was time to make it up to him. “Yes. And I don’t think you’re a monster, Leo. I’m sorry for ever thinking that in the first place. I was wrong. So very wrong.”

His amber eyes flashed with an emotion she couldn’t pinpoint. He stepped closer and sucked in his cheeks. “You know, if you really wanted to get my brother’s attention, you should’ve stuck to something heroically boring. Like building a soup kitchen for the poor or world peace.”

She gave a soft laugh, pain lancing through her heart. “I’m afraid it’s too late for that now.”

He bit his bottom lip and narrowed his eyes. An idea seemed to be working its way through his head. Lost in thought, he closed the distance between them and took her hands in his. Eina felt a thrill go through her as he rubbed his thumbs gently across her wrists.

“What if it’s not too late?” He gazed down at her navel, not really seeing her. “What if there’s another solution? Something that’s guaranteed to get his attention?”

She shook her head. There couldn’t be anything in the world that would make the King of Vampires forgive her for nearly turning his brother to ashes. Just as she could never forgive herself.

“What could possibly be that heroically boring?” A sad grin tugged at the corner of her mouth.

“Something that promises to be highly dangerous and very smelly.” His gaze searched her face, a teasing smile lighting up his eyes. “Do you trust me?”

A tiny line appeared between her eyebrows as she smiled incredulously at him. She couldn’t begin to guess what he had in mind, but she couldn’t say no to the Vampire Prince.

“I trust you.” She tightened her grips on his hands. “Show me what to do.”

Chapter Ten

Leo wanted to kiss the shores of Monstrana and every tree in sight. Eina had swam them the whole way there and managed to find a secluded rocky shoreline. She transformed to her human legs and followed him through a cropping of trees until a small town came into view.

“Leo.” Eina grasped his arm when she spotted a few people walking on the street. Fear quaked in her voice. “Are those werewolves? Should we be in their town?”

“It’s okay.” He placed a hand over hers and smiled down at her. “No one is going to hurt you. But I have to make a call.”