Tempted by the Forbidden Mate, page 22
“Guys’ night,” Castor had said to the second mermaid to approach our table. We turned them down. Something no one does. Never. I would have thought it would make me feel something, but it didn’t. I just wanted to be back in Belle’s ocean floor apartment.
Left here, Castor.
He doesn’t answer me. I grab his fluke again and pull him.
Left, right?
I can feel the vibration of him laughing. Poseidon help us. And then he stops. I can’t go home. I can’t go back to that apartment. I can’t go to my mother’s or my little place in Athens. I have no home.
And I understand completely.
We could swim.
We can swim, he agrees.
Instead of going down the middle of the city, I dodge away from Glyden Dome. To the perimeter. And I’m surprised when Castor takes off. He’s swimming fast, faster than a lot of the long-range scouts we have aboard the Centauri. But I stay with him.
Each beat of my tail makes me a little soberer. A little more myself. Whatever that is, whomever I’ve become. The hero of Hestertåtten, geminae brother of the commander, friend of powerful viros, roommate of the golden king-to-be, orphan of the lost Richeal. I’m none of these things. The only thing I want to be is something I have to wait for. I told Castor I can wait. And I will. That doesn’t mean I want to. Doesn’t mean I’m not going out of my head with want.
Each beat of my tail clears my head more. I’m closer to who I want to be. Closer to being the male that is good enough for her.
Fin.
Fuck.
We’re halfway around the city when Castor looks up at me. Let’s head back.
I nod. It’s hard to cry underwater but not impossible. I can hear it in the way he’s thinking.
I point us back to Glyden Dome, past the sculpture garden, the school, and the shopping district. Past the small private gardens around Diamont and Permula. Lights are on in some of the smaller domes. I used to love swimming at night, watching all the families gathering in their great domes. But not anymore. Now it reminds me of what I want.
We round the side of the dome toward the front entrance.
No, we’ll go in at the Portsmouth apartment airlock.
I nod and round the side of the building.
Mickey and Chompers are patrolling the edge of the boundary to the apartment. I can’t see Sharknado, which isn’t a good thing. Mickey is coming straight at us but at the last second turns, showing his flank.
Holy Poseidon. Castor stops.
He just wants to be scratched.
I get it, but it’s a bit intimidating.
Hopefully, whoever broke into the apartment will have the same feeling. The swim has worn the alcohol out of my system. But looking at the glow coming out of the living room clears away any leftover inhibition.
My mother seems to think it was just an unscheduled maintenance person. But we haven’t found them yet. Castor looks tired but no longer lit up.
I suppose. I scratch Mickey along his dorsal fin. Sorry, big guy, I don’t have any treats.
Castor hits the side button to open the airlock, and I have to push Mickey’s nose to keep him from coming into the airlock with us. You wouldn’t like it in here, buddy. You need to stay outside.
He tilts his head as if to say, but that’s where Belle is. And all I can do is nod and agree with the beast. I would want to be wherever she is too.
The desalination process wipes away the little buzz I had left. The solid door on the other side of the airlock is closed. When the glass door slides open, Castor puts his hand on the biometrics to open the inside door. The whirling of the fans is cycling down.
“It’s not opening,” he says.
“Let me try.” I press my hand to the wall, and the door slides open. “Nico.”
He’s standing there with his hands on his hips, a scowl deep on his face. “Holter. Castor.”
“Nico,” Castor says in the same reflective tone that Nico did.
Belle’s head pops around the edge of Nico’s arm. “Where did you go?”
“I left a note,” I tell her.
“I know, I saw it. But why did you go?”
“We’re not part of your pod,” I say.
“Your mate is here. And—” Castor shakes his head.
“My mate was here before, and you didn’t leave.”
“Belle?” I reach for her.
“Don’t you Belle me.” She points at Castor. “And you, stop with the gifts.”
“You don’t like the gifts?” asks Castor.
“I do. But they’re—”
“You’re confusing her,” Nico says.
I look between Belle and Nico to Castor. I noticed that something was off when the daily package arrived this morning, but I didn’t think she had taken offense to Castor showing affection by buying her things. That’s how Drakoses show they care. Maybe it was the evening out with Castor that had me feeling defensive of him.
But the weirdest thing was that Nico was the one the most clued in to Belle’s emotions. “Confusing Belle?” I repeat.
“Not confusing me. And I’m thankful for the small tokens at home. They make things easier. I don’t mean to be rude. It’s just that Nico’s right. You need to think of what your people need.”
“And that’s the only thing he was thinking of when he mated you?” Castor steps closer to her. She’s tall, but he towers over her. “Was he, Belle?”
“Don’t call me that.”
“That’s just for you and Holter?”
“He doesn’t use it as a threat.”
“I’m not using it as a threat. I asked you a question.” Castor takes her hand.
Nico’s at her back. If this were any other male, Castor would be on the ground and lacking a pulse. He shakes his head, but he doesn’t interfere. He’s letting her speak for herself, and maybe this one time, I wish he’d be a little more like his old self.
“I’m not Nico. You’ll have to ask him why he did it.” Her eyes flash.
“For crown and country? To make this place better? Or did he want you?”
“Enough.” Nico’s fists are clenched at his sides.
I’m on alert, ready to pull Belle out of the way. But why? Why wait? I put my hand out, and she takes it. I lead her back down the corridor to the pod room. The bed is so massive that it takes up most of the space. “I would never intentionally hurt you, Belle. Your time with Nico is precious.”
“I know. I’m not saying we didn’t enjoy the alone time. It’s just when I read your note, I realized that the time as a group was coming to a close as well. And it makes—”
“Everything feels so much more real.”
“It does.” They’re behind us. Belle puts her hand up. “If you’re coming in here, you have to want to be here. Want to be with me. Even if it’s for only one night. I understand you have a duty, Castor. That you can make a real change. Because this place needs it. But right now, I need you. I need all of you. And when you left . . .”
“I want you, Annabelle.” Castor’s eyes flick the length of her body. Having come out of the airlock, we’re both naked. And there is no doubting that Castor wants her. “You are the sexiest mermaid on the planet.”
I can’t agree more.
34
Annabelle
I’m confused beyond anything. Having time alone with Nico was nice. But my inner mermaid is in charge right now, and the metal jewelry Nico has placed between my butt cheeks is making me think of things I can’t stop. I run my hand down the center of Holter’s chest and turn to Nico.
He gives me a little nod. I’ve learned even more about things in my time here. If I’m not out training Mickey, Chompers, and Sharknado, I’m reading as much as I can get my hands on. At first it was to get Nico free, but now that I know that isn’t going to happen, it’s for my own self-preservation. They’re right, I can’t leave. I will be without a mate and, statistically, will succumb to a horrible death. I need a mate. But not just anyone. I want someone I can trust. Someone I can love.
I turn from Castor and put both my hands on Holter’s chest. He wants me, I know he does, but he’s so wrapped up in his own culture he can’t see how we can be a vehicle for change too. Nico isn’t the only one who can change the nation for the better. I push my ass out, grinding it on Castor’s leg. I want him too. Even though I know it’s wrong. He’s off-limits. I respect that he has plans. I had plans too. There were a few boys back home I might have compromised for. But then what would I be? A farmer’s wife. Which is fine, great if that’s what you want to be. I never wanted that. Never even before my uncle became horrific. I never wanted that life. I wanted something bigger. Something of my own. I won’t do to Castor what others tried to do to me. But then, I’m also not going to say no to him either because I think that’s what he wants. He’s here. Holter’s here. And I’m ready for another round.
“Did you have fun?” I lick up the side of Holter’s neck. They’ve come from the ocean and the desalination unit of the airlock, but I can still pick out other scents coming from both of them. Or maybe it’s just my imagination. I suck on Holter’s ear. He still hasn’t touched me. Neither of them have. And I’m trying not to take it personally.
“No way they had as much fun as we did. But the night is still young.” Nico’s voice echoes in the hallway.
And with that, there’s a plethora of hands on me.
Holter picks me up and takes me to the pod bed and throws me down. “I like the new gold jewelry you’re wearing, Belle.”
“Jewelry?” Castor says, his lips an inch away from my ear.
Holter takes my right leg in his hand and licks down from my ankle to my knee. He taps the plug in my ass, and I squirm, lifting my butt from the mattress. “Right here, Castor.”
Castor has the shell box from the bedside table in his hand. “Oh, come now, Nico. She can do better than that.” He pulls an even larger plug from the box and holds it to my lips. “Wet it well.” I lick at the cold metal before Castor pushes it into my mouth like a pacifier. I suck on it, and he pulls it out. “Well done.” My pussy contracts, reminding me I already have something back there.
He hands it to Holter, who takes out the old one. When he pulls it out, I feel empty, but not for long. He eases the monster plug slowly into place. I grit my molars as he gets it into position. Not a second after it’s in, his tongue is on my clit.
Castor’s sucking on my breast, and he’s worked the other one into a point with his pincher fingers. From how I’m pinned to the bed, I can’t see Nico. I turn my head left and right, and it’s a minute before I’m pretty sure he’s out of the room.
But the way Holter is sucking my clit, I can’t form words to ask about where he’s gone. I hear his footsteps, and then he appears in view.
I’m holding on to the edge of another massive orgasm when Nico drops something cold onto my lips. “Drink this, Annabelle.”
Castor lifts his head. “Fuck yeah.”
A thrill races through me. I have a feeling that things are moving in a whole different direction than before.
I turn to him. “What is it?” I lick my lips. It’s sweet, but my lips tingle.
“It’s protein with a touch of pain relief.”
Fear pulses through me. I don’t do drugs. I never do drugs. I took one painkiller once for an ear infection, and the furniture in my bedroom came to life.
“It’s not strong, Little Krill. It will take the sting out of your stretching skin. And the protein will let you go for as long as you want.” Nico holds a fabric tube above my lips in one hand. In the other, he swipes my hair back from my forehead. “Do you want more?”
I nod my head, and he drops a few more teaspoons of the sweet almond concoction onto my tongue. It’s delicious, and I open my mouth like a baby bird.
“A tiny bit more—we don’t need to wind you up for a week.” He puts a dribble on my tongue before he curls the tube into a jar and replaces the lid.
I squeeze my eyes shut. “One taste and I’ve become an addict.”
Castor kisses behind my ear. “Annabelle, it’s sweetened fish protein and a tiny bit of painkiller. They give a version of it to podlets. You are far from a street junkie.”
I don’t know if it’s the fish protein, but I’m going to have to think of it as something else, not baby formula either.
I squeeze my eyes more tightly shut. But I do feel refreshed. I lift my hips into Holter’s mouth. His tongue curls around my clit, enough to send me off again. I open my eyes to movement on the bed. Castor is lying down beside me, and Holter is gone from between my legs.
In the next breath, I’m flipped onto Castor. He’s holding me up by my shoulders. “Are you ready, Annabelle?”
I suck my lips in. “I’m ready. I’ve never wanted anything as much as this.” I cock my head to the side. I’m shocked to see Nico there. I expected him to be a little lower on the bed.
Holter’s hands slide up my legs, and then the plug is gone. “When you’re ready, Belle, take Castor.”
I reach between my legs and position him, sinking him deep into me. Then Holter slides into where the plug had been. I twist my neck, and Nico has his cock waiting for me to take in my mouth. He’s so big. I’m not sure I’ll be able to fit all of him into my mouth. But I’m not giving up now. My cheeks hollow, and in unison, they move. It’s overwhelming and calming at the same time.
Nico pulls out of my mouth, and Holter is kissing me in the next instant. I’m not in my body. The pleasure is all-consuming.
“Don’t stop, Annabelle. Just like that,” Nico whispers in my ear. “You’re doing great.” He kisses down the side of my neck and stops to suck on my mating mark.
I pump my hips and slide up and down on Castor. Holter’s hands come around to play with my nipples.
Nico’s hands are on my breasts. I’m on fire with the anticipation. And the pleasure. And the sweet little bites along my shoulders. I moan and move my hips faster. My body takes over. I don’t have to think. I just have to let the sensations overcome me. And they do. I let out a long groan as my soft little pussy squeezes Castor so tight he begs for mercy. He pumps into me and Holter’s cock pushes me into Castor. I bear against him, against both of them.
I need to touch Nico. My hand is on his chest, but when I reach for his cock, he lowers his lips to my breast, sending a spike of pleasure through me. Castor’s hands are on my hips, guiding me, pushing me into Holter. I can’t tell where I begin and end. They’re all over me.
I’m panting and sucking my lips. “Please.” I don’t even know what I’m begging for. But then Holter grips my hips tighter and takes off. He’s three thrusts in and I’m shooting off.
Tingles run from my head down to my toes. My whole body arches. Holter holds me up by my hips and pounds into me. Nico’s hands go to my shoulders, and he grips my breasts. I release. The orgasm flows through my body, consuming me. My pussy clenches so tight around Castor that he throws his head back and pulls all the way out, groaning, and I push my hips back against him.
I’m done. I collapse onto Castor, but Nico catches me, cradling me. I try to open my eyes to thank him, but all I can do is try to breathe as Holter replaces the plug in my ass. I feel full again. All these feelings I’ve denied myself are so overwhelming. Because it’s not just the orgasm. It’s all of them together.
I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to have this again. But I hope I can. Now where did that podlet formula go?
35
Nico
“You could move into the veterans’ home.”
“I’m not a veteran, and I don’t need people fussing over me. I’ll be back out in the field by next week.” Alder’s leg twitches as he speaks. I don’t think he even knows he’s doing it. Which is what the doctor told me. There’s a considerable bit of nerve damage. He’s never going to work again. Shifting is questionable too, which is going to drive the old flounder nuts.
“You’re going to have to do some therapy before that can happen.”
“Therapy? No. I’m fine.” He wiggles his knee like he’s going to get out of bed. I clamp my hand on his leg.
“Alder, Dad, no. You need to heal.”
“I need to get out of this sinkhole.”
I laugh. “I know. Holter will get you home.”
“Holter needs to live his own damn life, instead of trying to fix the lot of us––you, me, your father. We’re not good enough for him to fix.” He crosses his arms over his chest.
“You’re right.” There’s nothing more to say than that.
“I know I’m right. I’m always right, and you need to get your shit together too.”
We haven’t told him anything yet. Not about me being exiled or about me having a mate. “How exactly do you think I need to do that, Dad?”
“How? Well, you’re the one who needs therapy with your night . . . whatever they are.”
“Night terrors.” I clear my throat. I had no idea he knew about my issues. They weren’t full-blown until after the battle.
“Right. Night terrors. Why do you get them, anyway?”
My eyebrows shoot up. This isn’t something I want to talk to him about while he is recovering. “It’s nothing to worry about.”
“It’s because of Richeal’s box. My box. Isn’t it? The one Holter found in the closet. I should have moved her barnacle shit out a long time ago. But I can’t bear to part with any of it. It’s the last bit I have of them left.” He turns away from me. I’ve never seen him cry, but he wipes his eyes and turns back.
“No. It’s not because of you, Dad. Or any box Holter found.”
“Lies. I hate lies. You know that.”
“Yes, Dad. I know.”
“Then tell me the truth. All of it. I’m not as old and frail as you think.” He pushes up on his pillow. “The truth, because when you’re not here, I can hear the nurses talking in the hallway.”
