Lottery King 7, page 8
The smell of salt air and the heat of the sun welcomed me, and I realized how cold I’d been for the last week and a half during my time in Russia and Alaska.
“Hey, stranger,” Gemma’s sultry voice easily captured every ounce of my attention.
I turned around with a wide smile, and I saw the sexy mermaid standing just behind where I’d exited the mirror portal.
Gemma wore a royal purple crop top that crisscrossed over her shoulders. It had scalloped strings that mimicked the shape of short sleeves, and she wore a short sarong-style skirt around her hips. As usual, her feet were bare, and the indigo scales on her face glittered in the bright California sun.
“Gemma,” I breathed, and I walked right over to pull her into my arms.
I hugged her tightly for a long moment, and she pressed a hot kiss to the curve where my neck met my shoulder.
“I missed you,” Gemma whispered into my ear.
“I missed you, too,” I said.
Someone cleared their throat in a not-so-subtle way, and I chuckled as I released Gemma from my embrace. I turned around and found Lady Rain looking better than I’d ever seen her before.
Her long gray hair was neatly brushed and pulled into a loose ponytail over her shoulder. Her purple eyes were bright and clear, and her cheeks were full with the healthy diet she’d been provided with during her recovery. Her scales lacked the dull lifelessness they’d had, and now I could see that they were a deep purple color. She smiled softly at me with gratitude in her eyes, and I knew she was aware of who I was.
“Lady Rain,” I said with genuine pleasure, and Gemma and I walked over to her together. “You are looking very well.”
“I am feeling very well, your majethty,” Lady Rain said with her distinctive lisp. “And I believe I have you to thank for that.”
“I’m just happy we were able to find you,” I said.
“Shall we sit?” Gemma suggested, and she motioned to the cushioned set of lounge chairs on the patio.
“I believe the house staff has refreshments ready, your majesty,” Ena said quietly. “Shall I send them out?”
“Yes, please,” I said.
My shadow nymph guard nodded and disappeared inside the house, and I took my first look at the mansion.
It was a large structure with a stucco facade and dozens of tall windows that would let immense amounts of daylight inside. It looked like it was probably made in the eighties, but it didn’t seem to lack any of the modern luxuries suited for the King of the Eternal Realm. Through the windows, I could see a professional-level chef’s kitchen and an enormous television surrounded by plush leather sofas.
Lady Rain, Gemma, and I sat down in the lounge chairs, and the older mermaid shook her head in amazement at me.
“I am much more within my right mind than the latht time we met, your majethty,” Lady Rain said. “I recall you came to vithit me in Thalariuth Thity, and I believe I wath not the betht company.”
“You were recovering,” I said with empathy. “And I expect you still are, but I can see you’ve come a very long way.”
“It broke my heart to see you just after King Michael rescued you, Lady Rain,” Gemma said, and her voice was somber. “It’s been a true joy to witness your recovery firsthand.”
“I wath in a very dark plathe when you found me,” Lady Rain said, and her purple eyes went dark. “I didn’t even realize I wath thtill alive. I wath thertain I had entered hell itthelf.”
“I’m really glad you hadn’t,” I said. “I can’t begin to understand what you’ve been through, but I want to assure you, there will always be support for you from the crown for as long as I am king. If you ever need anything…”
“That ith very kind of you, your majethty,” Lady Rain said.
“It’s the least I can do for you,” I said. “Your insight into the sixteen rocks was invaluable. It helped us to find Koschei, the evil man who did this to you.”
A harsh shiver raced down Lady Rain’s spine at the mention of her abuser.
“I’m sorry,” I said in a gentle tone. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It ith fine, your majethty,” Lady Rain said, but her shoulders were tense, and her spine was much straighter now. “I am much better than I wath. That name will probably alwayth bother me, for the retht of my life.”
“I can’t imagine what it must have been like,” I murmured with compassion. “But I’m hopeful the rest of your life will be very long.”
“Tho am I, your majethty,” Lady Rain said, and a brave smile pulled at her mouth. “I don’t much remember whatever I thaid about thixteen rockth, but I’m glad I could help.”
We chatted with Lady Rain for a short while until Zeek arrived to let us know her family had arrived. I was touched to see the pure relief in Lady Rain’s purple eyes when she first saw the other mermaid. I had to guess they were sisters, or maybe cousins by the intense familial resemblance.
“Rainy,” the new mermaid said, and she pulled Lady Rain into a warm embrace. “Oh, my goddess.”
“Mithty,” Lady Rain replied in a voice that was choked by emotion. “Ohh!”
“Misty is Lady Rain’s first cousin,” Gemma whispered to me.
Several merfolk soldiers had stepped up onto the shore behind the gray-haired mermaid, and they waited patiently as the two cousins had a tearful reunion.
“Would you like to meet the king, Mithty?” Lady Rain asked as she wiped tears from her cheeks. “He thaved me.”
“Oh, your majesty.” Misty dropped into a deep bow as tears flowed freely down her face. “My family and I will never be able to thank you enough for saving our dear cousin. We’d thought she was d-d-dead!”
Misty’s voice cracked, and she nearly dissolved into a puddle of grief. I knelt beside the shuddering mermaid, put a gentle hand on her shoulder, and waited until she looked up at me.
“I’m so glad I was able to find Lady Rain and return her to you,” I said softly. “How about something to eat and drink before you go home?”
“Oh, your majesty, you are too kind,” Misty said, and she took a deep breath to compose herself. “You’ve already done far too much for my family–”
“I insist,” I said with a charming smile, and I offered my arm to help her stand. “I’ve already got something being prepared. Please, come sit with us.”
“I am feeling a little thnacky,” Lady Rain said with a meek smirk.
“Good.” I grinned.
Lady Rain, Misty, Gemma, and I walked up onto the patio, and we settled into the cushy chairs. A moment later, a plump, wingless fae with pink-and-blue striped hair walked out with a tray of goodies.
“Refreshments, your majesty,” the plump fae said. “Drinks will be out in a moment.”
“Thanks,” I said.
The tray was filled with slices of pineapple, honeydew melon, kiwis, and a classic display of cheese and crackers. The pink and blue-haired fae returned again with a large pitcher of lemonade with chunks of real strawberries mixed in and four glasses.
“My name is Gwenna, your majesty,” the plump fae said. “Please call if you need anything else.”
“Thank you, Gwenna,” I said.
She dipped her double chin in a little nod and then disappeared inside the house.
“Your majesty,” Misty said as she selected a slice of cheese and a cracker. “May I ask how it was that you found my cousin?”
“I have a really talented and dedicated staff,” I said. “They’ve worked tirelessly for months to track down all the people affected by the actions of Rhaiden Shaddstem, Koschei, and their other associates.”
“Please pass my sincerest gratitude on to your staff, your majesty,” Misty said.
“And mine,” Lady Rain added. “And to the thtaff at the infirmary, Commander Gemma. The haljita and merfolk were tho kind to me.”
“I will certainly let them know,” Gemma said.
“Don’t worry,” I assured the mermaids. “I have a long running list of people who have been invaluable in this entire mess. There will be a lot of awards and commendations when things are finally sorted and safe.”
“Is there more danger, your majesty?” Misty asked with sudden concern.
“More like some leftover messes to clean up,” I said.
I didn’t see any reason to worry the women when I didn’t know for a fact that there were serious threats out there. I refrained from giving away any major details about anything that was going on, and I suggested Misty and Lady Rain stay out of the limelight for a while.
“There’s still a lot of work to do,” I said, “and I don’t want anyone bothering you trying to find out more information. You should continue to rest, Lady Rain.”
“I will, your majethty,” Lady Rain said emphatically. “I have no dethire to go anywhere or thee anyone but my family for quite thome time.”
“Speaking of,” Misty said with a hopeful look in her eyes. “Tuck and Gilly are very excited to see you. Shall we head home, Rainy?”
“I would like that very much,” Lady Rain sighed, and fresh tears filled her eyes as she turned to me.
“Let me release the tether on you,” I said. “And then you’re free to go home.”
“Yeth, pleathe,” Lady Rain whispered.
I focused on her energy before me and tracked it back through the web of lifelines in my mental grasp. Lady Rain’s tether looked pretty sturdy now, and I was confident she would survive and even thrive once it was cut.
Ena stepped forward as we’d planned ahead of time so I could tap into her shadow blade, and I sliced through the centipede legs of Koschei’s hold on Lady Rain’s lifeline. The ugly fibrous line of Koschei’s magic withered and shriveled away in a matter of seconds, and then I gently removed my hold on the old mermaid’s lifeforce.
The release of one tether gave me the tiniest bit of relief while maintaining the others, and I longed to set the small but ever-present weight down.
That wasn’t an option, though. I took a steadying breath, and I strengthened my resolve. This was my burden and duty, and I had far more good in my life now than bad.
I would handle this task even if it was difficult as hell.
“Ahhhh,” Lady Rain sighed, and when she opened her purple eyes they were bright with wonder. “I will never be able to thank you enough, King Michael.”
“Live a good, long life, Lady Rain,” I said. “That’s how you can thank me.”
“I can do that.” Lady Rain’s chin quivered as she nodded, and she smiled tearfully at me.
“Good.” I grinned.
“My soldiers will see you all the way home,” Gemma said, and she gave a nod to the merfolk who waited near the water.
“Thank you,” Misty said.
The four of us stood up, and Gemma looped her arm with mine as we walked with the cousins to the edge of the water. Lady Rain laughed with surprise as she slipped her toes into the gently lapping waves, and they walked out into the ocean together.
The merfolk soldiers saluted their Commander, and then they followed Misty and Lady Rain out into the ocean.
A feeling of bittersweet satisfaction swept through me, and I suddenly thought of the time my third grade class had hatched tadpoles and released them into the pond in the school’s courtyard. I’d become kind of attached to my little baby frog, and I was sad to see Hoppy go.
But just like Hoppy, Lady Rain was returning home where she belonged, stronger and better than when she’d come into my life.
“Ahh,” I sighed after the last of them disappeared under the surface.
“Uuhh, Michael,” Gemma mumbled as she wrapped herself around me. “I missed you so much.”
“I missed you, too,” I murmured, and I pressed a kiss to the top of her aquamarine hair. “Good thing you’re coming with me when I leave this place. I don’t think I could bear to say goodbye to you again.”
“Me, neither,” Gemma giggled. “It’s kind of weird. I’ve never felt this attached to someone before. It was always my work I was attached to. Finn used to say I would marry my work if I could.”
I laughed at her brother’s observation, and I definitely knew the kind of loyalty Gemma had to the people whom she was responsible for.
She would be an amazing queen.
Gemma and I stood there for a few moments in each other’s arms and watched the horizon. She seemed as unwilling as me to break the peaceful silence between us, but heat started to crawl slowly through my veins as I became more aware of her body pressed so close to mine.
We were so quiet that I could hear the exact moment Gemma’s breath shifted, and I could imagine the rush of arousal that washed through her body as she looked up at me with hazy eyes.
“Let’s go inside,” I said in a rough voice.
“Mmhmm,” Gemma hummed.
Chapter 5
I took Gemma by the hand, and I led her right into the patio door.
The California mansion was just as expensively furnished as any of my other properties with heavy and plush furniture, expensive-looking light fixtures, and top-tier appliances in the kitchen.
Gwenna was tidying up in the kitchen, and she turned to look at me with an expectant expression.
“Your majesty?” she said. “What can I do for you?”
“You can tell me where my room is,” I said in as calm a voice as I could manage.
“Upstairs,” Gwenna said with a deep blush. “Turn left down the hall, last door on the right.”
“Thank you,” I said as I strolled rapidly toward the stairs.
Gemma giggled as I trailed her behind me, and I couldn’t stop the devilish smirk on my face. The plump fae would one hundred percent know exactly what we were up to, and I couldn’t give a single fuck.
At the bottom of the stairs, I paused and scooped Gemma up into my arms.
“Oh!” Gemma squealed with surprise, and she hissed my name. “Michael!”
“What?” I chuckled, and I took the stairs two at a time.
I didn’t set Gemma down at the top. Instead, I shifted her over my shoulder, and I caressed my hands over the swell of her ass as I strode quickly down the hall to the last door on the right.
“Fuck,” I muttered when my hands slid under her sarong to discover she wasn’t wearing anything underneath. “I hope you don’t pick up the habit of wearing underwear while you’re living on land with us.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Gemma breathed, and there was a bit of a moan in her words.
I smoothed my hand over her ass cheeks again as we reached the door, and I purposefully steered clear of the sweet heat between her thighs. Sex had always turned hot and fast with Gemma, but we had all the time in the world tonight.
I was determined to finally explore her body slowly and taste every bit of the sexy mermaid.
My right arm wrapped behind Gemma’s thighs as I opened the door with my left hand, and I kicked it closed behind us a second later.
The main bedroom of this mansion was painted in a shocking shade of pastel coral, and it took me a second to adjust. So many of my properties were done in tasteful neutrals, and I’d never felt the need to redo the interior of any of them.
“Wow,” Gemma laughed. “That’s a bold color choice.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “It’s a little yikes.”
“It could be worse!” Gemma pointed out, and I could hear her wide smile. “And it’s not like we came in here to stare at the paint on the walls.”
“True,” I chuckled.
I shifted Gemma’s weight forward and let her body slide down my chest until her bare feet landed on the plush cream carpet. I glanced around just enough to register where the furniture was.
A king-sized bed covered in white sheets with a light green leaf pattern sat below a long window that looked out over the ocean. Double-wide French doors with gauzy white curtains opened out onto a narrow balcony, and two bamboo dressers took up a large portion of the opposite wall. There were a few paintings of beach scenes, underwater coral, and one of a very grumpy sea turtle that made me grin.
“Who decorated this room?” Gemma asked with amusement.
“I have no idea,” I laughed.
“I–” Gemma started to say.
But I cut her words off completely as I covered her mouth with mine, and the next syllables turned into a low moan instead.
My hands wound their way around her bare waist, and I pressed her firmly against my body. Gemma melted into me, and I searched for the tie or clasp or whatever was holding her sarong in place.
“Ah,” Gemma gasped as she broke our kiss. “Here…”
She yanked her crop top over her head so quickly that I heard a few seams pop in the process. Then her fingers were at a knot at her waist, and in seconds, the sarong dropped to the ground in a whoosh of light fabric.
“I’m going to need a whole new wardrobe for living on land, you know,” Gemma teased as she wrapped her arms around my neck, and she laced her fingers into my hair.
“I will buy you more clothes than you will ever need,” I promised her. “And shoes if you want them. I know you love your feet being free, but sometimes you’ll need something.”
“Psh, for society, bleh…” Gemma rolled her magenta eyes and laughed. “I know all about proper attire.”
“Right now, though…” I grinned. “Naked is exactly the right attire.”
“Then you should get dressed, your majesty,” Gemma hummed playfully. “You’re not properly dressed for the occasion.”
“I’m certainly not,” I chuckled.
Gemma grinned seductively as she slid her hands down my chest. I had shed my warmer outer layers on the plane, so all she had to contend with was a three-button henley, my belt, and my pants. The sexy mermaid didn’t seem to be in any hurry either, and she walked her fingers painfully slowly down my chest to grab the hem of my shirt.
“I like this shirt,” Gemma purred as she pulled it over my head. “But I like this chest even more.”
“Good.” I smirked, and I gazed hungrily at her naked breasts. “I’m pretty fond of your chest, too.”
