Caresses Between the Sand by Aleera Anaya Ceres

Author:Aleera Anaya Ceres
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mermaid books, reverse harem books, why choose books, fantasy mermaid books, fantasy romance, romantasy, high fantasy romance, merman books, high fantasy books, the little mermaid, mermaid, mermaid romance, paranormal romance
Publisher: Aleera Anaya Ceres
Published: 2023-11-04T00:00:00+00:00

Tiberius

Maisie bravely took the tasks head on without a word of complaint. I trailed after her, leading her from one location to the next without a breath in between.

Still, she kept her head high as she was bombarded by servants and royals alike. She even faced the queen with dignity as they kept up with appearances and went over the guest list and decorations. I was sure Queen Circe was surprised at her efficiency.

As if Maisie had been born for this.

She very well could have been a royal in a past life.

When the last of the decorations had been chosen, the last dance rehearsed, and the last of the food tasted, I finally was able to lead Maisie away. Not towards her rooms, but down further in the palace.

“Captain, where are we going?” she asked suspiciously.

I didn’t know why my body had led her down here, all I knew was that there was a giant part of me that didn’t want this day to end. I didn’t want to lead her to her rooms, where she would lock herself in and not emerge unless she was needed.

I wouldn’t admit it, but I’d had fun at her side, watching her. Seeing what she’d blossomed into was staggering. There were moments throughout the day when her gaze would find mine across whatever space separated us. As if she were searching for recognition, or searching for a friendly face in the crowd to get her through something so difficult.

I’d blink at her as if to say, I am here, Maisie.

Her answering smile each time only made me want to prolong our tasks.

And so here we were in the stables.

Maisie froze at the entrance. Wide, frightened eyes taking in the beasts tethered behind their stalls.

“Why are we here? Riding wasn’t on the schedule, was it?” There was a note of fear in her voice, making me recall the first time she’d laid eyes on Geronimo. There had been fear trembling through her body, and at the time, I’d been nothing but harsh. Annoyed. Frustrated. Because I’d sought out to find one mermaid and found Maisie instead.

Now I didn’t feel an ounce of annoyance at all.

I stopped in front of Geronimo’s stall. A groomsmer swam towards me, eyes offering help. I waved him off with my hand.

“Would you like to ride?” I asked.

Her face flushed brightly and my eyebrows pulled together with confusion when she started sputtering incoherently. Finally, she stopped, took a deep breath, and replied, “I don’t think so... I mean...” Her eyes went nervously to Geronimo, his height, the vicious strength in his serpentine tail.

“It’s alright,” I assured her. “It will be alright.” I turned to my hippocampus and he stuck his beastly head from the stall, whinnying softly as I stroked my hand down his nose.

There was comfort in animals. To them, status didn’t matter. Rich, poor, captain, servant, queen... What mattered was affection. Geronimo was a faithful companion and could sense my moods. Sometimes he knew me better than I did.

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