Tempted by the Forbidden Mate by Ellie Pond

Author:Ellie Pond [Pond, Ellie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mountain Keep Publishing
Published: 2023-10-03T16:00:00+00:00

22

Nico

The ball is almost over, and I’m itching to take Annabelle out of here. Back to our apartment. But my contact at the justice department says the judges are coming here. The verdict will be read tonight.

The mermaid’s choice is always a slow ballad with free-form steps, a way for mermaids to spend time talking. Unlike earlier tonight with its formal steps, there is more swaying going on the floor than actual dancing.

They don’t know what the verdict is. I’m sure the judges might not know yet either. I’ve yet to see any Glyden I’d want her to go with. The Vitrom she danced with earlier was fine, but she didn’t react to him. Not like she is with Holter now.

All eyes are on her and Holter, and she’s oblivious. He isn’t. But he’s always aware of his surroundings. They’re moving like one, and it has me hard. Castor is standing next to Ophelia. He hasn’t danced yet tonight. Not with Annabelle, not with the dozens of mermaids batting their eyes at him. At least the onslaught of mermaids throwing themselves at me to get to Castor has stopped.

Holter raises his chin to me and gives me a signal to come there. I’m on the floor in an instant. As a mated male, I have two choices for dance partners. A female relative, be it sister or mother, or my mate. Since I have neither, and I’ve danced once with Annabelle already, eyes are on me.

Holter leans in and whispers to Annabelle. She kisses him on the cheek. It’s a chaste kiss, but her eyes say more. Holter passes her hand to me.

I confided to him an hour ago about the verdict coming down soon. Holding Annabelle close to me, my heart thuds. I take in her scent, memorizing the way her head nestles under my chin. We danced the minnow earlier with its jarring jumps and movements. This slow, melodic song has me clutching her to me. Never for an instant did I believe my heart could hold more than lust or possession.

I’m a merman, and we don’t have fated mates. But if we did, my soul reaches out to hers. I could never have wanted another as much as I want her. And now I only want her safe.

Her skin is smooth on her shoulders as I clutch her close to me. With the stealth of the thief who gifted her this necklace, I unlatch the swirling sapphire jewels and slide them into my pocket without Annabelle noticing.

I tilt her chin up to my face and take her pink lips, tasting her skin, salty but as sweet as ever. I told her earlier that we wouldn’t hear about the verdict until tomorrow. It’s a lie I want to believe too.

“I need to tell you,” I whisper in her ear, but the door opens behind Ophelia. I squeeze my eyes shut. It feels false now. A lie I’m telling her. But I’m going to tell her anyway. She looks up at me, her back to the balcony.

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