The Deep of Him (The Sea of Her 4) by Lynn Robin

Author:Lynn Robin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, love, paranormal romance, fantasy, paranormal, fantasy romance, ocean, series romance, beach romance, romance books
Publisher: Lynn Robin

29

Just before, Leilani’s heart was racing.

Now, it grinds to a sudden halt.

Her lips are numb.

She can barely feel them as she moves them, once more to repeat a single word, another one she can’t quite grasp: “Purchase?”

Her voice sounds faint.

Madam Deep glides through the room, her steps slow and easy. “Tonight’s display was simply meant to awaken the greed of my guests. They reacted just as I’d anticipated—or rather, just as I had hoped,” she adds in a mournful whisper. She sighs, turns back to Leilani, the glow of the lantern in the corner illuminating her from behind. “One of them is going to buy you. One of them is going to pay me many, many pearls, all so they can own you.”

Buy.

Own.

Blood leeching from her cheeks, leaving them cold and tingling, Leilani stares at the Queen before her—but in her mind’s eye she sees something else; she sees all those masked faces seated at the table, watching her as though she was an exotic animal trapped in a cage.

But… something doesn’t make sense…

“Wait—why…” She stumbles over her own words, or maybe, instead, her words stumble over her pulse pounding in her throat. “Why would you sell me? I can weep pearls. I can give you as many as you want—”

“Yes, that is very true,” whispers the Queen. “However… there are only so many pearls you can weep in a certain amount of time. And I do not have the time to wait.” Slowly, she takes a step forward, decreasing the distance between them. “Do not fret, dearest, for I am not casting you aside. No,” she goes on, still moving closer, her gown dragging across the floor, “I am merely selling you for many pearls at once—but then, I will send my best soldier to kill the buyer and to steal you back. I will not let you go,” she adds.

And still, she’s still moving closer.

Leilani takes a step back on weak legs.

“I will organize an official auction soon. Once more, I will display you for all to see. And then,” Madam Deep goes on, excitement leaking through her sadness, “the highest bidder will be able to make their final offer. Together, you and I, will raise enough pearls to help our dear, darling King arise from his slumber, and…—”

She’s coming closer, too close—

and something retaliates, surging up from the depths

Leilani wants to back away, wants to run

but she already gave in to the Queen’s demands earlier tonight, weak and afraid

so, this time, the Weeper of Pearls straightens her spine and sets her jaw

because a force is alive within, and it yearns to be released, finally, after such a long time

and she flings up her hand.

Enough—I’ve had enough—

There’s a rumbling noise, and Leilani watches Madam Deep freeze in place, her mask an expressionless face—and a wave emerges from the floorboards, out of thin air, causing the ground to shake under Leilani’s feet.

But she does not stumble. Does not falter.

Doesn’t waver as she, with a mere thought, sends the wave rolling forward.

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