Read Sea God's Siren (The Brother's Keep) for Free Online Page B

against the wall hugging her knees, Syrena, who had been staring down at the opening, noticed the smooth surface of the water begin to warble. The next thing she knew, Dagon lifted himself up onto the stone, his long tail unfolding. He reached for her. She ran to him.
    “Oh, thank the stars!” She covered him with kisses before she observed a grimace. She gasped, fingering his lacerations. “You must be in great pain.”
    “Not much.” He gave her a shoddy smile.
    “You’re not a very good liar.”
    “Make you proud?”
    “Absolutely.” She carefully hugged him. “What can I do to help?”
    He shook his head, bringing her lips close to his. “They’ll recover in no time.”
    Dagon’s words proved true. The injuries he’d sustained by fighting his brothers seemed to seal and fade right before Syrena’s eyes. “You’re an amazing creature.”
    He groaned his response while advancing to a greedy duel with her tongue.
    During the next search for air, Syrena witnessed his tail become legs. She gasped and glanced away at the recognition of his nakedness, heat flooding her cheeks.
    Dagon cocked his head. “My nudity bothers you?”
    “N-no, I-just-I-just, well . . .” She exhaled. “It’s just that I’ve never seen a . . . man before.”
    “Ah.”
    Syrena could hear the amusement in his voice.
    He stood and ambled to a sea wall where he proceeded to remove moist long sleeves from a plant growing from the rock. As he wrapped the sleeves around his loin, Syrena managed to peek at his backside, again bowing her head. She fingered her neckline with trembling fingers. He evoked feelings in her she’d never experienced before.
    Dagon turned to face her, newly presenting himself by a splaying of his arms. “Better?”
    Syrena gaped at him. When she found words, she said, “Not necessarily better , but . . .”
    “But what?” He grinned then sat with her again. “Mermen usually have long natural lives. I’ll wait forever for you, Syrena, whenever you’re ready,” he whispered. “Just let me know.” He grazed her brow with his lips.
    She delivered a demure smile, knowing it wouldn’t be long before she gave all of herself to him.
    He glanced at the half-eaten nourishment Shimmery Blue had left for her. “You didn’t like Culboora the last time either,” he said with a chuckle. “Still”—He shrugged—“It’s food, and it won’t make you sick.”
    She gave him a sideways glance. “The last time?”
    “When you were a child. I brought you here.”
    “I don’t remember.”
    Dagon released a heavy sigh. “No. You wouldn’t. It’s part of the curse my mother put on you. That, and your blindness.”
    Syrena spoke quietly. “Is that why I can see in your world but not in mine?”
    With a solemn countenance, Dagon nodded.
    Syrena pressed her palm against his chest. “But you seem familiar. My spirit quickens whenever I see you.”
    He nodded again.
    “Do you believe in soul mates?”
    “Yes.”
    “Is that why I’m here?” she asked.
    “Yes.” He shifted. “I’d depart this life by a broken heart and empty spirit, eventually, without the presence of you, my mate. I’m lonely, Syrena.” He cupped her face. “Sick with love, but dying without you.”
    She glanced up at him through her lashes. “How do you know I’m the one?”
    He shrugged again. “I just know. Don’t you?”
    She paused. “Yes,” she said, drawing her fingers across her heart. “I do. I left my family, everything I’ve known—”
    He pulled her into his arms, her breasts crushed against him. “I promise to take care of you. I will love you forever!” Dagon rocked her in an embrace that seemed endless, before he wiped away her tears.
    “I won’t be able to go back, to visit, will I?”
    “No.” He sucked in a series of breaths. “I can’t keep the truth from you. You do have a choice.” He ran a hand through his dried, wavy hair. “If you wish to remain with me, you will never see your family again.