Sea Witch: Children of the Waves (3 page)

“How much pain?” Cori asked.

“The crippling kind.”

“What do you mean by that?” Xav asked.

“Nothing permanent, but she will need to
return to the depths, so her skin can change back to its natural color. If she
doesn’t, she’ll be in a world of hurt.”

Xav turned to Cori. “Can she pass on land
for a Caucasian, Cori, as she is?”

Cori gazed over at Aurora.

But they all knew her answer before she
voiced it.

“No. That’s not a normal shade of pink,
not even for someone who maybe had a bad suntan or sunburn. Such a color is not
natural on a human.” She frowned. “Unless it’s Halloween, that’s the only time
she might be able to get away with it. Too bad, it’s not. While pretty much
anything goes in my world, her coloring would get her attention.”

“Then it’s settled,” Aurora spoke up.

“Not quite,” Xav replied. “Does she even
need it? She’s going to be staying with Zek and Des. As long as she remains on
his island, she’ll be fine. No need for anything.”

“Noooo,” Aurora cried standing up. “I
don’t want to just stay on his island. I want to go to at least the big island.
I want to see a little of the landwalker world. Look, you all have been allowed
to travel. You’ve seen many things both beneath and above the waters. My world
has always been the sea.”

“No. It’s not safe for you. I will not
risk it,” Xav insisted.

“What!” She spread her arms out to her
sides. “Look at me, brother. Really look at me. I am a woman in a child’s body.
I search for my mate. It is my right. I am a daughter of Poseidon, and I demand
it of my king, of my brother. Do I not deserve the same happiness as you, as
Zek, as my sister? Is that not what we all seek? Brother.”

Aaron’s gaze locked on Sienna’s. His
chest rose and fell, the ache almost unbearable.

A light flashed within the depths of
Sienna’s gold green eyes.

He hoped she could read the promise in
his. He couldn’t take much more of this. In a room full of people, he dared to
project his thoughts privately to Sienna. He did have the right, she was his
mate, claimed or not, so he damned well used the privilege now.
Soon.

Soon…
She responded.

Thank fuck!

Chapter Three

“What about the White Witch?” Cori asked.
“Is it safe for Aurora to travel there and back now?”

Sienna shook her head. “Yes, I see no
danger toward Aurora. Her focus is still on King’s City and the king. She has
been raising creatures from the dark depths and Hades help us, controlling
them. But each time she brings one across to our world, it takes a drain on her
powers and when one is destroyed, it takes a little more. She too has limits
and will need time to recover. Weeks perhaps, but enough time for your sister
to arrive safely to the island.”

“Have you found the portal then?” Xav
asked.

“Yes. I know its location now.”

“Can you close it?” he asked.

“It is not that simple. There’s something
I will require first,” Sienna replied.

“Anything,” Xav offered.

“It is not something you can grant, my
king, it is something I must do.”

“How long will you need?” he continued.

“A few days.”

“What about Aurora coming back in two
weeks’ time?” Cori asked.

“That is unclear to me, my queen. But I
will keep watch. I would let no harm come to Aurora, she is more sister to me
than the one who I share a sire with. When Tabatha is ready again, I will be
too.”

“Maybe this is the time to get rid of her
once and for all,” Aaron said, staring at Sienna. This had to stop.

Sienna shook her head. “No, that would
not be wise. While she’s weak, she’s not defenseless. Only you stand a chance
against her, my king. But she’s chosen her hiding place well. She dwells beyond
the powers of the Trident in the dark realms. I cannot even venture there with
my sight.”

“She blocks you?” Xav asked.

“Not so much her doing, as where she is.
But sooner or later, she will move out of the dark. Once she does, I will
know.”

“Okay, so since all that’s settled, then
I’m going.” Aurora moved over to the table where the potion sat on, grabbing it
before anyone could stop her, not that anyone intended to. She placed it in the
waterproof satchel she had slung across her shoulder.

“Only half, once you reach shore,” Sienna
reminded her.

“Promise. I’m ready.”

“Aaron and two of the guard will
accompany you. I will let Zek know you’re coming.”

“No need for the other guards. I will go,
too,” Sienna declared. “Afterward, I will seek what we will need to close the
portal.”

All eyes swung around to stare at Sienna.
Aaron couldn’t conceal his shock at the statement. His mouth still hung
open—he snapped it shut. She never left the depths. Other than the day
she called to him, when they met for the first time. As far as he knew, she’d
she never gone to the surface again. Everyone knew she didn’t go to the
surface.
Why now?
What by Poseidon
was going on?

Aurora’s squeal of delight was the only
sound heard, then she hugged Sienna. “We’re going to have so much fun,” Aurora
all but gushed.

“No, you misunderstand me. I will just
accompany you to the surface. I shall not leave the sea.”

The look of regret on Aurora’s face made
Aaron school his own features into a neutral expression, lest he show
disappointment, because he’d thought the same thing. At last perhaps, they
might be able to spend some time together. Then again, maybe they still can.

“I’m sorry. I only want to ensure you
arrive safely and when it’s time for you to return, I will come back to get you
to make sure nothing happens. But I won’t venture onto land. Not this time. I’m
sorry.”

“Thank you, Sienna,” Xav said touching
her shoulder.

“Then if you are ready,” Aaron announced,
“No reason we can’t leave now.”

“If you want to spend a few days with
Zek,” Xav said speaking to him, “That’s fine.”

“Perhaps, I will. We’ll see.” His gaze,
however, rested on Sienna. Wherever he would be after seeing Aurora safely to
the island, it would be with Sienna. Briefly, he wondered if this had been her
plan all along. The thought shot heat through his blood. Right on its heels,
another thing crossed his mind, it might finally be time to reveal the secret
she’d kept and got his oath to keep from his king all of these years.

By Poseidon’s blood, he hoped so. It
wasn’t something he enjoyed withholding from Xav. If Xavior had known, he
would’ve searched for the child. He wouldn’t have a choice, she was a child of
the waves, but more importantly, she carried witch blood. Who knew what kind of
powers the girl held. Or the kind of trouble could and would ensure if raised
among humans while unaware of her powers. She came from a line of powerful
witches. He shuddered thinking about it and prayed Sienna had made the right
decision for them all.

After saying their goodbyes, Cori and Xav
returned to the palace and arrived in their chambers.

“Do you think I did the right thing,
allowing Aurora to seek her mate among the landwalkers?” Xavior asked his
bride.

Cori turned to her mate and took him in her
arms. “Have you forgotten, your bride is a landwalker? Aurora will be fine. If
the Sea Witch believes there’s a chance land is where her mate is, shouldn’t
you? After all, she told you that’s where you’d find me.” She kissed him
quickly when he hugged her.

“I worry about her safety. Until we can
close the portal, who knows what the Hades else will come through. At least
I’ve put all the tribes on notice, and the dolphins are roaming the waters for
any sign of a disturbance. Besides, the witch didn’t exactly say that, just
it’s possible.”

“She’ll be fine. Aaron will protect her,
and the Sea Witch is a match for her sister. Once Aurora’s on land, she’ll be
safe with Dez and Zek.”

“She’s still too young to leave the
depths in search of her mate.”

Cori gasped. “You’re kidding, right? Your
sister might look like a human teenager, but you know damn well she isn’t.”

“I know it’s just—”

“No just about it. She’s well over a
hundred years old. Let her find her own way.”

Xav smiled. “As I have found mine.” He
bent down slightly, enough to place his arms under her legs. Picking her up, he
took her over to their bed and laid her upon it. “I love you,” he whispered as
he slowly removed the two strips of clothing she wore. Straightening up, he
removed the loin-like trunks he wore then laid beside her on the bed.

She raised her arms to him, holding onto
his biceps, pulling him down to her. He kissed her just as she closed her eyes
to enjoy the pleasure of their tongues entwining, caressing, mating.

“I love you,” he murmured moving his
mouth from hers, only to press his lips to her chin.

She pushed her head back, raising her
neck silently, leading him with the language of her body. Letting him know
where she needed him, his touch.

And her mate read her needs very well.

The sensation of his mouth sucking
against her neck caused her stomach muscles to tighten and her sex to clench.
The feel of his hand on her nipples pulling and stretching them had her juices
flowing. By the time he placed his mouth over her hard nipple and sucked on it,
she was trembling in his arms.

“Mmmm, that’s my baby. So sensitive. You
wet for me, baby? If I touch you…there would you be wet for me?”

He didn’t wait for her reply in truth,
she wasn’t sure she could speak; she was busy taking in much needed air. His
thumb flicked across her clit, and her body bowed off the bed.

“So, you are wet.” He moved off her and
positioned himself until he lay between her legs. “Keep watching me, baby.”

Like she was going to take her eyes off
him. Not happening. He stuck his tongue out, so she could see and licked his
upper lip. Then lowering his head, he lapped at her clit.

This time, she didn’t hold back. She came
all over his tongue, and he buried his face in her.

Rubbing his mouth against her opening
from side to side. “I fucking love your cum,” he growled and licked her from
bottom to the top of her sex. “You taste so good. But I’ll finish this later.
Right now, I need to be inside you. Turn over for me, baby.” Holding onto her
sides Xav helped her shift until she rested on her stomach, but moved her until
he positioned her ass in the air. She planted her arms on the bedding, while he
stationed himself directly behind her. Using his hips, he spread her thighs
wide apart.

She felt the tip of his thick cock
brushing against her sex. Pushing back, just as he pumped forward and impaled
her on his shaft. “Ahhh. Xavior!” She couldn’t stop the husky sound of his name
coming out of her mouth. All she could do was thrust back, taking him deeper
inside her each time he plunged. He held onto her hips, holding her steady and
set their rhythm. All she could do was enjoy the journey of intense pleasure.

Her mate took her to the top of the
waterfall, for a moment suspended them there, right on the edge. Then pushing
harder, faster, her sex soaking his cock, the room filled with the sound of
their pants and the salty musk from their bodies. “Come with me, baby. Come
now!”

She felt the warmth of his seed fill her
just as she went over the top, sinking into the depths of the warm waters.
Together, they rose to the surface. His body was slick and fell over hers like
a blanket, but he shifted so not all of his bulk rested over her. His dick
slipped out of her pussy, but she could still feel it against her thigh. His
leg rested over hers, and his arms surrounded her. His head lay near hers, and
she felt his breath against her neck before she felt his lips move. “I love
you.”

“I love you, too.”