I hate him for the way my name sounds on his tongue. I hate him for the way I feel when he speaks. It’s as if I’ve been holding my breath, and his voice is sweet air. My body relaxes in a way it hasn’t since I last laid in his bed.
“Why are you here?” I demand.
29
Stay With Me
ERIK
The sound of Helena's voice is like a siren’s song. It is as light as air, as deep as the sea, and edged with a current of violence that sends shivers down my spine.
Thisis the Crown Princess of the Ice Mer in all her glory.
Andshe isglorious.
Her strong, chiseled features stand out in the spell light. Something about her is different from the last time I saw her; she carries herself with poise in a sophisticated way.
In her Mer form, Helena looks like regal authority.
I can't believe Ikissedher. That she let my unworthy lips brush hers. She let me touch her. I feel like I'm frozen in time as I stare at Helena. My eyes are wide, and my mouth opens and closes like a fish.
“You’re beautiful,” I whisper hoarsely.
She blinks. "Erik, I asked you a question." Helena's voice—her voice!—is harsh as she pushes the wheels of the aqua-chair. They glide smoothly over the tiles.
"Why. Are. You. Here?" she asks again.
I am dragged back into reality. "It's not exactly a choice I made, Princess." Lifting my still-bound hands, I gesture to the Daemon behind me. “They brought me in. Rather roughly, if we’re being honest.”
Helena looks at the Daemon. "Is this true?" she asks.
The Daemon nods. "Yes, Your Highness. Three members of your father's Elite were apprehended trying to..." his voice trails off.
"Inflict permanent and irreversible harm to my very human, very fragile body." I fill in the blanks. The restraints around my wrists bite into my skin as I turn and glare at the Daemon. "Bat-boy over here and his men picked me up before I could finish taking them down."
The Daemon looks at me, his brows practically hitting his hairline. "You think you would have walked away from that fight?"
I shrug. "Maybe. I didn't have anything to lose."
"Why are the Elite hunting you, mortal?"
The voice comes from the other side of the room. It immediately draws my attention, and I swivel my head towards the speaker.
Intense power swirls around him as he pins me with his vibrant green eyes. It feels like the air before a lightning storm. Instantly, I recognize the male from press releases. My throat dries up.
“I... they...” I stutter. Shaking my head, I try to get a hold of myself. “Sorry,” I say. The words are gruff as they come out of my mouth.
“Yes, human?” the Daemon King’s voice booms through the room.
Swallowing, I train my gaze on the woman standing behind Helena. She appears to be a better bet. Her lips are pinched in a straight line, but her eyes... there is compassion in her eyes.
“Give him a moment, Aidoneus,” the Angel says, her voice chiding. “The poor man is clearly having a bad day.”
The King studies the woman, something flickering in his eyes as they seem to be engaged in their separate conversation. Then he nods, leaning forward in his chair and resting his head on his hands while he waits for my answer.
Closing my eyes, I take three steadying breaths. When I open them again, my head is clearer. I look directly at Helena.
“Years ago, I saved an Angel from the former Crown Prince’s clutches.” I begin.