Didn't Sea it Coming Read online

  Duke Brishon puffed out his chest and raised a glass to Shelley’s father. “Indeed, Dylan. I appreciate your acknowledgment of the Floraison seaweed which was difficult to source due to its rarity, and I shall welcome a catch up with an old friend.”

  I would not have wanted to be on the receiving end of the look Duke Gill gave to his daughter. Indeed, Keto refrained from saying another word during the meal with the exception of please and thank you.

  Finally, the meal drew to a close and Duke Brishon invited Shelley, Drake, and me to come and join him in a private meeting room. He tapped Duke Gill on the shoulder on his way out as if to reassure him that the meeting was nothing but a hindrance. The duke’s shoulders visibly relaxed. This was not a good sign. I got up and followed my sister until we were seated inside a large office. As well as an ornate desk and a huge leather armchair, the room was filled with precious stones. Huge pieces of them displayed as ornaments. I realised the duke’s desk was made entirely from a piece of rose quartz.

  The duke sat behind his desk and he indicated for Drake to take a seat to his right at the side of the desk. Myself and my sister were beckoned to take seats directly in front. I took the one nearest to Drake, and he brought his chair up to mine taking my hand.

  “Father.” Drake said clearly. “I am in love with Polly.”

  “And have you proposed, son? Is she to be your wife?”

  Drake went bright red. “We have been together just seven months, Father.”

  “If you could address me as Your Duke right now, Lord Drake, please. This is official business.”

  Drake cleared his throat. I wanted the floor to swallow me up. This was our private future being discussed right now.

  “Duke Brishon, it would be my hope that should our relationship continue as it is now, that a proposal to Miss Linley would be the next logical step.”

  I swear my heart skipped a beat.

  “And what if it doesn’t continue as now?” Brishon drummed his fingers along his desk top.

  “Well, no one can see into the future.”

  “Except my Seer, Ebony, but unfortunately she’s on honeymoon, or I’d have asked her.” Shelley stated.

  “If I have to marry Polly to show you my depth of feelings for her, Duke Brishon, then I will. I would rather wait and do it properly, gaining my maiden’s hand-in-marriage through the proper etiquette of asking her parents, but should they and you continue to interfere, then you will force my hand.”

  “Is that so?” Brishon thumped his fist down on the desk. “I set your wedding date to Keto Nereid for this coming Saturday. Refusal to attend the ceremony shall result in you being banned from the sea. That is my last comment on the matter.”

  “I thought we were having a discussion?” Shelley stood up looking murderously at Brishon.

  “There is nothing to discuss. Should Charlene come to you with a bum off the streets of Withernsea, would you approve the coupling?”

  That was it. My sister’s webs came out and wrapped around Brishon. They began squeezing him tightly, his face going beet red.

  “You go too far, comparing my sister with a homeless person. Neither do I care for how you address those people less fortunate than us. But I can tell you now, if my daughter truly loved such a person then I would look for the good in them, to see if I could throw them a lifeline. If the person were honest and true, I would indeed welcome them into my heart and my life, and that is why I am Queen. You may have run this sea for years, Brishon, and for that I am grateful, but don’t become so assured by your experience that your seat here is safe. I have no interest in direct operation of the sea, but I am sure over the years you have made a few enemies who would be only too happy to take your place.”

  “Shelley.” I pulled on her arm. She released the webs leaving Brishon gasping.

  “I would like to request safe transportation back to land now, thank you. Polly will be coming with me of course, and Lord Drake, I am not sure how long you can survive without your seawater, but it is up to you whether or not you come back with us.

  “Four days is how long Drake can survive on land. Go live on the land in Withernsea, son, and see how you like real life with Polly here. If you can return on Friday evening with a convincing argument for your future with Miss Linley, that is, with something that she can bring to the table, then I shall reconsider my position. If not, then you marry Keto on Saturday. That is my final offer.”

  “I shall take it.” Drake said, holding his hand out to his father. He shook with a firm handshake. “I have every faith that I shall return on Friday bringing my future bride, Polly Linley.”

  It was hard to mask my true feelings. We had three days to come up with a reason as to why Brishon should let Drake be with me, yet we also had my parents threatening to unmask all supernaturals. Not only that but we’d only just declared our love for each other. Were we ready for marriage right now? I didn’t want to be forced into it by my boyfriend’s interfering father. It was hardly romantic. The more I thought about it, the more I thought we were doomed. I vowed to enjoy the next few days because they might be the last I ever got to spend with the man I loved. The man I’d fallen hook, line, and sinker for.

  Shelley

  “What in God’s name is happening here?” I exclaimed as I re-entered the dining room to find my father, Charlie, and my husband, on their knees looking adoringly at Keto while my mother was being French-kissed by her. I dragged her away with blue wisps, then let them poke at my father and Charlie rousing them, before finally slapping Theo across the face with a last one.

  “Aww, I was just having a little fun while my father was in the bathroom.” Keto whined. Bloody sea nymphs. She’d no doubt burst into song the minute her father left the room, taking these idiots into her thrall. I’d been so focused on my sister, I’d taken my eye off the ball, especially Theo’s, when it came to this shifty nymph.

  “Wow, you’re an amazing kisser.” My mum announced. “Dylan, she’s not as good as you, but she’s certainly hot.”

  Keto looked affronted. “I am a nymph. My kisses cause fishermen to drown.”

  “Must be because they prefer death to having to snog you again.” Charlie quipped. She was getting triple pocket money this week for that one.

  My father kissed my mother’s neck. “It looked hot. We’re not going out anywhere after here are we?”

  “Oh my god, just no. Please be quiet.” I placed my hands over my ears. No one needed to hear their parents talking about doing the dirty.

  “I found it quite arousing also.” Theo winked at me. I couldn’t help but smile back at him.

  “Ugh. All of you stop it before I end up seriously put off sex for life.”

  The door burst open and there stood Kai.

  “I thought I’d missed you. My work ran late, I was only just able to get away.” He ran over and span Charlie around.

  “Oh, maybe I’ve not been put off after all.” Charlie said.

  “Put my daughter down at once.” Theo yelled, and Kai suddenly realised he was in the presence of others. Charlie reached up and kissed him. “A few more months, Kai.”

  He bowed at her feet. “It shall be my honour to wait to date you, and I shall indeed ask for your father’s blessing to take you out.”

  “Not happening.” Theo folded his arms across his chest. “No one is dating my daughter.”

  “I’ve already had three boyfriends, Dad, so it’s a bit late for that.”

  “You have what?” Theo’s entire face turned red. Something I hadn’t even known was possible.

  “I’m joking. Oh my god, your face, Dad. Quick, Kai, escape while you can.”

  Kai disappeared back through the door, blowing a kiss to Charlie as he left.

  “Never wind me up like that again, Charlene.” Theo berated her. “Telling me you have had three boyfriends. If you plan to date, I need to meet them beforehand.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah, armed with a crossbow?”

  “We
ll anyway, Dad. Sorry about lying. The truth is I haven’t had any boyfriends at all.”

  Theo sagged with relief.

  “Though I have snogged two different wolves from the Hogsthorpe Pack.”

  “Charlene! Stop tormenting your poor father. Okay, I’ve had enough. Let’s get out of here.”

  I’d not realised that both Dukes had returned to the room while we’d been distracted with Kai.

  “So, Charlie. You have an interest in the Head of the Mermen. Interesting.” Brishon said.

  “Don’t make me hurt you.” I threatened him. “If you hurt her, I’ll make Hell look like a picnic in the park.”

  “It was merely an observation, My Queen.”

  Keto ran forward. “I will see you Saturday, Drake, at our wedding.”

  I’d reached my limit. Raising my hands, I began to chant.

  I call to the water

  I call to the earth

  I call to the spirit

  And to rebirth

  I call to fire

  I call to the air

  I call to mother nature

  Let her hear my prayer

  For the one who would harm her

  I call upon Karma

  Suddenly Keto didn’t look as appealing. Her skin went dull. Her hair flat and lifeless. There was no sparkle to her eyes, and when she opened her mouth, her teeth were quite yellow. Her long nails were now stubby and bitten.

  She looked at her hands and then ran to the nearest mirror. “What have you done?” She shrieked.

  "I’ve taken away your allure for a little while. Now we can all see the real you. I would like to make it permanent. However, I don’t fight dirty so on Saturday morning you’ll be back to normal. Though I wouldn’t bet on getting married that day. Not to Drake anyway.”

  Keto screamed and ran from the room.

  Her father gave me an icy, glacial glare. “We are equals are we not? Do you not think you should have consulted me first?”

  My voice boomed out with such force that the walls of the dining room shook, and items from the dining table crashed to the floor.

  “You are in Withernsea. My realm. I will not ask your permission to punish someone who is so disrespectful to my people. You have yet to form an alliance that will challenge me, Duke, and I suggest you remember your place here.”

  He bowed. “My apologies, Your Grace. You are correct. We shall bid you goodbye also now, Brishon. We will see you again on Saturday.” The challenge was in his voice. Whatever. If he didn’t get out of my face in the next three seconds I was going to serve him with a side of chilli sauce.

  “Mum, you were totally kick ass then.” Charlie looked at me with awe in her gaze. A rare look from a teenager. I was usually subject to surly looks and eye-rolls.

  “Yes, wife, that was kind of hot.” Theo’s gaze was filled with lust. Men and their libidos. I was so not in the mood right now.

  We were taken back to the beach, travelling there in near silence. If Theo felt my arse one more time I was going to bind his arms behind his back with webs, and not so I could do naughty things to him.

  “So now what do we do?” Charlie asked me.

  “Right now, we go home. Drake, there’s a room for you back at the farm.”

  A frown line appeared between Polly’s brows. “Why can’t we share a room?”

  “You’re having separate rooms away from each other so that if Mark and Debbie ask, I am protecting your virtue. However, if one or the other of you happens to sleepwalk into the others room, then of course there’s nothing I can do about that. And for that reason, your rooms will be right at the other end of the farmhouse because I don’t want to be disturbed by any ‘sleepwalking’.”

  “Yes, and you see we also may ‘sleepwalk’, so it’s best that we don’t trip over each other.” Theo said.

  “We will not be sleepwalking this evening. I’m knackered.”

  “Oh my god, why are adults so lame. Is this because I’m here? Just say shagging for God’s sake. Now can we please get home because I’ve spent enough time in the company of lame adults for one evening.”

  Charlie stomped off in front. That was more like my daughter.

  I sighed. “Come on, let’s get home.”

  Theo showed Drake his room. I poured myself a brandy and went to sit in the living room. I needed to get my thoughts together about what could be done before Saturday.

  Theo came in and sat beside me. I was tapping my fingernails against the glass.

  “For once I honestly don’t know what to do.” I told him. “If I interfere, I risk trouble from Mark and Debbie, and from under the sea. It’s political and I hate politics. Why did I get this gig? I don’t want to rule Withernsea and I don’t want Charlie to have to do it either. I just want a quiet life.”

  Theo placed an arm around me. “I don’t believe anyone has a quiet life, even those who don’t rule places. Life wasn’t meant to be quiet. It was meant to be lived, with passion and purpose.”

  I tilted my head at him. “Do you have to be so wise?”

  “Hard not to be at 127 years old.”

  I snuggled into his embrace. “What do I do, Theo?”

  “Personally, I’d leave Polly and Drake alone tomorrow to let them try to figure this out for themselves. He knows the ways of the sea and what’s at stake. They’re both adults. They know where we are if they need us.”

  “It just doesn’t seem right to do nothing.”

  “So, talk to the others over coffee tomorrow. See what they think about the whole situation. But go enjoy work while you’re there and let it distract you from things for a bit. It’s not good for you to get so tense.” He started to rub the back of my neck.

  “You’re right, Theo. As always. So, I’d better get to bed as I have to be up early in the morning.”

  His face fell.

  “You could help me not feel so tense if you want?” I raised an eyebrow.

  He didn’t need to be asked twice.

  Charlie

  As soon as I got home, I went straight to my room and Skyped my best friend. Alyssa was a werewolf and a complete badass. She’d saved her pack by killing a rival pack leader and his mother during a pack war.

  “Why do they treat us like kids, when you saved the pack and I’m going to save Withernsea? It’s not fair. We’re totally underestimated.”

  “Nah.” Alyssa looked at her black glossy lacquered fingernails that she kept filed to a point. “They just don’t know what to do with us. Deep down I think they’re afraid to look too closely. Think about it. We’re only sixteen. Well I properly am, and you kind of are, and look at what we’re capable of. What we’re going to be like when we’re fully-fledged adults is anyone’s guess.”

  “Well, it sucks. Like all this stuff going on with Polly and Drake. Did anyone ask my opinion on what to do? No.”

  “So, what do you think they should do?”

  “I have no idea. I haven’t even dated anyone yet, much less want to stay with them, but that’s not the point.”

  “Yeah, maybe it kind of is. You don’t have much experience in life yet. You were born with all this understanding, but you’ve not really done anything yet.”

  “What like lose my virginity?” I whispered this because if my dad and his super-vamp hearing heard my conversation, I’d be locked in my room like Rapunzel, except he’d shave my head so there was no chance of escape.

  “Not necessarily because I know you want to save yourself for the merman, but some kind of ‘save the world’ experience. Like how I’ve already saved the pack. The pack treat me like a teenager still because that’s what I am, and it’s how we’ve continued, but I have no doubt if I kicked off they’d roll over, literally. You need to kick arse in some way and then you’d have more respect come your way, teenager or not. Or, you’d get grounded. Could go either way to be honest.”

  “So, I need to look for a way of saving Withernsea somehow? I could help Polly and Drake.”

  “No, that�
�s too big a project. You need something smaller. An opportunity is bound to present itself soon.”

  I sighed. “Okay. Hey, you want to come hang at the shop tomorrow with me, while Ebony is still away? My aunt’s been keeping me company but now she has her man I doubt she’ll see daylight.”

  “Yeah, sounds great, and I can check out the new barista you were telling me about.”

  “He’s hot. You should see his tats, Alyssa. He’s all beefed up and a complete hunk of man steak. Expensive man steak.”

  “See you in the morning then. You can pay me in clothes.”

  “You’d better work hard and sell a lot then and scaring customers by growling at them isn’t an approved method of selling.”

  “Sometimes you are no fun at all, bestie.”

  “Is it legal for a seven-month-old to be left in charge of a shop?” Is Alyssa’s opening booming statement as she steps through the doorway.

  “Funny.”

  “Withernsea is just the weirdest place ever, isn’t it? It looks like a really quiet seaside town to anyone visiting, and yet it’s full of the escapades of humans and supernaturals alike. For instance, take a look at me.” Alyssa runs a hand down her body. “No one would believe that underneath this sweet looking teenage girl lies a cold-hearted murderer.”

  “Is that how you’re going to introduce yourself to Bartholomew because I think that sentence is a winner.”

  “Speaking of which. Can we go get a coffee yet?”

  I placed my hands on my hips. “You’ve only been in the shop for a minute. Get over here and help me unpack the stock that arrived an hour ago. Now I know how my mum feels about Kim.”

  Alyssa sighed. “I think you were much more fun as a baby actually. When you couldn’t speak.”

  At ten-thirty the bell on the shop dinged and in walked Jax. She very rarely left her coffee shop. My mum said she was mainly quite introverted.