A Mermaid’s Wish Read Online Free PDF

restaurant patrons were staring.
    Taem turned to Sardu. “Can we leave now?”
    Nordal laughed. “You go ahead. I will settle the bill.”
    As Sardu offered her his arm, applause broke out in the restaurant. The accolade followed them into the wet entrance where she handed her wrap to an attendant and dove into the water. Sardu was at her side a moment later.
    That was impressive.
    I took classes but never had the nerve to use them. Something about today just set me off.
    I think you are coming in to your own. I will say this. If you want to change your appearance, I will still love you, but if you remain the same, my affection will be unchanged.
    You love me?
    Since the first time you told me Nordal was busy and I should sit down and shut up until he was off the com.
    Well, he was busy.
    He was making opera reservations.
    She laughed mentally. Still busy.
    Fair enough. The fact that you looked up, recognized me and then reiterated the order captured my undying affection from that moment onward. It grew deeper every time you snapped at me.
    That is asinine.
    I love you , too, Taem.
    She swirled and faced him. I do love you, you know. If you go to Hekart and find a wonderful woman, I will understand.
    I will be travelling with my wife.
    What?
    We are going to be married as soon as it can be arranged. I want you in my house, my bed and my life as soon as possible. I want to start a new life on a new world with you. Only you.
    Why me? She looked in his features and begged him for the answer. She really had no idea why it had been her when he was everything she had ever dreamed of.
    Who else could it be?
    He kissed her, and she let the world fall away as they drifted together, his hair billowing around them. She reached to the base of her hair, and she broke the charm. Whether it was truly magic or simply a trick of her mind. She felt more beautiful in his arms than she ever had before.
     
    * * * *
     
    The bride was radiant if she did say so herself. Her stunning beauty was returning slowly, and it was at just the right level to pass as a blissful bride.
    The palace was lit like a jewel in the darkness. Taem walked down the steps and onto the rich purple carpet waiting to lead her to the dais of the thrones. Her family lined the first two rows of the left side of the throne room, and the entire court took up the rest of the seats.
    Sardu was waiting for her at the dais, and he took her hands in his while Rallo performed the ceremony.
    It took five minutes for him to recite genealogies on both sides and two minutes for the actual exchange of vows. Once the vows were exchanged, there was the exchange of tokens.
    Taem extended a pair of thick wrist cuffs that had been in her family for nine centuries. They were the most tasteful things in the sah-family collection, and now, they were his.
    He gestured, and one of his groomsmen brought forward a box that contained a dagger that was not only made of the sharpest obsidian, but it also wasn’t fully encrusted in gems so it was a practical item.
    The second groomsman brought out a trident that was slightly narrower but much longer than a standard weapon.
    Sardu whispered, “For the next time you fight a predator. I don’t like you getting so close.”
    She laughed, and the room at large was scandalized. No one ever gave weapons to a bride. “It is perfect. Thank you.”
    She kissed him, and he put his arms around her and her new trident. They parted and it was official. She was now Princess Taem-jak. It was time to celebrate.
     
    Sneaking out of a royal wedding was not for the faint hearted, but Sardu was a man of spirit. He lured his bride onto the dance floor, and after she was draped against him in complete surrender, he lifted her in his arms and simply walked off with the new princess.
     
    Laughter on the wedding night was distracting, but they managed to get beyond it, and when they joined their bodies, Taem saw stars in his eyes and joy in his expression.
    He whispered.