Everlost Read Online Free PDF Page B

dismay, the room was empty. Across the hall, though, was an arsenal filled with weapons and armor—enough for every merman in Natatoria. She stopped and stared at the vast collection.
    Sad groans pulled her attention to her left. She eyed the dungeon doors, wondering how many arrested merman lay shackled behind them. She swam closer and placed her trembling fingers on the iron latch, finding it unlocked.
    How easy it would be to help the prisoners escape, she thought.
    “Do you need something, Princess?” a male voice asked.
    Her entire body jolted—caught with her hand in the proverbial cookie jar, but she didn’t dare turn around. Jacob.
    “You mustn’t go into the dungeon. It’s not a proper place for a lady.”
    She snorted softly at the manipulation behind his words, but kept her hand firmly planted in an act of defiance, hoping he’d go away. “ I appreciate your concern, Jacob, but this is my house now, and I’ll go where ever I want.”
    “I object.”
    “You object?” She chuckled. “Sea stars! Who made you my keeper?”
    He swam to her and placed his hand gently on hers. Surprising to her, his warmth sent a tingle across her skin. She gasped and pulled away.
    He responded and drew his shoulders taut. “I’m responsible for you, and I don’t feel it’s safe for you to be around the prisoners.”
    “They can’t hurt me.”
    Jacob grimaced. “It sends the wrong message.”
    “To whom?”
    “To your people.”
    She looked away from his blue-grey eyes and swallowed hard.
    “All the mers are my people, or are you accusing me of being a traitor, too?”
    “Of course not, Princess. But, please.” He motioned she move away from the door, careful not to touch her a second time.
    She held her spot. “Are they being cared for? Fed?”
    “Yes.”
    “And the girl?”
    “She was released earlier into her father’s custody. She was at the wrong place at the wrong time.” He stretched out his arm towards the front of the house. “Princess. Let’s go into the other room. Can I get you something? Are you hungry, perhaps?”
    Seriously? The thought of a guard serving her food humored her.She bit back a smile, tempted to laugh at his lame attempts of distraction, but composed herself instead. “Actually, I’m looking for Azor.”
    Jacob exhaled, his eyes losing focus for a beat. “The Prince has yet to return from the palace.”
    “What’s taking him so long?”
    “I’m not sure.” His jaw clenched and she found it odd he didn’t look directly at her.
    “What aren’t you telling me, Jacob?” she demanded, swimming closer to him.
    Jacob cast her a quick glance. “Nothing.”
    She squinted, her lips curling down in disbelief. “Will you go check on him and find out what’s taking so long?”
    He lifted his chin and Tatiana couldn’t help but notice his washboard abs flex.
    “No,” he said, determined. “I won’t leave you.”
    She shook off her attraction to his physique and balled her hands. “Seriously? Fish fry! There are a bazillion guards here to keep me safe, if you haven’t noticed.”
    She almost laughed at how incredulous that sounded considering—even while she fought with Jacob—they snored through their argument.
    “Shhh,” he said sharply, tugging her by her elbow to the front room. “I’d love to assist, but I have my orders. If something were to happen—”
    She pulled away. “I know. You’d be hung by your scales. Blah blah blah. Tube worms! I need to know where my husb—mate is. I am the princess, remember,” she whispered, hard.
    “How could I forget?” he said glibly.
    She fisted her hands when Jacob wouldn’t budge. “Then take me to the palace if you must chaperone me,” she whispered, the edge to her voice hard.
    “No.”
    “I decree it.”
    A small smiled tipped his lips. “You don’t have the authority.”
    “Try and stop me.” She swam past Jacob to the front door in determination. “You’re my bodyguard, be one.”
    “Princess,