Surrender to the Sea (Lords of the Abyss Book 4) Read Online Free PDF

I assure you it is perfectly—”
    “He said…” Laurel moved closer to the pool to prove this was happening. Perhaps the tails were fakes? They could be fakes. That made sense, right?
    Bridget attempted to block her view. “Please, my sons don’t understand about the adjustment mortals go through. You will be their first new arrival. Please, don’t…”
    Don’t what? Traumatize them ? Frighten them ? Laurel was about to laugh when she saw the motherly pleading in Bridget’s eyes. Even though her motherhood had been brief, she understood the desperation in that expression.
    A pang of regret and sorrow hit her. Despite her pounding heart and tumbling thoughts, she managed to nod. She whispered, “This can’t be real.”
    “Where is Brutus? He should have taken you to Aidan first,” Bridget said. “I know what you are going through. I was once new to this place. No one here wants to hurt you. They wouldn’t have brought you if they had another choice. They only save those condemned to death.”
    Laurel didn’t know if she was waiting to pass out or wake up.
    “How much has he told you?” Bridget asked.
    “Lady Bridget?” the king inquired.
    “Your majesty, this is Lady Laurel.” The woman stepped aside when the king joined them. “Lady Laurel, King Lucius.”
    Laurel looked at the pool, seeing the three young merboys glide around like dolphins in a water show. She heard voices but didn’t pay attention to the words as a caudal fin flapped out of the water to splash the adults standing along the side. The boys giggled mischievously when a redheaded woman yelped and jumped back.
    “Is she under euphoria?” the king asked.
    Laurel blinked slowly and focused her attention on him. “I should make arrangements to go home.”
    “Where is Brutus? Shouldn’t he be watching her?” King Lucius moved to the archway to peer down the hall as if that would answer his question.
    “I want to go home,” Laurel repeated. “I won’t say anything. I just want to go home.”
    “Help me out, Lady Cassie!” a young voice demanded.
    The redheaded woman leaned to grab the boy’s hand to help him from the water.
    “Oh, no, don’t—” Bridget started to yell, only too late. Her son playfully pulled the woman into the water with them. All three boys laughed mischievously. When the woman surfaced, surrounded by the bulk of her gown, a green tail had transformed where her legs had been.
    The tails were not fakes.
    “Oh, that’s it, you’re in trouble now,” the woman yelled, swimming after them to give chase. Despite her words, she didn’t seem too upset by the boys’ mischievous play.
    “What is at home?” Bridget leaned over to force Laurel’s attention away from the children splashing in the pool.
    “Are you married?” the king said, a little too eagerly.
    Laurel frowned and shook her head. “No. Marriage is overrated.”
    It was an automatic response, one she’d said several times since her divorce. Very little about that marriage had been good, except for the ending. A bad marriage made it hard to consider even trying it again.
    “I don’t understand,” the king said. “You are exquisite. I think you would rate very high in a marriage.”
    “What—?” Laurel started to ask.
    “Make sure the boys don’t drown each other,” Bridget broke in. She gestured that the king should go. “I will bring Laurel to see Aidan.”
    “As you wish, my lady.” The king bowed and turned to the boys.
    “They can drown?” Laurel inquired.
    “No. He’ll just make sure they stay out of trouble.” Bridget threaded her arm through Laurel’s. “Now we can speak without his hovering on your every word. Single females are a very rare commodity here, and you will find the Merr men are as clueless as human ones when it comes to feminine ways. Single men like the king will be eager to spend time with you, which brings me to Lord Brutus. What did he tell you about your situation?”
    “That you wanted to drown