The Kiss That Saved Me (The Tidal Kiss Trilogy Book 2) by Kristy Nicolle Read Free Book Online

I kiss his cheek.
    “I know, but it isn’t Saturnus’ fault. I know he said horrible things about your father. But…”
    “I shouldn’t have hit him.”
    “No,” I admit, placing my hand on his scales that lay out in front of me. His tailfin is spread before him. Weary.
    “I’ll apologise.” He turns to me and I wipe the diamonds from my tailfin where his tears have fallen.
    “I think that’s a very grown up decision.”
    “You’d think I’d be grown up by now. I am over five hundred.” he comments smiling slightly and I nod.  
    “I think age is just a number. Maybe you’re still young up here,” I point to his head and he nods slightly. I run my fingers through his locks again. It seems to soothe him.
    “We had better get ready for the coronation,” I say, “I’m getting ready with the other mermaids.”
    “I’ll miss you,” he kisses my fingers as I lower them out of his hair.
    “Don’t. It’ll only be for an hour. You’ll get to be surprised by how not ugly I am.” I smile at him cheekily and he rolls his eyes. I think about the mermaids who have overtaken my personal grooming habits since I became the other half of The Crowned Ruler. Many of them have come from pre-feminist time-periods and self-maintenance is their only skill. It amazes me how they fill their time with creating underwater fashions and pearl hair pieces. I mean, don’t they know we’re here to do a job? I often think they’d be better off learning to fashion armour, or weapons, but then I’m reminded they’re the only ones who could transform me into the transcendent being I must be for the night’s events, and I find myself grateful for the shallow depth of their obsession.
    “I’m going to go and find Saturnus,” Orion says and moves from the floor.  
    “Don’t forget I’ll be travelling with the mermaids to the sanctum,” I say to him and he nods.
    “I’ve got to be escorted by a collection of Knights.” He sighs at the security measure that I know Saturnus must have insisted upon.
    “I’ll see you later?” He asks me almost at the door now, having moved seamlessly.
    “Yes,” I reply, “See you later.” I’m still sat against the wall where the crystal has been crunched into a cracked dent at the hand of Orion’s grief built rage. I move upward and trace the fissures with my fingers gently, wincing at the pain it must have inflicted on his fists. It seems like things are as unstable as ever. Like I can’t quite catch my breath for a moment before something else starts to crack and disintegrate beneath me.  
    The voice that I’ve silenced twice already tonight snarls. Your descent will be glorious. I startle, looking back at the fractured jade and stroking it for comfort. A black cloud moves across my vision and I feel rage curdle in my blood at events beyond my control. I move to leave the room, but catch something out of the corner of my eye as I fume about Orion’s rage and Saturnus’ over controlling spite. I turn my head but before I can catch a proper look it’s gone. The seed of a shadow behind my aquamarine eyes fades as quickly as it came.

ORION

    Down in my father’s old study, I hang upside down in the water, blood rushing to my skull, creating a pleasant calming numbness. I clench my taut abdominals, biting down to stop myself from grunting in pain as I haul my lower half upward, crunching toward the iron bar that is held up by two coral stands. I relinquish at the shock of eyes looking back at me, losing control of my muscles and feeling my scales slip against the metal bar. I fall to the floor, upheaving sand and debris.
    “Real slick.” I hear the familiar sarcasm dipped tones exclaim lazily.
    “What are you doing here Starlet?” I push myself away from the floor with aching but angry muscles.
    “I just saw Callie leave. I heard her yelling at you,” she admits.
    “Well. I deserved it.” I flex my fist as I feel the wounds on my knuckles start to heal up. They’re