The Sea Witch (Wicked Villains, #5)

by Katee Robert

Until we figure out the finer details, there will always be some doubt there, and while there’s doubt, I won’t let my impulses get the best of me. It’s not safe. Not for my territory. Not for my heart.

At Ursa’s command, Alaric and I move to the stage. He gives me a hand up even though it’s barely two feet off the ground. I enjoy the contact, though. I enjoy the way his touch steadies me even more. Anticipation curls through me as we once again face Ursa.

I try not to let disappointment take hold. Of course she didn’t say it back. She might be quickly becoming my world, she might care about me enough to let me into her home, but I’m still the guy she fucked on the side while living her life alone. It’ll take time to let me in.

It might be a foundation built on a lot of bullshit, but the bones are good. It wouldn’t be this easy for the three of us to be together if that weren’t the case. Even as the effects of my orgasm fade, the feeling in my chest only gets stronger. Ursa will say that my declaration was because Zuri had her mouth around my cock, but it’s not the truth. I love them. I don’t give a shit about timelines or what’s reasonable or all the other things Ursa will try to bring up to prove that I don’t really feel what I feel. It doesn’t change the truth. They wouldn’t twist me up the way they do in their own individual ways if I didn’t love them. Love is messy and beautiful and claws through me harsher than hate ever has. Infatuation isn’t anywhere near as intense, no matter what it feels like in the first throes of it. This is love. I know this is love.

“In your bed.” “In my bed.” I’m already pushing to my feet. “Let’s go.” Ursa blinks at me, looking surprised. “You’re awfully eager, lover.” “No shit, I’m eager. I want to sleep next to you. Both of you.” I love fucking them. Love it. But Ursa is offering an intimacy I’ve been denied until now. I’m not going to give her a chance to change her mind.

I’m not okay. I’m not sure I’ll ever be okay again. I should try to smile, should fall back into my practiced way of ensuring my sisters don’t worry about me, but the mask feels cracked beyond repair. But how can I tell them the truth? I swallow hard. “I’ll be fine.” Even that lukewarm statement feels like a lie.

We pass beyond the Carver City limits, and I close my eyes, the last of my shock fading away. Anger takes its place, a deeper, darker rage than I’ve ever known. He couldn’t just let me go. Couldn’t let the Sea Witch come out on top. No, he had to be right, to win, to regain his possession. Even if I find a way through this, it’s too late now. Ursa and Alaric will never forgive me for making the choice I have tonight. I’ve lost them.

Hades crosses his arms over his chest and waits for Alaric to close the door. “I am formally apologizing.” Oh no. No, no, no, no. I keep my spine straight through sheer force of will.

The words are all in the correct order, but they barely penetrate. “I…”

It hurts to say the words. I fight to be so hard, so untouchable, and this slip of a girl knocked me astray in the course of a few days. I’ve seen it happen to others, of course, but I never thought I’d be struck down by something as mundane as love.

Funny, but I hadn’t even thought about my revenge until now. I wanted to make Triton twist and squirm and feel even a portion of the agony he put me through. It all feels so fucking hollow right now.

I love her enough to respect that choice, to not chase after her and try to influence it. But, gods, it hurts so much to stand back and let her flee the life we could have had.

My resolve, on the other hand, remains strong. I will do anything to save those I love. Anything.

But my time of going with the flow in order not to make waves is over.

I don’t want to fight, to spit these hateful words at each other. But if I don’t stand up to him now, I’ll never get a chance to do it again.

“I am not a child. I am not a rebellious teenager. I’m sure as hell not a princess locked in a tower. You are my father, but I’m no longer accepting you as my jailer.”

Careful is the last thing I’m going to be. Not when my heart is beating so hard, I feel a little light-headed. This worked. I can’t believe this worked.

But I’m not sorry I moved to protect you; I’m only sorry that my actions hurt you.”