Chapter 1 The King’s Wrath
This is Book 6 1/2 in the Mate Cruise short story series but can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.
Content Warning: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book contains more explicit spice and sexual content than my previous books. Readers should be aware that the story includes frequent and detailed intimate scenes. Please read at your own discretion.
Chapter 1
“The King’s Wrath”
POV Jupiter
My father, Valor Cane, the King of Sirens, stands in his office looking down at me with so much hatred and disdain that I feel like I’m in an interrogation room.
I’d probably admit to anything just to escape his cruel stare as it tears through me.
“You will take the twins on the mate cruise and help them find chosen mates. Then you will return immediately once the cruise is finished.”
I nod.
“If you don’t return, I will kill your mother. You’re excused.”
He never takes his eyes off me as I walk out of his office.
My mother had an affair with a dragon, and I was the product of their undying love.
Father caught them in the throes of passion and later poisoned my real father’s food because he could never defeat a dragon. Then he hung him in the town square so everyone would fear him.
King Valor Cane, the Dragon Killer.
Mother was forced to keep me and wait painfully for the day Father would kill me.
No man looked at me, nor dared to touch me.
I finish packing my things for the mate cruise, then help my sisters.
“If you find a mate, you don’t have to return.” Veronica grins, already dreaming up impossible plans.
“Father said if I don’t return, he will kill Mother.”
Her smile fades.
“I hate him. I hate how he treats you and Mother.” Celest hugs me tightly. “I don’t care that we don’t share the same father. You’re still our older sister. We’ll find a way to save Mom.”
I can’t help smiling.
The girls always know what to say to make me feel like I’m worth something, like I have a purpose.
“Do not entertain such fantasies.”
My older brother, Azarel, steps into our room. He was probably standing there the whole time.
“Mother is Father’s property, and he can do as he wishes.”
I move as far away from Azarel as possible, but he walks over, grabs me by the throat, and slams me into the wall.
“I will be coming to collect you on the last day. If you try to run, I’ll kill you myself.”
He growls as spots appear across my vision, and I’m about to lose consciousness.
“Who knows? I might come earlier to keep an eye on you.”
He drops me onto the floor and strolls away.
My dragon, Ada, seethes.
‘Why do you let him live when we could kill him so easily?’
“I don’t want him to hurt Mother.”
‘Your mother chose her fate. She will die before or after you. There is nothing you can do about it, Jupiter,’ Ada seethes.
Relief washes over me the moment we step into the limo.
The drive to the portal that leads to the island where the ship is docked is long.
I close my eyes and fall asleep, not feeling like I have to look over my shoulder constantly, waiting for my father or brother to kill me.
The girls get out first when someone painfully grabs my wrist and yanks me out of the limo.
“I will be escorting my sisters to the boat, Alfred. We’ll be back shortly,” Azarel says, tossing my suitcase at me.
He grabs my wrist again, cutting through the crowd at the portal and letting the twins walk through first. Then he drags me through the portal.
Everyone stares at my brother and me.
I feel hatred from many of the males as I can hardly keep up with him.
We reach the top of the stairs leading to the cruise ship.
“Celest and Veronica, go ahead. I have to have a word with Jupiter,” Azarel says.
The minute they’re gone, he shoves me and my suitcase overboard.
I fall into the ice-cold water. My whole body shivers, and I can’t catch my breath.
The guards grab ropes and are about to help me.
“Don’t you dare fucking save her,” Azarel screams. “She is the product of adultery and is worthless, and you will all treat her like the scum that she is,” he growls.
He stands there for a moment, seething, then walks back down the stairs like the king he will one day become.
I continue shivering. It’s not so much the sudden cold from the water. I’m half siren. It’s the shock of how he threw me in like trash, and now all these people will treat me like the scum that I am.
I had hoped for two weeks of peace.
“Why are you all standing around? Help my sister!” Veronica dives in and wraps her arms around me.
A huge man with pale blue eyes and light blond hair dives in and pulls us toward the ropes.
He ties the rope around me first, and they lift me out, then my sister.
He looks angry, like he wants to tear me in two.
My suitcase and clothes are soaked, and my sisters help me carry my suitcase to registration.
We’re sent to the main office.
The delta dragon looks me up and down slowly as a puddle forms at my feet.
He looks pissed.
“My understanding is that sirens look down on dragons. As a hybrid, you’re welcome to join the dragon floor, Jupiter,” he says.
“Thank you, but my job is to take care of my sisters.”
“If you change your mind, just contact any member of the crew. You are dismissed.”
The man with pale blue eyes watches me as he changes clothes with one of his guards.
One of the guards walks up to me.
“Hello, I’m Yorick. The Master has asked me to escort you to your floor.” He grabs all our suitcases, hands them to another guard, then slips his arm around me and guides me to the elevator.
Everyone waiting for the elevator moves out of the way for Yorick.
He presses Level -4, and the elevator descends.
“You’re a hybrid?” Yorick asks.
“Yes. A siren and a dragon. You shouldn’t mention it once we get to my floor. Dragons are frowned upon.”
“You’re such a beautiful creature, Jupiter. That is very disappointing to hear.”
“What are you?” I ask.
“I am a vampire.”
