Interracial Romance

King Dagger, tiger shark shifter, speaking to his first mentally as they patrol the ocean in shark form. It was time to bring his mate into his world. 

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“Might I be blunt with you, Dagger… my  King?” Desmond asked.

He said, “When have you not, old man? Please… speak your mind.”

“You’re a forceful and powerful king. Our ways will be new to her. She is human, and never under estimate a woman’s sensibilities. Yes, you are King, but she will decide over what. Be her mate, not her King, or you will never find true love.”

“Do you believe I will be cruel to my mate?”

Voice deep as an echo, Desmond spoke, “Not cruel… old-minded… as am I.”

“She will not rule our household or me, my friend.”

“Oh, but she will. She will. The sooner you come to terms with the reality of married life, the happier you will be.”

“Shall I hand over the crown as well as my spine?” Dagger had waited centuries for this day, but why would Clear Coral assign him a human mate? Humans are fragile, tasty, but fragile. The clan would never respect a human queen. Her undeniable beauty, underlined by her independent nature, posed a problem. He would make sure she would conform to his ways.

“No disrespect, but I think she may already have. You have watched her every day for close to two years now. The last ten you spent waiting for her to come of age. She weighs on your heart. You have been her silent protector all these years. Allow her time to learn you and our ways. You are an old man and she is a mere fifth of your years.”

“Am I so old as to not want love in my life, Desmond?” Maybe he was. He enjoyed female companionship over the many years of his long life, but never in his heart.

“You have been alone far too long.” Desmond swam a tight circle around Dagger. “She is not a maiden off a pirate ship. You cannot take liberties with her. She will look to be respected… as will you.”

She would not rule him, no matter how he longed for her love. “I appreciate your concern, old man, but she will learn to live by our ways.”

“Do not expect her to welcome your advances. Modern women do not take well to arrogance. If you are respectful, she will respect you.”

“Says the man with the most humble of wives.”

Desmond’s body jerked a fraction. He noticed the man’s tension. “No disrespect. you know my Carina better than most. She is not always humble.”

“This is true. Carina is a woman of merit. You are envied by many.”

Desmond sighed. “Not every man deserves such respect from his mate. I was not always deserving of such a mate.”

“Your Carina forgave you long ago. Do not beat yourself for being a man. I know you held contempt for me for many a moon. I believe our friendship is stronger because of weathering such a storm.”

“The best friendships have survived the toughest of times.” The silence between them was like a third person.

“I have healed since then, old man. I knew you needed to release the aggression. That’s why we battled out of sight of the clan. You are the only man in Carina’s heart… her position as life assistant to the king is one not many a male could live with.” Strong friendships were nurtured, and theirs had been tested more than once over the two hundred years since Desmond trained him in swordplay. He would trust no other with his life.

More than a moment passed before they resumed their conversation. Desmond said, “Charm and charisma seem to work with the modern generation of women. But do not belittle her intelligence and try to use modern vernacular, yet not as trendy as you try with the teen boys.”

“Shall I speak at all or just nod politely? My God, she is a woman, not a paper doll. If she were so delicate, I do not believe Clear Coral would have placed the ocean in her care. I will allow your advice to help guide my actions, old friend, but I will not be dethroned by my mate.”

“I am always here if need be,” Desmond said, still concerned. “One more observance, if you will.”

“Please.” Dagger knew what was coming.

“She will try to escape in the event she finds out what we… did…”

Dagger became defensive. “I will protect my family no matter the cost. She will have no quarrel with me.”

“She might not have known the man we knew. She will not see it your way,” Desmond said.

“She will adjust and forgive.”

“And if she does not?”

He turned to Desmond, his face softening with his shift to human form. Muscles easing into chiseled jaw lines. Gills released long, muscled biceps, which sliced through the silky ocean current. Sinew coiled tight and armor-like pectorals covered his chest. His taupe-grey skin cooling to a slate blue, he readied himself to swim with the teen boys of his clan. He liked to share this time in human form.  The boys then saw him as a friend and not just the king, and their conversation relaxed. He loved the children, even the surly rebellious teens. He remembered being the same at one time.

Now he was the ocean, its history and its strength. It radiated through his system. For Drew not to accept him would mean death… to all.

“Then she must never find out. Secure the area. It is time for our queen to come home. If she does not comply… then I will have to charm her as you say.”

“Perhaps you should begin practicing now.”

***

 Begin the underwater romance for .99 .