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.
“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 .
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