Chapter One
I'd always thought of the sea as warm. Growing up on the eastern coast of Zaru, I often swam in the temperate waters of the Ilshi Sea.
Separating two continents, Ilshi was a narrow sea and was warmer than the other underwater kingdoms because of its position near the equator.
But all of that failed to matter when you were hundreds of feet below the water's surface.
Without Water Magic—a relatively recent addition to the Land Dragons' arsenal—I wouldn't have been able to venture so deep without assistance.
As it was, I used the magic to produce a thin layer of air around my nose and mouth and also to propel me through the sea.
To either side of me were my guards, swimming similarly, and ahead of us were several sea dragons who had come to Zaru to escort us to the city of Kansu.
The sea dragons were magnificent, with whiskers trailing from their faces and fins adorning their sinuous bodies.
Their scales were more beautiful than those that we land Dragons had, with colors shimmering with iridescence.
As a sea, Ilshi was shallower than its ocean brethren.
So we had a shorter distance to travel to reach the seabed.
At our speed, it only took an hour before the crown city of Ilshi came into view.
Kansu spread out before us, a glimmering thing full of warm light, lying beneath an enchanted dome that filtered air into the city from the water.
That dome was the only reason I had agreed to this diplomatic mission.
As much as I enjoyed my Water Magic, I didn't want to sleep in water.
But Kansu looked like any city on land, with cobbled streets, horse-drawn carriages, and enough light to mimic the day.
As we crossed through a designated entry in the transparent barrier, the ward drew seawater from my hair, skin, and clothing, leaving me to step onto the cobblestones dry.
I released my magic and breathed in deeply.
The air was as clean as it was on land, perhaps cleaner.
Beside me, my guards came through, the sea dragons entering last since they took the time to shift before they entered the city.
They came through the ward as dry as I had, but also naked.
Their long hair, much longer than we wore our hair in Zaru, partially concealed their nudity.
But then a man rushed over with clothing piled on his outstretched arms, and my Sea Dragon escorts quickly got dressed.
A pity. All of them were handsome, with an exotic look and lean physiques.
As much as Kansu resembled surface cities, there were some major differences.
First, the citizens were all underwater folk, and I tried not to stare as I got my first look at several races that never left the sea.
There were Kaikeyos, Leeyas, and Gashi congregating in large groups on the sidewalks.
I'd met many Neraky before, and they didn't interest me.
The only differences between them and Dragons were their gills, sleeker builds, scales, and eyes.
That sounds like a lot, but compared to the Kaikeyo—who boasted chins full of tentacles, horns on the heads of the males, and suction cups on the tips of their fingers—the difference was minimal.
These people were so obviously aquatic that it felt unnatural to see them on dry land.
A Sea Dragon stepped up to me and motioned at the waiting carriages. “Lord Nadar, we have carriages for you and your guards.”
My guards were all Dragons, which was highly unusual.
A diplomat would never receive a Dragon unit for protection on land.
They were exclusively for the King. But since I was going undersea, and Dragons were the only race in Zaru who could survive the trip unaided, the King made an exception.
That being said, they weren't knights, only trainees.
Still, I was grateful. King Saric could have hired some Neraky to accompany me, but it was hard to find an honest Neraky.
Not that I think all Neraky are liars. No, they were as honest as anyone else .
I'm referring to their profession, which was usually that of a pirate pretending to be a merchant.
It was one of those open secrets everyone pretended not to know.
Mainly because it was too hard to prove.
There were some real Neraky merchants, but you couldn't tell them apart from the pirates.
Not until they were boarding your ship and stealing from you.
But I digress.
My guards and I split up to ride in two carriages.
We rode through clean streets, past soaring stone buildings of delicate architecture, to the castle that stood at the center of the city.
A high wall hid the lower portion, but most of the castle was visible above it, with a central tower rising high enough to pierce the air dome and poke out into the sea.
Uniformed guards waved us through the gate, and our carriages stopped before the steps of the keep.
The Sea Dragons had taken another carriage and were already waiting on the steps for us.
I climbed out of the carriage and up the steps, my escorts leading the way.
As we neared the door, I nodded at the two Gashi soldiers standing at attention to either side of it.
Both were muscular, with indigo skin, claws, and heavy brows.
One of them smiled at me, showing his fangs.
I didn't think it was aggressive, but I wasn't sure.
The Sea Dragons continued to lead us into the keep, but as we strode through the corridors, all but one slipped away.
I barely noticed their absence. The pearl-studded walls and mother-of-pearl floor captured my attention.
Everything was shiny, shimmery, and pale, giving a sense of liquidity.
It made me feel as if I had slipped down the throat of an enormous beast.
Our walk ended in an echoing hall of gold columns, with an arched ceiling and a black marble floor.
It was empty except for a single man seated atop a blue crystal throne on a low dais.
To either side of him, white columns in the shape of gigantic seahorses surged up to hold an arch above his head.
Behind him, a glass wall offered a view of the sea, fish swimming lazily past.
The Sea Dragon with me went to stand at the base of the dais and bowed. “Your Majesty, may I introduce Lord Nadar Damra of the Zaru Dread and his guards?”
The King stood up. His face had been in shadow until that moment.
When the light caught him, I had to gulp back a gasp.
I'd already been admiring his sleekly muscular body and his long white hair, falling about him to puddle in his lap.
He wore a gold crown studded with pearls and a sword with a matching hilt.
But his face surpassed all the expectations his body generated.
A strong jaw strengthened his full lips, and his high cheekbones added even more roguish appeal.
But he had a regal forehead and bearing.
Within all that beauty, a pair of almond-shaped eyes with long lashes gleamed green beneath dark brows.
But none of that could convey the sheer masculinity and breathtaking charisma he radiated.
I couldn't move as he came down the steps to stand before me. Something shivered within my chest—an awakening. No, it couldn't be. I was imagining things. It was nothing but attraction. And yet, as I gazed into those bright green eyes, they glowed, and his lips parted on a soft inhale.
“Lord Nadar, this is King Jucai of Ilshi,” my Sea Dragon escort added.
“Welcome to my kingdom, Lord Nadar.” King Jucai held out his hand.
That too was perfect, and it felt cool in mine.
The scent of salt and cinnamon rose to tickle my nose.
I breathed in deeply, but despite all that air, my voice came out breathy.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I'm honored to have been chosen to represent Zaru and its king here in your court.
Your city is the most beautiful I've ever seen.”
His smile made his full lips even more sultry.
“I agree, but thank you for saying so.” He waved off my Sea Dragon escort.
“See Lord Nadar's guards to their rooms.” He took my hand, wrapped it around his corded forearm, and strode toward a door beside the dais.
“I will take care of Lord Nadar myself.”
“Uh.” I looked back at my floundering guards.
“They'll be fine,” King Jucai purred.
“They're not who I'm worried about.”
He chuckled and pulled me closer to whisper, “Do I scare you?”
“Not at all, Your Majesty.”
“Then what exactly about me worries you?”
“I believe it's your eyes.”
“My eyes?” He had taken me through the doorway without my noticing, so it seemed as if we were suddenly strolling down a hallway.
“No, your lips.”
“My lips concern you?” The Sea Dragon King grinned.
We stepped into a glorious garden, and he led me through it to the railing at its edge. But he still didn't release my hand.
I slid my hand free and leaned against the railing to look him over. “Maybe it's your body.”
“You are very indecisive, Lord Nadar.” He lifted his dark brows, so strange with his white hair, and yet they worked.
“Well, I've only had a minute to collect my thoughts.” I frowned at him. “It's all of you. Your eyes, lips, body, and even your hands. They all worry me.”
King Jucai licked his lips and looked me over as I had him, but he made the action very sexual.
“Ugh!” I drew back. “Now I'm even more concerned.”
The King burst out laughing. “Are you a diplomat or a jester?”
“I'm something stranger than either of those. I'm an honest diplomat.”
“Indeed?” He moved closer. “Then tell me why you're worried.”
“You're handsome enough to make me forget why I'm here.”
“Aren't you here to inspire goodwill between our kingdoms?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” I smiled, knowing where he was going.
“Then, worry not. Any forgetfulness on your part will only aid your success.” He snatched my hand and pulled me against him.
I was bigger than him in both physique and height, but it felt as if he encased and consumed me, his plush lips pillowing against mine as he claimed my mouth.
He was going to have me right there, in his pretty garden, and I would not stop him.
But this is what Dragons do. We are promiscuous, but it's out of necessity.
The only way to find our mates is to have sex with them.
Despite the strange feeling I'd had earlier, I didn't think this sea king was my mate. But I had to be sure, didn't I?
As the King's hand slipped around my waist and down to squeeze my ass, I silently thanked the Dragon Gods for this gift. My time underwater was going to be something I'd never forget.