The Merman's Quest: A Mates for Monsters Novelette Read online

  “It’s too late for a swim. You can tomorrow.” Although Zantu could shift between land and sea forms with apparent ease, he said the child had not yet exhibited any ability to form a tail.

  Camilla wailed and buried her face against Zantu’s shoulder.

  Madison rushed from the cabin. “Sorry, she’s faster than I expected.”

  Brianna followed right behind her. She reached for the child. “I’ve got her.”

  Mermaids had little maternal instinct and usually abandoned their babies to the father within days of giving birth, but Brianna comforted the child with graceful ease. Rubac’s gaze flicked to Madison, and he wondered if she’d care for a child like that. Would he ever find out?

  Madison glanced with obvious discomfort at Zantu’s nakedness and moved to the gunwale to direct her gaze at Rubac. “I thought you two would be gone already, playing with the porpoises or whatever it is you plan to do.”

  It still felt strange to have a female who showed no interest in any man but him. But it pleased him. He said, “We were talking about Ebby.”

  Camilla’s sleepy head shot up and she looked around. “Ebby?”

  “She’s not here, little one,” Zantu stroked her hair until she settled back against her mother’s shoulder.

  Madison’s brows drew together. “Ebby? As in your daughter?”

  Daughter. The word was strange to him, since mer-children were genderless until puberty, but he supposed that was what Ebby was. “It appears she has been stalking my brother’s nest.”

  Brianna shook her head. “I wouldn’t call it stalking. She’s very polite.”

  “You raised her well, brother,” Zantu added.

  Madison speared Rubac with an incredulous look. “You said Ebby had turned into a monster. How can she be visiting Zantu?”

  “Mermaids are monsters,” Rubac replied and scowled at his brother. “You’re being incautious. You should relocate your nest.”

  Zantu shrugged. “After my discussions with Ebby, I don’t believe all mermaids have to turn into monsters. Ebby’s shown remarkable restraint.”

  Madison shed the tee shirt she wore over her swimsuit and slipped into the water, pushing herself toward him. “Is it possible you’re wrong? Surely she wouldn’t harm her own father or the uncle who helped raise her.”

  “You don’t understand,” Rubac put his arm around Madison’s waist and drew her close, supporting her in the water next to him. “Ebby’s not human. Or a child. She’s a mermaid. They can’t resist their vicious female natures, even around their own sires or uncles.”

  His chest tightened as he recalled all the years he’d found joy in being Ebby’s father. The child had been his only comfort each time his mate abandoned him to seek out other men. Ebby’d been strong through his weakness. It shouldn’t have surprised him that she chose to be female.

  Madison looped her arms around his neck. “Regardless of her chosen gender, she’s still the child you raised. I’m sure she loves you.”

  Despite his sincere belief Ebby was lost to him, he felt a glimmer of hope; Madison had that effect on him. He smiled at her, brushing his lips against hers. “Perhaps. But it’s impossible to know a mermaid’s heart.”

  “All right, brother.” Zantu dropped gracefully into the water, human legs shimmering and coalescing into a gleaming silver tail. “We’d better go on our adventure before the sun wakes the sharks. I’ve had enough encounters with those to last a lifetime.”

  Madison kissed his cheek and swam toward the boat. “Have fun. Come back to me soon.”

  “Always,” Rubac replied, still thinking about Ebby. If he could break his curse and find love with a second mate, was it was possible for Ebby to overcome the inevitable, as well?

  He shook his head, not ready to think on such things now. Zantu was here, and he was going to enjoy this time with his brother while he could. Jackknifing, he followed the trail of bubbles Zantu had left on his way into the kelp forest.

  Thanks for reading! There is more hot, wet underwater romance waiting for you in the next book, A MERMAID’S HEART.

  Ebby wants to set a captured diver free, but her own carnal desires may spell the end for them both…

  CLICK HERE TO BUY A MERMAID’S HEART NOW >

  P.S. If you didn’t catch the first book in this undersea world, THE MERMAN’S KISS, it’s FREE to download!

  DOWNLOAD THE MERMAN’S KISS FREE >

  Also by Tamsin Ley

  Galactic Pirate Brides series

  Rescued by Qaiyaan

  Ransomed by Kashatok

  Claimed by Noatak

  Mates for Monsters

  The Merman’s Kiss

  The Merman’s Quest

  A Mermaid’s Heart

  The Centaur’s Bride

  The Djinn’s Desire

  Khargals of Duras

  Sticks and Stones

  Bite Club

  First Instinct

  About the Author

  Once upon a time I thought I wanted to be a biomedical engineer, but experimenting on lab rats doesn't always lead to happy endings. Now I blend my nerdy infatuation of science with character-driven romance and guaranteed happily-ever-afters. My monsters always find their mates, with feisty heroines, tortured heroes, and all the steamy trouble they can handle. I promise my stories will never leave you hanging (although you may still crave more!)

  When I'm not writing, I'll be in the garden or the kitchen, exploring Alaska with my husband, or preparing for the zombie apocalypse. I also love wine and hard apple cider, am mediocre at crochet, and have the cutest 12-pound bunny named Abigail.

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  www.mates4monsters.com