A foreign mind brushed mine. “Can you distract him for a moment? I don’t think he’s in his right mind,” Rayna said.

I didn’t think he was insane.

I thought he was tired of dealing with them. And he had every right to be.

But I was pretty sure he’d gotten his point across, so I nodded.

“Clear the room fast, and lock the door behind you,” I told her.

After she agreed, I reached for my magic. Though I found it easier than I had before, my access still wasn’t natural or instant.

I ran it over my arms for a moment to make sure I had control, then sent a bolt of it through the room. Right to Triton. It hit him square in the back, and I bit back a sound of victory.

I was totally going to figure the mermonster thing out.

The king spun to face me, his eyes blazing.

thirteen

ARIA

He could probably see my legs shaking, because I saw the heat in his eyes the moment he realized what his magic was doing to me.

I made a come here gesture, and he crossed the room in a few massive steps.

Rayna was getting everyone out, but I barely heard her.

“I’m in control,” Triton said, his gaze still hot as it moved over my body.

“I know. Your sister is the one who thinks otherwise.”

“They made my castle unsafe and insulted my mate. Any male would be this furious.”

“I don’t think they see you as a male at all, Triton. I think they just see you as the king who solves their problems and acts as their therapist. Do you ever ask them for anything in exchange for dealing with their shit?”

“Of course not.”

“Maybe it’s time to start.”

The doors clicked shut behind us, and Triton pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly to his chest.

“You’re not a fucking womb, Aria.”

“I’m aware.”

“I gave my people everything I had, and I didn’t even get a fucking vote about whether or not I wanted a mate,” he snarled into my mind. “Now they insult the woman they basically commanded me to marry.”

“I heard.”

His grip on me tightened even further. “They don’t care that you’re the queen. I don’t think it even crossed their minds when they decided our fate.”

“No, but I think you started remedying that when you threatened their lives.”

He barked out a humorless laugh. “They should hope so.”

I couldn’t stop my hips from rocking just a little.

The remaining shreds of my sanity had to be gone, but I didn’t have the energy to care.

“Your magic is really strong,” I whispered. “Can you maybe just ease it up a little before I orgasm on my feet without you even touching me?”