Infatuation of a Merman

Chapter 13-Jaws of the Trap

In hindsight, perhaps I should've been more patient. But during that one day, hindsight could go visit the sharks for all I cared.

My steps were steady and controlled, just barely holding back. A thirst for revenge obscured all sense of conservation as I rearranged my expression into a joyful one. And before I knew it, my steps had turned into skips as I pranced to Kiraize's side. He gave me a sidelong glance before deeming my presence harmless.

Then, I wrapped my arms around his bare midriff.

His lithe muscles tensed beneath my fingers. And for a second the world froze, as if waiting for my rage induced haze to disperse so that I could experience the full stupidity of my actions. That didn't happen, and I snuggled closer to his side.

Kiraize slowly tilted his head to look down at me, and I returned his guarded gaze with a smile. Reaching up onto the tips of my toes, I lightly brushed my lips across his jaw to whisper something into his ear.

"How come you're not cold?" I asked, since Kiraize was oddly warm despite not wearing a shirt.

His muscles relaxed beneath my hold. And in response to my query, he lazily grinned, oozing an appeal that sent my nerves into overdrive. Seeing his familiar arrogance, I snapped out of it.

A fire burned my cheeks as I released him, practically jumping to further the distance. And the implications of my idea were now seeping into my mind. This plan had been ridiculous and suicidal for my heart. Wasn't I going to teach Kiraize about personal space? Yet here I was breaking the moral of that very teaching.

This sucked. Today was just miserable.

"Nyx." The word was spoken like an unshakable command.

I flinched and turned toward the source of the call. Julian stood there with his arms crossed, glowering at me with an anger that he didn't bother to hide. Strangely, the only thought that registered in my mind was that part of my plan worked; Julian seemed thoroughly vexed, which was probably the best thing that happened today.

"What were you doing?" Julian said.

His attitude was like a splash of cold water on my flustered feelings. The bitter rage of betrayal returned, prickling my skin like frostbite.

"My servants enjoy skin contact." I smiled.

Julian's hands clenched into fists by his side. His dark eyes were oddly fixated on Kiraize, glowering at the human merman with something wrathful.

Slowly, Kiraize's lips curled into a mocking smirk, openly portraying his disdain.

Julian took a firm step forwards, looking about ready to punch that grin right off Kiraize's face. He flexed his fingers again, and a guttural almost animalistic sound echoed from his throat.

He blinked, his eyes widening a fraction. But when his eyes returned to Kiraize, the merciless demeanor returned, albeit a little more subdued than before.

However, he shook his head while breathing out. Closing his eyes, he rolled his shoulders for a bit, as if smoothing out a kink.

When he opened them again, he gave me a flawless smile. And with an elegant gait mostly seen in ballrooms, he strode past Kiraize and to my side.

"Shall we go to see what other animals there are?" he said.

I didn't even notice that his arm was around my waist until he was leading us to another exhibit.

Although I wanted to shrug his arm off, he had an iron grip on my side. It wasn't painful and I barely even felt it, but escaping would require some extensive and forceful moves. And I didn't want to make a scene in front of a bunch of strangers or put him on guard.