Dangerous Waves

By L.M. Brown

A blind merman fleeing the sunken city of Atlantis is torn between the family he left behind and the love he swims toward.

When Dax lost his family to a shark attack he swam away from everything he had ever known. Now he has come to Atlantis, hoping to reconnect with those he left behind. When he finds his birth clan torn apart, he realizes his journey is just beginning.

Kai is an Oracle, a blind merman, who only has sight when he has a vision. Atlantis, a sanctuary for so many merpeople, is his prison. Desperation drives him to beg the Atlantean Goddess of Love for help.

With the goddess's promise of love to tempt him, Kai persuades Dax to take him along when he leaves the sunken city.

Although Dax has some reservations about traveling through the ocean with a blind merman in tow, he quickly discovers Kai isn't as helpless as he appears. Attraction comes easy, but Kai doesn't seem to feel the same way.

Kai knows he must seduce Dax if he hopes to win his heart, but his inexperience may be his downfall. With Dax's former lover waiting at the end of their journey, he knows time is running out.

A goddess can only help so much, especially when another immortal would see them part. If the two stubborn mermen want a life together, they will have to learn to communicate and fight for their love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Oct 4, 2016
• ISBN: 9781786514639

L.M. Brown

L.M. Brown is an English writer of gay romances. She believes mermen live in the undiscovered areas of the ocean. She believes life exists on other planets. She believes in fairy tales, magic, and dreams. Most of all, she believes in love. When L.M. Brown isn’t bribing her fur babies for control of the laptop, she can usually be found with her nose in a book.

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Dangerous Waves

ISBN # 978-1-78651-463-9

©Copyright L.M. Brown 2016

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright September 2016

Edited by Sue Meadows

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2016 by Pride Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Pride Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

Mermen and Magic

DANGEROUS WAVES

L.M. Brown

Book three in the Mermen and Magic series

A blind merman fleeing the sunken city of Atlantis is torn between the family he left behind and the love he swims toward.

When Dax lost his family to a shark attack he swam away from everything he had ever known. Now he has come to Atlantis, hoping to reconnect with those he left behind. When he finds his birth clan torn apart, he realizes his journey is just beginning.

Kai is an Oracle, a blind merman, who only has sight when he has a vision. Atlantis, a sanctuary for so many merpeople, is his prison. Desperation drives him to beg the Atlantean Goddess of Love for help.

With the goddess’s promise of love to tempt him, Kai persuades Dax to take him along when he leaves the sunken city.

Although Dax has some reservations about traveling through the ocean with a blind merman in tow, he quickly discovers Kai isn’t as helpless as he appears. Attraction comes easy, but Kai doesn’t seem to feel the same way.

Kai knows he must seduce Dax if he hopes to win his heart, but his inexperience may be his downfall. With Dax’s former lover waiting at the end of their journey, he knows time is running out.

A goddess can only help so much, especially when another immortal would see them part. If the two stubborn mermen want a life together, they will have to learn to communicate and fight for their love.

Prologue

Kai waited impatiently for his over-protective mother to make her decision. He tapped his fingers on the water, causing little splashes.

You’re definitely running a fever. His mother frowned as she removed her hand from his forehead.

They had come to the surface of the ocean for her to better check his temperature. Most of the rest of the clan remained under the water, though they would all be coming to the island the following evening, on the night of the summer solstice. The mating season had arrived and all mermen and mermaids would be swimming to land for the biannual task of breaking their fevers by having sex in the way that gave them the most pleasure.

Kai could hardly wait to join them for the first time.

You haven’t been swimming in the hot springs, have you?

No! I’m hot because of the mating fever, I know it.

Kai’s mother gave him a skeptical glance. Your brothers were both several seasons older than you when they first got their fevers.

Kai’s stomach sank. His mother didn’t seem to want him, the baby of the family, to grow up. Surely she wouldn’t make him ride out the mating fever under the ocean instead of letting him join the others on land.

Maybe you’re unwell, she suggested. Those fruits we ate last night weren’t quite up to the usual standard.

They were fine. I told you, it’s the mating fever.

I don’t know…

Mama, please. Let me come to the island.

"But you’re so young. It can’t be the fever yet."

It is. I know it. Kai continued to pester his mother until eventually she slapped at the water before throwing up her hands in despair.

Which mermaid do you intend to spend the night with? she asked, in a tone of resignation.

Um.

What’s the matter, Kai?

I’ve been talking to Tal and he invited me to be with him.

A merman? His mother stared at him in surprise. Why didn’t you say anything before? I thought you liked Adva. She’s a sweet young mermaid.

She is, but she doesn’t have what I need.

You have no idea what you need yet. You’ve never had a mating fever.

I know I want a merman.

And you’ve decided on Tal?

I think so.

Kai’s mother sighed and shook her head. Are you sure? He’s not the most sociable of mermen. You need someone who’ll take care of you for your first time.

Tal will. He’s been nice to me.

Very well, but please be careful.

Kai punched the air in triumph when his mother gave her consent and slipped back beneath the waves. He scanned the surface and spotted Tal a short distance away. He waved him over and swam to meet him.

What did your mother say? Tal asked. Will she let her baby come play with the big boys on the island?

Kai wrapped his arms around Tal’s neck. I’m not a baby and I don’t need permission. Now, how about you tell me what we’re going to do tomorrow night?

Tal tugged Kai under the water, kissing him hard as they sank below the surface.

Kai was about to repeat his question telepathically when suddenly he couldn’t see Tal or the world around him. He could feel Tal’s lips pressed against his mouth, and his hands on his body, but everything else had gone dim.

His awareness of the world vanished, and when his vision returned, he found himself somewhere else entirely. A city under the ocean stretched out before him. Buildings in various states of disrepair surrounded him, and mermen and mermaids swam past without seeming to notice his presence.

He scanned the area, searching for Tal and the rest of his clan. He couldn’t see anyone he recognized among the crowd.

"Excuse me!" he called out, but no one responded to his call.

He swam toward the nearest mermaid, intending to ask her where they were, but before he reached her, a human appeared directly in front of him. He was so shocked to see a regular human so far under the water he nearly didn’t realize she was staring right at him. She wore a long, flowing gown of white gauzy material. The matching headdress glistened with jewels. Kai had never seen such a being before.

"This way, Kai."

How do you know my name?

The woman smiled at him and waved him toward one of the larger and better kept buildings.

He tried again to get her attention. Where am I?

Follow me. Let me show you your new home.

I have a home already.

That was your home before.

Before what?

The woman smiled again and took his hand, guiding him through the archway. Before you became one of my chosen.

Chosen? What do you mean?

You are my new Oracle.

Kai had no idea what the woman was talking about. What did she mean by Oracle, and what did it have to do with him?

This is my temple. I’m the Atlantean Goddess of Prophecy. My name is Cari.

I don’t believe in gods and goddesses.

It does not matter whether you believe in me or not, I’m as real as you are. This temple is the home of the Oracles and as soon as you come to Atlantis, it will be your home too.

How many Oracles are there? Kai couldn’t see anyone in the temple. The place appeared to be deserted.

There are always three of you. You are my new Oracle of the present.

"What exactly is an Oracle?" Kai felt a little ignorant, as though he should already know the answer to his question. Cari didn’t seem to mind his asking and smiled as she explained.

An Oracle is a merman or mermaid who has been gifted with the power to see visions. You can, if you wish, see anything happening anywhere in the world. The other two Oracles see the past and the future respectively. I have brought you here for the moment to show you what your future holds.

What if I don’t want to come to Atlantis?

The ocean is a dangerous place, especially for an Oracle.

I’ve survived well enough until now. My clan is a strong one and I’m going to be a warrior with them. I’m already undergoing training for how to handle a spear.

As an Oracle you are more vulnerable. You must come to Atlantis if you wish to remain safe.

Why can’t I be an Oracle and a warrior with my own people?

Because the price you pay for being an Oracle is your sight. The only time you will be able to see is when you are in human form. Under the water you will be blind, except when you’re in the midst of a vision.

Kai wasn’t sure he believed her, yet he recalled the horror of his vision vanishing. He didn’t want to be blind, but if he retained his sight when he had legs, there was one obvious solution to the problem. Maybe I’ll just go live on land instead.

Cari shook her head. Atlantis is the safest place for you. The other Oracles will welcome you. They are mourning the loss of their present Oracle and know you are coming here.

How can they know, when I’ve not even agreed to this?

"Because Ula, my Oracle of the future, has already seen your arrival. You will come to Atlantis and take your rightful place here."

My mother might have something to say about your plans for me. If anyone could get him out of this mess, his mama could.

Your mother can say whatever she wishes. Her arguments will make no difference. Your clan will deliver you safely to the city, where you will begin your new life. I would advise you to begin your journey to Atlantis immediately.

Kai wanted to argue, but the temple vanished and Cari with it. He could feel Tal’s arms around him as he kissed the merman he intended to spend the solstice with. He would have been relieved, except he couldn’t see Tal. Everything was black. His sight had gone, just as Cari had told him it would.

What’s the matter? Tal asked. Why aren’t you kissing me back?

Take me to land.

Tomorrow night is going to be so much fun.

No, now. Kai tried to keep the panic from his thoughts, but something of his fear must have bled through to Tal.

What’s wrong?

I need to go to land. I need to…

Need to what?

I need to see.

See what?

Anything.

Tal pulled away from him and Kai felt his hand on his face. You’re blind?

Please, take me to land. She told me I could see again when I take human form.

She? What are you talking about?

She said she was a goddess and I’m an Oracle. I need to go to land.

An Oracle? Oh no! Let me look at you.

What is it? What are you looking for?

You have the mark of the trident on your inner arm.

How did that get there?

It means you’ve been touched by a god, or, I guess in your case, a goddess.

Tal stopped touching him and Kai reached out blindly, trying to figure out where he had gone. He had never felt so helpless in his life.

"We need to go back to the clan. They’ll know what to do."

I have to go to land. Kai tried to recall the way to the island so he could swim there on his own, but his lack of vision had him disoriented and he had no idea which direction to take.

I don’t think that’s a good idea. Oracles don’t leave the ocean. It’s forbidden.

Cari never mentioned anything about that.

It’s not common knowledge outside Atlantis—or the sunken city, as most of the mer call it.

How do you know about it?

My clan, my original clan that is, took sanctuary in the sunken city. I left because mermen aren’t allowed to have intercourse with other mermen there, but many of my people stayed, including my brother. From what I’ve heard from others who have visited the city, he became a guard to the Oracles and he fell in love with Ula, the Oracle of the future. It was when the next mating season arrived he discovered the Oracles are never allowed on land.

What about during the mating season?

Not even then.

Kai had heard more than enough. He had no intention of staying in mer form during the mating season. He hadn’t finally convinced his mother to let him go to land, only to have some goddess forbid him. As a grown merman, he was perfectly capable of making his own decisions. If what you’re saying is true, I won’t go to Atlantis. I’ll just stay here with the clan.

I don’t think you have much choice. The Oracles have always lived in the sunken city. Even those like you, who come into their powers in other parts of the ocean, always go to live in Atlantis.

There’s a first time for everything and I don’t want to go there. It sounds more like a prison than a home.

In some ways it is, though the city is the safest place in the ocean, especially for a blind merman. The perimeter is protected by sea dragons and they keep all the sharks and other monsters of the waters at bay. They also hide the city and its inhabitants from any humans who venture too close to the boundaries.

Kai didn’t care how safe Atlantis was. He didn’t want to live as a prisoner in a place where he couldn’t even see his hand in front of his face. He would fight anyone who tried to make him go there. He wasn’t a helpless child. He was an adult now and he had ambitions of becoming a great warrior.

I won’t go! he insisted.

* * * *

Three months later, when Kai arrived at Cari’s temple, he was still arguing with his parents and the rest of his clan.

"Welcome, Kai," a female greeted him. I’m Ula, the Oracle of the future. Let me show you to your quarters.

Kai shook off Ula’s hand irritably.

Ah, Ula said. Cari warned me you weren’t happy about your new calling.

I won’t stay here, Kai told her. I’d rather take my chances in the ocean.

Ula sighed and patted his arm. I understand, more than you know. But before you make your choice to swim away from your destiny, there’s something you should see.

Kai’s vision returned, and he stared at the elderly merman struggling to rise from his sleeping sponge. "Who’s he?"

Panos is the Oracle of the Past, though as you can see, he’s quite unwell and I’ve seen for myself his end is near. Would you like to see the merman who’ll replace him?

Ula didn’t give Kai time to respond. A moment later they were in another part of the city, where two young mermen swam swiftly through the crumbling buildings. A third, older, merman struggled to keep up with them. He appeared to be some kind of guard.

"Prince Finn, you come back here right now!" the merman shouted.

The two youngsters ignored his order and continued on their way.

Which one will be the new Oracle? Kai asked.

Delwyn, the prince’s companion.

He seems very young.

He’s four years younger than you.

He doesn’t seem old enough to be an Oracle.

Delwyn is older than I was, when I came into my powers.

Kai swam closer to the two silver-finned mermen, but just when he reached them the vision changed once more. Now he saw Delwyn older, probably around the age Kai was now.

He’s a handsome young merman, Ula commented. And he’s going to need you as he takes his first steps as an Oracle.

The vision ended and Kai returned to the darkness he had almost become accustomed to.

Three mer, each blessed with powers that seemed more like a curse, and Kai, whether he wanted it or not, was one of them. He let the temple servants—his prison guards—guide him to his chambers.

As he curled up on his sleeping sponge, his biggest regret was failing to persuade Tal to take him to land, even if it had just been for the one solstice. The pain at the height of the solstice had been excruciating and the thought of going through the same experience all over again next mating season made him feel sick.

Kai tried not to dwell on the reality of the life stretching before him. If he did, he suspected he might just swim for the nearest shark and put an end to his misery. Instead, he thought about Delwyn, who he had briefly glimpsed in a vision. The young merman had been swimming with Prince Finn and had no idea his life would soon change forever.

Chapter One

Present day

Cari sipped her drink, savoring the sweet nectar of the gods. The secret ingredients of the nectar had been stolen long ago from the Greek pantheon, and in her opinion was the best acquisition the Atlantean gods had ever made.

Her quiet contemplation was rudely interrupted by the arrival of the most powerful goddess currently awake. Medina, Goddess of Love, appeared in the garden amid flashes of lightning and a flurry of pale pink silk robes.

Ah, there you are. Medina didn’t bother waiting for an invitation. She sat on one of the cushioned chairs and helped herself to a drink. This modern world is so vast, don’t you think?

The world itself is the same size it’s always been. There are merely more humans inhabiting the planet than there used to be. Cari wondered what Medina wanted. She doubted it was a pleasant chat about the changing times. She didn’t bother to ask, Medina would reveal the reason for her visit in her own good time.

Have you been to Greece recently? Medina inquired.

Yes. I enjoy eating Greek cuisine in its home country.

Medina waved her hand in dismissal. You can keep the food. Have you seen what’s become of the temples?

Times have changed. The old gods are no longer worshipped as they used to be. It’s not just Greece. The Roman ones, the Norse, so many of them are mostly forgotten in these modern times. Only scholars of history even know their names, and they don’t truly believe.

The people have forgotten us. Even in Atlantis they don’t recall us. Most of the mer call the place the sunken city.

Cari shrugged. She had long since resigned herself to never enjoying the power which came from having thousands of followers. Unfortunately for Medina, the goddess of love had been sleeping for centuries and had only recently awoken. Cari supposed it had been a shock for her to find what had become of the world they had once known.

If they were to remember, Medina continued, our powers would eclipse those we once had. Imagine the benefits of being worshipped by even a fraction of the current population of this new world.

Although Medina’s tone was mostly wistful, Cari detected a sense of purpose there too. The goddess of love was never going to be happy with merely a handful of followers.

How it is you didn’t sleep like the rest of us? Medina asked. What kept you in this realm?

My followers were not composed of Atlanteans alone, Cari replied. Many of the mer already believed in me on that fateful day. Even though they didn’t worship me in my temple, they had seen the power of my Oracles with their own eyes.

The mer believed in me too, Medina pointed out impatiently. I still slept.

Cari knew what Medina asked. She had a few ideas about why some had slept and others had remained in the world, though they were only theories. You’ll recall you performed some powerful magic in the weeks before you slept?

Medina tapped her lip. Are you talking about the little spell I put on Caspian?

Cari snorted. "Little spell? Yes, I am referring to that. It would have taken a lot out of you to put a love spell on a god as powerful as Caspian."

It shouldn’t have taken that much power to put him under the influence for less than a day.

Had you done other magic on other gods in the days leading up to our fall?

Yes, of course, the gods often came to me for assistance with matters of the heart. Medina huffed. So, are you saying my good deeds are the reason I was too weak to stay awake?

Cari ignored the remark about good deeds. She was certain Caspian didn’t see her meddling that way. It’s as good a theory as any.

Medina took a sip of nectar. So, now you choose your trio of Oracles from amongst the mer.

Yes.

Interesting.

Cari frowned at the direction the conversation was taking. We all needed followers to stay in this realm.

And lucky you, the mer were ready to fall at your feet. Rather a shame you couldn’t have warned the rest of us so we could take similar precautions.

I didn’t know what would happen.

Medina laughed in obvious disbelief. The Goddess of Prophecy didn’t see the biggest disaster to befall our kind before it happened? Forgive me if I don’t believe you.

Cari glared at her uninvited guest. You know as well as I do, our powers are useless within the temple of another god. I could not see what would happen. If I’d had any idea, don’t you think I’d have done everything in my power to stop it?

Medina nodded and lowered her eyes. Whatever our differences, I know how much you care for your brother.

Cari took another drink and wished it were something stronger. What transpired weakened me too. It nearly drained me to appoint new Oracles.

Humph.

Cari waited, her patience wearing thinner by the minute, wondering what Medina wanted from her. She tapped her manicured finger on her glass, subtly hinting for the goddess to get to the point.

Your current Oracles are all untouched, Medina commented.

Yes, I know.

You used to take most of your Oracles to your bed, Medina continued. The men at least. Are you losing your touch, or don’t you like the idea of letting a half-human fuck you?

I’m not prejudiced against the mer. I’ve invited some to my bed over the years, just not my Oracles.

Is there any particular reason why not? What’s changed since I was last here?

The Oracles are forbidden to have sexual relations with anyone. Not that any of the present ones would accept an invitation from me anyway, both Kai and Delwyn are what humans these days call gay.

What? Medina’s jaw dropped and she placed her glass on the table with a shaky hand.

You heard me, Cari replied. They’re homosexual. It’s really not so unusual.

That’s not the part I’m shocked at. You’ve forbidden the Oracles to enjoy sexual pleasures?

Yes.

Why?

It would appear the power of sight carries down through the generations now.

It never used to, did it?

No.

Then how did that happen?

Another question Cari didn’t have an answer for, though again she’d had plenty of time to formulate her own theory on the matter. I suspect it was a side effect of my mother’s interference with the mer physiology.

Medina snorted in a thoroughly unladylike manner.