Heads or Tails (42 page)

‘Oh.’ Callum said. ‘Can I ask if he wants it so bad and has known of it for awhile...why doesn’t he just pinch it himself?’

‘Because he knows how manipulative and dangerous the Court women can be-And he’s terrified of them.’ It wasn’t a lie. Luca could barely hear Ivyanne’s surname mentioned without taking off in a sprint.

‘So he’s mer?’

Ardhi immediately realized his oversight. ‘Need to know mate, unless you fancy being tortured.’

‘Ahh. Right.’

‘So you’re planning on acting soon?’

Ardhi decided it was time to come clean. ‘Yeah actually, I’m thinking this weekend would be best. Possibly Saturday night-it seems like either Tristan or Lincoln take off on the weekends and security there becomes a bit more lax. If I’m to get in and out without spilling blood, then that would be the time to do it.’

‘Clever.’ Callum was squinting out at the water. ‘Be cautious though-this Saturday night is the full moon. People get a bit crazy.’

‘I’ve heard that...’ Ardhi drawled, imaging Ivyanne naked in the brightest moonlight, hands bounds, knees falling open for him...he shifted in his seat, feeling his body stir once more. ‘Trust me when I say that I have
no
intention of rushing anything.’

‘Good. Just let me know where and when you need me. I could use a new boat as a reward...’

Ardhi chuckled. ‘Sure thing. I should have details pinned down by tonight.’

‘Sweet. Hey do you mind if I borrow my computer for a second?’ Callum asked. ‘I need to check my net banking and make sure that everyone’s paid up before I leave.’

Ardhi handed him the computer. ‘Here you go. And thanks again for all of this. I shouldn’t be in your hair too much longer.’

‘No problem.’ Callum lifted the lid of the lap top and pressed a button. Instantly, he frowned. ‘
How can a virgin man pleasure a woman?’
he asked dubiously.

Ardhi’s blood tuned to ice. ‘Wait... that doesn’t re-set when you shut it?’

‘Umm...no. Awkward Porn rule 101-always hit the little cross in the top corner.’ Callum frowned at him. ‘
This
is what you’re researching?’

Ardhi’s face was on fire. He groaned and shielded his eyes. ‘Don’t judge me okay! But yeah... I was just curious. I’m a... I mean I’ve never…..’ he stammered over the words, and then scowled. ‘Look that was
supposed
to be private.’

Callum cocked his head, smirking. ‘And just
who
is the lucky lady?’

Ardhi looked away. ‘I don’t know yet. But I’m going to need to find one to change for myself soon, aren’t I?’ The lie came easily.

‘I guess.’ Callum hit a few buttons. ‘Just seems like a strange thing to be on your mind at the moment.’

Ardhi’s stomach twisted. He didn’t want anyone knowing what he had planned for Ivyanne-he’d never get their help if they did. ‘Yeah well…. restless night, if you know what I mean.’

‘I do. That Jade sure likes to walk around in next to nothing, doesn’t she? Can drive a man insane!’ Callum smiled, still staring at the screen. ‘Okay!’ he said. ‘All paid up.’ He shut the computer and then slid it onto the table. ‘I better get going. And don’t be embarrassed-it’s been awhile for me too.’

Ardhi smiled. ‘Jade seems quite welcoming...’

Callum flushed. ‘Not my type. Besides... I like a bit of a challenge, you know?’

Ardhi smiled, imagine Ivyanne writhing in his arms. ‘Oh-I
know
.’

‘That’s what I thought.’ Callum drained his cup and slapped Ardhi’s back on the way out. ‘Later storm boy.’

‘Later.’

*

Trying to ignore the sound of Ivyanne’s laughter on Friday afternoon was like trying to tune out gunfire. Literally. She’d begged Garridan to teach her how to handle a firearm and he’d relented. And of course, Lincoln had joined in, claiming to want a refresher course now that his sling was off.

So as Tristan attempted to indulge in a relaxing dip with Pintang by the dock, the constant bang-Bang-Bang of Ivyanne’s target shooting was broken only by her delighted laughter and Lincoln’s praise.

‘I tell you...’ Tristan said, turning onto his back and lazily flicking his tail. ‘I’m this close to throwing in the towel.’

Pintang laughed bitterly. ‘A month ago that would have been music to my ears. Now if I had a towel-I’d
smack
you with it. You’ve come too far to wuss-out now!’

‘Hey if I wuss-out, it’ll still be with panache.’ He joked. ‘But seriously, my sister called to invite me to mom’s birthday party on the big island next week and damn if I’m not tempted to just go and see if Ivyanne notices when I don’t come back.’

‘Oh so I lose to Sahori instead of Ivyanne? Gee...thanks!’

Tristan rolled over onto his front and stared at her. ‘Hey now…’ He said softly. ‘You know why it’s Sahori I’ve made arrangements with, don’t you?’

Pintang glanced at him, blue eyes sorrowful. But then she smiled sadly. ‘Because you know she can deal with being runner-up better than I could?’

‘Exactly.’ He pulled her into his arms, held her lithe body against his own. There was no heat between them, but a gentle warmth he was beginning to recognize. One of friendship. ‘You deserve so much more than an arranged marriage, Pintang. You deserve a champion.’

‘And Ivyanne needs you to be her champion.’ Pintang pulled back. ‘I don’t get what’s going on? You two were like magnets last Saturday and then-’

‘Sherri happened.’ He grumbled. ‘She made a martyr out of my rival. I had myself all pumped up to fight and then suddenly, I’m facing off with an irreplaceable cripple singing Disney songs. Kind of takes the wind out of a man’s sails!’

‘We’re mer, Tristan. You shouldn’t be sailing, but diving deep. I know you’re tired but if that third wind doesn’t kick in soon you are going to lose her.’

‘I know that.’ Tristan winced as two more shots sounded in the distance. ‘But I can only dive so far alone! I mean- she won’t even
swim
with me!’ Tristan ran his hand over the silken skin of the ocean and stared beyond it to where his golden tail flicked idly below. He longed to take Ivyanne down to the coral, to watch her scales catch the filtered sunlight, see her hair cloud around her. If they could just be together down there, he
knew
she’d see the sense in them. ‘How am I supposed to think she’s imagining a future with me at all when she won’t do what comes most naturally to us?’

‘This might be a dumb question, but why haven’t you actually asked her yet?’

Tristan looked at Pintang. ‘Asked her what?’

Pintang rolled her eyes. ‘
The
question. The
big
one.’

Tristan shrugged. ‘She found the ring when she thought I was dead.’

‘How romantic.’ Pintang elbowed him. ‘You telling me you can’t come up with something better than
that
?’

Tristan smiled. ‘You
know
I could.’

‘So do it. Do whatever it takes to make her see that she wants to say yes. Ask her to marry you and if she doesn’t say yes, try something else! Try
any
thing else! She’s hurting for someone to make her mind up for her, so be the one who does.’

Tristan laughed. ‘You make it sound so easy!’

Pintang smiled at him. ‘And why wouldn’t it be? You’re the guy who gets the girl, right?
Every
time?’

He scratched his head. ‘I thought I was. But Link is really cramping my style.’

Pintang rolled her eyes. ‘You survived a plane crash, for god’s sake! You’re not cut out to be her bitch!’ She touched his arm. ‘You were created to make her
yours
. So just fulfill your destiny already and prove that we Marked children are worth the hype.
Please
.’

Tristan lifted his chin. ‘I am
not
her bitch.’

Pintang laughed and slapped him on the shoulder. ‘There’s the fighter I love so dearly!’

Tristan smirked. ‘I’m a lover, not a fighter.’

‘Then step up Romeo and end our suffering before one of us girls forces one of you guys to make the choice for our poor conflicted queen.’ She wagged a finger at him. ‘And don’t say it can’t be done. A locked door might keep Sahori out on a full moon, but not Sahori
and
I.’

‘Best threat I’ve had in a while.’ He joked, and his body stirred, rousing from it’s coma, no doubt because of the full moon. Pintang was glowing, and her words were cloying. Temptation was in the air, and he didn’t know if he was as fortified against it in his current state as he had been the previous month. He’d been hurt too much. Had his hopes raised only to be dashed. One more rejection from the woman who consumed his every thought and he might consider leaving his door ajar, inviting temptation in.

But then he pictured stroking straight, dark hair instead of golden curls and tears sprang to his eyes. He turned away from the mermaid and towards the siren above.

‘But I don’t know...I like the grand gesture idea more.’

‘You’re going to propose?’

‘I’m going to end this.’

*

‘So okay….’ Sherri snuggled onto Loren’s lap and looked at Ardhi with a questioning expression. ‘I’ll be waiting in the car with Dallas and Callum while you go in?’

Ardhi nodded. ‘Meanwhile Jade and Lorens will arrive in the bay at ten in Callum’s boat, making as much noise as possible.’

‘And we won’t get shot for trespassing?’ Lorens asked warily.

Ardhi laughed. ‘She’s rich but she doesn’t own the bay. You guys will have a picnic basket and fishing rods. So although one of the mer will probably approach you and possibly even urge you to go elsewhere, they’ll see a date, not a threat.’ He leaned back against the couch. ‘That ought to draw attention long enough for me to get onto the roof via the fence.’

‘Why the roof?’ Jade asked, exchanging a nervous look with Lorens.

‘I’ve checked that place out every night from the forest this week-the top floor is a suite of some kind, and she’s the only one I’ve seen through the window. It’s her bedroom-and
that’s
where the crown will be.’

‘How are you going to get along the roof?’ Dallas asked. ‘Won’t you make a racket?’

‘Not as much as the thunder will.’ Ardhi smiled. ‘I’ll be able to start brewing a storm around six. That way, it’s gradual enough that they won’t suspect my involvement.’ He sighed. ‘It’ll be tiring to maintain, but I’ll be in the mangroves as I do it, deep enough so that I stay connected with the water. That will sustain me until ten, when I go for it.’

‘And how will you get in?’

‘Through the window. Ivyanne can’t stand confined spaces-I know that at least one of her windows will be unlocked, if not open.’

‘But ten is bed time,’ Sherri pointed out. ‘What if she comes up and catches you red-handed?’

That was exactly what Ardhi was counting on. He’d been observing her lights out schedule all week, but he couldn’t tell Sherri that either. ‘The full moon will make them too paranoid about me to go to bed early. They’ll all be together downstairs, I guarantee it.’ He smiled. ‘I get in, I get the crown, and then I’ll get out as soon as Dallas knocks on the door, looking for Saraya.’ He turned to Dallas. ‘At eleven sharp okay? Not a minute less.’

‘I hate this idea…’ Dallas muttered. ‘She told me she was leaving town. Why would I show up there again?’

‘Because you dream of her. You crave her. You can’t live without her.’ Ardhi grinned, though he wasn’t sure how safe Dallas would be. If Saraya detained him too long, he might be there when Ivyanne’s ravishment was discovered-and he’d certainly be implicated. But that wasn’t Ardhi’s problem. He was risking his own neck-he didn’t need to worry about baby-sitting an adult mermaid too! ‘Saraya’s very vain and almost always up for a shag. Play up to that. You might be hypnotized again and turned out-which you’ll shake off fairly quickly this time, being mer, or, you’ll get lucky. Either way, your arrival will excite the entire household, and I’ll be able to make my escape.’

‘In the car or the boat?’

‘It depends on the circumstances-and that’s exactly why I want two options. But then again, I might be delayed and unable to communicate, or I might be able to just waltz out the front door. Who knows? That’s why I want you to leave at five past, and not look back. I might even head in early and scout the area first.’

‘And what if things go bad?’ Sherri asked softly. ‘Are you prepared for that?’

‘I am.’ Ardhi said seriously. ‘I can always just blow out the power with a strategically placed lightning bolt or find somewhere to hide until the coast is clear or failing that-
fight
my way out.’

‘I just hate being left out of this.’ Sherri confessed. ‘We’re a team.’

Ardhi looked out the window, touched but knowing she’d probably change her tune if she knew what his real intentions were. If he succeeded, she’d find out eventually and he’d lose her. To his surprise, tears welled up in his eyes at the idea of her recoiling in horror.